Breadcrumb

Senior School Curriculum

Lower School

First to Third Forms study a broad curriculum over a two week timetable of 60 periods. The aim to provide a broad, balanced curriculum which allows pupils to experience a wide range of subjects, some of which may not have been offered at their earlier schooling. Each lesson is 55 minutes in length.

The academic curriculum joins with a wide co-curricular programme as an element in the education of the young people within this school community. For this reason, the school attaches great significance to the role of the form tutor, head of section and/or the houseparent in guiding the progress of the pupil academically and personally, and in the spheres of sport, music, drama and other extra curricular areas. In this way, the school seeks as broad a learning curriculum as is achievable for each individual pupil.

Partly because of its objective to give a broad approach to education, pupils are given an unusual degree of freedom in their choice of subjects at all levels. Considerable guidance is available to pupils (and their parents) in their selection of subject choices.

Upper School

The aim for Fourth and Fifth Form is to follow a curriculum based on a 'core' of English, Mathematics and Science. There are two routes through Science GCSE: pupils can choose to study separate Sciences, in which case they must choose Separate Sciences as one of their 'option' subjects; otherwise, they will study Co-ordinated Sciences (worth two GCSEs). The remaining four optional subjects allow the opportunity for pupils to tailor their programme to suit their abilities and intentions for further study. The framework within the options ensures that a balanced curriculum is followed. In certain circumstances a pupils will be advised to take three rather than four additional subjects so that additional time may be spent op supporting their core subjects. In Fourth and Fifth Form pupils also follow non-examined courses in Physical Education and PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education).

Support for Learning and English as an Additional Language (EAL) are also available as an optional subject for those pupils who need them. Opting for Learning Support means that additional time may be spent on supporting the core subjects. This option may be selected upon recommendation from the Learning Support department. EAL should be chosen by those pupils whose native language is other than English.