Curriculum
Our academic curriculum occupies 25 hours of the school week; we have adopted and endorse the Wirral Education Committee curriculum policy and we exercise an equal opportunity and multicultural access to all areas of the school.
For three years, all students follow a common curriculum consisting of English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Religious Education, French or Spanish, Design and Technology, Information Technology, Art, Dance, Drama, Physical Education, Music and Personal and Social Education/Citizenship. For some students in Year 8 there is the opportunity to study a second foreign language.
Students with Special Educational Needs are supported by specialist staff, either as individuals within the normal curriculum or by individual or small group withdrawal.
In Key Stage 4, Years 10 and 11, all students aim for GCSE Examinations or other GCSE equivalent qualifications such as BTECs. The curriculum offered at Key Stage 4 ensures that there are clear progression routes to prepare students for post 16 / higher education and / or the world of work.
The Year 10 and 11 curriculum currently consists of English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Statutory Religious Education, Science and Physical Education. Further choices are also made from option 'blocks'.
Students select 4 option subjects to study towards GCSE or vocational qualifications.
The following subjects are those taught at Key Stage 4:
English (Language, Literature), Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Trilogy), Modern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish), History, Geography, Art, Business Studies (Cambridge Nationals, GCSE), CiDA, Computer Science, Dance, GCSE Design and Technology, Drama, OCR Cambridge National in Engineering Design, Food Technology, Health & Social Care, Music, Resistant Materials, Textiles, PE Sports Studies, Religious Education.
All students are entitled to examination entry in their chosen subjects, providing they have met the basic requirements of attendance and coursework or controlled assessment completion.
For more specific curriculum information for each subject, please click on the appropriate subject link, below.
To view a full list of all the subjects taught at Key Stage 4 and the relevant qualification, please scroll down:
KEY STAGE 4 OPTIONS PROCEDURES:
During Year 9 a Guidance Handbook is issued to parents, explaining the options procedures and possibilities. Whilst the initial choice must be a matter which is decided between parents and students, the school is obviously deeply involved in the whole procedure. Accordingly, the following programme has been drawn up, so we can give the maximum possible assistance in this matter.
1. Talks to Year 9 classes on the option possibilities.
2. Option courses to be explained by Curriculum Area Leaders and Departments.
3. Option Forms to parents, together with an Options Handbook.
4. Year 9 Options Guidance Evening held before the options deadline.
5. Year 9 Parents' Evening - for discussion and questions.
6. Option Forms returned to school, showing choices made.
7. Final programme of study for each individual student prepared and necessary information given to parents.
8. This programme of study is not unalterable and the opportunity for further discussion will be given to any parents who may so request.
POST 16 EDUCATION:
Students at Hilbre are encouraged and helped to become aware of all the range of opportunities open to them at 16.
Sixth Form provision in school includes access to AS and A2 Levels, BTEC and GCSE courses.
If you wish to find out more about the curriculum our school is following, please contact our School Office with your enquiry or contact the relevant Head of Subject by email.
For information on Curriculum Entitlement and Disapplication of Subjects, please see the PDF document below.
Subjects offered at Key Stage 4 and the relevant qualification:
| Year | Award | Subject |
| 11 | GCSE | Art |
| 11 | GCSE | Biology |
| 11 | Btec | Business Btec |
| 11 | GCSE | Business Studies GCSE |
| 11 | GCSE | Chemistry |
| 11 | GCSE | Computer Science |
| 11 | GCSE | Dance |
| 11 | GCSE | Drama |
| 11 | GCSE | DT Food |
| 11 | Btec | Engineering Btec |
| 11 | GCSE | English Language |
| 11 | GCSE | English Literature |
| 11 | GCSE | French |
| 11 | GCSE | Geography |
| 11 | Btec | Health & Social Care Btec |
| 11 | GCSE | History |
| 11 | GCSE | IT |
| 11 | GCSE | Mathematics |
| 11 | GCSE | Music |
| 11 | PE Core | |
| 11 | GCSE | PE GCSE |
| 11 | GCSE | RE GCSE |
| 11 | GCSE | Resistant Materials |
| 11 | GCSE | Science Triology |
| 11 | GCSE | Spanish |
| 11 | GCSE | Textiles |
| 10 | GCSE | Art |
| 10 | GCSE | Biology |
| 10 | Btec | Business Btec |
| 10 | GCSE | Business Studies GCSE |
| 10 | GCSE | Chemistry |
| 10 | GCSE | Computer Science |
| 10 | GCSE | Dance |
| 10 | GCSE | Drama |
| 10 | GCSE | DT Food |
| 10 | Btec | Engineering Btec |
| 10 | GCSE | English Language |
| 10 | GCSE | English Literature |
| 10 | GCSE | French |
| 10 | GCSE | Geography |
| 10 | GCSE | History |
| 10 | GCSE | IT |
| 10 | GCSE | Mathematics |
| 10 | GCSE | Music |
| 10 | PE Core | |
| 10 | OCR Cambridge National Sports Studies | PE |
| 10 | GCSE | Physics |
| 10 | RE Core | |
| 10 | GCSE | RE GCSE |
| 10 | GCSE | Resistant Materials |
| 10 | GCSE | Science Triology |
| 10 | GCSE | Spanish |
| 10 | GCSE | Textiles |
| 9 | GCSE | Art |
| 9 | GCSE | Biology |
| 9 | Btec | Business Btec |
| 9 | GCSE | Business Studies GCSE |
| 9 | GCSE | Chemistry |
| 9 | GCSE | Computer Science |
| 9 | GCSE | Dance |
| 9 | GCSE | Drama |
| 9 | GCSE | DT Food |
| 9 | Btec | Engineering Btec |
| 9 | GCSE | English Language |
| 9 | GCSE | English Literature |
| 9 | GCSE | French |
| 9 | GCSE | Geography |
| 9 | Btec | Health & Social Care Btec |
| 9 | GCSE | History |
| 9 | GCSE | IT |
| 9 | GCSE | Mathematics |
| 9 | GCSE | Music |
| 9 | PE Core | |
| 9 | OCR Cambridge National Sports Studies | PE |
| 9 | GCSE | Physics |
| 9 | RE Core | |
| 9 | GCSE | RE GCSE |
| 9 | GCSE | Design and Technology |
| 9 | GCSE | Science Triology |
| 9 | GCSE | Spanish |