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 Y8&9). In Years 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, sociology and Spanish. They may also choose to study for a Cambridge National in I-Media, Level 2 Hospitality and catering and BTEC Level 2 Sport.
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, climbing, hiking 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 and Spanish
BTEC Courses – Level 3
Applied Science (last cohort 24/25), Business, Food, Science & Nutrition, Music, Performing Arts and Sport
Cambridge Technical
Level 3 – Digital 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 or AS Level maths and have the opportunity to complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), the English Speaking Board Level 3 certificate in Speech (ESB), medical sciences (final cohort in 2024/25) and the Sports Leaders Award at Level 3. We will be introducing the Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National in Human Biology for the 2025-27 cohort, to replace the Medical Sciences course.
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.
