Our Curriculum

THE CURRICULUM AT DRAYTON MANOR HIGH SCHOOL

At Drayton Manor High School, we believe that every student is entitled to a rich and ambitious education that enables them to understand the world, engage with complex ideas and achieve academic success. Our curriculum is designed to provide students with access to the powerful knowledge that has shaped human understanding across generations, ensuring that they leave school as knowledgeable, thoughtful and responsible citizens.

We believe that subjects matter. Each discipline offers a distinct way of understanding and interpreting the world, whether through the analytical thinking of Mathematics, the investigative methods of Science, the interpretative nature of History or the creative expression found in the Arts. Our curriculum therefore respects the integrity of individual subjects and enables students to develop deep knowledge and understanding within each domain.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the school's core values of Ambition, Character and Civic Virtue, which shape the experiences and opportunities available to every student.

We foster ambitious learning by instilling the importance of scholarship, academic rigour and hard work. Students are encouraged to think deeply, embrace challenge and take pride in their achievements. We want every student to aspire to excellence and fulfil their potential.

We develop character by encouraging resilience, responsibility and determination. Inspired by our school motto, Nec Aspera Terrent ("Difficulties Do Not Deter Us"), students learn to persevere in the face of challenge and develop the confidence and courage to succeed.

We promote civic virtue by encouraging students to contribute positively to their communities and to society more widely. Through leadership opportunities, service and enrichment activities, students develop the qualities of responsible citizenship, integrity and respect for others.

curriculum entitlement

We believe that access to a rich, knowledge-led education is a fundamental entitlement for every young person, regardless of background or circumstance.

Through a curriculum grounded in powerful knowledge, subject expertise and our core values of Ambition, Character and Civic Virtue, we prepare students for future academic success and enable them to flourish within their communities and modern society.

Powerful Knowledge and Subject Scholarship

We believe that education should provide students with access to the very best that has been thought, written, discovered and created. Every subject has identified the powerful knowledge, concepts and ideas that we believe students should understand in order to become educated members of society.

Our curriculum has been carefully designed and sequenced so that students build knowledge over time, making connections between ideas and developing increasingly sophisticated understanding. Through expert teaching and a knowledge-rich curriculum, students acquire both deep subject knowledge and an appreciation of how knowledge is created, debated and developed within different disciplines. We want students not simply to know more, but to think more deeply, question more effectively and develop a genuine appreciation for learning.

Key Stage 3: The Intellectual Powerhouse

We see Key Stage 3 as the intellectual powerhouse of our curriculum.

During Years 7 to 9, students build the essential knowledge, vocabulary and understanding that underpin future success at GCSE, A Level and beyond. Through carefully planned and sequenced learning, students encounter the most important concepts, ideas and debates within each subject, developing both intellectual curiosity and a secure foundation for further study.

Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum that fulfils the requirements of the National Curriculum while providing opportunities that extend beyond it. Alongside English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Modern Foreign Languages, Computing, Art, Design Technology, Music and Physical Education, all students also study Classics, reflecting our commitment to providing a rich academic education.

Students also participate in the SHINE Programme, which includes Citizenship, PSHE and Singing, supporting their personal development alongside their academic studies.

Key Stage 4: Academic Breadth and Rigour

At Key Stage 4, students continue to study a broad and ambitious curriculum designed to prepare them for future success. The English Baccalaureate forms an important part of our curriculum offer because we believe it provides the academic breadth and rigour that keeps future pathways open. Alongside their GCSE studies, students continue to participate in Physical Education and personal development programmes that support their wellbeing, character development and preparation for adulthood. Our curriculum aims to ensure that students leave Drayton Manor with the knowledge, qualifications and confidence needed to flourish in further education and beyond.

Sixth Form

Our aim is to promote breadth and balance in the Sixth Form programme of study and each student’s programme is individually negotiated. The school offers 27 A Level courses and Vocational Courses in Applied Science, ICT, Business and Creative Digital Media. To ensure continuing quality and success, existing courses are reviewed annually and new syllabuses introduced as appropriate. Students all have a daily tutor time and a weekly assembly for an hour. All students are encouraged to attend university summer and specialist courses.

There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities such as sports clubs, a drama workshop and societies in Astronomy, Debating, Economics, and Medicine and Wednesday afternoons are dedicated to timetabled Sixth Form enrichment in addition to the provision which takes place outside of lesson time. Students must select a minimum of one weekly enrichment. The CREST Award and the Extended Project Qualification are also very popular qualifications which students can choose in addition to their subject and enrichment choices. Students also take part in the Community Service Programme which involves mentoring younger students, peer reading, supporting in lessons and interventions or going off site to support in the local community.