The Curriculum
Our Senior Department comprises the Lower School (ages 11 - 14 years) and the Middle School (ages 14 - 16 years).
In the lower school, we guide pupils to understand and manage the rigours of academic education, which is the basis of their success. In the middle school, pupils are prepared for their GCSE examinations. It is anticipated that most will take ten subjects, although in accordance withour core policy on individual attention, the final decision on the number of subjects will depend on the needs of the individual pupil.
Our varied programme of optional subjects allows choices that could include, for example, a third foreign language, drama studies, specialised ICT, Business Studies and Media Studies.
Homework is set each day and establishes disciplined learning routines. A homework timetable and contact book enables parents to monitor and assess the work set.
Examinations are a requirement of academic life and teachers ensure that their pupils are fully prepared in order to reduce any associated stress. Our pupils are given every encouragement to succeed. The curriculum is constantly reviewed and our status as an independent school enables us to initiate changes in the best interest of our pupils' education.
The National Curriculum
As an independent school, we are under no obligation to follow the National Curriculum. However, it provides an excellent framework on which we expand, offering pupils the possibility to pursue subjects of individual interest.
There are four main purposes of the National Curriculum:
- To establish an entitlement
- To establish standards
- To promote continuity and coherence
- To promote public understanding
While these do not change overtime, the curriculum cannot remain static. We reappraise and develop methods, content and options in response to the changing needs of our pupils to ensure they flourish in our Senior Department's small classes and tutorials.
Our Current Senior Curriculum:-
| Senior Department Key Stages 3 and 4 | ||
| Lower School Key Stage 3 |
Middle School Key Stage 4 |
|
| Age | 11-14 | 14-16 |
| Year Groups | 7-9 | 10-16 |
| NATIONAL CURRICULUM | ||
| English | Yes | Yes |
| Mathematics | Yes | Yes |
| Science | Yes | Yes |
| NATIONAL CURRICULUM NON-CORE FOUNDATION SUBJECTS | ||
| Design & Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Information and Communication Technology | Yes | Option |
| History | Yes | Option |
| Geography | Yes | Option |
| Modern Foreign Languages | Yes | Yes |
| Art and Design | Yes | Option |
| Music | Yes | Yes |
| Physical Education | Yes | Yes |
| Citizenship | Yes | Yes |
| ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS TAUGHT | ||
| Additional Foreign Language | N/A | Yes |
| Religious Education | Yes | Yes |
| P.S.H.E.* | Yes | Yes |
| Careers Education | N/A | Yes |
| Home Economics | Yes | Yes |
Subjects marked "Option" are optional at the start of Key Stage 4 and further optional subjects will be offered according to pupils' interest. For each subject, study programmes set out details of what pupils will be taught,and attainment targets will define the expected standards of pupils' performance.
You will be kept up-to-date with all results and you will have the opportunity to discuss them with the Form Tutor and Specialist Teachers. Embedded in the National Curriculum are the six skills for learning and performance in education, work and life and the five thinking skills, which help pupils to focus on "learning how to learn." It is also important that pupils have financial capability, understand enterprise, entrepreneurial skills and the diversity of the workplace.
As your son or daughter progresses through the school, we will provide further details to enable you to discuss these with him/her to promote full understanding of all subjects and the achievements expected.