All students receive a broad balanced, relevant and coherent curriculum. In Years 7 to 11 the curriculum offers opportunities to extend beyond the confines of the National Curriculum. The school regards the education of each child as being of equal value; we strive to equip all students with the necessary intellectual, physical, cultural, emotional and moral skills and attitudes to enable them to face the adult world with confidence, honesty and a sense of purpose.
The school day is divided into five 60 minute lessons, making 25 periods per week. Four of these are in the morning and one in the afternoon. For those who wish we also have twilight lessons. These lessons are currently held on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 3.00pm to 4.00pm and allow some students in Years 10 and 11 to take an extra GCSE.
Curriculum
“A combination of students' very positive attitudes, high quality teaching and a very well-designed curriculum exerts a powerful influence on learning”
Ofsted 2009
Age range 11-19
Key Stage 3
In addition to English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education and Religious Studies, all students study at least one Modern Foreign Language, History, Geography, Expressive Arts and Technology. The Curriculum offers considerable diversity and choice.
Key Stage 4
Students have the opportunity to take up to ten subjects at GCSE. The programme of study at Key Stage 4 covers the full ability range and prepares students to choose from any of the full range of career pathways and careful guidance is available at all stages.
Key Stage 5
The Sixth Form has a rich and varied curriculum. The ethos of the school is characterised by positive attitudes to work and very high expectations. We work hard, and we play hard!
“The curriculum is underpinned by a clear rationale which emphasises the
importance of subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science and Modern Foreign Languages
for students' future education and economic well-being, rather than simply accumulating GCSE
grades to paint a more favourable picture of the attainment of individual students and the
school as a whole”
Ofsted 2009