Our Subjects
Click the links below to see details of the courses we run.
Curriculum and Qualifications
Our Curriculum Intent
At the Howard we will ‘Bring out the Best’ by providing a rich curriculum experience within and beyond the classroom. We hope to inspire a love of learning and enquiry in our students that enables them to thrive personally and academically, overcome challenges, and make a positive contribution to society.
Our curriculum will be:
- Broad and Balanced
- Inclusive and Diverse
- Ambitious and Challenging
- Clearly communicated to all stakeholders
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, & 9)
The KS3 curriculum at The Howard embodies, builds upon, and enriches the National Curriculum. Please use the link to cross reference Howard Learning Journeys (available through our Individual Subjects page) with the National Curriculum in each subject. Students will study a broad programme that includes:
- The Arts: Art, Drama and Music
- Design and Technology: Construction, Food Technology and Textiles Technology
- English
- Humanities: Geography, History and Religious Studies
- Languages: two languages from French, German and Spanish. Extracurricular Latin is available.
- Maths and Computing
- Science
- Physical Education
- Personal Development
- Learning for Life
The curriculum is timetabled in a ten-day cycle of 50 one hour lessons. On joining the school in Year 7 students are placed in one of two populations, Arks or Royals. These groups are of equal size and represent the full ability range.
For registration and pastoral purposes, a population is further divided into four mixed-ability tutor groups, each under the care of a Form Tutor. The members of a tutor group will be in the same House.
In years 7 to 9 (Key Stage 3), all students follow a broad and balanced curriculum based on the National Curriculum. A tutorial programme (Learning 4 Life) supports students' personal development.
For more information about how students’ progress will be measured at KS3, please click here for the Flight Path Progress information booklet
For information about individual subjects at KS3 (including Intent Statements, Learning Journeys, and Flight Path Grade Descriptors) please refer to the Individual Subjects page.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 &11)
In Key Stage 4 of the National Curriculum, students will follow courses leading to GCSE or equivalent qualifications. . The full range of National Curriculum core and foundation subjects is available. However, we attempt to tailor students’ options to suit their particular needs. Many students still follow traditional courses leading to GCSE qualifications while many also mix applied or vocational courses with their GCSEs. There are opportunities for more bespoke pathways for those students who require them.
Students will study a core programme of both qualification and non-qualification subjects:
- GCSE English Language & GCSE English Literature
- GCSE Maths
- GCSE Combined Science or, optionally, GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics
- Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE)
- Physical Education
- Learning for Life
The KS4 Curriculum e-booklet for Year 10 2024/25 (current Year 9 ) is available here:
Students will also study optional GCSE and/or Level 2 BTEC qualifications. All students have the opportunity to take a combination of subjects leading to the English Baccalaureate.
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc)
All students at the Howard are encouraged to study a language through to GCSE, and hence become eligible for the Ebacc.
It is possible for all students to choose a combination of courses which, if completed successfully, will lead to the award of the English Baccalaureate. Currently, in order to gain this award students must attain GCSE grade 4+ in
- English language and literature
- mathematics
- combined or triple science
- history or geography, and;
- a language.
The government states:
The EBacc is made up of the subjects which are considered essential to many degrees and open up lots of doors.
Key Stage 5 (Years 12 & 13)
In Years 12 and 13 students study A Level and/or other Level 3 qualifications.
In addition, students who have not yet achieved the Government's minimum standard (Grade 4) in GCSE English and/or Maths will study for re-takes.
Click here to view the courses our 6th Form has to offer.