--- title: "Curriculum and Subject Areas" url: "https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas" school: "The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College" --- Admissions Consultation BHCET schools in Hartlepool [Click Here](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/governance/admissions-consultation) **Tel:** 01429 273790 **Email:** admin@ems.bhcet.org.uk # Curriculum and Subject Areas ### Curriculum Intent Our curriculum is designed to inspire and challenge all learners and prepare them for the future. The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College has a broad and balanced curriculum that builds on young people’s experiences and prior learning. We encourage students to develop a passion for learning that they will carry with them beyond compulsory education. We aim to develop young people to become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens who will achieve their God-given potential and be good stewards of the life that they have been given and the world in which they live. Specifically, our curriculum has been developed to help young people to: - achieve high standards and achieve their potential – in the classroom and beyond it. - become independent learners. - possess and be able to use high quality functional skills, including literacy, numeracy and computing skills. - develop transferable skills for the world beyond. - access and be successful in securing the EBacc suite of GCSE qualifications (≥ 90% by 2022). - develop an enthusiasm, passion and commitment to learning new knowledge and skills throughout their lifetime. - value their learning outside of the curriculum, making links between those experiences and the taught curriculum. - develop virtues and characteristics which will help them lead fulfilled lives, including respect and responsibility, honesty and self-belief, confidence and resilience, justice and compassion. The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College curriculum will: - be broad, balanced, relevant and tailored to meet the needs of individuals. - develop knowledge and skills that build upon prior learning. - lead to qualifications that hold currency for employers and for entry to higher education. - fulfil statutory requirements and respond to the needs of the students, as well as the local and national context. - provide equal access for all students to a full range of learning experiences beyond statutory guidelines. - prepare students to make informed and appropriate choices at the end of KS3, KS4, KS5 and beyond. - help students develop lively, enquiring minds, an ability to question and argue rationally and an ability to apply themselves to tasks and physical skills. - help students to use language and number effectively. - help students develop key British values, such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. - help students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to understand, challenge and engage with democratic society, recognising and respecting and valuing differences in people. ### Trust Virtues Underpinning and integrated into our curriculum are the Trust Virtues. We want to develop these virtues in our young people through the learning experiences they have in and outside of the classroom. The community of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust are constantly striving to have: **Respect** for others and themselves, recognising that we are all created in the image of God and **Self-Belief** in their character and their ability to achieve their goals and aspirations. **Compassion** towards others, especially the vulnerable, promoting **justice** in their school community, local community and beyond. **Confidence** in their own abilities, knowing that their talents are gifts from God and **Resilience** to persevere when things become difficult. **Honesty** in regards to the world around them and themselves and to take **Responsibility** for the times we may fall short of the mark. [![](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/images/images/BHCET-Virtues-Wheel-2022.png)](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/images/images/BHCET-Virtues-Wheel-2022.png) ### Curriculum Delivery - Year 7 - Year 8 - Year 9 - Year 10 & 11 - Year 12 & 13 **Three year – Key Stage Three Curriculum Model** 10-day cycle, 50 x 1-hour lessons. Comprised as follows: - - English – 7 hours - Maths – 7 hours - Science – 6 hours - Geography – 4 hours - History – 4 hours - RE – 5 hours - French – 4 hours - PE – 4 hours - Technology – 1 hours - ICT – 2 hours - Music – 2 hours - Art – 2 hours - Virtues – 2 hours Students are populated in 2 broad ability bands with at least 5 classes per band (in each half of year) – Students are set within Mathematical based subjects from their KS2 data. All groups are fluid depending on individual student needs. Low attaining students study English and Maths in our Foundation Learning Group, this is to aid the transition from primary to become secondary ready. **Three year – Key Stage Three Curriculum Model** 10-day cycle, 50 x 1-hour lessons. Comprised as follows: - - English – 7 hours - Maths – 6 hours - Science – 6 hours - Geography – 4 hours - History – 4 hours - RE – 5 hours - French (Some students take German or Spanish) – 4 hours - PE – 4 hours - Technology – 2 hours - ICT – 3 hours - Music – 2 hours - Art – 1 hour - Virtues – 2 hours Students are populated in 2 broad ability bands with at least 5 classes per band (in each half of year) – classes in each broad band are divided in 2 upper, 2 middle and 1 lower. All groups are fluid depending on individual student needs. In Year 8 upper attaining students study French for 3 hours and German or Spanish 3 hours, whereas middle attaining students study French for 4 hours .Low attaining students study English and Maths in our Foundation Learning Group, this