CURRICULUM VISION
At Prince Henry’s we hope to prepare all our pupils for their lives well beyond school by providing them with a wealth of opportunities, underpinned by a strong sense of values and a culture of high expectations. Consequently, our curriculum provides pupils with a broad, traditional academic diet of subjects, enriched with opportunities to explore wider aspects of the Arts, STEM, Sport and the world of work.
1) Key Stage 3 (Year 9) Curriculum and Timetable:
Year 9 pupils are divided into 11 mixed ability Tutor Groups taking into account friendship groups, a mixture of pupils from various Middle Schools and a full range across all abilities. They will stay in these forms for the next three years with the same form tutor, if that is possible.
The Tutor will help them settle into the school, advise them through important stages of their school career and show concern for their personal and academic progress and welfare.
For teaching purposes pupils are divided into three ‘Abbey’ groups, Evesham, Pershore and Tewkesbury. Each group covers the full ability range, and departments are then left free to organise the teaching groups which suit them best. Most prefer mixed abilities whilst others organise pupils into upper, middle and lower ability sets. This makes it possible for a particular child to be in, for example, middle sets or mixed abilities for most lessons but an upper set for a subject in which he or she does particularly well. It is therefore a flexible system which enables the academic needs of a particular child to be considered.
All Year 9 pupils follow a common curriculum which includes the subject areas of the National Curriculum –
| Subject | Lessons per fortnight | Set/Mixed ability |
| English | 7 | Set |
| Maths | 7 | Set |
| Science | 7 | Mixed Ability |
| Technology | 4 | Mixed Ability |
| History | 3 | Mixed Ability (Top set) |
| Geography | 3 | Mixed ability (Top set) |
| MFL (French / Spanish / German) | 5 | Set |
| Art | 2 | Mixed ability |
| Citizenship / ICT | 3 | Mixed ability (Top set) |
| Music | 2 | Mixed ability |
| Physical Education | 4 | Mixed ability |
| Personal and Social education | 1 | Mixed ability |
| Religious Education | 2 | Mixed ability (Top set) |
| Tutorial Time | 20 mins each morning |
2) Key Stage 4 (Year 10 & 11) Curriculum and Timetable:
In Years 10 and 11 the Abbey groups are replaced by teaching groups based on the particular subjects which the pupils opt to study. Most pupils prepare for GCSE/Cambridge Nationals and/or BTEC examinations in Years 10 and 11.
Year 10
| Subject | Lessons per fortnight | Set/Mixed Ability | Other Information |
| English Language and Literature | 7 | Set | |
| Maths | 7 | Set | |
| Science | 10 | Triple Scientists 12 (Y11) | |
| Personal and Social education (including Religious and moral education and citizenship) | 1 | Mixed ability | |
| Physical education | 4 | Mixed ability | Triple Scientists 3 (Y10) |
| MFL | 5 | French – Set Spanish – Set Italian – Mixed ability German Mixed ability | |
| Option Subject x 3 | 15 | Mixed ability | |
| Tutorial Time | 20 mins each morning |
Year 11
| Subject | Lessons per fortnight | Set/Mixed Ability | Other Information |
| English Language and Literature | 8 | Set | Triple Scientists 7 |
| Maths | 8 | Set | Triple Scientists 7 |
| Science | 10 | Triple Scientists 12 | |
| Personal and Social education (including Religious and moral education and citizenship) | 1 | Mixed ability | |
| Physical education | 3 | Mixed ability | |
| MFL | 5 | French – Set Spanish – Set Italian – Mixed ability German – Set | |
| Option Subject x 3 | 15 | Mixed ability | |
| Tutorial Time | 20 mins each morning |
A separate Course Booklet is issued to all Year 9 pupils in the Spring Term giving details of all Year 10 and 11 subjects.
OPTIONS:
The Options booklet is accessible via the Parents & Students area of the website. In 2020 Students were able to choose from:
- Art Textiles GCSE
- Business GCSE
- Computer Science GCSE
- Design Technology with Graphics Specialism GCSE
- Design Technology with Timbers Specialism GCSE
- Drama GCSE
- Fine Art GCSE
- Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE
- French GCSE
- Geography GCSE
- German GCSE
- Health and Social Care Cambridge National Certificate
- History GCSE
- iMedia (Digital Game Production) Cambridge National Certificate
- iMedia (Video and Photography) Cambridge National Certificate
- Italian GCSE
- Music GCSE
- Physical Education GCSE
- Religious Studies with Philosophy and Ethics GCSE
- Spanish GCSE
All pupils in Year 11 have at least one week’s experience of work, which takes place during the Autumn Term.
3) Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form) Curriculum offer and Timetable:
In 2020 our main programme offered to students consisted of 3 A Levels and a programme of enrichment including sport, other study and personal development opportunities and pastoral information and guidance. Students who have achieved exceptionally well at GCSE, at least 6 grade A’s with an A* in the four subjects chosen and who are keen to have an additional subject, may be able to opt for a 4 A Level programme, in consultation with the Head of Sixth Form.
Year 12
| Subject | Lessons per fortnight | Other Information |
| Options x 3 | 9* | |
| Physical Education | 4 | |
| EAG | 2 | Core Maths and EDCL pupils 1 |
| Electives | 1 | |
| Supervised Private Study | 9 | |
| Tutorial time | 20 mins each morning |
*Dependent upon pupil numbers
Year 13
| Subject | Lessons per fortnight | Other Information |
| Options x 3 | 9* | |
| Physical Education | 4 | |
| EAG | 1 | Core Maths 0 |
| Supervised Private Study | 7 | |
| Tutorial Time | 20 mins each morning |
*Dependent upon pupil numbers
Enrichment Programme:
Every week Year 12 students meet in the Arts Centre for the Enrichment Programme. This has been organised to help students find out more about life outside the Sixth Form and to give them the skills to succeed in later life. Outside speakers and staff offer information about a wide range of topics; last year the programme included input from:
Evesham Decorative and Fine Arts Society (EDFAS), Animal Testing, Apprenticeships, Environmental agencies, Magistrates and a local bank. Students were also given guidance on revision techniques, presentation skills, safe driving, study skills and alcohol awareness.
The Electives Programme:
Every student is asked to choose an elective. Some electives offer students the opportunity to gain additional qualifications. The others can offer worthwhile experience in the school and wider community or simply relaxation and enjoyment. In 2020 the following electives were offered: • Community Volunteering • Gold and Silver Artsmark award • Thinking Skills • Extended Project Qualifications • Duke of Edinburgh Gold award • ‘Get Into Teaching course • Photography • Multi Gym Fitness • Student Mentor • Reading Buddies Yr 9 • Holiday Spanish • Young Enterprise • Survival Cookery • Core Maths Qualification • ECDL Advanced Qualification
Prince Henry’s also runs its own Study Skills Programme for Sixth Formers. This is delivered during registration and involves a range of activities which encourage students to take initiatives and responsibility.
A full list of the A Level courses which are available to study is given within the Sixth Form area of this website, together with details of the entry criteria, application process and extra-curricular and electives opportunities. Further details of all Sixth Form courses may be found in the separate Sixth Form Prospectus available from the school.
For more information about other features of our curriculum please visit the relevant pages on our website:
SMSC, Personal, Social and Health education and Citizenship
