Key stage 3 curriculum
Kirkby High School has designed a broad and balanced curriculum which caters for pupils’ needs and provides experiences which allow progressive pathways throughout their time in Kirkby High School and also provide opportunities for further education. We utilise a 25-hour teaching week which is broken down as follows.
Clicking on the subject names in the table below will take you to the in-depth overview for that subject.
| Subject | Number of Lessons | ||
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | |
| English | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Maths | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Science | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Languages | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| History | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Geography* | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Religious Studies | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Computing | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Product Design/Food Studies | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Physical Education | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Drama | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Music | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Art | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 25 | 25 | 25 |
*There are some pupils who will receive extra literacy through our humanities subjects. These pupils are identified through the use of key stage 2 results and reading age tests carried out throughout key stage 3. The pupils in receipt of the extra literacy input will receive 1 hour of geography time.
Key stage 4 curriculum
Pupils in key stage 4 at Kirkby High School follow a core diet of mathematics, English and Science combined with 4 options. For some pupils one of these options will include a vocational option (year 11) or a Kirkby apprenticeship option (year 10). All apprenticeship options offer equivalent points as a GCSE ensuring that pathways to further education are open.
| Subject | Number of lessons | |||
| Year 10 | Year 11 | |||
| X Band | Y Band | X Band | Y Band | |
| English | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Maths | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Science | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Option 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Option 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Option 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Option 4 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Kirkby Apprenticeship | 4 | |||
| Vocational Option | 5 | |||
| Total | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Setting arrangements.
At Kirkby high school we use a variety of setting arrangements to enhance the progress and educational experiences of our pupils. Some subjects are taught in mixed ability setting while others are taught in ability based sets.
| Subjects where pupils are taught in ability classes | Subjects where pupils are taught in mixed ability classes | |
| Year 7,8 and 9 | English
Mathematics Modern Foreign Languages Physical Education Science Geography History RE |
Art
Computing Drama Music Product design/Food studies |
| Year 10 and 11 | English
Mathematics Science (Double award) |
Options subjects |
Options Process
Kirkby High School’s options package includes an options evening with a presentation to parents, an assembly for students and a tailored one to one interview between a member of the senior management team and all pupils and parents. These take place in February and March and offer the chance for parents and pupils to discuss their best routes to further education based on prior attainment and percentage chance tables. The following subjects are compulsory
| Subject | Qualification |
| English Language and literature | GCSE (2 Certificates) |
| Mathematics | GCSE (2 Certificates) |
| Science Double or Triple Award | GCSE (2 or 3 Certificates) |
Students are then able to choose 4 of the following options.
| History | Triple Science | Dance | Food and Nutrition |
| Geography | Physical Education | Music | Creative Imedia |
| French | Art and Design | Textiles | Photography |
| Computer Science | Drama | Product Design | Film Studies |
| Hair and Beauty | Materials Technology | Sport | Childcare |