Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to foster thought, curiosity and a desire for learning in all pupils, regardless of their background, strengths and needs. It is ambitious, challenging and engaging. It builds on the essential knowledge, skills and understanding from primary school and enables pupils to become informed citizens who have an appreciation of human creativity, ingenuity and achievement.

Our curriculum draws out key concepts that provide a rich web of knowledge for our pupils and help them to become expert critical thinkers.

Our curriculum aims to:

  • cultivate well-rounded, intelligent and socially-aware students.
  • develop cultural capital in all pupils, so that they have an appreciation of human creativity and talents.
  • develop pupils as excellent citizens with a strong sense of responsibility for their actions.
  • encourage civic and social participation within their community.
  • promote and develop leadership within all pupils.
  • encourage pupils to develop their individuality and lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
  • inspire and motivate.
  • foster a deep and durable love of lifelong learning.
  • provide a strong and lasting foundation for future learning at every stage.
  • deliver excellent exam results, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they can compete for the best jobs locally, nationally and globally.

At the heart of our curriculum is a strong academic core for all our pupils at key stage 3 and key stage 4: the English Baccalaureate. This includes English, mathematics, sciences, history, geography and a modern foreign language. Creative and performing arts, technology, computing, and physical education are central to our curriculum offer sparking curiosity, interests and talent. At Key Stage 5, we offer a range of A Levels and vocational courses to prepare students well for their next stage in education, employment or training.

Our curriculum promotes spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and emotional development of pupils at school and in society more widely. Religious Education, Relationship and Sex Education, Health Education and Citizenship are fully timetabled and taught by specialists throughout key stage 3 and key stage 4.

We believe every pupil is entitled to a curriculum that is varied, challenging and inspiring, which enables every individual to fulfil their potential to the highest possible standard, developing enquiring minds capable of original thought and well-balanced critical argument.

In line with the Star Quality Standards, the curriculum actively promotes equality for all through both its content and delivery. Full details are contained in the Annual Equalities Statement.

We aim to ensure that all pupils have access to the curriculum and are not disadvantaged by any disabilities or special educational needs. Full details are contained in the SEND Information Report, Policy and Guidance.   Our curriculum also provides opportunities for pupils to consider careers in each subject – more details are provided in the careers page of our website.

Our school operates a seven-year curriculum journey, from Year 7 to Year 13.

All pupils will follow a traditional model of study, which involves core and foundation subjects.

Pupils will make their GCSE choices when ready and when the Key Stage 3 curriculum has been delivered. The length of Key Stage 3 will vary depending on the subject and all Key Stage 3 subjects match or surpass the ambition and scope of the national curriculum.   Pupils will complete GCSEs and vocational qualifications when ready.

Almost all pupils will follow a combination of subjects which will enable them to achieve the English Baccalaureate. Pupils will also study vocational subjects to contribute to a deep and rich curriculum experience. Pupils will be offered extra time for English and mathematics where they are performing below nationally expected levels. The focus is to support pupils with literacy and numeracy as soon as they join the school.  In particular, there will be a strong emphasis on reading and expanding vocabulary.

Subjects studied at Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, pupils will complete the following programmes of study:

Subjects Studied at Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, pupils will complete a range of qualifications. All pupils will follow a combination of core subjects which will enable them to achieve the English Baccalaureate: English, mathematics, sciences, humanities and at least one modern foreign language. As part of the core curriculum, they will continue to study physical education, religious education, citizenship and RSHE. In addition, pupils will choose optional subjects from a broad suite of choices covering both GCSE and vocational qualifications.

Subject Course Core / Options Exam Board
English GCSE English Language
GCSE English Literature
Core AQA
AQA
Maths GCSE Mathematics
GCSE Statistics
Core
Options
Pearson
Pearson
Science GCSE Combined Science
Or GCSE Biology,
GCSE Chemistry &
GCSE Physics
Core
(pupils study one of the two science courses)
Pearson
Pearson
Humanities GCSE History
GCSE Geography
Core
(pupils study one of the two courses)
AQA
AQA
GCSE Religious Studies
GCSE Citizenship
Core
Core
AQA
AQA
AS Religious Studies Options (if completed GCSE Religious Studies EDUQAS
Modern Foreign Languages Arabic or French
Urdu
Core
Core
AQA (French)
Pearson(Arabic)
AQA (Urdu)
Art GCSE Art & Design Options AQA
Design Technology GCSE Textiles Options AQA
Computing GCSE Computer Science
BTEC Level 2 Digital IT
NCFE Level 2 iMedia
Options
Options
Options
OCR
Pearson
NCFE
Sports GCSE PE
BTEC Level 3 in Sports
Options
Options (if completed level 2 GCSE in PE)
Pearson
Pearson
Business BTEC Enterprise Options Pearson

Gifted and Talented pupils may complete some GCSEs early and have the option of studying Level 3 courses in Year 11 to prepare for 6th Form.

A very small number of pupils requiring cognitive learning support will undertake an alternative pathway. Pupils will complete nationally and industry-recognised awards and qualifications, developing a personalised portfolio to include GCSE, approved high-value vocational qualifications and Entry Level and pre-GCSE courses to ensure they are meaningful for pupils and support their next steps.

Subjects studied at Key Stage 5

At KS5, students may study up to four A-Level courses or complete a full-time vocational programme (equivalent to three A Levels).

Subject A Level or BTEC Exam Board
Arabic A Level Edexcel
Biology A Level OCR
Chemistry A Level OCR
Computer Science A Level OCR
English Language A Level Edexcel
English Literature A Level AQA
Government & Politics A Level Edexcel
History A Level AQA
Mathematics A Level AQA
Psychology A Level AQA
Religious Studies A Level EDUQAS
Sociology A Level AQA
Urdu A Level Edexcel
Core Maths Level 3 (equivalent to AS level) AQA
Extended Project Qualification Level 3 (equivalent to AS Level) AQA
Applied Science Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma Edexcel
Health and Social Care Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma Edexcel

For more information on our Sixth Form curriculum, please see our prospectus.

For more information on our curriculum, please contact:

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