our curriculum
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. We are also 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.
Our SENDCO works to support all students to fulfil their potential. We group students according to ability in Mathematics from Year 7 and from Year 9 in Science, but all other departments teach mixed ability groups in all years.
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 (Year 7-8)
All students are taught in form groups of about 30 students for all subjects except Mathematics, where setting exists from October half term and for Technology where class sizes are typically 20 - 25. All students study French, German, Spanish and Latin to provide a strong grounding in foreign languages before they state a preference for two languages in Year 8. In Year 8, smaller classes exist in Technology which ensures more specialist attention can be given to each girl as she opts for her GCSEs. Students opt for GCSE subjects in the spring of Year 8.
Key Stage Four Overview (Year 9-11)
All students study Mathematics (with some students taking Further Maths GCSE), English Language, English Literature and separate science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics). Students then select a Foreign Language, Humanity subject, practical subject and one other subjects to give every student access to the English Baccalaureate while retaining the flexibility for students to specialise in areas of passion and interest. In addition, students study Careers, Ethics, PSHE, Health Education and core PE for a double period a week.
The curriculum at Key Stage 4 is individualised with a breadth of choice being key to students’ success. 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.
For more information on the courses available at GCSE, please view the Key Stage 4 Options Guide below.