We offer all the National Curriculum subjects with an expanding range of options in the 14-19 phase that reflects the school’s specialisms and its wider commitment to the arts.
Programmes of Study for the seven year groups can be found in this section. Please click on the relevant year group on the right to view.
The Handbooks are available from the School Information area. The Handbooks contain a wealth of information you will need as a student or parent at the school and are divided into Year groups.
The school curriculum at NHGS provides all students with an entitlement to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum. The curriculum encompasses not only the subjects that students experience but the routines, events, activities and opportunities that are provided within and beyond the school day. We want all students to be inspired and challenged. The organisation and structure ensures continuity and coherence and enables students to become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens.
Curriculum Enhancement
As both a selective and specialist school the following enhancements in the academic curriculum provide stimulus and challenge in Years 7 to 11:
• All students study sciences either as separate Sciences – Biology, Chemistry and Physics or as Science and Additional Science to GCSE
• All students study Mathematics which is set across the year from Year 8; there are a variety of options available at GCSE level depending on ability
• All students experience a range of enrichment activities in science and mathematics that stimulate their curiosity and engage their interest
• All students study French in Years 7 to 8 and German or Spanish in Year 8. They then continue to study at least one modern foreign language (MFL) to GCSE
• Latin is studied by all students in Year 8 and is available as an option to GCSE
• All students will experience a range of opportunities to develop their linguistic skills including visits to European countries
• All students in Years 7 to 11 study Information & Communication Technology (ICT) as a separate course leading to a GCSE equivalent qualification in Year 9 and a full GCSE in Year 11
• Physical Education (PE) is taken by all students and is available as a full-course GCSE option
• Religious Education (RE) is provided for all students throughout years 7 to 11 including a full GCSE course
• Some 17 optional subjects are available at GCSE including Psychology
• If there is a demand further provision is made for particular courses such as GCSE Dance
Lower School: in Year 7 students follow a curriculum of Art, Design and Technology (D&T), Drama/Learning Resource Centre (LRC), English, French, Geography, History, ICT, Mathematics, Music, PE, Personal, Social, Citizenship, Health and Economic Education (PSCHEE), RE and Science. ICT is also experienced in all subjects of the curriculum.
In Year 8 students continue to study the same subjects as those studied in Year 7, except for Drama/LRC which is not timetabled separately. In addition all students study Latin and German or Spanish.
Upper School: in Year 9 students continue to study the same subjects as in Year 8. There is an opportunity for students to continue with Latin or French or German or Spanish. In some core subjects, students may begin their GCSE studies.
In Years 10 and 11 students follow a core curriculum of full GCSE courses in English, English Literature, Mathematics, a MFL and Science. In Science students can either study Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate GCSE subjects or take Science and Additional Science. Students can study French, German or Spanish as their MFL. Students will study for full GCSEs in ICT and Religious Studies (RS). There will be non-examination courses in PE and PSCHEE. Students normally study twelve full-course GCSE subjects.
Students and parents are advised and guided in their choices of options from the following subjects; Art, D&T (four strands), French, Geography, Geology, German, History, Latin, Music, PE, Psychology, Spanish and a third Science.
Additionally, some courses, such as Dance, may be available as an extra-curricular option.
