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MAIN SCHOOL - CURRICULUM

Curriculum
The College provides a rich curriculum to all students that will both support and challenge the individual’s learning as well as allowing them to enjoy the process of learning.  The main school offers a five year program, Years 7 to 11, which allows all students to gain a broad experience of a wide variety of subjects before a guided choice of GCSE subjects.
 
Years 7 and 8:
All students study a comprehensive range of subjects throughout these two years.  The subjects covered are; English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Computing/ICT, Drama, Geography, History, Modern foreign language (French or Spanish), Music, Physical education, PSHE, Religious Education and Technology Students are taught in mixed ability groups in most subjects but are set by ability in Year 7 (English and Mathematics) and Year 8 (English, Mathematics and Science).
 
Year 9:
Towards the end of Year 8 students have a guided choice for their GCSE options which will lead them to studying either 9 or 10 subjects.  The compulsory GCSE subjects are English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, French or Spanish, History or Geography and RE (short course).  Students then have two ‘free subject’ choices.  In addition to these GCSE subjects all students follow courses in PSHE, Physical Education, Food and Computing/ICT.
 
Year 10 and 11:
In these two year students will continue to study their GCSE subjects in a greater depth and staff will prepare class for their GCSE examinations.
 
Examination success:
Over the last few years the success of our students in their GCSE examination has been outstanding.  They have worked incredible hard and have gained superb individual and collective results.

In 2015 86% of Year 11 students gained at least 5 GCSE grades at ‘C’ or above including English Language and Mathematics.  In addition 40% of all GCSE grades received by the students were grades A* or A.

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Mr Stephen Groves

Vice Principal - Curriculum & Operations

GCSE OPTION CHOICES

The College has recently carried out a review of its curriculum offer for Year 9 students and their GCSE subject choices. Consideration has been taken of the needs and aspirations of students as well as the requirements of recently introduced government performance measures.

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One of the performance measures is called the English Baccalaureate, Ebacc. It is not a qualification but instead recognises where students have achieved a Grade C or better across a core of traditional subjects. These must include: English Language, Mathematics, Two Sciences, a Modern Foreign Language and either History of Geography.

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At Advanced level, the same list of subjects is included in a list of 'facilitating subjects' preferred by the Russell Group of universities for entry on to competitive degree courses.

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Routes of Study are offered which allow students to follow a course of study that will enable them to undertake a suitable number and range of subjects, opening the widest range of opportunities post GCSE. The routes are guided learning pathways encompassing a core curriculum and a number of student selected options.

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The decision on whether a student follows a Double or Triple Science course will be made towards the end of Year 9 and will reflect both their performance and interests.

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Core Curriculum:

  • English Language and Literature

  • Mathematics

  • Science - students study either Double Award Science (core and additional) or Triple Award Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)

  • Modern Foreign Language - The choice of language is French or Spanish

  • Humanities subject - Student choose either Geography or History

  • Religious Education - All students will study a short course, worth half a GCSE. The full GCSE may be chosen as one of the option subjects

  • Physical Education

  • PSHE

  • Food and Nutrition (Year 9 only)

  • Core ICT (Year 9 only)

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It may be possible for a limited number of students to be withdrawn from the Modern Foreign Language or Humanities option if extra support is required in a variety of areas e.g. Literacy or Numeracy.

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In addition to the core curriculum, students are required to choose two option choices. They should think carefully about which subjects they enjoy as well as those that will assist them in further study or employment.

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Option choices:

  • Art (Fine Art)

  • Art (Photography)

  • Art (Textiles)

  • Business Studies

  • Certificate in Digital Applications (CIDA)

  • Computer Science

  • Design & Technology

  • Drama

  • Food & Nutrition

  • French

  • Geography

  • History

  • Music

  • Physical Education (GCSE)

  • Religious Studies

  • Sociology

  • Spanish

In addition to the two option choices students should choose a reserve choice. Whilst every effort is made to accommodate students' first options choice, it is not always possible to guarantee that individuals will be allocated places in their first two subjects.

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This is because it is impossible to timetable every possible combination of subjects and some courses may not run if there is not sufficient demand.

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Once students have embarked on their programme of study in Year 9, it is not normally possible for changes to be made to the chosen subjects. Brief details about each of the subjects available are outlined on the following pages, although with the current government proposals for GCSE examinations these are subject to change.

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All students are encouraged to discuss their choice of subject teachers and Tutor.

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