CURRICULUM OPTIONS GUIDANCE FOR NEW BOYS
THE THIRD FORM CURRICULUM The Third Form curriculum is broad and varied. It combines a mixture of fourteen traditional and modern subjects which, in total, span 36 lessons, each 45 minutes. Almost exactly half of the boys’ lesson time in the Third Form is taken up with the ‘core’ subjects of English, Maths and Science. These are taught in seven separately arranged sets, which are roughly organised by Common Entrance performance. Science lessons are taught as separate disciplines by specialist subject teachers; there is a strong emphasis on practical work and laboratory skills. All core subjects begin studying the GCSE courses from the start of the Third Form. Work completed in the first year is, therefore, not repeated before the boys begin their programme of revision in the run up to the GCSE exams themselves. In addition to their core subjects, all boys also study Geography, History, Theology and Computing, each for two periods per week. These subjects are taught in mixed ability groups. The Third Form follow a programme of work designed to allow boys to explore their enthusiasm in these subjects and to develop essential foundation skills in these disciplines. As well as being important in their own right, such techniques serve to underpin further study in the Humanities and Computing, which will prove important if your son opts to continue with one (or more) of these subjects for GCSE. Boys in the Third Form also follow a bespoke programme of PSHEE. This is taught off-timetable by Housemasters, meaning that your son will study PSHEE with the rest of the boys in his House in his year. Amongst other things, this provides a valuable opportunity to help the boys to settle and to forge friendships during their first few weeks at School. In addition to the subjects outlined above, boys also study two Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) and two subjects drawn from the Creative Arts and Classics. This part of the curriculum is subtly different from that already described because the boys are given the freedom to choose their options. We ask the boys to make their choices in these areas a few months before they join Sherborne. This, therefore, is the purpose of this booklet: to provide information and assistance that will allow your son to make these subject choices.
OPTIONS CHOICES Boys are asked to make selections in two key areas. 1. MFL 2. Creatives and/or Classics In both areas, your son should select two options. He will, therefore, be choosing four subjects in total to study in the Third Form next year. MFL The following options are available. 1. German 2. Spanish 3. French (please note, this should not be selected if your son has not studied French before) 4. English as an Additional Language (EAL – for non-native English speakers) 5. Mandarin 6. Triple Language (counts as two choices) Creatives and Classics The following options are available. 1. Classics (boys may choose one of the four classical courses offered) a. Latin b. Greek and Latin as a combined course (‘Gratin’), with Greek ab initio c. Latin ab initio d. Classical Civilisation 2. Art 3. Drama 4. Design & Technology 5. Music Information about these options is presented on the next few pages.
GUIDANCE ON CHOOSING We recommend that boys consider three things when deciding whether or not to pick a subject: • Do I enjoy the subject? • Am I good at it? • How likely am I to study it for GCSE? Of the three, the first point is the one to emphasise. In general, we find that boys who enjoy what they are doing (which is usually most of them!) tend to work hard, which tends to lead to academic success. Therefore, I would encourage your son to choose the things that he thinks he will enjoy the most. By picking a subject in the Third Form, it is important to stress that there is no expectation that your son continues with the subject to GCSE. With the exception of French, Triple Language and ‘Gratin’ it is absolutely fine for your son to choose something he has not studied before. In fact, it is normal for boys picking German not to have studied it before. The same is often true for Spanish. Latin is also available as an ab initio course, although does require boys to work hard if they wish to be in a position to begin the GCSE course the following year. We ask that boys stick with their chosen options for the duration of the Third Form. Therefore, when making his four choices, your son should keep at the back of his mind the thought that he is making a commitment to continue with these subjects for a year. Because of the way the timetable works, unfortunately it is not possible to offer boys the opportunity to switch options mid-way through the year. Therefore, for example, a choice of Mandarin for a year is exactly that – 60 lessons of Mandarin, studied across three terms for the whole Third Form.
