Curriculum Overview
"From Year 7 to Year 13 the curriculum is characterised by richness and diversity, allowing students to be ambitious for themselves and well prepared for their next steps.
Curriculum Principles
In striving to achieve our vision ‘Educating today’s students for the world of tomorrow,’ we recognise that education is an experience in its own right and that our curriculum, from Year 7 to Year 13, is characterised by richness and diversity; allowing students to be ambitious for themselves and well prepared for their next steps. Our curriculum gives impetus to enquiring minds and supports students in embarking on future challenges in education, training and life; thus ensuring we are preparing the next generation to take their place as self-confident and well-informed citizens.
The school aims to personalise learning by:
- Inspiring students through a range of high quality academic and applied courses to allow them to develop resilience and achieve to the best of their ability
- Promoting personal growth and understanding as part of a Personal Development Programme and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural learning, through a wide range of activities which enhance, enrich and create memorable experiences
- Developing learning opportunities beyond the capacity of the school which are relevant to the world of work; through business partnerships, enterprise activities and work placements
- Providing students with opportunities for continued development as part of the extra/extended curriculum so that students take increasing responsibility for their own learning
- Enabling teachers and students to use their subject expertise to embed Knowledge, Skills and Understanding ready for students’ yearly transition, recognising the access these give to educated conversation and decision-making.
How do we organise learning?
All students follow a common core of learning in Years 7, 8 and 9 which includes English, Mathematics, Science, at least one language (French, German and Spanish), Humanities (History, Geography and religious Education), Computer Science, Performing Arts (Drama, Dance and Music), Design Arts (Art and Design Technology) and Physical Education. The Personal Development Programme includes Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Enterprise education, as well as Careers Education.
The Year 7 curriculum also includes Countryside and Environment, ensuring students have an appreciation of the schools’ surrounding rural environment. A second language is introduced in year 8 to support the focus on internationalism and is in addition to the study of French during year 7. From year 8 onwards students are placed in very broad ability groupings in mathematics and science.
The study of at least one language subject and at least one applied subject will be encouraged for all students entering Key Stage 4, to support the aim of breath, challenge and balance as important components of the programme of study for the majority of students during Key Stage 4.
The allocation of time to the various curriculum areas is subject to annual review. For the academic year 2020-21 the distribution of curriculum time across a two- week timetable is as follows:
Year 7 – Year 11
Subject |
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
Art |
2 |
2 |
2 |
* |
* |
Countryside and Environment |
2 |
|
|
|
* |
Business Studies |
|
|
|
* |
* |
Health and Social Care |
|
|
|
* |
* |
Drama (incl. Dance) |
2 |
2 |
2 |
* |
* |
English |
8 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
Economics |
|
|
|
* |
* |
Geography |
2 |
2 |
3 |
* |
* |
History |
2 |
2 |
3 |
* |
* |
Computer Science / ICT |
2 |
2 |
2 |
* |
* |
Mathematics |
8 |
6 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
Media Studies |
|
|
|
* |
* |
Modern Language (French) |
4 |
4 |
3 |
* |
* |
Modern Language (second language) |
|
4 |
3 |
* |
* |
Music |
2 |
2 |
2 |
* |
* |
PDP/Staff Training |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Physical Education |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 * |
2 * |
Religious Studies |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 * |
2* |
Science |
6 |
6 |
6 |
8 * |
8* |
Design Technology |
2 |
4 |
2 |
* |
* |
* Available as an optional GCSE and/or Applied Full Course in Years 10 and 11 (5 hours each). For Science this facilitates study of the three separate sciences for students who meet the required standard in KS3.
In years 10 and 11, students study a common core of English, English Literature, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education and Religious Studies. A further guided choice of subjects is then available from a list of optional subjects. For students looking for further challenge there is opportunity to study more than one language.
Courses in all subjects offered in Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) normally lead to an external assessment except for religious studies and physical education which are taught as part of the core curriculum.
