There is a core curriculum from Year 7 to 11 which, supported by careers guidance at key times, gives our students the necessary knowledge and information to make informed decisions about their personal curriculum.  We run an open options system with no pre-determined pathways which can remove options for young people.  In this way, we strive to ensure that students are not limited based on their ability or background. 

Core Curriculum

In Key Stages three and four students are taught the following core subjects: English, mathematics, science, religious education, PSHE, careers and PE. 

We place a large emphasis on the emotional health and wellbeing of all our students as we aim to equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills and resilience to thrive in the 21^st Century.  Therefore, PSHE and careers are taught in timetable lessons from Years 7-12 by a dedicated and trained group of staff.

KS3 Years 7-9

Our three-year long Key Stage three is aimed at keeping the curriculum for our young people as broad as possible for as long as possible.  Building on the primary curriculum and using the National Curriculum as a starting point, students are given opportunities to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to become successful learners who enjoy their learning and achieve highly.  All teaching, apart from mathematics, takes place in mixed-ability groups with staff adapting their teaching as necessary through support and challenge.   Staff focus on developing key subject knowledge and its application as well as supporting students through metacognition.  The breadth of subjects on offer, allied to specialist teachers and facilities, ensures that all students are exposed to subjects that are academic, creative, physical and practical, hopefully igniting a thirst for learning.   

Our Skills for Learning department also run a programme at Key Stage three called Discovery.

Students start their Short Course GCSE RE qualification in Year 9.  This gives them an invaluable experience of what GCSE subjects and examinations are like.  The examination is sat in the summer of Year 10.

GCSE options are chosen in the spring term of Year 9.

KS4 Years 10 and 11

As in Key Stage three, students have a rich and varied Key Stage four curriculum.  A curriculum that is aimed at ensuring all students achieve highly and are able to access their chosen pathway Post 16.  We are not prescriptive in our options process, running a true open options system where there are no prescriptive pathways and no pre-determined blocks.  Instead, we support students in making the right decisions for them as individuals and then match the curriculum model to their needs.  A breakdown of the option process for the current academic year can be found here.