The curriculum aims to provide a broad range of experiences for all pupils; this includes triple / separate science(s), three international languages at GCSE (French, Spanish and German) as well as prioritising minority subjects such as drama, music and fashion textiles. The school provides vocational courses such as hospitality and catering, engineering and outdoor education in-house to pupils.
In addition to the broad range of in-house subjects on offer, the school works effectively with local partnerships to allow pupils to study other practical courses such as salon services, construction, bushcraft and upcycling. Over the past five years the school has developed a strong partnership with Ysgol y Gogarth, the local special school. YJB students benefit from access to entry level vocational day courses at Ysgol y Gogarth, whilst YJB hosts a full-time class onsite for Ysgol y Gogarth pupils, allowing these learners to access a tailored curriculum drawn from the full suite of courses available in Key Stage 4.
At post-16, the school provides a range of 40 level 3 courses. It is also a key contributor to the local 6th form partnership (LINC Conwy) where pupils from other schools attend on a Wednesday to study outdoor education, fashion textiles and medical science onsite at YJB. At post-16, the school prescribes dedicated 'super-curricular' time and resources for students to consolidate their apprenticeship and university applications. A number of students in the sixth form are on blended packages involving extended work placements at local schools, vets and charities.
The school works deliberately to encourage pupils who are impacted by poverty to engage in the breadth of learning experiences available, This includes free individual music and acting lessons, leading to recognised national qualifications. In addition, the school provides funding to ensure trips are subsidised or free for some pupils, such as free trips to see opera productions at the local theatre. There are also opportunities for staff to refer in pupils to the school’s Duke of Edinburgh provision who would benefit from the experience but might not think to sign up.
