Year 7
Art, Citizenship, Design and Technology, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, ICT, Learn to Learn, Mathematics, Music, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), Physical Education, Religious Education, Science.
Pupils are setted by ability in Mathematics and Science, based on detailed information provided by their primary schools. In all other subjects they are taught in mixed-ability form groups.
Science is taught as three distinct disciplines: Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
Pupils with special educational needs are given help by the Special Needs Department. Pupils are supported in lessons and, where appropriate, are given a regular programme of individual support. Some pupils may also be given extra literacy lessons instead of French or German.
Year 8 and 9
Pupils continue with all the courses they have started in Year 7. In Year 8, a second foreign language, either Spanish or German, is offered to those pupils who have shown an interest in or an aptitude for languages, usually some three-quarters of the year group.
In these years, pupils are generally grouped according to their ability in individual subjects and moved up or down as appropriate to their progress. Some subjects continue to be taught in mixed-ability groups.
Year 10 and 11
All pupils follow a core curriculum, then choose additional subjects from a wide range of possibilities.
Core GCSE subjects include the following:
- English
- Mathematics (including Statistics for able mathematicians)
- Science (including Triple Science for the most able scientists; pupils are rigorously selected on the basis of ability, attitude, aptitude and work rate.)
- French, Spanish or German
Optional subjects as follows:
- Art
- Business Studies
- Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE)
- Construction
- Dance
- Design & Technology: Electronics, Food, Graphics, Textiles & Resistant Materials.
- Drama
- Economics
- English Literature (studied by the majority and linked to setting in English.)
- Engineering
- French, German or Spanish
- Geography
- Health and Social Care
- History
- ICT
- Music (including Music Technology)
- Religious Education
- Sport (either GCSE or BTEC)
Pupils also take non-examination courses in Religious Education, PSHE and PE.
The curriculum is designed to give as much choice as possible following careful guidance in Year 9; the Principal, Senior Team and Head of Year offer interviews to all pupils and their parents. The aim of the guidance process is to construct a balanced course, which suits each pupils abilities, interests and possible career.