As the only 11-16 all-boys academy in Sefton, Birkdale High School aims to be a beacon for outstanding practice in the education of boys and be the school of choice for all boys in the Southport community and beyond. We passionately believe that a single-sex setting at this particular stage of a boy’s education is the ideal environment for them to grow in confidence, close the attainment gap with girls and develop their love of learning. Our boys are able to mature at their own pace, supported and challenged by staff who are experts in teaching boys, and surrounded by peers to whom they can closely relate.   

 At Birkdale High school we are proud to offer our boys, regardless of their background, a challenging curriculum which prepares them for future study and work whilst creating considerate, resilient and knowledgeable young adults. Our inclusive curriculum is contextualised for our all-boy cohort to foster a sense of belonging to our whole school community and wider communities they are a part of. We build students’ sense of self-worth by emphasising that knowledge is power whilst also opening windows on the world around them. 

 Our curriculum is crafted to draw out key concepts to provide students with rich schemas that will enable them to become confident critical thinkers. This is underpinned by our three core values: 

Aspire 

Our curriculum will inspire our boys to have the desire to achieve and contribute positively to society. Our boys will strive to do their best across all areas of the curriculum. 

Thrive 

Our curriculum will enable our boys to be successful, confident and healthy by embracing opportunities and feeling a genuine sense of belonging. 

Succeed 

Our curriculum will empower our boys with the understanding and empathy to become considerate, resilient and knowledgeable young adults.  

These values and vision underpin our curriculum design.

• The pace of change is increasing, hence the importance for flexibility.  

• Young people have, and will have increasingly, greater access to information and learning material independently of school.  

• Adulthood entails successful economic participation in society.  

• 16+ year olds will still be at an early stage of learning.  

• The current curriculum defined only in subject terms is not always well suited to equipping every young person with the knowledge, skills and understanding they will need for a fulfilling adult life.  

• Curriculum delivery should involve a greater use of adults other than teachers. These could include support staff, graduates, artists, sports people and people from industry and business to support curriculum delivery.  

• Effective Teaching and Learning is crucial to the delivery of an outstanding curriculum. 

The curriculum should inspire and challenge all learners and prepare them for the future. The school’s aim is to develop a coherent curriculum that builds on young people’s experiences in the primary phase and that helps all young people to become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. 

Birkdale High School’s curriculum policy aims to:  

• Have students at its centre. 

• Have an ambitious curriculum that is fit for purpose with scaffolding employed to support all learners in meeting end points. 

• Value vocational and academic routes equally. 

• Nurture the talents of all and celebrate success. 

• Value our work with Primary Schools and post-16 providers to ensure an effective transition for all students. 

• Involve parents/carers and the whole school community. 

• Foster highly effective, research- driven teaching and learning strategies.  

• Prepare all students for a successful adult and working life in a 21st century global society. 

• Ensure the school meets and exceeds national standards in achievement, attainment and progression. 

• Ensure students not achieving age-related expectations upon entry close the gap and catch up with their peers.  

• Ensure Disadvantaged and SEND students close the attainment gap and achieve similar results to other students nationally.  

• Create a learning environment that is inspiring and engaging for all students. 

• Fulfil statutory requirements.  

A successful implementation of this policy will enable all students to: 

• Achieve high standards and make outstanding progress against individual prior attainment.  

• Use effective learning and thinking skills and become independent learners.  

• Possess high quality functional skills, including key literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.  

• Enjoy and be committed to learning, to 19 and beyond.  

• Value their learning outside of the curriculum and relate it to the taught curriculum.  

Birkdale High School’s curriculum will:  

• Lead to qualifications that are worthwhile for employers and/or entry to higher education.  

• Stretch and challenge all students to fulfil their potential.  

• Provide equal access for all students to a range of learning experiences beyond statutory guidelines.  

• Prepare students to make informed and appropriate choices at all stages of their education.  

• Help students develop lively, enquiring minds, an ability to question and argue rationally and an ability to apply themselves to tasks and physical skills.  

• Encourage students to use language and number effectively.  

• Ensure students develop personal moral values, respect for religious values and tolerance of other races beliefs and ways of life.  

• Equip students to understand the world in which they live.  

The curriculum is organised into Foundation Stage (Years 7-9) and Examination Stage (Years 10 – 11) 

Foundation Stage (Years 7 – 9) 

Each year group is generally split into two bands within which boys are taught in mixed ability groups in most subjects. The exception to this is mathematics, which is setted by ability from year 7.  Using prior attainment from Key Stage 2, some pupils are identified to be part of our Excel Pathway which entitles them to additional literacy support in place of studying a second modern foreign language (French). Tutor time is used to enhance the personal development curriculum in addition to supporting attendance, careers education, wellbeing and academic performance. 

Years 7 & 8 

Students choose their options in the summer term of year 8. This allows the boys to embark on a new timetable from year 9 that suits their individual needs, interests and aspirations. The core purpose of the curriculum in year 9 is to build and embed fundamental skills and knowledge that are essential for success at GCSE and Examination Stage study. 

Option choices: 

Years 9, 10 & 11