Like any state funded schools in England, Holyhead School follows the new secondary curriculum, designed to provide a broad and consistent academic framework that caters to the educational needs of KS3/ KS4 students and to enable learners meet the challenges and demands of a rapidly changing world.

Within these guidelines the new secondary curriculum has allowed greater flexibility for schools to design schemes of learning that meet the needs and aspiration of learners. At Holyhead School we are committed to personalised learning, encouraging successful and confident learners across the curriculum.

Key Stage 5

Holyhead established a Post 16 Academy in September 2008. Students are able to study Advanced Level and / or BTEC Diplomas in a range of subjects. Information, advice and guidance is given on career pathways, encouraging students to progress into Higher Education. All Post 16 students are expected to take an active part in school life and act as ambassadors for the school.

Key Stage 3

Students follow a broad based curriculum that includes the subject areas displayed in the left-hand menu. They also follow courses in Business and Enterprise and Personal Effectiveness throughout Years 7, 8 and 9.

ICT

The use of ICT is both widely represented and encouraged throughout the curriculum. We have an extensive computer network that can be accessed by students and teachers alike.
Within our Opening Learning Centre, students have a wide array of reference material at their disposal to support their learning.

The curriculum is further enhanced by a range of extra-curricula activities such as a residential at Ingestre Hall Art centre; outdoor pursuits at Ogwen Cottage and a variety of sporting events. As Holyhead is a Business and Enterprise College, many enterprising initiatives and activities take place throughout the year.

Students have the opportunity to take part in additional music tuition on a wide range of instruments.

Career guidance and post-sixteen educational literature is on hand in the form of Books, Catalogues, Periodicals, CD-ROMs and via the Internet. Assistance, where needed, is also provided to help each student access the information they need.

INDEPENDENT LEARNING/ STUDY

Holyhead actively encourages the discipline of homework and independent study as a vital ingredient in achieving academic success.

Individual student planners are provided from years 7 to11 that enable Students, Teachers, Parents /Carers to monitor the progression of academic development.

As students approach Key Stage 4, usually after the first term of Year 9, they will choose to follow one of three available pathways that will enable them to achieve their full potential by the end of Year 11.

Year 9 students are given information, advice and guidance as to which Key Stage 4 Learning Pathway would be appropriate to meet their needs, based upon interests, abilities, and academic standing.

Key Stage 4 Care is taken throughout the KS4 programme of

Years 10 & 11 to meet the needs of the individual, while seeking to avoid the premature specialisation of any student, to any given field of study.

All pathways have a large and varied number of GCSE and BTEC examinations for the students to study. Most students will take between 8 – 10 GCSEs or their equivalent, with many taking up to 14 GCSEs if they wish to do so.

There are opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom with out of hours learning activities including the use of Holyhead’s VLE which is found on its website.

Students can access from home or elsewhere, learning tasks and activities to further their knowledge, skills and understanding.