DEADLINES AND HOW TO MAkE YOUR SELECTION Options choices are made online and it will take only a few minutes to submit the survey form. You will receive a link to the survey along with the rest of the new boys’ material. This is normally sent to parents at the start of the Trinity Term (i.e. April / May) with the request that you make your choices by the beginning of June. When making your choices, you will be asked to choose your top three preferences in each of the two choice areas. You then indicate on the survey which is your first choice, second choice etc. We will do everything we can to ensure that your son receives his first choices, however please be aware that this is not always possible in all circumstances. If there is a problem allocating your first choice, we will contact you to discuss alternatives. Many thanks in advance for making your choices and for keeping to the deadlines. If you have any questions about the options, or if you do not receive a link to the survey at the start of the Trinity Term (April/May), please contact the Admissions Department using the email: admissions@sherborne.org. Dr Tim Filtness Deputy Head (Academic)
INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDIvIDUAL OPTIONS Modern Foreign Languages The MFL Department prides itself on the provision of languages, both on and off the curriculum. We currently have boys in the school studying Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish. Upon entry to the Third Form, pupils are given a free choice of which two languages to learn. French is offered to any pupil who has studied the language previously, whereas German and Spanish are available to all pupils at beginner level. Boys who join the Third Form with prior knowledge of these languages are catered for with extension tasks or 1:1 support from our language assistants. In lieu of one of their MFL options, pupils with English as a second language can opt for EAL as their second foreign language. The EAL teacher will assess their English work and advise accordingly.
this option are asked to discuss it with the Head of MFL, Mrs Thurman, judy.thurman@sherborne.org before selecting Mandarin as one of their two MFL options. For gifted linguists there is the exciting opportunity to study French, German and Spanish as an accelerated ‘Triple Language’ programme. The Triple Languages course suits those who enjoy languages and have a natural aptitude in this area. Our triple Linguists study French, German and Spanish in the timetable allocation of two subjects. IGCSE French is taken early at the end of the Fourth Form, which leaves time to develop skills in German and Spanish in the Fifth Form. As with Mandarin, if you are interested in this option for your son please discuss it with Mrs Thurman in advance as the Triple Language option is demanding and places are usually limited to just one Third Form set.
A small number of boys also choose to study Mandarin, which is available to pupils with a background in the language, or a strong motivation for study. Pupils interested in
Over a third of the current Fourth and Fifth Form are studying at least two languages to IGCSE. In choosing which language to opt for, we advise pupils to think about what they most
enjoy. For some, learning two new languages is exciting and a fresh start; for others, the opportunity to develop mastery of a language already begun at prep school is a consideration. The importance of learning languages in the modern world cannot be emphasised enough. Through the study of languages,
pupils gain deeper global cultural understanding and enhanced communication skills, not just in foreign languages but also in their mother tongue. Pupils who leave school with a good level of language learning have a distinct edge in the employment world and opportunities for travel and study abroad.
Creatives and Classics Classics is a broad and varied discipline, offering something for everyone and endless possibilities: Boris Johnson, Stephen Fry and J.k. Rowling are well-known classicists; Peter Goss, the former Director of the CIA, and Jonathan Evans, the former Director General of MI5, are classicists; Anthony James Leggett, the Nobel Prize winner for Physics, is a classicist; the singers Chris Martin and Dido are classicists, and even Frank Lampard got an A in GCSE Latin. The study of Classics is not only enjoyable, but is of enormous educational benefit and our courses are designed to cater for all levels and abilities, regardless of whether a student has studied a classical subject at prep school or not. Our aim is to enthuse and engage our students about the classical world, focusing for
some on language, but for others on various aspects of the culture and civilisation of the ancient world and its relevance to our modern world. An important part of all the courses is to give our boys a greater understanding of the structure of the English language, with a view to being able to write with greater accuracy and confidence. During the Michaelmas term, there is a trip to Aquae Sulis and, at the end of the Lent term, a three-week project on an aspect of the ancient world is completed in order to encourage individual research. Latin, Latin and Greek (‘Gratin’), Latin ab initio and Classical Civilisation are offered in the Third Form.
Sixth Form trip to Pompeii with Sherborne Girls
Latin Latin is not a ‘dead’ language. Not only is its study fascinating and rewarding in its own right, but Latin is alive beneath the surface of the modern world. The influence of Latin, as well as Greek, is as widespread today as the Roman Empire was dominant in the ancient world: almost 80% of English words derive from Latin; French and Spanish, and the other Romance languages, owe their existence to Latin; world literature and film still turn to classical writers for inspiration. The classical world has in many important ways shaped the institutions, languages and ways of thought of Europe and the West. The study of Latin offers the opportunity to enter into this astonishing world, a lost world that offers itself up vividly and excitingly through its literature. Latin is an efficient way to learn and understand English grammar and vocabulary, and
encourages a logical, ordered and disciplined approach to language, developing analytical skills and intellectual flexibility. This course is intended for those who have studied Latin before and follows the Cambridge Latin Course. The Michaelmas term involves the consolidation of the more basic grammar or Common Entrance and Scholarship, before moving towards the more complex grammar required for GCSE. Our aim is also to read real Latin. Boys may start with Caecilius and Modestus, but they will soon move towards the thrilling and colourful literature of ancient Rome, such as Caesar’s description of the mysterious Druids, or Tacitus’ account of the uprising of the formidable warrioress, Boudica, or the beautiful poetry of Ovid, Horace and Martial, or virgil’s poignant account of the tragedy of Dido and Aeneas.
