St Patrick’s: A Beacon of Catholic Excellence

At St Patrick’s RC High School, we offer a Catholic education for the 21st century, rooted in Gospel values and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Every member of our community is recognised as a child of God – created with dignity, called with purpose, and nurtured to flourish.

Our five-year curriculum is designed to help pupils explore:

  • Who they are
  • Why they are here
  • Where they are going

This journey is guided by our Mission Statement and inspired by the life and legacy of St Patrick. Through both the examined and non-examined curriculum, we guide our pupils to become confident. compassionate and resilient young people who are ready to contribute meaningfully to God’s world, living out the values of Faith, Truth, Resilience, Love, and Service.

We are committed to academic excellence and personal development. At Key Stage 3, pupils experience a broad and balanced curriculum that is both rigorous and relevant, with access to the full suite of subjects until the end of Year 9. This ensures a strong foundation and keeps learning pathways open for as long as possible.

This strong foundation is further developed at Key Stage 4, where our curriculum is shaped by the ambition of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), promoting depth and breadth of knowledge across core academic disciplines. We ensure all pupils engage with an academically ambitious curriculum that prepares them for further education, employment, and active citizenship.

We celebrate the unique gifts of every learner, ensuring that teaching is inclusive, responsive, and tailored to meet individual needs. Every pupil is supported to thrive. We foster a culture of respect, community, and high aspiration, preparing students not only for academic success but also to live out their faith and serve others with compassion and confidence.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview 

At Key Stage 3, our curriculum is designed to be broad, balanced, and ambitious, ensuring that every pupil has access to a rich and varied educational experience for as long as possible before their KS4 Pathways begin. We aim to nurture curiosity, develop a love of learning, deepen understanding, and build the foundations for lifelong learning and future success.

Pupils study a wide range of subjects that reflect the full breadth of the National Curriculum, including:

  • Mathematics
  • English
  • Science
  • Religious Education
  • History
  • Geography
  • Modern Foreign Languages (French or Spanish)
  • Music
  • Art
  • Design & Technology
  • Computing
  • Physical Education
  • PSHCE (including RSHE and Citizenship)

Our curriculum is inclusive and designed to meet the needs of all learners. Subjects are taught by passionate specialists who carefully sequence learning to build knowledge and skills over time and help pupils make meaningful connections across disciplines.

We continuously review and refine our curriculum to ensure it remains relevant, challenging, and engaging, supporting every pupil to achieve their full potential.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Overview 

At Key Stage 4, our curriculum continues to be broad, balanced, and ambitious, offering pupils a strong academic foundation whilst allowing for some degree of personal choice and specialisation. We aim to equip every learner with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in further education, training, or employment.

Our core curriculum includes:

  • Mathematics
  • English (Language & Literature)
  • Science (Combined or Triple)
  • Religious Education
  • Physical Education
  • PSHCE (including RSHE and citizenship)

Other subjects available for study at KS4 include:

  • GCSE Business Studies
  • GCSE Computer Science
  • BTEC Enterprise & Marketing
  • GCSE Art & Design
  • GCSE Photography
  • GCSE Music
  • GCSE Drama
  • GCSE Physical Education
  • GCSE French / Spanish
  • GCSE Geography
  • GCSE History
  • GCSE 3D Design
  • BTEC Hospitality & Catering
  • BTEC Construction
  • BTEC Health & Social Care

Our curriculum is designed to be inclusive and aspirational, supporting all pupils to achieve their potential. Subject content is carefully sequenced to build deep understanding and prepare pupils for success in GCSE examinations and beyond.

We encourage pupils to make informed choices for their personalised pathway that reflect their interests, strengths, and future aspirations, supported by high-quality guidance and teaching. Our aim is to ensure that every pupil leaves Key Stage 4 with a strong sense of achievement and readiness for the next stage of their journey.

For more information on our Guided Pathways please click here