The Curriculum at The Priory School

The Curriculum at The Priory School Our intention is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum to ensure all students:

• Enjoy, thrive and develop a curiosity for all aspects of their learning.
• Develop into resilient, caring individuals who contribute positively to society.
• Are academically prepared for a successful life post 16 and beyond.

Curriculum overview

Key Stage 3

At key stage 3 students are mainly taught in a mixed ability setting.. Students have 25 hours of contact time per week. From Years 7-9 they experience arrange of subjects within the humanities, languages and creative subjects, complimented by enrichment events in some areas. Our young people benefit from highly experienced subject specialists who convey a passion for and understanding of their area to help each student to achieve their potential, in preparation for their GCSE studies. The average number within a Key Stage 3 teaching group is 29, with a smaller number (approximately 22) in practical subjects such as Design and Technology.

The curriculum includes:

Key Stage 4

The Priory School offers a pathway to suit all at Key Stage 4. A maximum of 10 subjects may be studied (for those who take Triple science) Students will usually take a maximum of 10 GCSE subjects (Triple Scientists), with the majority studying 9 examined subjects. They make their option choices in Year 9. Students can choose from a wide range subjects, including National Certificate qualifications, allowing them to develop a greater insight into their areas of interest. It is an expectation that students following the main pathway will study an EBacc subject (History, Geography, a foreign language, or Computer Science)as one of their GCSEs.

We also offer a more supported route for students where 9 or 10 GCSE subjects is not the best option for all (or, who may need a more modified curriculum due to their specific needs). These range from entry level qualifications which are accessed at a lower level than a GCSE personalised support in Literacy and numeracy to work placements and are decided on a very individual basis after discussion with both students and parents.

Please see the attached Options booklet for further information.

Enrichment Activities

We have an annual Enrichment Week where students follow a range of subject, community and team building projects as well as having the opportunity to take part in educational visits to France and Holland.

Subject specific visits and trips range from those to Jaguar Landrover, the Dana prison, to universities and the theatre. A range of visitors, businesses and organisations also visit school to speak to students as part of organised activities and lessons.

Our before and after school enrichment activities include Circuits in the Sports Hall as well as a range of sporting clubs, STEM club, Art, Warhammer gaming, Creative Writing, Choir, Cookery, Media and FilmTheatre visits and much more. There are also whole school and subject area enrichment days and activities such as:

 SMSC and British Values

SMSC and Values for Good People are covered through our taught and informal curriculum such as our PSHE programme, assemblies, House and charities events as well as through regular House, Key Stage and Whole school assemblies and one off events such as mock general elections and referendums which mirror national events. More importantly they underpin our entire ethos as a school.

SMSC and British Values

At KS4 this is further supported through enrichment in Year 10 focusing on off timetable activities around ethics, values and beliefs, as well as appearing in significant sections of the taught Life programme.

English and Maths intervention

Some students will have the opportunity to take part in small group intervention sessions led by our Maths and English Intervention Mentors. These sessions will be for all year groups and all abilities. Teachers identify students who are deemed to benefit from working in these small group sessions for a variety of reasons. For instance, internal assessments could indicate gaps in knowledge, or teachers could identify specific skills which a group of students would benefit from focusing on. Further to this, small group intervention sessions give opportunities for increased depth of discussion and allow greater level of challenge for those who need it.

Charity Events

Each year the school supports nominated charities, where we aim to raise thousands of pounds for worthy causes. Charity reps in House groups led by the student executive Charity representative organise their own events either in their tutor group, year group or as a whole school. These include bake sales, quizzes and colour runs. This supports our students’ understanding of the importance of contributing to the local community as well as building their independence and inter-personal skills.

House Events

These are the highlight of the academic year for many students. House Music, House Dance and House Sports competitions are supported by huge numbers of our student body who all compete to become house champions. This is complimented by a number of House competitions within the academic areas such as House Cook Off, Public Speaking, Creative Writing, Design, Maths and Languages. This sense of belonging helps to foster a feeling of belonging and a desire to contribute which help to develop well rounded students.

Tutor 1:1s

Once a year, after they have received their reports students have an individual meeting with form tutor to discuss their progress and decide on next steps.

Pupil Planning Day

This is an annual event, in addition to tutor 1:1s where students reflect on their current progress and set targets for improvement, with their House tutor. 

To find out more about the curriculum please contact:

Alison Pope, Deputy Principal - 01743 284000

Please download our documents listed below:.