Latin and Greek (‘Gratin’) Classical Greek is only available alongside Latin. There is no requirement that a boy has studied Greek before, only a confidence in his ability at Latin and a belief in himself. ‘Gratin’ is a difficult, but exciting challenge and its rewards are enormous: intellectual stimulation; the translation of some of the greatest poets, historians and playwrights, such as Herodotus, Homer and Euripides, in their original language; an understanding of complex grammatical structure; the ability to analyse and unravel language; but perhaps most immediately, the satisfaction of studying two subjects for the price of one. A knowledge of Latin and Greek will increase a student’s English vocabulary immensely and will aid in his understanding of English grammar; it is a common fact that Latin and Greek teach English better than English by requiring students to identify accurately each part of speech for every word. Latin and Greek will also aid the learning of modern Romance languages, such as Spanish, French and Italian, and will
greatly aid in learning other inflected languages, such as German or Russian, and is thus a perfect option for the potential linguist. The study of Latin and Greek has an unsurpassed track record, not just in filling students’ minds with useful knowledge, but also in forming their minds and their spirits. Latin and Greek implant the habits of precision and attention to detail; intellectual rigour is at the heart of its study. This course is intended for those who have studied Latin before at either Scholarship or Common Entrance, Level Three. In Latin, we use Book 2 of Latin to GCSE and, in Greek, Greek to GCSE. Although there is some consolidation of basic grammar in Latin, the pace of the course is necessarily fast.
Latin ab initio For those who have not studied Latin before, an ab initio beginners’ course is offered. This is a fast-track course and is designed to reach GCSE standard in three years, using Latin to GCSE.
Classical Civilisation Classical Civilisation is the study of the civilisations of Greece and Rome without learning Greek or Latin. There is no need to have studied Latin, Greek or Classical Civilisation before. No prior knowledge of the Classical world, and no linguistic ability, is required. This is an in-house course, designed to offer a fun, but educational introduction and background to the GCSE, in which we study various aspects of the Greek and Roman worlds, its history, culture and literature (in translation). The course includes a number of exciting units: we explore the fast-paced and action-packed life and labours of Heracles, and his importance to the Greek and Roman worlds; Homer’s Trojan War holds an endless and
Junior School trip to Pompeii
compelling fascination, and we study the fury and wrath of the Iliad, and the salt-caked, storm-tossed, wine-dark treasury of tales that is the Odyssey, as well as an archaeological interlude in which we crack the Linear B code and demystify the sites of Troy and Mycenae; we travel to ancient Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, which typifies the deeply traditional religious beliefs and competitive spirit of the ancient Greeks; and in the second half of the year, we move to the Roman world and investigate the eruption of vesuvius in AD69 and how the town of Pompeii was frozen in time, as well as the evidence it reveals about life in a Roman town.
Art Art at Sherborne gives pupils more than just a creative outlet: it fosters problem solving skills; lateral thinking; complex analysis; critical thinking; and practical making skills. Never before has it been more relevant to be a creative thinker with a high degree of visual literacy – a fact reflected by the explosion of exciting Art-related professions in the modern creative industries. From Architecture to Game Design, and from Engineering to Fashion, the creative individual is in high demand! The course that Third Form pupils follow introduces a range of opportunities that inspire and challenge. Core skills are established through the work pupils do in exploring artistic, historical and cultural references. Emphasis is placed on communicating ideas visually but also verbally through the use of subject specific language in group critiques. Pupils are also introduced to a variety of learning experiences, which encourage the development of the core skills. This is facilitated by the use of different media, processes, techniques and technologies. Each project through-
out the Third Form course builds the development of practical skills, knowledge and understanding, all of which can be taken forward to support the GCSE course. In the first term introductory projects in the past have been inspired by the Day of the Dead and the skateboard graffiti artist Beto Janz. Working with printmaking, painting and Photoshop the workshops are underpinned by drawing and colour theory. Boys have also produced outcomes in response to the work of Seguy, exploring the formal elements of shape, form and pattern, led to the creation of sculptural forms using mod roc, recycled polystyrene and wire. In another project, one that culminated in an exhibition of Third Form work in the Oliver Holt Gallery was the School’s Remembrance Day service, which inspired an interpretation of the work by contemporary British artist Tom Phillips. Ultimately every individual can be creative. The Art Department provides the opportunities and creative environment for each boy to develop the skills needed to flourish.
