Curriculum

At MHS, we believe that our curriculum makes a profound and positive impact to the educational outcomes for students, enabling them to develop their knowledge and skills as they move through the school.

Progress and achievement are tracked, analysed and reviewed throughout students’ time at MHS. This ensures that success is celebrated, support is targeted as necessary and the curriculum is continually developed to support students’ learning.

Equality of opportunity, with appropriate learning and support at every stage of their school careers, ensures students have a broad range of opportunities during their time at MHS and leave as confident, well rounded young adults. The continued education paths and careers followed by MHS alumni evidence the fulfilment of the school’s aim to shape successful futures.

In Years 7 & 8 our core purpose is to deliver an engaging and challenging curriculum through excellent teaching and learning which;

  • gives students a broad insight into the subjects they study
  • develop students into resilient learners capable of tackling the demands of study at GCSE
  • develops confident and responsible members of the school and wider community.

All students study the National Curriculum (English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, PE, RE, PSHE, Computing, Art, Music, Drama & Dance, Technology and two Modern Foreign Languages: French or Spanish and German). There is a whole school focus on reading and all students following the Accelerated Reader Programme. A small number of students follow our ACER curriculum where they study one fewer modern foreign language, and instead spend more time on literacy.

By the end of Year 8 our students have decided the subjects that they wish to study in greater depth and are “Options Ready”. They take options at the end of Year 8. All students continue with at least one of the Humanities and then have a choice of three subjects. This allows students to continue to study a broad and balanced curriculum. We offer a very wide range of subjects at GCSE/Level 2 to ensure that all students can study subjects they enjoy and at which they can excel.

Our aim, during Year 9, is to make students ‘GCSE ready’ by equipping them with the core skills and attributes they will need to be successful in their studies throughout Years 10 & 11. Year 9 also allows students the opportunity to try out the subjects they will study at GCSE. Student can switch choices if appropriate up until Christmas of Year 9, so they are comfortable with their study choices.

For GCSE, students study Maths, English Language, English Literature, Science, History and/or Geography and three option subjects. A good number of students study the individual sciences, meaning they will take ten subjects. Religious Education is taught in discrete lessons in all year groups. Students who wish to can study RE in greater depth as a GCSE, and it is a popular option. PSHE and Careers Education is delivered through our tutor time (Period R) programme and Focus Days which happen throughout each year.

For details on what students’ study in each subject each half term, please follow the links to the left. Please also see further information with regards to our Equality Duty and Objectives statement located here. Any further information can be gained by contacting Mr A. Murphy (Deputy Headteacher).

Email: amurphy@manningtreehigh.com

 

2024/2025 periods per fortnight:

Year 7/8 Y7 Y8 Year 9/10/11 Y9 Y10 Y11
English 7 7 English 8 8 8
Maths 6 6 Maths 8 8 8
Science 6 6 Science 9 9 9
PE 4 4 PE 4 4 4
RE 2 3 REality 1 1 1
History 3 3 Option A 5 5 5
Geography 3 3 Option B 5 5 5
French/Spanish 3 4 Option C 5 5 5
German 4 3 Option D 5 5 5
Art 3 3
Drama 2 2
Music 3 3
Technology (Resistant Materials, Graphics, Textiles, Food, ICT and Computing) 4 4

 

In Years 9,10,11, all students study:

  • English (Language GCSE and Literature GCSE)
  • Maths (GCSE)
  • PE (non-examined)
  • REality (non-examined)
  • Science (triple or combined Science GCSE)

 

 

 

    Students select 4 options – All students must choose at least one of:

    • Geography
    • History
    • Ancient History

    Other Options:

    • Ancient History
    • Art
    • Computer Science
    • Dance
    • Drama

     

     

    • French
    • German
    • Media Studies
    • Music
    • Physical Education
    • Religious Studies
    • Textiles
    • Resistant Materials
    • Graphic Design
    • Catering & Hospitality (Food)
    • Construction
    • Photography