KS3 Curriculum
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
All students engage in a common curriculum at Key Stage 3. Below is a table detailing the subjects offered and the distribution of teaching periods for each subject over a two-week cycle.
|
Subject |
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Mathematics | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Science | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Geography | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| History | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Modern Foreign Languages | 4* | 4 | 4 |
| Computer Science | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Personal Development | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Art | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Drama | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Music | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Physical Education | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Technology* | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Total Number of Lessons | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| DfE Recommended Minimum | 48 | 48 | 48 |
* Students in Technology study a ‘carousel’, developing skills in Food Technology, Resistant Materials and Textiles.
* Students in Year 7 Modern Foreign Languages study on a 'carousel', learning the fundamentals of each MFL (French, German, and Spanish).
Key Stage 3 Assessment Criteria
At Key Stage 3, students will undergo assessments based on specific criteria tailored to each subject.
These criteria are outlined below and have been developed by our Subject Leads to align with the curriculum intent for each area. The resulting student reports will provide insights into individual learning progress relative to these criteria, enabling parents to effectively support their child's growth in targeted areas. The KS3 report will encompass five key strands:
- Beginner (B)
- Working Towards Expected Standard (WT)
- Expected Standard (ES)
- Working Above Expected Standard (WA)
- Outstanding (O)
Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education
At The Chalfonts Community College, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education and Religious Education (RE) are delivered through our Personal Development curriculum, with students receiving dedicated lessons each week for Key Stages Three and Four and during tutor time at Key Stage Five. This integrated approach allows students to explore a wide range of statutory topics in greater depth through engaging, discussion-based lessons led by specialist teachers.
Through PSHE, students cover key statutory areas including health and wellbeing, relationships and sex education (RSE), and living in the wider world. Lessons help students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives now and in the future — supporting their physical and emotional wellbeing, understanding of relationships, and preparation for life and work in modern Britain.
Our RE provision provides students with the opportunity to explore different faiths, beliefs, values and worldviews, encouraging respect, tolerance and critical thinking. Students consider ethical and philosophical questions, the influence of religion on culture and society, and how belief shapes individual and collective identity.
By combining PSHE and RE within the Personal Development curriculum, we ensure students have the time and space to engage meaningfully with key issues, reflect on their values, and develop the confidence and empathy needed to thrive as responsible global citizens.
Our dedicated curriculum is supported and reinforced across the school in a variety of ways, such as:
- Our whole school values
- Assemblies linked to the half-term PSHE/RSE themes
- Our reward system
- School community events
- Varied enrichment opportunities
We strive to provide an inclusive RE/PSHE curriculum that fosters respect and understanding. However, we fully recognise the legal right of parents to withdraw their children from all or part of RE/PSHE lessons. To understand how this process works and what to expect, please read our dedicated RSE & Health Education Policy (found under our Policies page) for more information.