THE CURRICULUM

Our vision for World Class schooling is one in which all pupils:

Make outstanding progress in their learning, regardless of ability, gender, social

background or ethnic origin.

Are engaged in a curriculum suffused with memorable experiences and rich in

opportunities for learning.

Learn, with teachers, in an environment which is mutually respectful and promotes a

shared enjoyment of learning.

Develop social attitudes, values and behaviours founded upon the principles of

respect, responsibility and resilience.

Develop transferable skills and attitudes necessary to thrive in the global economy of

the 21st century.

Our curriculum philosophy is underpinned by the principles of Excellence, Equity, Engagement

and Enterprise. We offer a challenging curriculum that meets pupils' needs and offers

increasing choice as pupils move through the Academy. The focus is on progress achieved

through high quality teaching and a range of engaging learning experiences. The acquisition

of skills is central, both in terms of literacy and numeracy, as well as the wider skills needed to

equip pupils for success throughout and beyond education. The curriculum is broad and

balanced, offering a real breadth of opportunity and enrichment to allow all pupils to progress

successfully to the next stage in their education or career path.

KEY STAGE 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)

In Year 7, pupils are placed in a mixed ability tutor group with approximately equal numbers of

boys and girls. Pupils are taught in these groups for History, Geography, Religious Education,

Modern Foreign Languages (French or Spanish), Art, Physical Education, Music, Dance, Drama,

Digital Literacy (ICT) and Design Technology and Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health

Education (PSCHE). English, Mathematics, PE and Science ‘set’ the pupils according to their

particular ability using KS2 data, baseline tests and information from primary schools.

For a number of years we have run a small nurture group in KS3 for those pupils who need

additional support in relation to literacy and numeracy. We offer a range of opportunities in

order to challenge and support their learning which includes smaller class sizes and a smaller

team of teachers (please see Inclusion and Learning Support). As pupils progress there are

more opportunities to integrate into other curriculum areas. We also offer an extensive

programme aimed at stretching and supporting our most able pupils (please see the ‘Provision

for High Ability Pupils’ section).

In KS3 we aim to ‘make learning irresistible’ by incorporating a series of Enrichment events and

days which engage pupils in their learning. Many of these events feed in to departmental

schemes of work and involve outside agencies (see section below). Our preference curriculum

in Year 9 enables our pupils to study some of the subjects they like or are particularly good at in

more depth, developing a deeper understanding of some of the topics being covered. This

allows pupils more time to personalise their curriculum by choosing innovative subjects such as

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), or experiencing ‘new’ subjects such as

Media, Business, Textiles and Graphics.

KEY STAGE 4 (Years 10 and 11)

The curriculum pattern provided for Year 10 and 11 pupils closely follows the National

Curriculum requirements for Key Stage 4 (14-16) with all pupils studying for qualifications in the

core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. Our broad and balanced curriculum offers

pupils choices both within and in addition to the National Curriculum framework. This is subject

to change in the future as we review the curriculum annually in order to best meet the needs

of our pupils.

GCSE COURSES

VOCATIONAL COURSES

Physical Education, Careers, Personal, Social, Citizenship, Religious and Health Education are

compulsory non-examination subjects for all. We also offer GCSE Urdu for a small number of

pupils as an after school session.

HOMEWORK

We believe that homework plays an important part in the learning and development of all our

pupils and we set it as a matter of good educational practice. We deem that homework is

such a vital area of study that it positively affects attainment and helps pupils to fulfil their

potential. It is because of this that we ask parents/carers to support us in seeing that homework

is properly completed to the best of their ability.

Homework is also recognised as something that encourages good study habits. This is because

it offers pupils the chance to work independently and helps to develop self-discipline. Finally,

homework also gives pupils the opportunity to practice what they have learned during lessons.

In conclusion, evidence shows that pupils who attempt their homework conscientiously are the

ones who will be likely to make the most of their opportunities at school.

At the start of the year, all Year 7 pupils receive a planner to help plan and record their

homework. All homework tasks are arranged to ensure there is a balance throughout the

week.

Art and Design: Fine Art Design & Technology Media Studies

Art and Design: Graphic Design English Language Music

Art and Design: Photography English Literature Physical Education

Art and Design: Textiles French Physics

Business Geography Religious Studies

Biology History Combined Science: Trilogy

Chemistry Food Preparation & nutrition Spanish

Computer Science Information Technology

Dance Mathematics

British Sign Language Engineering

Constructing the Built Environment Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

BTEC Performing Arts – Acting Digital Information Technology

INCLUSION & LEARNING SUPPORT

We recognise all of our children as individuals, respect them accordingly and are committed

to developing the learning of all pupils regardless of ability or background. To help those who

have particular learning needs we have a dedicated team of support staff to assist pupils in

class.