Year group curriculum maps for Years 7 – 9, and subject curriculum summaries Years 7-13 are available on the school website and show the coverage of subject content across each year
Sixth Form
In the Sixth Form the following subjects are offered at Level 3 (Applied or A Level):
Applied Science |
Further Mathematics |
Physical Education |
Art and Design |
Geography |
Politics |
Biology |
German |
Psychology |
Business Studies |
Health and Social Care |
Religious Studies |
Chemistry |
History |
Sociology |
Creative Media |
Law |
Spanish |
Computer Science |
Mathematics |
Sport |
Design and Technology |
Mathematical Studies |
|
Drama/Dance |
Media |
|
Economics |
Music |
A/S |
English Language |
Performing Arts |
Extended project |
English Literature |
Philosophy |
|
French |
Physics |
|
A one year, level 2 qualification, is also offered in Performing Arts with additional certification in First Aid, Workskills and functional numeracy and literacy. GCSE English and Mathematics is also available for those not attaining grade 4 during KS4.
All sixth form students also take part in a “Personal Development Programme” which covers topics related to personal, social, health and cultural learning, career progression, enterprise and citizenship.
Organisation of Teaching Groups and Timetable
Students are taught in a variety of groupings depending on the needs of the students and the demands of the particular curriculum area; these may vary from year to year. Teachers are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to ensure success shines through at all levels both academically and vocationally.
Mixed ability teaching groups are the most common for the teaching of years 7 and 8. Broad ability groups or sets are introduced generally higher up the school. The school week is divided into an allocation of twenty-five periods each of one-hour duration. The timetable operates over a two-week, fifty period cycle. In addition, other aspects of the curriculum, forming part of the Personal Development Programme (including PSHCE, Careers Education and Enterprise) are covered in separate lessons and programmed events. Time is also allocated for a daily act of worship, assemblies and the registration of students
English
Year 7 |
Mixed ability groups, two “progress groups” |
Year 8 |
Two half year groups, mixed ability classes |
Year 9 |
Two half year groups, mixed ability classes |
Year 10 |
Mixed ability classes with a “progress groups” |
Year 11 |
Mixed ability classes with a “progress groups” |
Where appropriate there is an additional opportunity to consolidate learning in English. Study Plus (4/5 borderline) and Study Support (literacy enhancement) groups exist in the pathway choice in Key Stage 4. |
Mathematics
Year 7 |
Two half year groups each with students in ability groups following an induction period. |
Year 8 |
Two half year groups, each with students in ability groups |
Year 9 |
Two half year groups, each with students in ability groups |
Year 10 |
Set in ability groups |
Year 11 |
Set in ability groups |
Where appropriate there is an additional opportunity to consolidate learning in Mathematics. Study Plus (4/5 borderline) and Study Support (numeracy enhancement) groups exist in the pathway choice |
Science
Year 7 |
Six mixed ability groups |
Year 8 |
Two half year groups, each of mixed ability. |
Year 9 |
Two half year groups, each of mixed ability. |
Year 10 |
Groups of separate sciences (core plus option). All other students follow a two GCSE course and are in ability groups |
Year 11 |
Groups of separate sciences. All other students follow a two GCSE course and are in ability groups |
Modern Languages
Year 7 |
Mixed ability groups of French |
Year 8 |
French in two half year groups. Second language in mixed ability groups (some literacy support for a small group of students) |
Year 9 |
French in two half year groups. Second language in mixed ability groups (some literacy support for a small group of students) |
Year 10 |
French, German, Spanish groups |
Year 11 |
French, German, Spanish groups |
Art, Applied courses, Drama/Dance, Geography, History, Computer Science, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Design Technology
These subjects are taught mainly in mixed ability groups. Occasionally the teaching of these subjects is timetabled alongside another subject and the groupings may follow a different arrangement. In PE, groups are of mixed gender for some activities, in others they are single sex.
Year 9 standards for assessment
Courses offered for students entering Year 10 at September 2020
Courses offered for students entering Year 12 at September 2020
Click here for more detailed information on individual subjects, including curriculum summaries.
How well are we achieving our aims?
Look at what our students have experienced and achieved.
Click here for information on our curriculum enrichment.
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Click here for examination results
Click here for information on destinations.