Curriculum Structure

Year 7

Classes

The majority of students are placed into 9 mixed attainment teaching group. There is one group of low prior attainment students with a reduced class size and additional support. Students are in the same group for all their subjects except PE and Design Technology. PE groups are primarily based on gender and Design Technology groups are smaller to reflect health and safety requirements.

Subjects

Art (2 hours)             

Computing and ICT (2 hours)

Design Technology (3 hours)

Drama (2 hours)

English (6 hours)  

Geography (4 hours)

History (4 hours)

Mathematics (6 hours)

MFL (5 hours)

Music (2 hours)    

PE (4 hours)          

PSHE (2 hours)

Religion, Ethics and Philosophy (REP) (2 hours)

Science (6 hours)  

7R have a different number of hours for certain subjects; English (8 hours) and Mathematics (7 hours). In addition, they study one language; French (3 hours).

Knowledge Organisers

Knowledge Organisers are A4 sheets which contain the key knowledge a student needs for a particular topic in a subject. Each student is given a knowledge organiser booklet at the start of each term. Students will be directed by the teacher to use them in class and for homework. In addition, students can use them independently to help with homework or consolidate the work they have done in school. Electronic copies of the knowledge organisers can be found under the ‘Curriculum Year Plans’ tab.

Year 8

Classes

The majority of students are placed into 9 mixed attainment teaching group. There is one group of low prior attainment students with a reduced class size and additional support. Students are in the same group for all their subjects except PE and Design Technology. PE groups are primarily based on gender and Design Technology groups are smaller to reflect health and safety requirements.

Subjects

Art (2 hours)             

Computing and ICT (2 hours)

Design Technology (3 hours)

Drama (2 hours)

English (6 hours)  

French (3 hours)

Geography (4 hours)    

German/Spanish (alternating years) (3 hours)

History (4 hours)

Mathematics (6 hours)

Music (2 hours)    

PE (4 hours)          

PSHE (1 hour)

Religion, Ethics and Philosophy (REP) (2 hours)

Science (6 hours)

8R have a different number of hours for certain subjects; English (8 hours) and Mathematics (7 hours). In addition, they study one language; French (3 hours).

Knowledge Organisers

Knowledge Organisers are A4 sheets which contain the key knowledge a student needs for a particular topic in a subject. Each student is given a knowledge organiser booklet at the start of each term. Students will be directed by the teacher to use them in class and for homework. In addition, students can use them independently to help with homework or consolidate the work they have done in school. Electronic copies of the knowledge organisers can be found under the ‘Curriculum Year Plans’ tab.

Year 9

Classes

Students are placed in one of two equal prior attainment bands (x and y). Each band is then split into 5 classes. English, Maths, Science and MFL then set independently based on prior attainment. Students select a language to study; either French or German/Spanish (alternating years). PE groups are primarily based on gender and Design Technology groups are smaller to reflect health and safety requirements. The remaining subjects use the English groups.

Subjects

Art (2 hours)

Computing and ICT (2 hours)        

Design Technology (3 hours)    

English (6 hours)    

Geography (4 hours)                                                        

History (4 hours)

Mathematics (6 hours)

MFL (5 hours)

Music (2 hours)

PE (4 hours)                                                                   

PSHE (2 hours)

Religion Ethics and Philosophy (REP) (2 hours)

Science (6 hours)                  

Knowledge Organisers

Knowledge Organisers are A4 sheets which contain the key knowledge a student needs for a particular topic in a subject. Each student is given a knowledge organiser booklet at the start of each term. Students will be directed by the teacher to use them in class and for homework. In addition, students can use them independently to help with homework or consolidate the work they have done in school. Electronic copies of the knowledge organisers can be found under the ‘Curriculum Year Plans’ tab.

Year 10 and 11

Classes

The ‘core’ or compulsory subjects (English, Mathematics, Science, MFL, PE and REP) are arranged in the same way as Year 9. The remaining subjects are ‘options’ subjects. Students select three subjects from the list below, the actual subjects will vary from year to year depending on popularity. All qualifications are GCSE unless otherwise stated.

Core Subjects

English (8 hours, 2 GCSEs)                                        

Science (9 hours, 2 GCSEs)                                       

PE (4 hours)          

Mathematics (7 hours)        

French, Spanish or German (5 hours)                 

RE (2 hours)

PSHE is delivered through a number of theme days throughout Year 10 and 11

Options Subjects (5 hours each, students select 3)

Art and Design     

Business Studies                                  

Computer Science

Design Technology

Drama 

Enterprise and Marketing (OCR Cambridge National)       

Food and Nutrition 

Geography

History 

Information Technology (OCR Cambridge National)                                                  

Media Studies

Music

Performing Arts (AQA Technical Award)                                                                  

PE Full Course

Sociology

Sports Studies (OCR Cambridge National)

Psychology                                                               

RE Full Course

Triple Science*

A second modern foreign language                                                           

*In addition to the compulsory science, students can opt to study science in more depth, leading to 3 GCSE qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

A small number of students don’t study a Modern Foreign Language. They receive additional English and Maths.

Year 12 and 13

Classes

All subjects in Year 12 and 13 lead to an A-level qualification. There are no compulsory subjects, students select three from the list below. Usually there is one class in each subject, some popular subjects have two classes. Some of the subjects may not run each year if take up is too low.

Subjects (10 hours each)

Art

Biology    

Business Studies

Chemistry

Computer Science

Design Technology

English Literature

English Language and Literature

French

Geography

Graphic Communication

History

Mathematics

Media Studies

Music

Physical Education                                                                          

Physics

Politics

Product Design

Psychology                                                                    

Religious Education

Sociology                                                                             

Enrichment

All students in Sixth Form complete several enrichment activities during the year. It is essential that students have opportunities to develop the transferable skills needed to move onto either University or into the world of work. Students can choose activities from the following strands: Sport, School/Community and Career Development/Additional Qualifications. 

Extended Project Qualification

The Sixth Form offers the opportunity for certain Year 13 students to complete the EPQ. This is a nationally recognised qualification by both Universities and Employers. It focuses on students working independently on a particular area of interest they might have, researching and investigating this, as well as delivering a final product.