At Swaffham Hamond's High School we are passionately committed to Maximising Achievement for every student and we believe that each student, whatever their age or potential, should experience a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum. We want our students to acquire the essential skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to lead richly rewarding lives.

How do we group our students?

We believe our students work best with others of a broadly similar academic ability for core subjects. Other subjects have the opportunity to teach in mixed ability groups. We test all students during the final term at the feeder school using the NFER Cognitive Ability Tests (CATs) so that we have a very clear idea of their broad academic ability and potential. We use this information, together with the Key Stage 2 Standard Assessment Tests, to set our students in teaching groups according to their ability.

How is learning organised?

In September, 2008, Hamond’s became the first High School in Norfolk to adopt a two-year Key Stage 3 and three-year Key Stage 4 structure. This is a trend developing nationally amongst leading schools who, like us, share a passion to maximise achievement at 16 to provide students with a platform for greater future success and choice. All students follow the National Curriculum.

In Years 7 & 8 (Key Stage 3) students study English, Mathematics, Science, Design Technology, Modern Foreign Languages, History, Geography, Cultures and Values, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Art, Music, Drama and Physical Education. ICT is delivered both across the curriculum and as a discrete subject.

Specialist Support in Year 7—The Iceni Group

Those  for whom the transition for Key Stage 2 to 3 is most challenging have the opportunity to join our Iceni Group whose curriculum is a rich blend of Key Skills development and mainstream curriculum. The work of the group is led by a specialist Higher Level Teaching Assistant with a full-time attached Teaching Assistant both of whom work closely with the small team of mainstream staff for specialist subjects e.g. Music, Science, Design & Technology.

Guided Pathways

During Year 8, students will receive guidance about the optional subjects and route ways they should follow for 14 -19 education and undertake Career Planning Activities. Parents and carers are invited to be part of the decision-making process. This stage is important for every student.

In Years 9, 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) students will embark on a personalised programme of up to 9.5 GCSE courses or equivalent, comprising a core curriculum and access to four optional choices which include a range of vocational courses.

The optional subjects comprise:

• History, Geography,
• Media Studies, Study Plus English/Maths
• Art, Music, Drama,
• French, German, Spanish
• Business Studies, ICT
• Resistant Materials, Graphics, Food Technology, Textiles,
• Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE)
• Prince’s Trust and other Alternative Curriculum provision.

Key Stage 4 Core Curriculum

Students follow a  compulsory programme of English, Maths, Science, ICT, PE, and Philosophy and Ethics. Typically most students will study for nine GCSEs.

Over the course of the three years,  able students will be offered the opportunity to study for additional qualifications. This enriches their education and enhances their overall future opportunities. Students may study for the short course in Religious Education and a second foreign language via twilight classes. As outlined in the Gifted and Talented section, students can currently follow the AS course in Critical Thinking.

From September, 2010, Year 10 students will have access to an increasing range of new Diplomas including:

• Construction and the Built Environment,
• Business Administration and Finance.
• Society, Health and Development
• Sport and Leisure

These will be offered in conjunction with other schools in the West of Norfolk and may require students to move between schools for elements of each Diploma’s delivery.