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Curriculum Intent

Our Curriculum Intent:

Working Hard to Succeed #learningcomesfirst

At Westhoughton High School, our LEARN values are at the heart of our curriculum. We believe that every child should access an excellent education within an inclusive environment that encourages them to have unlimited ambition and prepares them for life in a rapidly changing world.

Our intent is to develop young people who:

Look after one another as learners, are inclusive of the beliefs and values of others, are role models and support the learning of others;
Enjoy their learning, have fun, are engaged and empowered to explore and be curious with a desire to pursue ideas and solutions;
Aim high, with a sense of purpose and aspiration, experiencing and developing leadership skills, going above and beyond, demonstrating a strong work ethic, excellent initiative and a commitment to getting the most out of all opportunities.
Respect learning
Never stop learning and believe that life is a learning process with there always being something new to learn. They are independent and resilient and can thrive in any environment.

The curriculum at Westhoughton High School supports the school’s values by:

  • Delivering an exciting and ambitious, positive progress-focused culture. building skills for learning, life and work;
  • Being coherently sequenced and planned, inclusive of personal, cultural, and spiritual experiences within our unique daily LEARN personal development programme that ensures students are healthy, safe and fit in mind and body;
  • Focusing on character education, developing the moral compass of our students and trusting, meaningful relationships that support the raising of their aspirations;
  • Equipping all students with the knowledge and cultural capital that they need to succeed in life creating a sense of awe and wonder;
  • Enabling students to develop their oracy skills and vocabulary and become successful, confident communicators;
  • Ensuring all students are able to read fluently and experience high quality texts that promote and develop a love of reading;
  • Guiding students to draw upon their knowledge and skills to make informed life choices and reach their personal best through an ambitious careers offer and opportunities for work experience;
  • Promoting home learning, enabling all pupils to extend their leaning, ignite independence and enquiry skills through a range of experiences;
  • The application of expertly selected pedagogical routines and approaches linked to our Westhoughton Ways, ensuring that the curriculum is adapted for all, resulting in high levels of engagement.

Curriculum Implementation

Our LEARN philosophy underpins every element of school life at Westhoughton.
Our vision is clear, that through our LEARN values we harness a culture that creates equity and inclusion, placing every learner—especially those with SEND, those who are disadvantaged, or from other vulnerable groups—at the heart of our teaching.
We enthuse our learners every day and learning comes first.

This is our Teaching & Learning model and provides a visual of what our lessons look like:

Curriculum Offer

The core offer for all our students throughout Key Stages 3 & 4 of English, Maths and Science ensures academic rigour and a breadth of key gateway qualifications to support transition into the next phase of their education. A full complement of National Curriculum subjects is offered covering a range of disciplines in KS3. The opportunity to study a second modern language is available to students from year 8. Moreover, comprehensive extra-curricular provision and a focus on developing students’ literacy through the reading programme further enhances, broadens and adds depth to the timetabled curriculum offer. Therefore, all students can learn beyond the classroom and experience life in all its fullness.

KS3 (Years 7-9)

When students join us in year 7, they will be initially taught in broad mixed ability groups based on KS2 data/information. This ensures that all students receive Quality First Teaching and that no child feels they are capped by being in a set. Smaller groups are assigned in PE and Technology to  accommodate health and safety recommendations in these subject areas and use of equipment for the best learning experience.

In year 7, students will study the following subjects:

Year 7 En Ma Sc Fr Gg Hi Co Rs Ls PE Art Music Drama Tech
Groups 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 12 12 10 10 10 12
2025/26 7 7 6 4 4 4 2 2 1 3 2 2 2 2

In Year 8 students are introduced to Spanish as well as French. Students study two lessons of Spanish and two lessons of French each fortnight. At the end of Year 8, students decide which language they wish to pursue into Year 9 whereby, based on their choice alongside advisories from their teachers, students study French or Spanish for four lessons a fortnight in their chosen language in Year 9. Maths and Linear subjects are currently set by ability in year 8 & 9. 

Year 8 En Ma Sc Fr/Sp Gg Hi Co Rs Ls PE Art Music Drama Tech
Groups 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 12 16 10 10 10 12
2025/26 7 7 6 4 4 4 2 2 1 3 2 2 2 2

Furthermore, in year 9 the curriculum offer remains broad, but students receive one hour of music and drama which is ran as a carousel but gain an additional hour of Technology. 

Year 9 En Ma Sc Fr/Sp Gg Hi Co Rs Ls PE Art PA Tech
Groups 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 16 10 10 12
2025/26 7 7 7 4 4 4 2 2 1 3 2 2 3

Subject Code Key for tables: En (English), Ma (Maths), Sc (Science), Tech (Technology = Food, Textiles and Design Technology), Art, Fr (French), Gg (Geography), Hi (History), PE (Physical Education), RS (Religion & Society),  RS (Religion & Society), LS (Life Skills – Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship Education), Co (Computing), PA (Performing Arts) and Mu (Music), Sp (Spanish). 

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) 

Discussions with students begin in Year 9 regarding their interests, option preferences and intentions for post-16 progression. Within their KS4 studies, students are placed into our W or H option pathways which are two, parallel ability bands, in order to form the curriculum model. All students study English Language and Literature (two separate GCSEs), Maths, Science (two GCSEs) and will have one period per week for non-examined Religion / Life Studies and Games in year 10. In year 11 students currently have 1 timetabled session of Religion and Life Skills. The majority of students will study three option subjects (based on their preferences) with the minimum expectation of one EBacc subject to be taken (Geography, History, French, Spanish, Triple Science or Computer Science).  The pathways followed are designed to provide all students with the appropriate opportunity, time and support to be able to thrive and achieve their potential, such that they are prepared for and can access their choice of post-16 provision. The guided option process ensures that students follow a broad and balanced curriculum with an appropriate academic diet.   

Year 10 En Ma Sc RL Ga Opt x Opt y Opt z
Groups 10 10 10 10 10
2025/26 9 8 9 2 2 6 6 6

 

Year 11 En Ma Sc RL Ga Opt x Opt y Opt z
Groups 10 10 10 10 10
2025/26 9 9 9 1 2 6 6 6
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