The Curriculum

Curriculum at Holland Park means challenging lessons, broad choices and high expectations. Every now and again it can also mean having fun! The timetable is innovative and places the school at the forefront of ‘personalised learning’ – the idea that the curriculum should be built around students’ individual needs.

Students spend their first two years at Holland Park studying Key Stage 3. There are a broad range of subjects to be discovered but also a strong focus on the basics of English and Mathematics. Year 7 and 8 regularly complete cross curricular projects, often linked to the Humanities Specialism. For those who show early promise, there is the opportunity to study Latin with our full time Classics teacher (a rarity in state schools).

From Year 9 onwards, an element of specialisation enters the curriculum. Students continue to study the ‘core’ of English, Maths, Science, PE, RE and ICT but beyond this there are a range of options. Key Stage 4 at Holland Park works on the principle that students begin courses and take exams when they are ready, not what convention demands. Hence some students gain GCSEs in English, Maths, Science, History and French at 14. Others benefit from a wide range of vocational courses, small group sizes and the opportunity to re-sit key exams in English and Maths.

Our Sixth Form is academic in tone and curriculum. A range of well established A-Levels are taught by a team of subject specialists. Students are able to take up to 5 AS courses and 4 A2 courses if they wish.