Curriculum InFORMATION

The aim of the curriculum is to fulfil the school’s mission statement:

  • “Live to Learn (Enjoy and Achieve)”
  • “Learn to Live (Now and in the Future)”

Our curriculum builds on the learning and experiences at Key Stage 2 and helps to prepare students to be knowledgeable, successful and fulfilled global 21st century citizens. At the end of year 11 Byrchall students will have the knowledge, understanding and skills for success Post-16 progression. The curriculum covers the entirety of provision in taught time and extra-curricular.

High standards of achievement are available to all students through an appropriate, engaging and relevant curriculum, that is adaptive to meet the needs and aspirations of all learners. The curriculum aims to provide an ambitious, broad and balanced experience; it is a high-quality education to enable all students to have a deeper understanding of a range of subject areas, be successful and develop as individuals. In addition, it provides opportunities for personal development and to apply a broad range of generic skills in literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, independent learning, understanding examination techniques and employability. We encourage students to be resilient, responsive, passionate and reflective learners. Our curriculum helps to prepare students to take responsibility for their own learning, now and in the future.

Maximising the achievement of students at Byrchall High School is the responsibility of all staff. We encourage students to be resilient, responsive, passionate and reflective learners. The challenges will be hard work for the students, but the rewards will be worth the effort.

Curriculum Delivery Model for 2026 – 2027​

There are 25 periods per week, each 60 minutes long. The Personal Development curriculum is delivered by a weekly rolling additional period across the year, and then additionally during registration periods and planned enhancement days.

Curriculum Planning

Subject areas have detailed overview plans, showing the progression across the year groups. These will prepare students from their starting points, to enabling them to deepen and develop their knowledge of subjects and to facilitate achieving the requirements and expectations of Public Examinations. This is an ambitious curriculum for all, providing breadth and depth. Details of these subject plans can be found on our subject area page.

Curriculum offer for all year groups

  • Broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, that is adaptive and meets all statutory requirements including embedding functional skills
  • Opportunities for additional support for improving numeracy and literacy for those in need, while retaining the breadth of the curriculum
  • An age-appropriate, ambitious and personalised responsive Personal Development curriculum, with opportunities and enhancements
  • A bespoke extra-curricular range of opportunities to meet the needs, aspirations and interests of individuals.

​Year 7 – Transition​

  • Progression from Key Stage 2

  • Establish high expectations
  • Development of numeracy and literacy skills
  • Introduction and development of the expectations for the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum
  • Students are initially taught in Mixed Ability Forms to promote effective transition and ensure students are secure, comfortable and settled ready to thrive. This approach also ensures all students have equal access to a broad and ambitious curriculum, while allowing staff time to build an accurate understanding of pupils’ strengths, needs and potential before making any decisions about setting.

Year 7 also features an “Accelerated Group” for a small number of students significantly below the expected standard and where transition arrangements have identified them as having significant barriers to being Secondary Ready. These students will receive the full national curriculum offer with a more intensive support offer in developing students’ Foundational, Social & Expressive skills across English, Maths, Languages and the Arts.

Year 8 – Development

  • Development of numeracy and literacy skills
  • Development of subject-specific skills, knowledge and understanding in National Curriculum subjects

Year 9 – Progression

  • Subject skill development, and depth and breadth of knowledge designated in the National Curriculum
  • Subject-specific key skill enhancement, increased depth and breadth of subject knowledge and understanding

Year 10 Achievement

  • Consolidation and development in skills, knowledge and understanding in core and option subjects as designated in the National Curriculum
  • Introduction to the additional requirements of GCSE’s and vocational qualifications

Year 11 Enhancement​

  • Development, application, extension and support in core and optional subjects
  • Secure knowledge and skills in each subject area that inspires students in order to be successful Post-16.

Upper School Options

GCSE

  • GCSE Art
  • GCSE Business Studies
  • GCSE Computer Science
  • GCSE Dance
  • GCSE Drama
  • GCSE French
  • GCSE Food
  • GCSE Geography
  • GCSE History
  • GCSE Music
  • GCSE Physical Education
  • GCSE Product Design
  • GCSE Spanish


Further Science:

  • GCSE Biology
  • GCSE Chemistry
  • GCSE Physics


Further Maths:

  • Statistics
  • Level 3 Algebra
  • and Level 3 FSMQ

Vocational

  • Health and Social Care Certificate
  • Sports Science Certificate
  • Creative i-Media Certificate
  • IT Certificate
  • Child Development Certificate
  • Drama/Performing Arts
  • Music Technology
  • Enterprise and Marketing
  • Hospitality & Catering
  • Engineering

Personal Development
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) and Citizenship.

This is delivered through Personal Development Lessons (PDL), RE, Enrichment Days, assemblies, Form Time and integrated into subject areas.

This incorporates:

  • Personal values and attitudes
  • Personal and collective responsibility in society

Entitlement includes:

  • Relationships and Sex Education
  • Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC)
  • Health and drug education, including mental health and emotional well-being
  • Environmental issues
  • Careers and vocational guidance
  • Industrial and economic understanding
  • Financial Management
  • The role of Law
  • The political system
  • British Values
  • Managing risk and personal safety

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

The RSE programme is not delivered as a discrete subject on the timetable, but is included in the broader programmes of Personal Development, Science and Religious Education. Outside agencies also provide additional support when necessary. The aim is to provide correct information and hence reduce any anxieties and guilt, providing an appropriate environment for discussion. Students are encouraged to have regard to moral considerations and the value of family life.

Careful consideration has been given to eliminate any discrimination in terms of:

  • Curriculum content
  • Option choices
  • Examination entries
  • Extra-curricular opportunities
  • School organisation

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

Impartial advice on careers education is delivered via a partnership between students, parents, school, further education colleges, training providers and external services and employers. The purpose is to:

  • Prepare students for transition from school to further education and then on into higher education or employment
  • Make appropriate career decisions
  • Develop a working partnership between the school and the local labour market
  • Offer tailored advice and guidance to raise aspirations for all the young people
  • Prepare students for academic and vocational education

This is delivered through Personal Development Lessons, Enrichment Days, assemblies, Form Time, interviews with staff and independent advisers, vocational options and interview preparation days. Contact with employers and employees, from a range of industries, is encouraged. Opportunities are provided for employers to visit the school. There are also opportunities for students to visit workplaces during the five-year learning programme. The Gatsby Benchmarks provide the focus for the planning of CEIAG delivery.

Religious Education

All students study Religious Education, whilst most of the curriculum is compulsory.
Parents may withdraw their child from some elements. To request this, please contact your child’s Head of Year.

More information about our subjects, including Personal Development, can be found on our curriculum areas page.