1. Walton High School
Curriculum Review 2017

2. Traditional KS4 Curriculum
30 Period
KS4 2 Years
50 Min lessons
1 week T/T
4 Options
2 PE
6 SCIENCE
3 PERIODS
OPTION 3
(Open)
OPTION 4
(open)
2 ICT/RE
4 ENGLISH
4 MATHS
OPTION 2
Initial suggestion prior to the HOD’s meeting last week
3 PERIODS
OPTION 1
(Ebacc)

3. Objectives
Reinforce Maths and English and the EBACC due to increased demands of new specifications (e.g. Eng & Maths = c.150% of content of previous GCSE)
Retain breadth of curriculum as far as possible
Limit disruption as far as possible in this time of huge change
Must be affordable

4. Summary More time to English and Maths Three Option Subjects OR four?
More options with less time or fewer options with more time?
Recommendation that the most able students do 2 Ebacc subjects in their three options?
60 min or 50 min lessons?
1 week or 2 week timetable?
Number of lessons for Science?
Number of lessons for option subjects?
3 Year KS4?
Formal consultation with Departments in school and with Governing Body
Highlight importance of consideration of changes to KS3 curriculum: possible solution of a 2 year KS3 curriculum with options starting in year 9, chosen in y8.

5. Proposed Solution From Sept 2018
30 Period
KS4 3 Years
50 Min lessons
1 week T/T
4 Options
Reinforcement of English and Maths.
2 PE
6 SCIENCE
2 PERIODS
OPTION 2
(Ebacc for some)
OPTION 3
(open)
6 ENGLISH
6 MATHS
OPTION 1
(Ebacc)
OPTION 4

6. Implications
Choose Options approx. 1.5 terms earlier (at the end of Y8, as opposed to after Christmas in Year 9)
No detriment to time given over to options subjects
Increased time for English and Maths (requirements for University / College / Apprenticeships etc)
Less wasted time in Y9 studying subjects they have already decided to drop
Secures breadth of curriculum in a time when so many schools are narrowing it
BUT… they will need to come to an earlier decision
We hope this will increase the rigour in KS3 (often described as “the wasted years”)