Drama Drama is fun and useful! At Sherborne, we teach Drama in a dynamic and creative way, with plenty of games and exercises to stir the imagination and increase confidence whilst acquiring all-important drama skills. These techniques and abilities are not only useful on stage, but they are also critical in life as well. Being able to empathise, think quickly, take the initiative and speak confidently in public are not only key to drama but also a successful career. The Third Form course covers a wide variety of practitioners and subject areas, with the aim of having fun at the same time as creating a sound basis for later development. Boys who join Drama in the Third Form will learn a range of skills in an exciting and fun way. These skills include the following: basic stagecraft; how to improvise spontaneously; how to
devise plays; how to work with puppets; the basics of stage design; and of course, working with script. We tend to use Clive Barker, keith Johnstone, Augusto Boal, Stanislavski, kneehigh Theatre Company and katie Mitchell as our principal practitioners during this foundation year. Boys can expect to see the techniques of these practitioners included in the lessons throughout the year, enriching the learning experience and providing a sound but exciting basis to the work. A typical lesson will include games and exercises, followed by an exploration/development of a specific skill or approach. The course is planned so that these skills provide a basis for study at GCSE, but they will also work just as well as a standalone, fun and enjoyable option in the Third Form.
Design Technology Design & Technology in the Third Form looks to develop your son’s creative confidence and will broaden and deepen his knowledge and understanding when solving creative problems. The subject will help your son to develop transferrable skills such as research, planning, prototype manufacture and presentation skills. He will develop both his drawing and ICT skills, using computer-aided design as well as programming to control equipment. He will learn to apply a multitude of machinery and equipment to build and test the three-dimensional solutions he proposes. The Third Form curriculum builds a strong foundation for the GCSE and A level. Boys who study Design & Technology at A level often go onto to read Architecture,
Engineering or Product Design at University. Studying Design & Technology in his first year at Sherborne, your son will work both independently and in pairs to solve a variety of design challenges. To assist him in doing so we will build his understanding of materials and manufacturing technology; help him to understand and apply programmable equipment to generate solutions to set problems; and we will also develop his creativity and skills in prototype manufacture. We will help him to communicate his thoughts and decisions by building his confidence in drawing and also his ability to use computer aided design to program machinery and present his ideas. All lessons will combine elements of classroom study with practical application in the workshops and the departmental ICT suite.
Music Opting for Music as a classroom subject is complemented by the playing of a musical instrument, but being a performing musician (for which there are countless opportunities at Sherborne) is not a necessity and nor is music theory. The course focuses upon having fun through composing and/or sound sampling, using Apple computers with Logic Pro X software (an extension of GarageBand) and/or Sibelius notation software. Imagination, creativity, and a love of music, whether classical, jazz, rock or pop are essential, with the Logic
Pro X software enabling those who cannot read music to work alongside those who read fluently. Projects include the creation of a new soundscape, using sampled sounds from the Studio, for a new musicscore to accompany the latest supercar or Jaguar commercial; the making of a short film and then its soundscape/score; and the opportunity to perform music written by the class. Many go on to take GCSE Music, with its large emphasis upon composition, but this is not a foregone conclusion and need not influence choice of the subject at Third Form level.
MANY THINGS HERE ARE SIMPLY WORLD CLASS. HIGH ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS AND OUTSTANDING PASTORAL CARE ARE, AND MUST REMAIN, THE BEDROCK OF A SHERBORNE EDUCATION. OUR MUSICAL, ARTISTIC AND SPORTING PROVISION IS OUTSTANDING AND ALL OUR BOYS HAVE ACCESS TO AN EXTRAORDINARY RANGE OF CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES. DOMINIC LUCKETT - HEADMASTER
For further information please contact: vanessa Hicks, Director of Admissions ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENT SHERBORNE SCHOOL ABBEY ROAD SHERBORNE DORSET DT9 3LF T: 01935 810403 E: admissions@sherborne.org www.sherborne.org