is to aid the transition from primary to become secondary ready. **Three year – Key Stage Three Curriculum Model** 10-day cycle, 50 x 1-hour lessons. Comprised as follows: - - English – 7 hours - Maths – 6 hours - Science – 7 hours - Geography – 4 hours - History – 4 hours - RE – 5 hours - French – (Some students take German or Spanish) 4 hours - PE – 4 hours - Technology – 2 hours - ICT – 2 hours - Music – 1 hour - Art – 2 hours - Virtues – 2 hours Students are populated in 2 broad ability bands with at least 5 classes per band (in each half of year) – classes in each broad band are divided in 2 upper, 2 middle and 1 lower. All groups are fluid depending on individual student needs. Low attaining students study English and Maths in our Foundation Learning Group, this is to aid the transition from primary to become secondary ready. In Year 9 upper attaining students study French for 3 hours and German or Spanish 3 hours, whereas middle attaining students study French for 4 hours . Low attaining students attend Foundation Leaning where students will have additional support for: English and Mathematics; other subject areas (as appropriate); Life skills; Employment. **Two year – Key Stage Four Curriculum Model** 10-day cycle, 50 x 1-hour lessons. Three different pathways for students to ensure successful outcomes and progression onto level 3 courses. **Core for all pupils** - - English – 9 hours - Maths – 8 hours - Science – 9 hours - RE – 5 hours - PE (Not examined) – 2 hours - Virtues (Not Examined) – 2 hours - 4 Option blocks - 4 hours per option **Two year – Key Stage Five Curriculum Model** 10-day cycle, 50 x 1-hour lessons. - Students are encouraged to progress onto a study programme that suits their personal needs and aspirations. - Students are given a free choice of 3 or 4 A Levels/BTECs depending on their entry profile. - Students with 5+ GCSE grade 7-9 can study 4 subjects - Most A-level subjects have entry requirements such as Maths and Sciences requiring a grade 6 minimum at GCSE - This is guided through the application and interview process. - Year 12 and 13 - 8 teaching periods per subject plus independent study sessions (adapted on an individual basis as required e.g. some Year 13 students attend additional Year 12 lessons for support/revision) - PPD (Personal and Professional Development) 2 periods a cycle - Students can apply to study the EPQ in addition to their level 3 qualifications We have an intake of students from Hartlepool FE college who study Elite Engineering. The full detail of this course can be found by [**clicking here**](https://emsold.bhcet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/HCFEEMS6Engineering.pdf) ### Curriculum - [Curriculum and Subject Areas](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas) - [Overview ](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas) - [Art & Design](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/art-design) - [Business](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/business) - [Child Development](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/child-development) - [Computing & ICT](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/computing-ict) - [Economics (A Level Only)](https://em6.bhcet.org.uk/our-courses/economics) - [English](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/english) - [Geography](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/geography) - [Government & Politics (A Level Only)](https://em6.bhcet.org.uk/our-courses/government-and-politics) - [Health & Social Care](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/health-social-care) - [History](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/history) - [Languages](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/languages) - [Law (A Level Only)](https://em6.bhcet.org.uk/our-courses/law) - [Mathematics](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/mathematics) - [Music & Performing Arts](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/music-performing-arts) - [Physical Education](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/physical-education) - [Psychology (A Level Only)](https://em6.bhcet.org.uk/our-courses/psychology) - [Religious Education](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/religious-education) - [Science](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/science) - [Sociology (A Level Only)](https://em6.bhcet.org.uk/our-courses/sociology) - [Technology](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/technology) - [Virtues / RSHE](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/curriculum-and-subject-areas/virtues) - [Art Newsletters](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/art-newsletters) - [Literacy & Reading](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/students/literacy-reading) - [Options Brochure 2026](https://files.schudio.com/the-english-martyrs-catholic-school-and-sixth-form-3/files/documents/Options/Options_Brochure_2026.pdf) - [Websites and Books Used by Staff](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/curriculum/websites-and-books-used-by-staff) ![The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College](https://files.schudio.com/the-english-martyrs-catholic-school-and-sixth-form-3/images/logo/Bishop_Hogarth_and_Hexham_Logo_new_(1).png) ### The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College Catcote Road Hartlepool TS25 4HA 01429 273790 ### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/EnglishMartyrsSchool/) - [X](https://twitter.com/ems_hartlepool) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@TheEnglishMartyrsSchool) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ems_hartlepool/) ### Translation ### Office 365 [Sign in to Office 365](https://outlook.office.com/) © Copyright 2025–2026 The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)