Curriculum

Curriculum Structure

Our curriculum for Key Stage 5 reflects the interests and skills of our students. We cater mainly for Level 3 programmes of study but also offer a small range of Level 2 learning for those students who are not yet ready for the demands of Level 3 study. In general students need to acquire 5 grades of 4 or better, including English and Mathematics in order to progress to Level 3 courses. However, we recognise all Level 3 courses are different and pose different challenges. Therefore each subject has a particular set of entry criteria that is relevant to that subject.

We normally group subject in 4 curriculum option blocks (Blocks A, B, C and D). Each block will comprise of around 5 or 6 different subjects. The option blocks tend to be comprised as follows;

Maths and science subjects are split up into different blocks (as we know many students will wish to study Biology and Chemistry, or Maths and Physics or perhaps another combination as preparation for a science or engineering-based degree).
Humanities subjects tend to be split up into different blocks (as we know many students particularly excel in humanities-type subjects and may wish to study more than one humanity in KS5)
Creative subjects tend to be split up into different blocks (as we know some students are particularly creative and may wish to study combinations of more than one creative subject)
Vocational courses are split up into different blocks so students can study more than one vocational course.

Of course, many students may wish to study a range of different types of course. This is a very good thing as many/most universities quite like students to develop knowledge and skills in a range of different subject areas. This keeps students' knowledge broad and is particularly appropriate if students enter KS5 without a solid intention of what degree course or career they wish to pursue in the future.

Several years ago, KS5 courses underwent significant changes. Exam syllabi were deepened and exams were made more challenging. Furthermore, most schools have now moved away from sitting AS Level exams at the end of Year 12 and instead focus on the final exams at the end of Year 13. For this reason we do not encourage students to follow a programme of 4 A levels. In short, there is no educational benefit to studying 4 A levels rather than 3 as universities base their judgements only on 3 grades. Therefore, studying more courses does not improve chances of attaining places at higher ranking universities.

Instead, we expect our most able students to pursue an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), alongside 3 Level 3 courses. The EPQ is excellent preparation for university study and higher ranking institutions expects to see top applicants attaining a good EPQ grade.

Enrichment

School isn't just about passing exams. We seek to develop well rounded individuals who have a diversity of interests. In order to help to achieve this we give students access to an enrichment programme that covers a diversity of different interest areas. This complements students' academic study at school and helps them to build a wider portfolio of skills. For our more academically able students we have the opportunity to undertake an EPQ. This course offers students an opportunity to work in a way that is very similar to higher level study and is, thus, excellent preparation for applications to selective institutions. Alternatively students may wish to pursue a Duke of Edinburgh Award. Students are able to achieve a Bronze Award in Year 12 and progress to Silver in Year 13. Additionally students may choose to improve their business skills through the Dragon's Den-type activities in the Enterprise group, learn cooking skills for university, develop their film and literature appreciation, undertake additional art work, broaden their musical horizons or partake in Sport & Fitness.