At John Masefield High School, our aim is to provide excellent and enjoyable learning for all of our students through a broad and balanced knowledge-based curriculum. We employ a ‘top-down’ approach, thinking about what students need to know to access top universities, high-quality apprenticeships and good careers. We have then used our knowledge of the Key Stage 2 curriculum, that students have studied at primary school, to design a clear learning journey to allow students to succeed.  The most important facts and key knowledge are taught in Year 7 and are revisited many times, gradually building complexity. Learning is sequenced to enable new knowledge to be linked to previous learning and ensure that topics are taught in an order that helps students to know more, remember more and understand better. 

We deliver the curriculum using simple, effective and research driven teaching, with a particular focus on closing the gap between disadvantaged students, students with SEND and other students. As a result of this, the majority of subjects are taught in mixed attainment classes, and we use our training programme to ensure that teachers and support staff are experts in adaptive and responsive teaching, and know disadvantaged students and students with SEND especially well to understand their barriers to learning, how to motivate them and their strengths. 

We prepare students for life in modern Britain through developing ‘British Values’, high quality personal, social and health education, relationships and sex education, numerous cultural experiences and good quality careers education.  There are a wide range of enrichment activities in the arts, sport and many other areas in which all students are encouraged to participate.  Leadership opportunities including sports, arts language leaders, and prefects provide the chance for our students to develop character and interpersonal skills. 

If you have any questions or queries regarding our school curriculum, please contact: 

Mr Adem Osbourn 
Deputy Headteacher: Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching 
Email: adem.osbourn@jmhs.hereford.sch.uk  

We have a strong Curriculum Leaders Team, who should be the first contact for subject specific concerns. Please find their details below:

Key Stage 3 – Year 7, 8 and 9 

We cover all the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9, in some places going beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum to engage students and provide them with further challenge. In Key Stage 3, all students study English, mathematics, science, computing, design technology, food and nutrition, geography, history, religious education (RE)*, PSHE, careers, physical education, art, music, and drama. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)** is delivered in several ways, through science lessons, tutor delivery of PSHE and extra lessons delivered by their Year leader. 

Lessons are delivered over 50 periods in a two-week timetable. Students also spend 30 minutes with their tutor group every morning. Tutor time includes PSHE, reading, and careers sessions delivered by form tutors. This time is also used for weekly themed assemblies, and tutor challenges where students compete in their house to create a sense of belonging.

* Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE.

** Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of Sex Education.  For more information, refer to our Relationships and Sex Education policy 

Key Stage 4 – Year 10 and 11 

As a school, we encourage the majority of students to study the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) at Key Stage 4. The EBacc is a set of subjects at GCSE that keeps young people’s options open for further study and future careers. This is English language and literature, mathematics, science, geography or history and a modern foreign language. Students choose whether to study combined science or biology, chemistry and physics as separate sciences, French or German, geography or history, plus two additional subjects.  These two additional subjects are chosen from a selection of different subjects plus the ability to study a second language or humanity. This gives students the opportunity to specialise in the subjects that are of most interest to them.  Additionally, all students have core physical education lessons and study PSHE, RE*, careers and computing across the curriculum and through assemblies and tutor delivery. 

We believe that studying the EBacc qualifications will considerably enhance students’ life chances as they facilitate the greatest flexibility both into A level and university courses. Also, as an 11-18 school, we ensure the Key Stage 4 courses are excellent preparation and link in well with our Sixth Form studies. However, we are keen to support students to follow a pathway that is closely linked to their interests and desired future study or employment. Therefore, we also offer a vocational pathway at Key Stage 4. All students are provided with expert advice and guidance to enable them to choose the most suitable pathway. Guidance is especially provided for students with SEND to ensure that it has been tailored to their specific SEND needs. 

Lessons are delivered over 50 periods in a two-week timetable. Students also spend 30 minutes with their tutor group every morning. Tutor time includes PSHE, reading, and careers sessions delivered by form tutors. This time is also used for weekly themed assemblies, and tutor challenges where students compete in their house to create a sense of belonging.

* Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE.

** Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of Sex Education.  For more information, refer to our Relationships and Sex Education policy 

Sixth Form Curriculum 

Our Sixth Form, JM6, has over twenty high quality courses in artistic and creative subjects, humanities and social sciences, mathematics, science and vocational subjects.  The transition programme in Year 11 and careful coverage of the key concepts and foundational knowledge at the start of Year 12 enables students to gain confidence and make excellent progress during Year 13 to achieve high A level results.  As a result of this and individual guidance and support, Year 13 students progress onto excellent university courses, employment or apprenticeships.  In addition to our academic and vocational courses, JM6 provides a broad Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural education and a wide range of exciting enrichment and leadership opportunities. 

Email: Ami.Phillips@jmhs.hereford.sch.uk