• Community We value one another
  • Creativity We embrace change
  • Achievement We expect excellence

Curriculum Overview

The Parrs Wood curriculum is designed to offer each student the opportunity to fulfil their potential, through a wide range of onsite non-vocational and vocational qualifications.

We believe our curriculum is ambitious and reflect our school community, allowing all students to engage successfully with education and reach their individual goals.

Our curriculum structure works through a two-week timetable where every day has 5 lessons of 60 mins each plus a Personal Development Curriculum session at the start of the day. Within this schedule, we aim to provide a broad, balanced, coherent and challenging curriculum for all, which enables each student to enjoy learning whilst achieving success in school.

Students move through the Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) National Curriculum at the rate most suited to their ability, and we work closely with our partner primary schools to ensure a smooth and successful transition to high school and this new curriculum.

The curriculum is balanced, with our Key Stage 3 students receiving lessons in music, art, drama and technology alongside the traditionally academic subjects. These are also offered within the options at the end of Key Stage 3, where we offer over 30 subjects for study at Key Stage 4, as a GCSE or an alternative vocational qualification.

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum enables all of our students to achieve success and transition on to the many post-16 pathways available, which includes into our own Sixth Form. We offer a comprehensive package of information, advice and guidance to support this transition, underpinned by our Future Choices programme. A separate prospectus for the Sixth Form is available on the Sixth Form website.

For more information about our individual curriculum areas, please take a look at the curriculum guides and subject areas on our curriculum page.


Parrs Wood Sixth Form College Our Curriculum Intent

We are committed to offering a broad curriculum that forms clear pathways for post-16 study following GCSEs. We offer three pathways: A levels, Advanced BTECs or a blended route including a combination of both A level and Advanced BTEC subjects. Students can choose from 35 qualifications, including all of the Facilitating subjects at A level. We support the curricular learning with an extra-curricular programme in Personal Development. Our expert Advice and Guidance form the point of application ensures our students are enrolled onto the most appropriate courses for their strengths, interests and future aspirations, whilst maximising their opportunities for when they leave college.

Learn more about our Sixth Form.

Quality Marks, Awards and Affiliations

We strive for excellence and are very proud of our achievements and affiliations.

If you believe something is missing or should be removed from the list below, please let us know.

Greater Manchester Education Trust logo Chartered College of Teaching Institutional Member 2023/24 badge Cyber Essentials Certified logo
Ofsted Good Provider logo Leading Parent Partnership Award logo Music Mark logo The FA Charter Standard Schools logo Inspiring IAG logo School Games Gold logo Healthy Schools Manchester logo Speaker's Schools Council Awards logo Artsmark Gold Award logo