Curriculum

 

Years 1 to 3 (National Curriculum Years 7 to 9)

 

In Years 1 and 2 all pupils follow a common curriculum which provides a stimulating programme of study. In Year 3 an element of choice is introduced. In these Years the school lays the foundation of GCSE progress as well as providing a range of subjects which will inform later choices.

 

Year 1

All pupils study English, Mathematics, Sciences (taught separately as Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Modern Languages (taught separately as French and German), Geography, History, Religious Studies, Art, Design Technology, Music and ICT. All pupils have PE as well as Games each week. In addition pupils have a Tutor/Form period in which they follow a course in Personal and Social Education.

Pupils are taught in their Tutor/Form groups except in Maths where, at the end of the first term, the Year group is setted by ability and in Art, Design Technology, Music, PE and Games where the Tutor/Form groups are broken down into smaller classes.

 

Year 2

The pattern established in Year 1 is largely maintained. The exceptions being an increase in the number of Modern Language lessons (though pupils continue to study both French and German) and a slight decrease in the number of ICT and PE lessons. The Tutor/Form period is replaced by a period of Health Education

Pupils continue to be taught in their Tutor/Form groups except in Maths and in Modern Languages where the Year group is setted by ability and in Art, Design Technology, Music, Health Education, PE and Games where the Tutor/Form groups are broken down into smaller classes.

 

Year 3

An element of choice is introduced in Year 3. Pupils who have an especial talent for French and German may opt to spend more time studying these subjects, and those who have an especial talent in Art and Design Technology are able to continue with both these subjects as long as they do not want to spend more time on Modern Languages.

In Year 3 all pupils will study ICT and will follow the GCSE Short Course programme of study. If good progress has been made then the GCSE Short Course will be completed by the end of Year 3, and the great majority will find themselves in this position. Pupils studying RE will also follow the GCSE Short Course programme of study and they will continue to follow this during Years 4 and 5, completing this GCSE Short Course at the end of Year 5.

In both Maths and Modern Languages pupils are setted. In other subjects they continue to be taught by Tutor/Form group except in Art, Design Technology, Music, RE, ICT, PE and Games.

In Year 3 there are no separate lessons for Personal and Social Education but all pupils will study this during their Tutor/Form periods.

 

 

Assessment and Reporting Policy

 

GCSE Prospectus

 

A Guide to GCSE Coursework for Pupils and Parents

 

GCSE Coursework Timetable - Fourth Year (by department)

 

GCSE Coursework Timetable - Fifth Year (by department)

 

Sixth Form Academic Prospectus

 

AS & A-Level Coursework Timetable (by department)