Curriculum

General

The curriculum currently operates on forty-three 35-minute periods over six days. From 2010 this will change to thirty 50-minute periods over five 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.

 

Fourth Form (Year 9)

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

  Maths Engl Fren   RE   Phys Chem  Bio  Hist Geog  Art  D&T   ICT    Mus  Span Lat or CC
Periods 5 5 4 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 4 2

 

English, Maths, Science, French and Spanish are taught in five sets, each subject being setted separately. Other subjects are taught in four forms. Two forms study Latin; the other two forms study Classical Civilisation.(CC)

Lower & Upper Fifth Forms (Years 10 & 11)

  English Maths     RE     Science     IT     4 Option Blocks
Periods 5 5 2 9 2 5 each

 

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4
French Geography Art Art
Geography History Design Technology Design Technology
History Spanish Geography History
Religious Studies    Music ICT
    PE Latin
    Classical Civilization PE
      Religious Studies

 

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.

 

Years 12 & 13 Lower & Upper Sixth Forms (Year 12 & 13)

Eight periods a week are allocated to each A/AS level subject. The other periods are used for private study, which is supervised for Lower Sixth pupils. Upper and Lower Sixth will receive a programme aimed primarily at university entrance.

Lower Sixth Form (Year 12)

Block V Block W Block X Block Y Block Z
Business Studies Business Studies Art Art Biology
Drama English Literature Chemistry French Business Studies
Geography Geography Design Tech History Design Tech
History Psychology History Music Drama
Mathematics  Further Maths PE PE Economics
Religious studies   Psychology Physics History
    Business Studies Religious Studies Psychology
    ICT Economics Latin
    Spanish Geography Music Technology
         

 

Upper Sixth Form (Year 13)

The curriculum option choice will be similar to the above.

COURSES OF STUDY 2009/2010

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 the pupils continue with Latin, the remainder study Classical Civilisation.

The second year is spent in the Lower Fifth Form (Year 10) where 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, Geography, History, ICT, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education and a second Modern Language. From September 2011 additional subjects will include Drama and Graphics. 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. These courses will also provide opportunities for learning Key Skills.

The following subjects are currently available:

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