General

The curriculum currently operates on sixty 50-minute periods over ten days. GCSE options are chosen for Years 10 and 11, with a norm of nine GCSEs being taken. In the Lower Sixth (Year 12) most pupils study four AS levels and continue with three A2 levels in the Upper Sixth Form.

Fourth Form (Year 9)

The number of  lessons currently taken by all pupils in the Fourth Form is as follows:

English, Mathematics, Science, French and Spanish are taught in sets, each subject being setted separately. Other subjects are taught in six forms. Three forms study Latin; the other forms study Classical Civilisation.(CC)

Lower & Upper Fifth Forms (Years 10 & 11)

Pupils are normally expected to take at least one Modern Language (although exceptions may be made for overseas pupils and pupils diagnosed as Dyslexic). In Science, pupils will sit two or three GCSEs, according to ability.

Lower & Upper Sixth Forms (Year 12 & 13)

Twelve periods over two weeks are allocated to each A/AS level subject. Two periods are allocated to a General Studies programme and the other periods are used for private study, which is supervised for Lower Sixth pupils. Upper and Lower Sixth pupils will receive a programme aimed primarily at university entrance.

The Option Blocks are modified each year to maximise the number of subject combinations the School can accommodate. The details below illustrate the range of subject combinations typically available

COURSES OF STUDY

Lower School

When pupils enter the School in the Fourth Form (Year 9), they study Art, Biology, Chemistry, Design & Technology, English, French, Geography, History, ICT, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education and Spanish. Up to half of the pupils continue with Latin, the remainder study Classical Civilisation.

The second year is spent in the Lower Fifth Form (Year 10) when pupils begin GCSE courses in English, Mathematics, a Modern Language (French or Spanish), Science and three options. The options include Art, Classical Civilisation, Design & Technology, Drama, Geography, Graphic Communication, History, ICT, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education and a second Modern Language. An Information Technology course and a non-examined Religious Education course are also followed. These courses continue in the third year, which is spent in the Upper Fifth Form (Year 11), and lead to GCSE exams at the end of that year.

Sixth Form

Pupils generally follow four courses, leading to AS levels at the end of the Lower Sixth. In the Upper Sixth they will continue with A2 courses in three (or in some cases all) of their AS subjects, resulting in A level qualifications. The following subjects are currently available:

Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Information and Communication Technology, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Music Technology, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies and Spanish.

Subjects offered throughout the School, including GCSE and A level options, are regularly reviewed and will change from time to time to reflect demand for specific subjects.