Quick Links

Quick Links

Curriculum 

Curriculum Intent

At Beaconsfield High School our curriculum intent is to support a happy, high achieving learning community enriched by the opportunity to discover talents and passions.

We plan and build our curriculum so that academic knowledge, enrichment and life skills match the high aspirations of our learners and allow them to make the strongest progress over time.

This will prepare them to be the best they can be in school, as citizens in their community and in their future.    

Year 7 to Year 9

In Years 7 to 9 students study a broad and balanced curriculum that builds a firm foundation of the skills needed to ensure that students are GCSE ready when they enter year 10.

Subjects studied comprise of Computing; Creative Arts (Art, Graphics, Textiles & Food); Drama; English; Geography; History; Languages (French, Latin & Spanish in Year 7, of which students then choose 2 to take through into Year 8); Mathematics; Music; Physical Education; Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHE); Religion, Philosophy and Ethics and Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

Getting Life Ready skills are taught to Year 7 students once a fortnight with the aim of equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in a challenging world. These include the skills of resourcefulness, risk taking, resilience, reflection, creative and critical thinking. These skills will be implicit within all curriculum lessons for all students and forms part of our tutor time offer.

Year 7 Curriculum Map

Year 8 Curriculum Map

Year 9 Curriculum Map

For further subject details please click on the list below. 

Biology

History

Chemistry

Mathematics

Computer Science

Modern & Classical Languages

Creative Arts 

Music

Dance

Physical Education

Drama

Physics

English

PSHE

Geography

Religion, Philosophy & Ethics

Year 10 and Year 11 

In year 10 and 11 all students study a core GCSE curriculum of English Language, English Literature, Maths and Science. The science curriculum includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics as distinct subject areas.

Students in year 10 and 11 are offered a wide range of GCSE subjects and have four option choices. To ensure we maintain a broad and balanced curriculum it is compulsory for students to choose a modern foreign language, a humanity subject, and a creative subject alongside one ‘free option’ from the subjects groups below:

  • a modern foreign language (French or Spanish)
  • a humanity subject (computer science, geography, history, RE)
  • a creative subject (art, dance, drama, food and nutrition, graphics, music, PE, textiles)
  • one ‘free option’ (Latin, French, Spanish, computer science, geography, history, RE, art, dance, drama, food and nutrition, graphics, music, PE, textiles, business studies)

 Each year group has three distinct drop down days per year for PSHE. The school uses this subject to promote students’ personal, social, emotional and economic development.

Additionally all students have four core PE lessons per fortnight and one core religious studies lesson per fortnight.

Study Skills are taught to year 10 and 11 students once a fortnight. The aim is to improve metacognition, memory retention and recall as well as teach a range of effective study skills to help students meet the demands of the more challenging linear exams. 

Year 10 Curriculum Map

Year 11 Curriculum Map

For further subject details please click on the list below. 

Art, Craft & Design

Graphic Communication 

Biology

History

Business Studies

Mathematics

Chemistry

Modern & Classical Languages

Computer Science

Music

Dance

Physical Education

Drama

Physics

English

PSHCE

Food  Preparation & Nutrition 

Religion, Philosophy & Ethics

Geography

 

Year 12 and Year 13

Curriculum Intent

At Beaconsfield High School our curriculum intent is to support a happy, high achieving learning community enriched by the opportunity to discover talents and passions.

We plan and build our curriculum so that academic knowledge, enrichment and life skills match the high aspirations of our learners and allow them to make the strongest progress over time. This will prepare them to be the best they can be in school, as citizens in their community and in their future.    

Sixth Form Curriculum

Our A-Level programme blends academia with opportunities to develop skills of leadership, creativity, teamwork, resilience and independent thinking. This we achieve through a broad and balanced curriculum that consists of:

3 A Levels
Sports & Activities Programme
UCAS & Futures Programme
PSHCE Programme
Lecture Series
Volunteering/Work Experience

Plus one of:

EPQ
AS French or Spanish
4th A level

WJEC Level 3 Food Science and Nutrition (must have taken GCSE Food Prep and Nutrition)

We also strongly encourage all students to take part in:

Team Projects (Young Enterprise, Duke of Edinburgh, National Citizenship Service)
Extra & Super Curricular Activities
Essay Competitions
Outreach Opportunities
Trips & Visits

Each A Level subject has four taught hours per week with an understanding that students will match this contact time in private study.  A-Level options include all subjects available for GCSE as well as additional ones, currently: Further Mathematics, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Economics, Government and Politics, Media Studies, Psychology and Sociology. Further information can be found in the Sixth Form Prospectus.

 The EPQ has one contact hour each week with students managing their research beyond that independently. The EPQ is designed to prepare students for university study by developing time management skills, presentation skills, writing project reports and completing research. It also allows students to demonstrate their passion for an area of study not covered by their A’ Level studies. In consultation with the Head of Sixth Form, some students may choose instead to study a fourth A-Level or an AS in French or Spanish.

Our pastoral PSHE programme is delivered through six partially collapsed timetable days and is supported by our extensive extra and super curricular programme of events and activities.

Year 12 students have one timetabled sports and activities lesson per week where they can opt to do elite sport, recreational PE, sports leadership, in school volunteering / mentoring or out of school volunteering / mentoring. They also have one timetabled lesson per week devoted to the lecture series whereby organisations from local and national businesses, to universities, alumnae, literary and political figures present weekly lectures. This broadens their knowledge, opens their eyes to other perspectives and possibilities, and enhances their learning experience thus preparing them to be the best they can be in school, as citizens in their community and in their future.   

 For further details on the current subject curriculum being studied please click on the subjects listed below. 

Art, Craft & Design

Graphic Communication 

Biology

History

Business Studies

Latin

Chemistry

Maths

Classical Civilisation

Media Studies (Year 12)  

Computer Science 

Music

Drama and Theatre Studies  

Physical Education

Economics  

Physics

English Language and Literature

Politics

English Literature

Psychology
French 

Religious Studies

Further Maths

Sociology

Geography

Spanish

Curriculum Impact

The Headteacher, in consultation with the staff and students, will undertake systematic monitoring and conduct regular reviews of the curriculum policy and procedures in order to evaluate them to ensure that the operation is effective, fair and consistent. The Headteacher will keep the Governing Body informed. The Governing Body will regularly review this policy and associated procedures, to ensure its continuing appropriateness and effectiveness in meeting the needs of students at BHS. The outcome of the review will be communicated to all those involved, as appropriate.

The impact of our curriculum is assessed by considering:

· External examination results at both GCSE and A Level, including the numbers gaining top grades in a wide variety of subjects.

· The range and variety of co-curricular and enrichment activities and students’ participation in them as indicated by pupil surveys and the achievement of externally validated awards.

· The retention of students from Year 11 into the Sixth Form.

· The numbers of students applying to join the School in Year 7 and Year 12.

· The proportion of students who are able to choose the courses they want to at GCSE and at A Level.

· The destinations of our leavers at Year 11 and Year 13.

· Quality assurance through lesson observations, work scrutinies and learning walks

· Annual reviews of the PSHCE and assembly programme.

· Parent and student voice related to selected themes.  

 Curriculum Policy 

School Curriculum Policy 

If you require any more information regarding the curriculum please contact the school: enquiries@beaconsfieldhigh.bucks.sch.uk | 01494 673043