The Curriculum at Hampstead School
The Hampstead School curriculum – the total educational experience of our students – embodies our values. It fosters sophisticated critical thought and an understanding of the crucial importance of effort, within a safe, ambitious and inclusive environment. It enables learners to Think Big, Work Hard and Be Kind.
Like the community we serve, our curriculum is diverse and creative. It grows passionate, life-long learners, equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to thrive in modern society. It provides our young people with the extracurricular opportunities, personalised guidance and necessary currency to make informed, aspirational choices about their futures.
Our curriculum celebrates what makes us different and what we have in common. An ever-developing understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion is complemented by universally high expectations; all of our students have an entitlement to an outstanding education, personalised to their needs and relevant to their context.
Our curriculum is never finished. It grows and changes as we grow and change. It realises in students the belief that they can make a difference, and gives them the tools and the motivation to make the world a better place.
Structuring the Curriculum
KS3 Y7, Y8 & Y9
The KS3 curriculum, reviewed in 2020, has a broad and balanced range of subjects running over three years. As well as the core subjects of English, Maths, Science, Geography, History and French or Spanish we maintain a strong focus on the arts. In addition to Drama and Music lessons, students benefit from rotation through Food Technology (taught in a specialist kitchen), Design Technology, Art and Textiles. This commitment helped us achieve the Artsmark Gold Award. Reading is prioritised in all subjects with additional interventions provided for identified students and all Y7 & Y8 students enjoying one hour of reading for pleasure in the school library each fortnight.
We have a very strong focus on the mental and physical health of our students and this is evident in students completing four hours of Physical Education (PE) and two hours of Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship, Religious and Economic education (PSHCRE) per cycle. These lessons are focussed on personal development, promoting students’ health and preparing students as citizens of London and the global community.
Regular half-term overviews of the topics covered in class of are sent to all parents and can also be found below.
The Choices Process
Students undertake the Year 9 Choices process in the spring term of Year 9 after completing a careers unit during PSHCRE. All students have access to an internal website with information about each free choice in order to make an informed decision. Subject specialists also deliver information sessions during lessons to support decision-making. Parents & Carers are invited to attend our Choices evening details of which can be found on the school calendar.
All students have access to Lindsay Evans, our Independent Matrix Certified Careers Adviser, throughout the process on request.
KS4 Y10 & Y11
We also conducted a thorough review of the Key Stage 4 curriculum in 2020. Students typically study towards eight Level 2 qualifications. Students have core subjects of English, Maths, PE and Science, plus a recommended choice from either French, Geography, History, or Spanish. Students then have free choices from 20 other subjects (which include French, Geography, History and Spanish). PE & PSCHRE are maintained at 4 and 2 hours per cycle as part of our ongoing commitment to students’ physical and mental health and personal development.
About a quarter of students study Triple Science each year. Some students study Further Maths and some students work towards qualifications in home languages. This means the number of Level 2 qualifications students achieve is between nine and eleven for a significant minority of students.
Again, regular half-term overviews of the topics covered in class of are sent to all parents and can also be found below.
Sixth Form
The Sixth Form curriculum is reviewed annually. We have chosen to maintain a highly inclusive offer with a very wide range of A Level and vocational courses (approx. 30). These include many traditional A Level courses and a range of Level 3 vocational courses.
We unashamedly focus on progression, and we recognise, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, some students need a little longer to achieve their ambitions. For this reason we offer a Level 2 Programme in the Sixth Form where students can study a suite of Level 2 qualifications before progressing to Level 3. All students have timetabled periods of supervised study in a range of venues when not in timetabled lessons. Students can study to complete an Extended Project through additional timetabled lessons. Specialist support is provided for university applications and entry examinations or assessments.