Greenbank High School: 5 Year Secondary Curriculum Pathway
Students have a five year curriculum with specialisation at the end of Year 7 (language choice), Year 8 (Ebacc + 2 specialisms) and Year 9 (pathway) in order for students to access the broadest curriculum possible over 5 years and to ensure that:
- The majority of our students study 10 subjects for as long as possible and maintain the breadth of subject choice.
- Subjects have adequate time to explore their curriculum in detail, allowing greater depth of understanding and enjoyment and ensuring that students are well prepared for their external qualifications.
- Progression is maximised within all subjects during students’ 5 years increasing the life chances and future success of all pupils.
- More able students achieve the top grades of 8 & 9 and are well equipped to achieve well at further and higher education with the skills required to access these top grades.
- Students follow the most suitable curriculum for them with a transition and foundation period in Year 9 to ensure the correct pathways and subjects have been chosen with fluidity between option choices as appropriate to the individual.
- The curriculum is brought to life with time available to deliver key activities which make our school a special learning community such as the sporting, leadership and performing arts opportunities as well as the extra-curricular and international visits.
- High expectations are set and allow all students to achieve above their peers. Students’ targets are ambitious and driven by the high expectations staff have of all of our students; time is taken to arrive at these targets based on assessing the individual and their potential as well as validating this against national data.
- High impact enrichment takes place such as Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions, Enrichment Days and one week of Work Experience ensuring students are well equipped to move on to further study and future careers as well as being responsible citizens contributing positively to the wider community.
- Students can specialise in subjects which are relevant to them and their futures with a high percentage of students studying arts and technology
- Students with Special Educational Needs and students at risk of underperforming have effective support and intervention.
- We work towards the government targets for EBACC widening the opportunities for further learning for students whilst at the same time maintaining individuals’ interests with a wide range of curriculum options for students.
- All students are able to benefit from studying Religious Education at GCSE level further enhancing SMSC.
- The mental health of students is kept as a key priority with less anxiety due to courses being finished in a timely way with adequate time for embedding knowledge and preparing students to do their best in their assessments.
- The National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 is covered in 2 years and is carefully tracked to ensure that students have covered all areas of non-statutory KS4 subjects by the end of Year 8.
- Students are engaged in their learning due to them being part of the process in shaping their curriculum. Many students have a clear idea of the subjects they like the most and the least by the middle of Year 8.