Curriculum
Our core purpose is to offer an ambitious curriculum that supports learning in and out of the classroom, underpinned by our school values of Ambition, Respect, Care and Honesty (ARCH).
Through offering a wide range of subjects and opportunities, reinforced by great learning and teaching, we truly believe that we will enable each individual to unlock their unique potential. The success of our curriculum is measured by outcomes, progression and attendance.
Questions, queries and additional info
If you wish to obtain additional information on our curriculum please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Coates (Deputy Headteacher) or Mrs Mansfield (Assistant Headteacher) who will be able to advise you.
To read more about equality in the curriculum please take a look at our Public Sector Equality Duty page here.
To find out more about our vision, long term plans and provision for enabling disabled pupils to fully participate in the school’s curriculum please see our school’s accessibility plan available on the policies page of our website here.
Student grouping rationale
At Todmorden High School, we are committed to thoughtfully grouping students to best unlock their unique potential. Our approach considers various factors such as group size, prior attainment, and additional support requirements, ensuring effective learning for all students.
We prioritise teaching in fully mixed prior attainment classes to foster collaboration and inclusivity. While mixed prior attainment classes promote diverse interactions, setting by prior attainment allows us to tailor instruction to specific learning needs, ensuring that all students receive the support they require to excel. Our flexible approach enables movement between groups based on ongoing assessments, typically at the end of each term, though adjustments may occur mid-term when necessary.
Changes in student groupings are guided by continuous assessment and the professional judgment of our teachers.
Research shows that high expectations lead to greater achievement, and we are dedicated to fostering ambitious goals for all our students. Our teachers receive ongoing training in best practices for ensuring a supportive and effective educational environment for all.
Please direct any questions regarding groupings of students to your child’s learning manager in the first instance. If you have a broader question, please contact our Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Coates alice.coates@sharemat.co.uk.
Curriculum Overview
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 & 9)
| Curriculum offer | English (4hrs), maths (4hrs), science (4hrs), computer science (1hrs), EPR (Ethics, philosophy and religion) (1hr), PE (1hr), geography (2hrs), history (2hrs), Spanish (2hrs), art (1hr). Rotations Year 7 and 8 – design and technology/food technology/public speaking (1hr), music/Latin (1hr) and digital literacy/performing arts (1hr). Year 9 – design technology/food technology/ digital literacy (1hr), Arts Award/Additional Science (1hr) and music/performing arts (1hr) |
|---|---|
| PSHCE (Personal Social Health and Citizenship Education) | Students will have three full ‘ARCH’ days studying a PSHCE programme covering aspects such as citizenship, sexual health, sex education, British values, tolerance, extremism, mental health and preparing students for the world of work. Year 7 and 8 will have ARCH lessons on rotation. |
Key Stage 4
Cohort 2026 (Year 10 in September 2024 and will set terminal exams in 2026) – English Language (Eduqas) and English Literature x 4 hrs (AQA), maths x 4 hrs (Pearson), science x 4 hrs (Pearson), core PE x 1 hr, options 4 x 3 hrs.
Year 10 (2025-2026)
| BLOCK A | BLOCK B | BLOCK C | BLOCK D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Art AQA |
Child Development OCR Cambridge National |
Fine Art AQA |
Business Studies Pearson |
| Business Studies Pearson |
Computer Science OCR |
Design Technology AQA |
Child Development OCR Cambridge National |
| Ethics, Philosophy and Religion (EPR) AQA |
Design Technology AQA |
Health and Social Care OCR Cambridge National |
Geography AQA |
| Geography AQA |
Ethics, Philosophy and Religion AQA |
History AQA |
History OCR |
| Health and Social Care OCR Cambridge National |
Geography AQA |
Creative iMedia OCR Cambridge National |
Latin OCR |
| Hospitality and Catering WJEC |
History AQA |
Performing Arts Pearson BTEC |
Spanish AQA |
| Music Pearson BTEC |
Hospitality and Catering WJEC |
Photography AQA |
Sports Studies OCR Cambridge National |
| Photography AQA |
Life Skills Pearson SWEET BTEC |
Sports Studies OCR Cambridge National |
|
| Seperate Science Pearson |
Additional Core (Only available to some students) |
Year 11 (2025-2026)
Terminal exams in 2026 (current year 11 – September 2025)- English Language (Eduqas) and English Literature (AQA) x 4 hrs (AQA), maths x 4 hrs (Pearson), science x 4 hrs (Pearson), core PE x 1 hr, options 4 x 3 hrs.
