The curriculum is structured into three key stages, with students having degrees of choice when they reach Year 10.
Years 7 – 9 Students are placed in mixed ability tutor groups, and normally remain in those groups until Year 11. They follow a three year Key Stage 3 programme, which provides breadth and balance and experience a wide range of subjects. All students follow the same curriculum, unless they are disapplied from part of it for an individual reason. Students are taught in sets for some subjects (eg Mathematics); in others, they are taught in mixed ability groups (eg History). In addition to lessons, students have access to a range of other activities to enhance their learning, such as STEM days (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), team building residentials, sporting, languages and creative arts events.
Years 10-11 During Year 9, students make choices about the courses they wish to follow in Years 10 and 11. All students follow our 'core' curriculum, including GCSE RE. To this, they add three choices of their own, one of which will be a Geography or History subject. The majority of students undertake 10 or 11 GCSEs. Where appropriate, students are disapplied from studying a language and follow an alternative curriculum, taking up to 9 GCSEs. Beyond the classroom, as well as subject related activities, students are able to take part in a variety of events such as Enterprise, Holocaust Awareness Day, sporting and creative arts activities.
Years 12-13 There are 27 A Level subjects on offer, as well as opportunities to resit GCSE Maths if necessary. (GCSE English at grade 5 or above is a requirement for all students beginning A Level courses.) Students usually take three subjects. Alongside the taught curriculum, there are impressive university-style study facilities to support independent study. Students also take part in a fortnightly programme of careers education, study skills and personal development. In addition, there are a number of conferences to support students as they consider their futures (eg Health, Finance). Extra curricular sports and extensive subject-related activities are all part of the ‘BSS6’ experience. For further details on our A Level courses, please visit the curriculum page on our sixth form section of the website or click here.
Careers guidance and education is delivered either through discrete lessons, tutorials, careers days or extra-curricular activities. Students have access to additional learning support where necessary, whether for a specific learning difficulty, disability or an area where a student is identified as gifted or talented. Personal, social and health education is delivered through the taught curriculum and conference days. Complementary learning is provided through collective worship, where spiritual development, values building and reflection are central.