Curriculum and Assessment

Our Curriculum

At The Henry Cort Community College, we are committed to providing a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum that enables every student to achieve their full potential and prepare successfully for life beyond school.

Our curriculum is carefully designed to develop knowledge, skills and understanding over time, enabling students to become confident, independent learners who are equipped for further education, employment and adult life.

Guided by our ASPIRE values, we strive to provide learning experiences that are engaging, inclusive and appropriately challenging, ensuring that every student can thrive academically, socially and personally.

Our Curriculum Aims

Our curriculum is designed to:

Provide a broad and balanced education for all students.
Develop secure knowledge, understanding and skills across all subjects.
Support progression into further education, employment and training.
Promote high aspirations and achievement for all students.
Foster independence, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.
Support students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Promote positive physical and emotional wellbeing.
Ensure equality of opportunity and inclusion for all learners.
Equip students with the knowledge and cultural capital needed to succeed in modern Britain.
Provide meaningful pathways that support individual aspirations and future goals.

ASPIRE and Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is underpinned by our ASPIRE values.

Achievement

We believe every student has strengths and talents to develop. Our curriculum provides opportunities for all students to achieve success and experience a sense of accomplishment.

Support

We provide both academic and pastoral support to enable students to grow in confidence and realise their potential.

Perseverance

We encourage students to embrace challenge, learn from mistakes and develop resilience when faced with difficulties.

Individuality

We recognise that every learner is unique and strive to provide an education that supports individual needs, interests and aspirations.

Respect

Our curriculum values diversity, promotes inclusion and encourages students to appreciate different cultures, beliefs and perspectives.

Excellence

We have high expectations and encourage all students to be the very best they can be, both academically and personally.

Curriculum Model

Our curriculum is delivered through a two-week timetable, providing students with approximately 25 hours of taught lessons each week, alongside dedicated personal development provision.

Students also participate in two weekly Personal Development Learning (PDL) sessions, providing opportunities to explore important topics beyond the academic curriculum.

The core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science receive significant curriculum time, particularly at Key Stage 4, ensuring students build strong foundations for future learning.

At Key Stage 4, students follow a balanced programme consisting of:

Core GCSE subjects
Optional GCSE and vocational qualifications
Religious Education
Core Physical Education

We currently offer a wide range of qualifications and pathways, enabling students to pursue subjects that match their strengths, interests and aspirations.

Personal Development Learning (PDL)

Personal Development Learning plays a vital role in preparing students for life beyond the classroom.

Our programme is delivered by specialist staff and covers six key themes:

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
Respect
Democracy, Citizenship and British Values
Health and Wellbeing
Enterprise and Financial Education
Careers Education

Through these themes, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions, maintain positive relationships and become responsible members of society.

The programme also supports:

Careers guidance
Personal development
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural education
Health education
Citizenship education

Inclusion

We believe that every student should have access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve success.

Teachers set high expectations for all learners and carefully adapt learning to meet the needs of different groups, including:

More able students
Students with low prior attainment
Disadvantaged students
Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Students with English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Adaptive teaching, appropriate challenge and targeted support ensure that barriers to learning are minimised and that all students can participate fully in the curriculum.

Further information can be found within our SEND Information Report and Equality Information and Objectives which can be found on our Policies page.

Religious Education and Collective Worship

Religious Education is delivered in accordance with statutory requirements and follows programmes of study reviewed by the Hampshire Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE).

Our curriculum:

Encourages understanding and respect for different beliefs and cultures.
Is broadly Christian in character while reflecting a range of world faiths and perspectives.
Supports students in developing their spiritual, moral and cultural understanding.

All students study Religious Education throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, with students completing a Religious Studies qualification as part of their Key Stage 4 curriculum.

The college also provides a programme of assemblies and tutor activities that support personal development and collective reflection.

Parents and carers wishing to discuss withdrawal from Religious Education or collective worship should contact the Principal in writing referencing the withdrawal policy on the Policies page.

Physical Education, Sport and Healthy Lifestyles

Physical Education is an important part of our curriculum and wider college life.

We aim to:

Promote participation and enjoyment.
Develop physical competence and confidence.
Encourage teamwork, leadership and resilience.
Support lifelong healthy lifestyles.
Maximise participation in physical activity for all students.

Students benefit from high-quality PE lessons, extensive extra-curricular opportunities and access to excellent facilities across our campus.

Many students also represent the college in local, county and national competitions, while others develop leadership skills through sports leadership programmes and our Schools Sports Partnership activities.

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

Through our Personal Development Learning programme, students explore issues relevant to life in modern Britain and develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions.

Our programme supports students to understand:

Healthy relationships
Personal safety
Physical and mental wellbeing
Diversity and inclusion
Citizenship and democracy
Careers and future pathways

The curriculum is age-appropriate, inclusive and responsive to the needs of young people today.

Copies of our RSE policy, curriculum content and teaching resources are available on request.

Equality

At Henry Cort, we believe that equity and inclusion are fundamental to student success.

We are committed to ensuring that personal circumstances, background or individual need do not prevent students from accessing high-quality education and achieving their potential.

Through inclusive practice and high expectations, we strive to ensure every student feels valued, supported and able to participate fully in college life.

Further Curriculum Information

To learn more about our curriculum, please explore the links below:

Our Curriculum Vision

We want every student to leave The Henry Cort Community College with the knowledge, skills, qualifications and character needed to achieve their ambitions and make a positive contribution to society. Through an ambitious curriculum, high-quality teaching and strong pastoral support, we prepare young people not only for examinations, but for life.

Review Information

Last reviewed: September 2026
Next review due: September 2027

The Henry Cort Community College