Main School

Overview

The Curriculum at Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School

Our Curriculum Intent:

"A curriculum based around the best interests of the student’s human formation, built upon our Catholic ethos and with a range of pathways to provide a happy, stimulating and demanding experience".

At BHF, we pride ourselves on a broad and balanced curriculum, with subjects and pathways suitable for our whole range of learners. Our subject curricula draw upon and develops a wide range of substantive and disciplinary knowledge, building students’ key skills and vocabulary within each subject discipline.

Our curriculum is taught by subject specialists in each field, and learning is carefully planned and sequenced over time, to ensure that students retain long-term knowledge, understanding and application within each of their subjects.

Students at Blessed Hugh Faringdon School gain a personalised learning experience which provides stretch, challenge, and support throughout their learning journey. We have a rigorous assessment system, which supports high quality feedback, advice, and support for both students and parents.

Our academic curriculum, and the way in which it is delivered, supports and is supported by the achievement of our wider aims, known as community goals. These are: belief, happiness, family, caring and service. To achieve this, our curriculum is intended to develop behaviours in both our students and staff we entitle school virtues. These are: gratitude, attentiveness, compassion, faith, generosity, an intentional approach, truthfulness, an active life, wisdom, curiosity, hopefulness and love.

The school curriculum underwent a substantial review in 2020, and as a result, we introduced the BHF Curriculum Pathways model, with the aim to providing the very best learning experience for all students in our community.

The Blessed Hugh Faringdon curriculum has RE as its central core and also has excellent English and Mathematics teaching to provide the strongest possible platform for success in all subjects. We will set very high achievement targets for all pupils and organise the curriculum and teaching to make it possible for all pupils to reach their targets. Pupils entering the school with attainment below the level expected for their age will follow a curriculum designed to accelerate their progress so that they can participate fully, and this will mean more intensive support in literacy and numeracy for some children.

Along with studying the core subjects of RE, English, Maths, Science and PE, students at Blessed Hugh Faringdon school study a range of other subjects including, French & Spanish, Geography, History, Music, Art, Design Technology, Food, Drama, and computer Science. We offer additional option subjects at Key Stage 4, including, Business, Sociology and a range of BTEC courses such as Health and Social Care, Sport, Business and Enterprise. At Key stage 5 we offer additional courses such as Philosophy and Ethics, Government and Politics, Psychology and the Extended Project Qualification.

Please see our Curriculum Booklets for full details and content of each course for Key Stage 3,4 and 5.

Grading has moved to a 9-1 scale instead of the A*-G scaling

In the new grading system:

  • 9 is higher than a current A*
  • 8 is between and A* and A
  • 7 is are equal to an A
  • 6 is equivalent to a high B
  • 5 is between a B and C (strong pass)
  • 4 is equal to a grade C (standard pass)
  • 3 is in between a D and E
  • 2 is between an E and F
  • 1 is a G
  • U refers to an ungraded paper

The table below compares the grades 9-1 to the A*-G grading structure:

9
8
7
A*
A
6
5 (strong pass)
4 (standard pass)
B
C
3
2
1
D
E
F
G
U U

Details of the school’s curriculum, content and approach, by academic year and by subject (including details of GCSE options and other qualifications offered at Key Stage 4).

The schools curriculum and allocation of time within the curriculum are as follows:

Years 7, 8 and 9

Pupils follow a broad based curriculum pattern organised to reflect the requirements of the National Curriculum.
Percentages of time spent on each subject:

Subject Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Religious Education 10 10 10
Mathematics 14 14 14
English 14 14 14
Science 14 14 14
French & Spanish 8 8 8
Geography 6 6 6
History 6 6 6
Music 4 4 4
Art 4 4 4
Design and Technology & Food 6 6 6
Physical Education 6 6 6
Drama 4 4 4
Computer Science 4 4 4

Pupils are placed mainly in mixed ability groups for teaching and some broad setting for English, Maths and Science.

Year 10 and 11

Percentages of time spent on each subject:

Subject Year10 Year 11
Religious Education 10 10
English Language and Literature 14 14
Mathematics 14 14
Science (Trilogy or Separate Science) 18 18
Physical Education (Non Exam) 4 4

Pupils study option subjects according to their pathway. Each subject received 10% of the curriculum time.

 

KS3 booklets are available below.

Alternatively, please make an appointment to meet with Mr B Winsor, our Deputy Headteacher, if you want more detailed information about the curriculum we offer.