Curriculum Structure
The curriculum is broad and balanced with an emphasis on rapid progress throughout Key Stage 3 and a wide choice of academic GCSE courses at Key Stage 4.
We continually review our curriculum to ensure that we provide sufficient choice, breadth and depth in all Key Stages whilst also being able to personalise our curriculum offer for students who require additional support. Our SENDCo works to support all students to fulfil their potential. We are keen to ensure that our students build on their rapid progress in Key Stage 3 with a spiral curriculum being integral to all department curriculum plans from Years 7 - 11. Our academic results are outstanding and provide students with a platform to successfully pursue whatever career they may choose.
The curriculum is brought to life through a wide range of educational visits including field work for subject courses, international exchanges and study tours to China, the US and throughout Europe. Our students also enjoy many shorter/day trips to museums, galleries and specialist facilities which helps students to make progress outside of the classroom and further promotes a love of learning.
Key Stage Three Overview
All students are taught in form groups of about 30 students for all subjects except Technology, where class sizes are typically 20 - 25. All students study Latin and two out of French, German and Spanish to provide a strong grounding in foreign languages before they state a preference for two of their three languages in Year 8. For more information about our Key Stage Three curriculum subject content, please click the link below for our Key Stage Three Curriculum Maps.
Key Stage Three Curriculum Maps
Key Stage Four Overview
Our Key Stage 4 core curriculum is made up of the following subjects:
- English Literature and English Language
- Mathematics
- Science - either Dual Award (Trilogy – Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or Separate Sciences (chosen as an option)
- Personal Development & Global Perspectives (non-examined)
- Core Physical Education (non-examined)
Students then choose from a wide range of subjects from across the curriculum to build highly individualised study programmes - breadth of choice being key to students’ success. Most students will study for 9 GCSEs, with some opting for additional qualifications such as Further Maths GCSE. The Key Stage 4 option blocks are determined around students' choices with a very high success rate. Students receive career guidance in-house, but a qualified external IAG advisor is on-hand to discuss option choices with students.
For subject specific information, please visit our Subject Pages or our Key Stage 4 Curriculum Maps
Key Stage Five Overview (Year 12-13)
The Sixth Form offers a high-quality, fully academic 16–19 study programme designed to prepare students successfully for higher education, apprenticeships and employment. Students choose from 27 A level subjects, with most studying three subjects, some taking four, and others completing an EPQ to develop independent research skills.
The weekly structure combines academic study, independent learning, careers education and personal development. Students have six 50-minute lessons per week per subject, alongside daily 20-minute tutor time. A structured form time programme supports wellbeing, super-curricular engagement, leadership development and wider discussion themes, including assemblies and dedicated time towards the Student Leadership Award. Thursday afternoon “Skills for Life” sessions, alongside RSHE and wider PSHCE provision, ensure students develop the knowledge, understanding and personal skills required for adult life. Supervised study and independent learning periods promote strong independent study habits and increasing academic autonomy.
Careers education is structured, progressive and embedded across both years. Students benefit from regular careers talks from alumni and professionals, use of Unifrog to explore university, apprenticeship and employment pathways, visits to university open days and apprenticeship fairs, a dedicated careers fair and a programme of university visits. All Year 12 students undertake a period of work experience, providing meaningful exposure to professional environments and helping them develop employability skills. Focused support is provided for both university and apprenticeship applications, alongside individual guidance from the Careers Adviser. This coherent programme ensures that students are well informed about local and national opportunities and are able to make ambitious, informed decisions about their next steps.
Option choices are made via a ‘free-choice’ system with students choosing from a broad offer of 29 subjects. The School does not set option blocks in advance of the application deadline and student preferences are used to determine the ‘best-fit’ of option blocks for Year 12 each year. This system ensures the greatest number of student choices can be met, within the constraints of available staffing and budgets.
Once the option blocks have been set, students are welcome to explore possible changes to A-level courses, between March and September, but these will need to fit within the newly-created Option Blocks and below the maximum group sizes for each subject.
The structure of each A-Level course can be found in our Key Stage 5 Curriculum Maps.
For subject specific information, please visit our Sixth Form subject pages. or download a copy of our Sixth Form prospectus: