Curriculum Overview
King Henry VIII School is an English medium school. All students study the full range of subjects demanded by the National Curriculum. These are divided into core subjects and foundation subjects making up a fortnightly timetable of 50 lessons. Under the current COVID-19 restrictions this has been reduced to 30 lessons over the fortnight.
At Key Stage 3 there are three core subjects: English, Mathematics and Science. The remaining subjects are foundation subjects: History, Geography, Modern Languages, Art, Music, Technology and Information Technology.
The statutory subjects Religious Education, Personal and Social Education, Physical Education and Welsh are compulsory in Years 7 – 9. The school is working towards implementation of the new Curriculum for Wales for Year 7 in 2022.
At Key Stage 4 the three core subjects remain, but are joined by the Skills Challenge Certificate element of the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification. Student have a choice of 3 options subjects. In 2021 this list will be:
|
Creative/Technical |
|
|
Business Studies |
IVET |
|
Sport (Level 1) |
IVET |
|
ASDAN (Level 1) |
IVET |
|
Art and Design |
GCSE |
|
Drama |
GCSE |
|
Digital Technology |
GCSE |
|
Food |
GCSE |
|
Health and Social Care |
GCSE |
|
Music |
GCSE |
|
PE |
GCSE |
|
Product Design |
GCSE |
|
Humanities |
|
|
History |
GCSE |
|
Geography |
GCSE |
|
Sociology |
GCSE |
|
|
|
|
Languages |
|
|
French |
GCSE |
|
Spanish |
GCSE |
|
|
|
The statutory subjects of Religious Education, Physical Education and Welsh remain compulsory.
Moving into KS5 the requirement of core subjects are removed and we offer a broad and varied selection of both A Levels and vocational subjects. The offer in 2021 includes:
GCE A-level courses
Art and Design
Biology
Chemistry
English Literature
Further Maths
French
Geography
Government & Politics
History Law
GCE A-level courses
Media Studies
Music
Product Design
Physics
Psychology
Religious Studies
Sociology
Spanish
Theatre Studies
Welsh
Vocational Level 3 Courses
Applied Science
Business Studies
Health and Social Care
Information Technology
Sport
At KS5 Welsh Baccalaureate is a compulsory option.
Curriculum Cymreig
Curriculum Cymreig gives students a sense of place and heritage based on an understanding of Welsh history, geography, languages, industry and traditions.
This permeates all aspects of school life at King Henry VIII School, including active participation in extra-curricular activities through music, drama, sport, technology and the school-based local Eisteddfod.
Use of the Welsh Language / Defnydd o’r Iaith Gymraeg
At King Henry VIII School, the Welsh language is promoted in the following ways:
- Welsh is taught to all students in Years 7 – 11. At Key Stage 4 students study full course GCSE or equivalent.
- Students are encouraged to read in Welsh in assemblies.
- An annual school Eisteddfod is held. All students are encouraged to participate and are exposed to Welsh cultural tradition.
- Students are encouraged to use their language skills both inside and outside the classroom.
- A number of staff who speak Welsh, in addition to those in the Welsh department, are identified to students through the use of a ‘Hapus i siarad Cymraeg’ lanyard.