Whitcliffe Mount is committed to providing a curriculum that will prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. We are proud of the opportunities we provide for students outside the classroom. These opportunities generally fall in to two categories: bringing topics being studied in the classroom to life and enriching the learning experience for students. We are on a journey from ‘good to great’ and our core principles to underpin this are:

‘Students to be the best they can be’

Each student, regardless of ability, background or prior behaviour record, has the right to an outstanding education, care, guidance and support.

 Our curriculum aims to:

• provide students with the opportunity to enjoy learning, achieve their potential and celebrate success
• deliver a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum to the highest standard
• equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to make informed choices about their lives
• provide support and challenge for all students from the most vulnerable to the more able
• provide a supportive learning environment
• deliver the curriculum by using well qualified, specialist teachers and staff
• offer a varied curriculum that caters for the needs of all students
• ensure that strategies are put in place to ensure all students can access their learning and achieve their potential.

Students follow a two week timetable of fifty periods, each lesson is one hour in length and form registration takes place at the beginning of the day.

Key Stage 3

The Key Stage 3 curriculum provides students with an opportunity to experience a wide range of subjects. By the end of Year 9, students are in an excellent position to make choices about what they want to study in Year 10 and 11.

The Key stage 3 curriculum encourages the development of the ‘We Are Whitcliffe’ skills: Team Worker, Independent Thinker, Responsible Citizen, Reflective Learner, and Creative Entrepreneur.

Students currently study the following subjects:

Year 7 - art, design and technology, English, geography, history, computing, mathematics, modern foreign languages, music, PACE (personal and citizenship education), physical education, religious studies and science.

Year 8 - art, drama, design and technology, English, geography, history, computing, mathematics, modern foreign languages, music, PACE, physical education, religious studies and science.

Year 9 - art, drama, design and technology, English, geography, history, computing, mathematics, modern foreign languages, music, PACE (including religious studies), physical education and science.

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4, students continue to follow a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum. Through our flexible and personalised routes, students are guided towards a curriculum which will enable them to achieve their full potential. Advice is given to individual students and their parents/carers before the option choices are made at the end of year 9.

All students study the core subjects: English language and literature, maths, science, core PE, PACE (including religious studies).

Additional subjects currently offered at Key Stage 4: engineering, art/design, food preparation/nutrition, geography, history, statistics, creative iMedia, computer science, French, Spanish, sport science, music, performing arts, health and social care, enterprise and marketing.

This curriculum is subject to annual review.