Curriculum
“A broad, balanced and relevant curriculum” - Ofsted
Years 7– 9 (Age 11-13)
Students follow the National Curriculum. The first objective is to sustain the learning momentum when students join us from primary school. In Year 7 teachers take careful note of Year 6 teachers’ assessments and of standard attainment tests in English, Mathematics and Science. We are very proud of our comprehensive transition process and put a lot of emphasis on the units in the curriculum which link the end of Year 6 with the start of Year 7; the learning and teaching is designed to build on the Year 6 experience.
We are also very keen to work in partnership with our partner primary schools and with the child’s primary school teachers.
The Year 8 curriculum is designed to enable all students to progress as rapidly as they are able. Year 8 students also choose three “preferences”, ie subjects they opt to study in Year 9 to excite their learning experience. The preferences allow students to study preferred subjects in greater depth and/or to experience new subjects. All our students do, of course, still experience the full National Curriculum. The current range of preference subjects includes Japanese, Survival!, Formula 1, Computer Game Design, Business Studies and Ancient History amongst many others.
The old SATs tests have been replaced with internally assessed examinations in the core subjects. Year 9 is also an important transition year as it is when the students make their Key Stage 4 choices. We provide extensive support for students and parents/carers throughout the Key Stage 4 choices programme.
Year 9, 10 and 11 (Age 13-16)
All students study English, Mathematics and Science. Many students study both English Language and Literature. In Science, students complete either two or three GCSEs from Biology, Chemistry and Physics, depending on their aptitude for the subject. Students also study Personal Development (PD), Physical Education (PE) and Religious Education (RE). They then choose a number of options to complete their timetable. There are more than thirty subjects from which our students can choose and we run a comprehensive guidance programme for progression at the end of Year 11. All our students are given the opportunity to study the English Baccalaureate subjects.
Post-16 (Sixth Form)
Sixth Form students have a broad range of subjects from which to make up to five choices. There is a sharp focus on preparation for the next stage. Whilst the majority of our students progress to higher education, our guidance programme is designed to meet the needs of all students, whatever their career intentions or goals. There is a specific programme to support students who wish to enter the very challenging Oxbridge application process. Being a Sports College, we guide students in a full range of physical activity available on and off site. Sixth Form students play a significant leadership role in many school activities.