Curriculum
Information
How we comply with the statutory guidelines for what maintained schools must publish online:
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the content of your school curriculum in each academic year for every subject - this includes mandatory subjects such as religious education (see PSHCRE document), even if it is taught as part of another subject or subjects, or is called something else (see subject buttons);
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a list of the courses available to pupils at key stage 4, including GCSEs (see here for KS4 options information);
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how parents or other members of the public can find out more about the curriculum your school is following (our strategic leader for curriculum, teaching and assessment is Mr I Richards (Vice Principal). If you have any questions or queries about our curriculum, Mr Richards can be contacted by email at enquiries@penistone-gs.uk);
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You must also set out how over time you will increase the extent to which disabled pupils participate in the school’s curriculum, as part of your school’s accessibility plan (see our SEND pages here).
Penistone Grammar School is built on strong relationships. A happy school, we are at the heart of our community and provide an excellent educational experience for students from years 7 through to 13.
Resolute in our efforts to reduce economic and social inequality, our curriculum will not only inspire our young people, but it will create opportunities for all. We will not label our students, nor will we allow assumptions to be made that relevance or life chance is dependent upon academic ability. We will not limit our efforts to help all students to excel, regardless of their context or starting point.
Key Stages 3 & 4
In years 7 and 8 our focus is to develop the foundations needed for successful learning across a range of subjects. Students study English, Mathematics, Science and Languages (French and Spanish) for six hours per fortnight; History, Geography, PE and Technology for four hours per fortnight; Art, Drama, Music, Computing, Resilience (year 7 only) and PSHRCE (Personal, Social, Health, Religious and Careers Education) for two hours per fortnight.
As they move into year 9, we enhance our students’ knowledge, skills and understanding as we prepare them for the next significant step in their learning journey. Recognising the importance of English and Mathematics as the cornerstones for learning, the amount of time students spend studying these key subjects is increased. Throughout year 9 students are provided with opportunities to consider future pathways and to decide which subjects they would like to specialise in as they move into Key Stage 4.
In years 10 and 11 students take control of almost 40% of their learning, studying subjects that interest and enthuse them and which contribute to their longer-term goals and aspirations. At Key Stage 4 students spend significantly more time studying core subjects: nine hours per fortnight of English and Mathematics, and ten hours per fortnight of core Science. We continue to recognise the importance of developing our students as well-rounded and healthy individuals and to this end our students participate in practical PE lessons and PSHRCE (two hours per fortnight).
Key Stage 5
We have an excellent Post-16 Centre; many of our students choose to stay with us and study subjects from the wide range of A levels on offer including Psychology, Sociology, Government & Politics, Theatre Studies and Further Mathematics. Please click here to view or download our latest Post 16 Prospectus.