KS3 Curriculum Overview
‘For every student, regardless of background or circumstance, to achieve the grades and develop the qualities which will open the door to the future of their choice.’
Laurus Trust schools provide an excellent and rounded education for all their students, regardless of their individual backgrounds, preparing them well for their future careers.
Our curriculum ensures that every student recognises what it takes to succeed, sets aspirational goals and works hard to achieve them with the support of a highly qualified and dedicated team of education professionals. It is shaped by the students as it responds to their individual needs and is underpinned by the Cornerstones of the Laurus Trust: Academic Aspiration, Leadership and Service, Competition and Physical Endeavour and Culture, Creativity and Rhetoric.
Our approach to the curriculum also complies with the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice 2014. For further information on how we ensure the curriculum is accessible to those with disabilities or special educational needs please see the Laurus Trust Equality Policy and the SEND information report under the SEND section of our website.
We operate a two-week, 56-lesson timetable cycle. All lessons are 55 minutes long. Please click here to see the structure of the school day.
Key Stage 3 Overview
Year 7
Upon entry into Year 7, students are placed into one of 10 Tutor Groups which are divided into 2 bands. Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) are taught in mixed ability form tutor groups to begin with, a top is formed later in the year in within French and Spanish in each band. There is one class of German in each band which remain in mixed ability form groups. Sets are based on attainment and are informed by National Curriculum tests and our own internal assessments. These arrangements may change as each student progresses through the Key Stage. PSHE, RS, History, Geography, Art, Music, Drama, Computing, Science, English and Maths are taught in mixed ability form tutor groups, while PE and Design Technology are taught in smaller mixed ability groups.
View the Year 7 Knowledge and Skills Guide for more information.
Year 8
We have a similar arrangement to Year 7. Science is taught in ability sets, while Maths, English and MFL will organise learning according to the specific needs of the year group. PSHE, RS, History, Geography and Computing for this year are taught as mixed ability groups and not in tutor groups.
View the Year 8 Knowledge and Skills Guide for more information.
Year 9
In Year 9, arrangements are very similar to Year 8 with sets in English and Science. Students take their MFL exam this year and may move groups to prepare for different exam tiers. Maths, Art, Computing, Performing Arts, PE, History, Geography, Design Technology, RS and PSHE are taught in mixed ability groups.
View the Year 9 Knowledge and Skills Guide for more information.
Curriculum Structure
| Key Stage 3 | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
| English | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Maths | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Science | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| RS/PSHE | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Physical Education | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Geography | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| History | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| MFL | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Design & Tech | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Computing | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Art | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Performing Arts | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Total | 56 | 56 | 56 |
CHHS works on a two-week timetable.
All subjects follow the relevant national curriculum programme of study. For more information please click here.