PROVISION FOR HIGH ABILITY PUPILS

The needs of our high ability pupils are extremely important to the school. Programmes of study

have been designed to stretch and challenge the most able pupils at KS3 and KS4. All our

pupils are set challenging targets which are above the national expected levels of

progress. These are monitored at regular intervals and intervention is put in place where

children are not achieving the grades they are capable of. The high ability pupils’ progress is

monitored from entry into school and mentoring programmes are in place from Year 7 to 11 to

help ensure they achieve the higher grades at GCSE.

Visits are arranged to sixth form colleges and universities, to give pupils the opportunity to see

these places for themselves and to hopefully inspire them. We have established links with St

John’s College at Cambridge University and several groups of high ability pupils have visited

there to find out about university life or take part in enrichment events. We also run a number

of other subject specific enrichment events to local sixth form colleges and universities.

ENRICHMENT EVENTS

At Hollingworth we believe in providing a stimulating and creative environment, both in and

outside of school. This personalised approach means developing the whole child, focusing on

their individual strengths and needs.

We aim to enrich the curriculum with regular educational trips and visits and run over seventy

each year. These include all age groups and represent all curriculum areas. Residential trips

organised for pupils at Hollingworth over recent years include: a ski trip to Andorra; a History visit

to Ypres; a RE and History trip to Berlin; a PE trip to Tarragona, Spain, with a group of Year 7/8

pupils for a football tournament; a MFL trip to Andalucía, and a Science trip to CERN in

Switzerland to see the Large Hadron Collider.

In recent years Hollingworth has looked to develop the creative skills and talents of all pupils. A

series of enrichment days which focus on issues such as human rights, healthy lifestyles and

choices, and effective revision techniques, are provided for all pupils. Furthermore, during

these sessions we develop the transferrable skills, such as team work, personal and social

enterprise, which the pupils will need when they leave Hollingworth. These creative skills are

also developed through participation in the many Performing Arts events. Recent events

include:

Evenings of Music, Voice and Piano.

Evening of Dance.

The Mighty Zulu Nation.

Various theatre trips including ‘Rock of Ages’ and ‘Wicked’ in Manchester and the

London Residential where pupils visited the Globe Theatre.

Year 8 Summer Singing Showcase.

Year 7 Performing Arts Showcase.

Free instrumental sessions – piano, singing, brass, woodwind, violin, guitar and

drums.

Community Music Project – with performances at a local care home.

The British Music Exhibition, Liverpool.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

Hollingworth runs a number of clubs after school on a daily basis. These include every single

department, with a particularly healthy PE provision. A full list of after school clubs can be

found on our website. There is also a homework club run in the Learning Resource Centre

Monday to Friday for all year groups from 3-4pm. This allows pupils to access a range of

resources and IT equipment.

THE BASE

In Key Stage 4 we have an upper school study lounge, 'The Base', which runs from a Tuesday to

Thursday until 4:30pm and offers pupils a working environment similar to those found at colleges

and universities.

REVISION SESSIONS

As we move closer to the exam season, our Intervention Programme begins from January. Over

one hundred sessions per week are put on by staff every week after school. For our year 11

pupils, attendance at these after school sessions are compulsory on a Monday to Thursday.

We also move pupils into targeted tutor groups where they receive short revision sessions in the

20 minute registration period. All of these interventions enables pupils to manage their

workload better allowing them daily revision time leading up to the exams.

REPORTING TO PARENTS/CARERS

At Hollingworth we provide an annual comprehensive written report on each pupil’s

achievements. During the course of the year, additional information is sent out to inform

parents/carers about their child’s progress.

There are Parents’ Evenings for each year group. Parents/carers will be informed of the dates

and times during the school year and reminded shortly before they take place.

If at any time parents/carers feel the need to discuss the progress of their child they should

contact the appropriate Head of Year at school.

AWARDS EVENINGS AND REWARDS TRIPS

Throughout the year there are many opportunities to celebrate pupils’ achievements at

Hollingworth. Presentation Evenings recognise and reward pupils for a variety of

accomplishments including academic success, sporting and musical development, as well as

personal achievement. The evenings are red carpet events and pupils are encouraged to

‘dress to impress’. In addition, termly reward trips recognise excellent behaviour and attitude

to learning. Previous activities include: ice skating; Alton Towers; cinema; Chester Zoo; and

visiting the Trafford Centre. These trips help to foster excellent relationships and build the

'Hollingworth Family'.