Curriculum

The Curriculum at Standish Community High School

The Curriculum at Standish Community High School is a cornerstone of the work of the school. It functions in harmony with the changes in Teaching and Learning and the Personal Development of all students.

It also underpins the exceptional outcomes that students achieve at the end of Y11 and it supports all learners to become more resilient, more independent and more hardworking.

A strong curriculum should also draw students to it. Hence at SCHS we have strong levels of student attendance, positive behaviour and high levels of student engagement. Similarly high uptake of extra-curricular activities involve students at all levels and in all disciplines. For example as:

• Wellbeing Ambassadors
• Student Council Representatives
• Sports Council
• Prefects / Senior Prefects
• Subject Ambassadors
• Student Librarians
• Reading Mentors
• Duke of Edinburgh participants

The SCHS Curriculum has five key pillars in its vision to develop successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens:

1. All subjects will have a strong emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge and skills. This will be wide-ranging and not narrowly focused. It will go deep and stretch pupils’ thinking and understanding. Learning opportunities will be designed to have “stick-ability” and challenge pupils’ effective use of memory.
2. Assessments will stretch and deepen students’ learning, allowing for repeated opportunities for students to demonstrate retrieval and application of their knowledge. Thinking time will be given, allowing students to become fluent in their subjects and confident in the knowledge that they are acquiring.
3. Classwork will combine knowledge and skills and where possible, develop a hunger for learning by asking “the big questions”. Appropriate well-planned extra-curricular events and tasks will also contribute to pupils’ sense of curiosity and support them in preparing for the next stage of their lives.
4. All subjects will focus on and value language and literacy, making strong links between reading and curriculum access. The content of the curriculum will dovetail with themes and events that prepare students for life in 21st century Britain, equipping them with ‘cultural capital’ that will allow all students to be ambitious and believe in their own potential.
5. All subjects will identify and strategically sequence key aspects of knowledge; ensuring challenge is embedded throughout a student’s 5-year journey, developing character and resilience “en route”.

99% of SCHS students also stay on in education or employment after KS4.

Conclusion

At SCHS it is our intention that the curriculum fosters a sense of ambition that transcends borders, nationalities and religions. Inherent within this, is an ambition for all students to achieve beyond what they think they are capable of in all aspect of school life.

Curriculum in Action

We offer an outstanding curriculum tailored to students’ needs. This is built around the development of knowledge, skills and understanding, which essentially prepares students for their chosen destinations: college, apprenticeship and indeed future employment.
In addition, we believe our curriculum also develops our students into caring and community-minded members of society who consider the interests of others as well as themselves. Over the five years, our students make considerable strides towards adulthood. We have three key aims for them:

• To become successful learners
• To become confident individuals
• To become responsible citizens

All the decisions taken at our school have these three aims in mind. We want our students to be multi-skilled and successful, problem-solvers, creative thinkers and adaptable learners.

Year 7 and 8

Curriculum Model 2025-2026

Year 9

Curriculum Model 2025-2026

Key Stage 4

Curriculum Model 2025-2026