Curriculum Statement

The curriculum at The Priory School aims to develop confident individuals and successful learners who are able to lead fulfilling lives and make a positive contribution to society, the environment and the economy. Developing our school vision we also aim to develop Responsibility, Respect and Resilience in our students.

Key Stage 3

The Key Stage 3 curriculum ensures a foundation for a coherent programme of provision that meets the needs of individual learners and provides a genuine gateway to personalising learning at Post 14 and beyond.

  • There are two high-attaining form groups in each year, one in each half of the year group. The remaining forms are mixed ability.
  • Where it is available, departments are following the National Curriculum which came into use in September 2014.
  • Setting arrangements – each year group is split into two half year bands of equal ability. All subjects are taught in mixed ability groups with the exception of Maths, MFL and Science (from Year 8) due to the hierarchical nature of the subject content.

Key Stage 4

The Post-14 curriculum at The Priory School provides continuity and progression from the breadth of subjects studied at Key Stage 3. It prepares all students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life, including Raising Aspirations of future careers. The curriculum ensures a more individualised learning culture where there is equality of opportunity for all to succeed.  Students study a core curriculum of English, Maths, Science, Cultural Respect and Responsibility (Cultural R&R – Religious Education), RSHE and PE.

Students are placed onto one of three learning pathways; each pathway designed to meet the learning needs of the students.  Students are offered a ‘free’ choice where their initial choices are not arranged in blocks.  This is to allow the maximum number of students to gain their top choices and allow greater flexibility to the learning pathways process. All subjects are available to students, but subjects cannot run where numbers who have opted for the course are too low. The curriculum ensures a more individualised learning culture where there is far greater equality of opportunity for all to succeed. Students study a core curriculum of English, Maths, Science, RSHE, PE and Cultural R&R.

  • Learning Pathway 1: This pathway includes the core subjects of English Language & Literature, Mathematics, Science and an Humanity or additional core lessons. In addition, students choose three options.  There may be the opportunity for students to attend a college course for one half day per week or attend work experience. Students on this pathway have a bespoke timetable which is designed specifically for each individual .
  • Learning Pathway 2 (no language): This route offers a minimum of nine GCSEs including English Language & Literature, Mathematics, Science and an Humanity (Geography/History).  All students will study Double or Triple Science.
  • Learning Pathway 3:  The English Baccalaureate route: This route offers a minimum of nine GCSEs including English Language & Literature, Mathematics, Science and at least one Humanity. Students taking learning route 3 need to choose one language (French or Spanish) and two other options. Students are given support throughout Year 9 in making their subject choices to ensure they choose subjects which they are most likely to succeed at and which will support their future aspirations.

Key Stage 5

The curriculum at Post 16 enables progression of learning from Key Stage 4. The aim is to encourage more young people to remain in a structured learning environment, which includes traditional A Level and vocational opportunities. All students participate in a Raising Aspirations programme and receive specific guidance through the Connexions service and additional external support via the Hertfordshire Aim Higher programme and University Open Days.  The school has been approved to deliver T Levels from 2024 and we are currently working on preparations for this.

  • Learning Route 1 – Students undertake a blend of vocational and traditional A level subjects. Work Experience is undertaken in Year 12 as part of the two-year course.
  • Learning Route 2 – LR2 is a traditional three or four A Level course, studied over a two-year period.  Students are offered the opportunity of studying the EPQ L3 and Core Maths both of which enrich the curriculum offer for the students.

Students have one lesson a fortnight of enrichment, which includes our PE offer, and a further lesson a fortnight which focuses on preparing the students for the next step in their future.

Further information about our curriculum, including the taught hours for each subject, can be found in our curriculum policy via the link below.

Please follow the link below to the Policies page of our website to read the Curriculum policy in which information can be found about the taught hours for each subject for each year group.

Our School Policies