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Curriculum

Whole School Curriculum

The curriculum at HGS is absolutely central to achieving success.

If students can access courses which are suitable for them, then motivation, enjoyment and achievement are certain to improve. The curriculum equips its students with the qualifications and skills needed for life in the 21st century.


Our Intentions

At Harrogate Grammar School we aim to provide all of our students with exciting opportunities which build confidence, develop a range of skills and promote academic excellence and a love of learning. We offer a broad range of courses at all levels, preparing students for further education and future careers. We also value learning beyond that which is recognised within the National Curriculum and seek to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, which offers our students the opportunity for enrichment and deeper learning. We aim to develop confident young people with enquiring minds and a range of attributes that prepare them to be responsible citizens throughout their lives.

Harrogate Grammar School (28)


The Implementation of our Curriculum

At HGS there is a strong focus on the core subjects; English, Maths and Science which we believe are the pillars that support understanding, skills and success elsewhere in the curriculum.

Languages and Humanities are also an important part of the curriculum, with the majority of students entering Year 7 studying 2 languages. This core curriculum is supplemented and balanced by provision in the arts, technological and sporting spheres.

The creative subjects continue to thrive. Having experienced creative and practical subjects throughout the whole of Key Stage 3, students can make genuine choices as they enter Year 10, for their GCSE programmes of study. Alongside the Ebacc subjects in humanities and languages which are recommended, Art, Business, computing, design, drama, food and nutrition, music, creative iMedia and PE continue to be popular choices and are well catered for.

Whilst seeking to provide a World Class education for our students, our curriculum has at its core the fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. In order to actively promote these values we expect all staff, students and visitors to challenge opinions or behaviours seen or heard in school that are contrary to these values.

The Spiritual, moral, social and cultural curriculum

The Big Picture Vision Statement

“We aim for all students to be happy, healthy, confident young adults who can contribute to the world in which they live now and in the future as active, responsible citizens. This will be achieved through an innovative, engaging and purposeful whole school programme, which combines elements of PSHE, Citizenship and Careers and is outstanding in its provision”.

Students in Years 7 to 11 will follow the Big Picture programme of study during their Big Picture lessons. This programme of personal development covers aspects such as citizenship, career guidance, personal, social and health education and Financial wellbeing.

Subjects at HGS

Lower Secondary Subjects – Key Stage 3 – Years 7 to 9

English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Studies, Physical Education, French, Geography, German or Spanish, History, Design (Art & Design, Design Technology & Food and nutrition), Computing, music and drama. In Year 7 students have 2 lessons per week, in which they follow The Big Picture programme of study. In Years 8 & 9, students have 1 Big Picture lesson each week, with their form tutor.


Upper Secondary Subjects – Key Stage 4 – Years 10 & 11

GCSE Courses on offer

English, English Literature, Mathematics, Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics) or Combined Science and Religious Studies are all studied by all students as part of the core curriculum and are all examined courses. Physical Education (core PE) is not an examined course but is compulsory for all students, as we recognise its value in ensuring our students physical and mental well-being.

Students are then able to choose from the optional GCSE subjects including; Art, Business Studies, Computing, Drama, Food & Nutrition, French, Geography, German, History, Music, Photography, Physical Education, Product Design and Spanish. They may also choose to study for a Cambridge National in I-Media.

Alternative Curriculum in Key Stage 4

The Extended pathway has been designed to offer an alternative for some of our students. Identified students will be invited to undertake an outdoor education course bespoke to HGS, which runs alongside various units from the AQA Unit Award Scheme, in which they will gain valuable certification. This pathway is supplemented with GCSEs in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science and students can also choose either 1 or 2 additional option subjects.   The course involves classroom learning one afternoon per week and one full day per week, doing active learning, often out of school.  The course develops various life skills such as finance, first aid, risk assessment, time management and public speaking.  Alongside the expedition experiences, the activities include sailing and archery for the students involved in this course.


Sixth Form Subjects

A Level Courses on offer

Art, Biology, Business studies, Chemistry, Computer science, Drama, Economics, English Language, English Literature, French, Further Mathematics, Geography, German, Graphic Design, History, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Product Design, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology & Spanish.

BTEC Courses

Applied Science, Business, , Medical Science, Music, Performing Arts and Sport.

Cambridge National

Level 3 – Digital I-Media

Sports Academy

The HGS Sports Academy Programme for both rugby and netball players was launched in September 2021. Students on the programme attend timetabled training sessions incorporated into the school day as well as their academic lessons. As well as a detailed training schedule and regular fixtures, there are lifestyle lectures from guest speakers on nutrition, mental wellbeing, recovery, resilience. Strong links with Yorkshire Rugby Academy and Leeds Rhinos Netball have been forged and the school enjoys working with centres of excellence.

Additional Curriculum Opportunities

Students can also study Core Mathematics and have the opportunity to complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), the English Speaking Board Level 3 certificate in Speech (ESB) and the Sports Leaders Award at Level 3.

Provision is made for students who need to re-sit GCSE English or maths.

Students also have the opportunity to study GCSE and A Level Chinese and GCSE Italian as part of their Sixth Form studies.

All students also have study lessons on their timetable in order to encourage good, independent study habits and time management.  Specific, extension tasks are set by faculty areas to be completed during this time.

Curriculum diagram

The HGS timetable runs over a fortnightly cycle for 6 periods per day with the exception of Wednesdays which had 5 periods. The allocation of lessons for each subject in each year can be seen in the document below:

If you have any further questions with regards to the subject choices in Key Stage 4 or 5, please refer to the Option materials in the relevant sections of the website.

HGS curriculum diagram 2023-24 sm

Termly Curriculum Overviews

Harrogate Grammar School (30)

The overview documents below will provide you with information about what your child is learning in each subject area each term.

Key Stage 3 - Years 7, 8 and 9

Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11

Key Stage 5 - Year 12

Key Stage 5 - Year 13


If you would like more information regarding the curriculum please contact Kirstie Moat, Associate Headteacher, email: mail@hgs.rklt.co.uk tel: 01423 531127

Harrogate Grammar School is part of Red Kite Learning Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7523507, registered office address: Red Kite Office, Pannal Ash Road, Harrogate, HG2 9PH

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