At Little Heath School we operate a two-year Key Stage 3 (KS3) curriculum. This is meticulously planned to cover the requirements of the National Curriculum and is designed to both enthuse and excite students about each subject discipline, whilst preparing them for their Key Stage 4 (KS4) courses. Our KS3 curriculum ensures students receive a broad and balanced education and provides many opportunities to enrich, extend and excite students in their learning. It also enables us to spend three years at GCSE covering the heavy KS4 content at a sensible pace to embed student learning fully. It enables teachers to explore their subjects in greater depth, develop skills and build in opportunities for practical learning at KS4. Most importantly, it enables students to enjoy their learning and to develop the skills to access their learning in the future.

We focus on the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills at KS3. The development of secure reading and writing skills and numeracy competencies is at the heart of our curriculum. Without these fundamental skills, students are unable to access the curriculum effectively, and their progress suffers. This emphasis on reading and writing skills is not only a priority for our parents and their children but local and national employers who have expressed a concern that students lack the basic reading and writing skills to operate successfully in the world of work. Little Heath School is committed to improving these crucial life skills in our students. Ultimately, the school’s vision is that no child should leave Little Heath School without the necessary literacy and numeracy skills to succeed in the world.

The aim of Little Heath School’s student-centred curriculum is to provide students with exciting opportunities to develop new skills, knowledge and understanding, and to apply their learning in a range of different contexts, thus becoming effective learners for life, whatever career path they choose.

Students study the following subjects at KS3:

• Art
• Computer Science
• Design and Technology
• Drama
• English Language
• English Literature
• French
• Geography
• Relationships and Health Education (including RSE)
• History
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physical Education
• Religious Studies
• Science (including Biology, Chemistry and Physics specialisms)

Transition between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 is something we take very seriously at Little Heath School. Selecting a secondary school and then the move to it is one of the biggest challenges for young people and their families. Our transition programme aims to make the process as easy as possible. We have strong links with our local primary schools, and we visit them regularly and welcome primary students to Little Heath as often as possible for special events and tours. Thus, we ensure that when they come here we know them well, and they already feel at home.

Students select their GCSE options in Year 8 and are supported in doing so with a tailored careers guidance programme and 1:1 mentoring. We find students are confident to make these selections in Year 8 and then move on to flourish in their GCSE courses from Year 9. Careers guidance has a key part to play in allowing students to develop skills for the workplace. Students receive personalised careers guidance from Years 7 to 13 through planned lessons, careers events and careful guidance that adapts and changes as the student grows and learns more about where they may be headed in the future.

More details can be found in our Subject Curriculum documents here. For information on Year 8 Options, click here.

Should you have questions about the Key Stage 3 curriculum please contact the Key Stage 3 Secretary, Miss Kiernan, on kkiernan@littleheath.org.uk

Year 8 Graduation

The end of the academic year for Year 8 students ends with their graduation evening. 

The aim of graduation is to celebrate the success and achievements of all students and to ensure they are KS4 ready. At the start of the year, they are issued with a graduation booklet which includes a range of challenges and tasks to be completed both inside and outside school. The points earned from the challenges they choose and complete determine if they graduate with a pass, a merit or distinction. 

An example of the booklet can be downloaded below (this was for the academic year 2022-23).