PSHCE/SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual, Cultural): Students will also have three full ‘ARCH’ days covering aspects such as citizenship, sexual health, sex education, British Values, tolerance, extremism, mental health and preparing students for the world of work. In addition some of these subjects are covered during form tutor time and assemblies.
| BLOCK A | BLOCK B | BLOCK C | BLOCK D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Art AQA |
Fine Art AQA |
Design Technology AQA |
Additional Core (Only available to some students) |
| Business Studies Pearson |
Business Studies Pearson |
Ethics, Philosophy and Religion (EPR) AQA |
Business Studies Pearson |
| Ethics, Philosophy and Religion (EPR) AQA |
Child Development OCR Cambridge National |
Geography AQA |
Ethics, Philosophy and Religion (EPR) AQA |
| Geography AQA |
Computer Science OCR |
Health and Social Care OCR Cambridge National |
Geography AQA |
| Hospitality and Catering WJEC |
Geography AQA |
History AQA |
History AQA |
| Spanish AQA |
History x2 AQA |
Creative iMedia OCR Cambridge National |
Hospitality and Catering WJEC |
| Sports Studies OCR Cambridge National |
Music BTEC |
Performing Arts Pearson BTEC |
Latin AQA |
| Separate Science Pearson |
Photography AQA |
Photography AQA |
Spanish AQA |
| Spanish AQA |
Separate Science Pearson |
||
| Separate Science Pearson |
Key Stage 4 Core RE Provision
Key Stage 4 Core RE Provision
A large cohort of students take EPR GCSE as an option at THS; however, for those who do not, we are committed to ensuring they receive their entitlement through our curriculum provision. This provision is planned and prepared with specialist RE teachers from the RE dept.
Across KS4, students have four drop-down curriculum days; within these, there are a series of lessons called ‘Faith in Tod’, which explore religious viewpoints from our community. These include analysing the recent census to understand faith and religion locally and nationally, as well as studying religions outside the six main world religions, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Paganism. Ethical issues such as abortion and euthanasia are also covered, along with philosophical approaches to life like Stoicism.
In addition to this, we use our focus time at the beginning of each day (30 minutes) to deliver key content to Key Stage 4 students. The assembly programme covers key religious and cultural festivals throughout the year. Additionally, during focus time, students study the following:
Year 10: Students complete a form unit on ‘Religion and Worldviews’ during the spring term. This equips them with an understanding of Religion and worldviews and how an ‘institutional view’ may be different from lived experience. Throughout the year, they read Scythe by Neal Shusterman. This text explores dilemmas around mortality, justice, and power. It examines fairness, moral responsibility, and the impact of immortality on society. Through its characters and thought-provoking scenarios, it fosters critical thinking, empathy, and debates on technology, free will, and human values.
Year 11: Students complete a from unit on ‘Ethics and Philosophy’ during the spring term. It reflects on different ethical framework (like virtue ethics) and helps students consider ethical dilemmas and ethical views on current issues. Throughout the year, they read Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne. This text explores themes of war, family, and resilience through Alfie’s perspective during World War I. It raises questions about morality, mental health, and the impact of conflict on individuals and society, fostering empathy, critical thinking, and discussions on historical and ethical issues.
Key Stage 4 Core Computing Provision
Key Stage 4 Core Computing Provision
A significant number of our students take computing, creative Imedia, photography and other subjects that allow them to develop their ICT literacy and creativity. In addition to this, we provide content for our students to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills they need to progress into careers in computing, ICT and creative iMedia.
During the summer term of year 10, our students complete a compulsory computing unit which covers; keeping yourself and your data safe online; understanding social engineering; computational thinking using pseudocode; and careers in creative iMedia, computing and ICT.
Curriculum Documents Overview
We have provided curriculum documents for parents and other interested stakeholders to see what is delivered in each subject over an academic year. If you want some more detailed information about content please visit our essential knowledge booklet page where you can have a look at areas of recall and study provided for our students. These curriculum documents are dynamic, we update them annually and if we make major changes to content or structure. The documents show where assessments will be held in each subject to support effective revision for our students.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overviews
ARCH curriculum – Aside from the three ARCH days a year, students in year 7 and 8 have ARCH lessons on rotation where they cover a wide range of PSHCE and personal development topics. This rotation was introduced in September 2022, and a curriculum overview is currently being built to support this.