Curriculum
At New Rush Hall School (NRHS), we provide a broad, ambitious and personalised curriculum designed to meet the needs of our pupils while maintaining high expectations for what they can achieve.
Our curriculum aims to empower pupils with the knowledge, skills, qualifications and resilience they need to overcome barriers, pursue their aspirations and successfully prepare for life beyond school. Academic learning sits alongside an extensive programme of personal development, enrichment, careers education and vocational opportunities, ensuring that pupils are prepared not only for their next stage of education or training, but for adulthood and the wider world.
We recognise that pupils arrive at NRHS with different experiences, starting points and needs. Our curriculum is therefore carefully adapted to enable pupils to engage and succeed without limiting ambition. From Primary through to Year 11, learning is designed to build progressively, address gaps in knowledge and provide meaningful pathways towards recognised qualifications and future destinations.
Key Stages 1 & 2
In Years 1 to 6, pupils study a broad curriculum designed to develop strong foundations in literacy and numeracy alongside knowledge and understanding across a wide range of subjects.
Mathematics and the Reading Carousel take place daily. The Reading Carousel provides targeted activities according to pupils’ individual needs and includes reading, writing, phonics and comprehension.
English, Science, History, Geography, PSHE and RE are taught through themed learning, with topics developed over a weekly or fortnightly period. Pupils also study Art, Design & Technology, Computing, Spanish, PE and Horticulture.
Key Stage 3
In Years 7 to 9, pupils follow a broad curriculum comprising English, Mathematics, Science, Construction, Spanish, History, Geography, Food Technology, Performing Arts, Computing, Music, Art, PE and PSHE.
During the Summer Term of Year 9, pupils begin to consider and select their Key Stage 4 options. Our qualification offer is reviewed regularly to reflect pupils’ needs, interests and future aspirations and provides opportunities to pursue both academic and vocational pathways.
Options may include subjects such as Art, History, Food Technology, Business Studies, Geography, Music and Construction.
Key Stage 4
In Years 10 and 11, all pupils continue to study the core curriculum of English, Mathematics and Science alongside PE, Performing Arts and PSHE.
Pupils also continue with the option subjects selected during Year 9, working towards a personalised programme of recognised academic and vocational qualifications. This combination enables pupils to develop their individual strengths and interests while preparing for appropriate post-16 pathways.
Enrichment
Our curriculum extends far beyond the classroom. Pupils across all year groups have access to a comprehensive enrichment programme designed to broaden experiences, develop interests and talents, promote our school values and support pupils’ social, emotional and personal development.
Through enrichment, educational visits and wider experiences, we aim to give pupils opportunities to experience places, activities and possibilities that they may not otherwise encounter and to develop the confidence and cultural capital needed for life beyond NRHS.
Work Experience, Employability and Preparation for Adulthood
Preparing pupils successfully for their next steps is an important part of our curriculum.
Pupils have opportunities to develop employability skills through our Employability and Preparing for Work programme. This includes a six-week Employability course alongside opportunities to explore external work experience and develop workplace skills through internal placements.
These experiences help pupils develop independence, communication, teamwork and an understanding of the expectations of the workplace, while enabling them to explore potential careers and make informed decisions about their future.