CURRICULUM STRUCTURE
PHASE 2 · YEAR 9
Challenge
Breadth, independence and informed choices.
Year 9 is the bridge between the broad foundations of Years 7 and 8 and the increasing demands and choices of Key Stage 4.
We call this phase Challenge because pupils are expected to develop greater independence, resilience, responsibility and confidence in making decisions about their future.
THE PURPOSE OF PHASE 2
Retain Breadth. Increase Independence. Make Informed Choices.
Year 9 deliberately retains a broad curriculum while preparing pupils for the greater independence, responsibility and decision-making required as they move towards Key Stage 4.
CURRICULUM ENTITLEMENT
Breadth Before Choice
Year 9 pupils continue to follow a broad curriculum across 50 lessons each fortnight.
| Subject | Lessons per fortnight |
|---|---|
| English | 8 |
| Mathematics | 8 |
| Science | 7 |
| Physical Education | 4 |
| Modern Foreign Languages | 4 |
| Geography | 3 |
| History | 3 |
| Design Technology | 3 |
| Religious Education | 2 |
| Computing | 2 |
| Art | 2 |
| Drama | 1 |
| Music | 1 |
| Character Curriculum | 2 |
| Total | 50 |
WHY BREADTH MATTERS
We do not narrow the curriculum prematurely in Year 9.
Pupils continue to experience languages, humanities, creative and practical subjects while building the knowledge and disciplinary understanding needed for successful Key Stage 4 study.
INCLUSION WITH AMBITION
An Inclusive Approach to Curriculum Access
The principle of adaptation rather than exclusion continues through Year 9.
Pupils experiencing barriers remain entitled to ambitious learning. Teachers use assessment, knowledge of pupils and appropriate adaptations to enable access to the curriculum.
Where a more adapted model is required, nurture provision continues to retain a broad range of subjects alongside additional English and targeted foundational support.
Adaptation is intended to be purposeful and responsive, helping pupils make progress and increasing their ability to learn successfully with their peers wherever possible.
THE PRINCIPLE
Adapt where necessary. Remove barriers. Preserve ambition.
Adapted provision should remain coherent, support long-term success and maximise opportunities for pupils to participate in mainstream learning alongside their peers wherever possible.
ADAPTED PROVISION
Year 9 Nurture Curriculum
In Year 9, Nurture pupils study:
| Subject | Year 9 |
|---|---|
| English | 8 |
| Mathematics | 8 |
| Science | 7 |
| PE | 4 |
| Geography | 3 |
| History | 3 |
| Religious Education | 2 |
| Character Curriculum | 2 |
| Spanish, German or French* | 2 |
| Computing | 2 |
| Drama | 1 |
| Music | 1 |
| Design & Technology | 3 |
| Art | 2 |
| Targeted Literacy | 2 |
*Year 9 pupils continue the language they studied in Years 7 and 8.
PREPARING FOR KEY STAGE 4
Choice, Learning & Progress
MAKING INFORMED CHOICES
Choosing the Next Stage
During Year 9, pupils begin to make decisions about their Key Stage 4 curriculum.
Our options and routes programme combines subject information, careers education and individual guidance so that pupils and families understand both the choices available and their role in supporting future pathways.
The aim is not to steer pupils towards a predetermined route, but to support informed and appropriately ambitious choices based on interests, strengths, needs and future aspirations.
LEARNING & ASSESSMENT
Increasing Responsibility
Homework, reading, retrieval and purposeful practice increasingly help pupils take responsibility for their learning.
Teachers continue to assess pupils routinely, with LP1, LP2 and LP3 providing formal progress points.
Assessment helps identify where teaching needs to be revisited, where additional support is required and where pupils are ready for greater challenge.
CHARACTER CURRICULUM
Challenge
The Year 9 Character Curriculum reflects pupils’ increasing independence and prepares them for increasingly complex choices.
KNOWLEDGE & JUDGEMENT
Understanding the Wider World
Themes include rights and government, relationships, migration and workplace conduct, health and risk, careers and options.
INDEPENDENCE & RESPONSIBILITY
Preparing for Key Stage 4
The programme develops resilience, judgement, independence and responsibility as pupils encounter increasingly complex decisions.
OPPORTUNITY & FUTURE PATHWAYS
Experiences That Broaden Horizons
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
Bronze Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award provides an optional opportunity for pupils to develop resilience, teamwork, independence and contribution through volunteering, skills, physical activity and expedition.
CAREERS & FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
Looking Beyond Year 9
Pupils explore post-16 education, higher education, apprenticeships and employment, alongside the relationships between curriculum choices and future opportunities.
Employer encounters, visiting speakers and work-related activities help broaden pupils’ understanding of the pathways available to them.
LEADERSHIP & PUPIL VOICE
Meaningful Participation
01
Take Part
Year 9 leadership opportunities include Student Parliament, the Eco Committee, student librarian roles, the Events Team and volunteering linked to Bronze DofE.
02
Represent Others
Pupil voice provides opportunities for young people to contribute to areas affecting their experience of school.
03
Make an Impact
Leadership is intended to result in meaningful participation and contribution rather than being confined to titles or badges.
RECOGNITION & CULTURE
Recognition and Celebration
House Points
House Points remain our everyday means of affirming positive actions, attitudes, achievement and contribution.
Lions
Lions remain reserved for exceptional achievement, behaviour, attitude or contribution.
Wider Achievement
Academic achievement, participation, representation and leadership are recognised through Achievers Awards, certificates, badges and celebration.
BY THE END OF PHASE 2
Ready to Choose. Ready to Progress.
The Challenge phase is designed to ensure pupils enter Key Stage 4 having retained a broad curriculum, developed greater independence and made informed choices about future study.
Where pupils have needed additional support or adaptation, the intention remains the same: maintain curriculum ambition, remove barriers and enable as much participation in the wider curriculum as possible.
Mrs J Thorogood – Principal
Rainhill High School, Warrington Road, Rainhill, Merseyside, L356NY
A paper copy of the information on our website is available on request.
© RAINHILL HIGH SCHOOL
