Our Curriculum

At Walton we are proud of our curriculum. Our intention is to provide an ambitious curriculum for all with inclusion at its heart, so that all our students including our disadvantaged and SEND students can achieve their full potential and are prepared to be active and successful adults in modern Britain.  Our wider curriculum is designed to be inclusive, broad and balanced in that it educates not only academically but holistically. These curriculum aims are underpinned by our values of pride, respect and kindness; therefore, our curriculum promotes co-operation, collaboration and ambition for all of our students. Walton High School is at the heart of the community and we aim to support all members of our school community to achieve their own aspirations and prepare them for life beyond school.

Our Curriculum: A further look

What subjects are offered at KS3?

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• History
• Geography
• A Modern Foreign Language (French and/or German)
• PE
• Technology (via a rotation through Food, Textiles, Resistant Materials and Graphics)
• RE
• Music
• ICT
• Art
• PSHE

If you wish to have a deeper delve into the subjects offered; please see Our Departments.

What about at GCSE?

We cherish our “free option choice” system at KS4; our timetable serves our curriculum, as opposed to determining it. All of our students are free to choose from a broad range of academic and vocational options at KS4, to prepare them well to achieve their future aspirations, as well as continuing to spark a lifelong love of learning.

GCSE Option Subjects in Years 10 and 11 include the following:

• Art
• Business Studies
• Computer Science
• Drama
• French
• German
• Geography
• History
• Media
• Music
• Physical Education
• Religious Education
• Technology, Food
• Technology, Graphics
• Technology, Resistant Materials
• Technology, Textiles
• Triple Science

All students follow a Science course starting in Year 10 and leading to 2 or 3 GCSE awards. Further Maths is available in Key Stage 4.

Students are given a free option choice but are supported to study a suite of subjects that has academic breadth.

For more information on the options process, please see our options booklet.

What subjects are offered at KS5?

At Key Stage 5 the sixth form curriculum design ensures that the post-16 courses and enrichment opportunities on offer provide a broad and balanced curriculum that allows for progression to Higher Education as well as student’s individual aspirations. A mix of academic and vocational subjects and qualifications are on offer and are identified below:

All courses listed above are A Level unless otherwise stated

Specific entry criteria apply to Sixth Form

Student’s preferred subject choices are established early in order to facilitate timetabling to ensure that the maximum number of students’ subject choices/combinations are catered for. Where a student’s choice(s) cannot be accommodated, reserve choices will be considered after discussion with the student. Where class sizes are too small to make a course viable, a course will not run and alternative subject choice(s) will need to be made. Further information regarding the post-16 curriculum and the sixth form in general can be found on our website and in the Sixth Form Handbook.

We consider every student application on its individual merits, and apply a holistic approach when considering student suitability to each course based on the student’s individual achievements and experience. Staff support each student towards appropriate subjects and pathways in order to achieve their future ambitions and aspirations.

The broad range of enrichment opportunities throughout Years 12 and 13 enhance students’ learning, develop their independence as young adults and prepare them for life beyond the academy and at university, in training or employment. 

You can view the full course guide here.

How is progress and performance managed?

Students will be assessed at certain key points throughout each academic year. These assessments will be designed to promote longer term learning, which means that students will be assessed on cumulative knowledge, skill and vocabulary over their time at Walton.

In Key Stage 3, specific assessment windows will allow percentages to be collated and reported home to parents and carers. We will measure progress using our in-house ranking system, based upon KS2 SATs scores and Year 7 baseline assessments. For more information on KS3 assessments, please click here.

In Key Stage 4 and 5, estimated grades will be reported three times per year to parents. Teachers will use assessments and coursework, as well as taking the student’s academic approach into consideration, when reporting on estimated grades. Each student will also be assigned a target grade for GCSE and A-Level/BTEC subjects.

If you would like more information, please contact Office@Walton.staffs.sch.uk