Evolution of the Curriculum

We have shaped our Year 9 offer to provide students with the opportunity to choose part of their core curriculum and embark on one level 2 course, which will be assessed at the end of Year 10.  In Year 9, students will continue with their KS3 core curriculum of English, maths, science, history, geography, a modern foreign language, RE and PE.  They will also choose 2 further subjects from design, performing arts, computer science or (for dual linguists) an additional language to ensure that they have a broad and balanced curriculum.  Students in Year 8 will choose this option subject in consultation with parents and their tutor.

There are many advantages to this approach:

    • Providing students with an early opportunity to develop skills that will benefit all their studies
    • Affording a chance for early level 2 success so building a student’s confidence and self-belief for year 11
    • A reduction in the number of level 2 qualifications studied in year 11 will decrease the feelings of anxiety and stress that some students experience in the run up to exams
    • Allowing a sharper focus on the remaining level 2 qualifications in year 11.

In KS4, most students will study for an additional 9 level 2 qualifications.  Our pathways encourage students to fulfil the EBacc, as these subjects ensure that all doors to future careers remain open and provide a broad and balanced curriculum.  In addition to the core subjects of English (literature and language), maths, double award science, history/geography, RE, MFL, students can also select an additional option subject.

The allocation of lessons in key stages 3 and 4 will be as follows:

 

Subjects

Number of lessons

Year 7/8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

English

5

4

5

4

Maths

5

4

4

4

Science

4

4

5

6

MFL

3

3

3

3

History

2

2

3

3

Geography

2

2

Design

2

Students choose 2 –

2 lessons each

-

-

PA

2

-

-

Computing

1

-

-

Second language

-

          

                 

RE

1

1

2

2

PE

2

2

2

2

Resilience/ML

1

-

-

-

Option 1 (9-10)

-

4

3

-

Option 2 (10-11)

-

-

3

3

 

Knowledge Organisers
Year 7 Knowledge Organisers

For more able students, there are also opportunities to undertake triple science or further maths.  Again, students and their parents/carers are provided with an individual appointment to ensure that students are selecting pathways and courses that suit their needs.