The Subject-Specific Curriculum
Literacy and Mathematical skills are essential in life and allow pupils to progress within education and enter employment. That is why Hailey Hall School works tirelessly to equip the pupils with these functional skills.
Teachers provide ongoing literacy and mathematical support in lessons, Form Tutors deliver reading and spelling schemes at least 3 / 4 sessions throughout the week and additional ‘One to One’ tutoring provides personalised individual support. In addition, every pupil studies further literacy and mathematical skills as part of Prep Time. This is a short lesson that takes place each Friday, lasting for twenty minutes at the start of the day.
We consider it important that all pupils engage in the following subjects during Key Stage 3 – please click on each subject to view curriculum intents and subject maps:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Music
- Art
- Design Technology
- Food and Cookery Skills
- Computing
- Humanities/OAA
- PSHCE (consists of five components: personal, social, health, citizenship, and economic education).
- PE and Games
Pupils in Years 7 and 8 also attend a day of Humanities/Outdoor Adventurous Activities, once a week. This programme is varied and exhilarating, challenging and exciting, allowing pupils to take risks and gain new experiences outside the classroom. It is no wonder that their confidence, self-esteem, feelings of success and achievement abound when they successfully complete an Outdoor Adventurous Activity day. History, Geography and Religion are taught through this programme.
History and Geography are also taught through cross-curricular days and cultural trips within the UK and abroad. Religious Education is also delivered through a number of themed assemblies throughout the year.
Wider cultural understanding is developed through project work, for example, visiting French Markets via Food Technology.
From Year 9, and throughout Years 10 and 11, the aim is to narrow the focus a little, pursuing areas of particular interest and ability, whilst maintaining a good range of core subjects. The following subjects represent the core subjects and those which are compulsory:
- English – GCSE English Language, GCSE English Literature and Functional Skills Level 1-2
- Mathematics – Edexcel GCSE, Edexcel Award Level 1-2 and Edexcel Functional Skills
- Applied Science – BTEC Level 2 Award
- Employability – City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate
- Sport – BTEC Level 1 Award
In addition to these, pupils can choose from the following option subjects:
- Music – BTEC Level 2 which will run until the end of 2024-2025 and for year 10 2024-2025 BTEC Award Level 1/2 in Music Practice
- Art – AQA GCSE Art Craft and Design
- Craft – NCFE Level 2
- Food and Cookery Skills – NCFE Level 2 Food and Cookery Skills
- ICT – Cambridge Nationals iMedia Level 2
- Sport – BTEC Level 2
The school also arranges for pupils to take a GCSE in any additional languages with which they are familiar. Pupils are provided with support and additional lessons before the examination.
Our subject specific curriculum provides choice and opportunity, earlier, to help pupils realise their individual talents and to help them pursue academic excellence.
The Vocational Curriculum
Our School College Partnership programmes are designed to give pupils the opportunity to gain practical knowledge and vocational skills that will be relevant to employers. These programmes run in conjunction with the ‘Subject Specific Curriculum’ and can mean that a pupil attends college as well as attending Hailey Hall School. The School College Partnership programmes can include courses run by the following organisations:
- Haileybury Turnford School providing further educational opportunities.
- Ware College provides a variety of vocational courses.
- Stanborough School, a specialist Mathematics & Computing Academy, providing further GCSE courses for more able pupils.
- Herts Regional College provides a variety of vocational courses
- GTA Recording and Project Studios, Thornwood
- Harlow Zoo
- Paringdon Education Unit, Harlow
- Capel Manor, Enfield (Horticultural)
- Construction Training Programme, Harlow
The Personalised Curriculum
At Hailey Hall School we also personalise the educational provision to suit the individual needs of particular pupils. Research indicates that this has a positive impact on the progress they make. A modified timetable is produced and can incorporate a number of the following areas of study:
- A selection of subjects from the ‘subject specific curriculum’.
- A chosen ‘Vocational Curriculum’ programme set up with a School College provider.
- A work placement or apprenticeship with a good secure job so that pupils can embark on a rewarding career path.
- Additional ‘Home Learning’ tutoring provided by Hailey Hall School.
We work closely with external providers, support agencies and parents to ensure pupils receive the very best educational package to enable them to succeed.
