Learning

Curriculum Overview

Our school essentially draws pupils from Slough, West London and Reading and as such is genuinely culturally diverse. Our pupils come from a range of ethnic backgrounds and faiths. They speak over 41 languages and 46% have English as an additional language. Our families value education highly and are aspirational for their children. The pupils have high aspirations for themselves with the vast majority wanting to enter professional careers.

Therefore, at Herschel our curriculum is broad and balanced. It is designed to ensure academic excellence as well as allowing for choice and importantly prepares our learners for their next steps.

We are very conscious of and tap into the economic and work-related opportunities which exist on our doorstep, including the headquarters of global companies, large national infrastructure projects such as Heathrow expansion and the Elizabeth line and of our proximity to London.

Equally we are very aware of the barriers some of our families face including from deprivation, language and health. We continue to refine our curriculum offer to ensure our learners have the very best opportunities to achieve academic success and develop personal responsibility within a safe, caring environment.  

According to OFSTED in September 2012:

“The curriculum is broad and provides excellent opportunities for pupils to develop personal qualities and skills.” 

“The curriculum in the main school and sixth form includes a good breadth of subjects and provides well for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils are given a wide range of responsibilities.”

You can download our curriculum statement from the foot of this page and our more detailed and relevant Curriculum Overviews for all years are available here.