The Curriculum

Curriculum

Lower School

The Lower School curriculum aims to provide breadth, balance and variety of activity. All pupils follow a common curriculum in the first two years, as outlined below, with figures representing the number of 50-minute periods per two weeks allocated to a subject.

First Year

English Mathematics Junior Science Modern Language 1 Latin History Geography Religious Studies Art Drama Design Technology Music IT & Computing Physical Education Games Extended Studies Tutorial period 6 6 6 5 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 4 4 1

Notes:

Pupils choose one of French or German or Spanish as their first modern foreign language. On Friday there is time devoted to the Extended Studies Programme, comprising six different units over the school year.

Second Year

English Mathematics Junior Science Modern Language 1 Modern Language 2 Latin History Geography Religious Studies Art Drama Design Technology Music IT & Computing Physical Education Games 6 6 6 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 4

Notes:

Pupils choose an additional modern foreign language alongside the continued study of the Language studied in the First Year.

Class Sizes

On entering the Lower School, pupils are taught within classes of, on average, 22. Once in the Sixth Form, classes are smaller still with an average class size of 8 this year. Small teaching groups throughout the School are supported by the very latest technology and modern facilities including an extensive use of 1:1 digital learning.

Third Year

English Mathematics Physics Chemistry Biology Modern Language 1 MFL2 / Italian / Latin Latin Classical Civilisation History Geography Religious Studies Art Drama Design Technology Music Computer Science Physical Education Games

Notes:

MFL2 indicates modern language 2. Pupils start a two-year course leading to Religious Studies short course GCSE at the end of the Fourth Year. Students choose three subjects from the following: Art, Music, Design Technology, Drama, Latin, Classical Civilisation, or Computing. At least one of these options must be from the four creative subjects.

Curriculum

Upper School

In the Upper School the core is reduced and pupils choose three options of six periods per two weeks to complete their timetable.

Languages must have been studied in the Third Year in order to be opted for at GCSE.

Fourth Year

English Mathematics Modern Language 1 Physics Chemistry 6 6 6 5 5 Biology Religious Studies Physical Education Games 5 3 2 4

Plus three of:

History, Geography, Economics, Philosophy & Ethics, Latin, Classical Civilisation, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Computer Science, Sports Science, Art, Music, Design Technology, Drama. Those opting for Philosophy & Ethics will take the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) instead of the short course Religious Studies examination in the Fourth Year.

Sixth Form

Students study three or four subjects in the Lower Sixth, and most will concentrate on three subjects in the Upper Sixth. The Foundation Studies programme is followed by all in the Lower Sixth.

Upper Sixth students taking three subjects to full A Level may take the Extended Project or follow Foundation Studies courses (general studies). In addition, all have Open Forum (our lecture programme) and four periods of Games in both Lower and Upper Sixth. Full details are provided in the Sixth Form Guide. Parents receive one formal written report during the course of the year and a parents’ evening provides an opportunity to discuss academic progress with teachers. Half term progress grades are given for all pupils. Parents are invited to contact the tutor in the first instance if they wish to raise any matter relating to their child’s school work or to arrange an individual meeting.

A Level Options:

Art and Design - Fine Art Art and Design - Photography Biology Business Chemistry Classical Civilisation Computer Science Design and Technology Economics English Language & Linguistics English Literature French Further Mathematics Geography German History Latin Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Politics Psychology Spanish Sports Science Drama & Theatre Studies

Fifth Year

As the Fourth Year curriculum, Further Mathematics is taken as an extra examination by a proportion of the year group (usually two sets).

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