Embedded Files
Curriculum Structure
Curriculum Structure
The educational landscape has undergone significant change and development in recent years. Changes from central government which affect your child’s education include the introduction of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) and Progress 8 as performance measures, additional marks for SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) in all subjects, a new GCSE grading system with grades from to 9-1 and new-specification GCSE courses in all subjects which are more challenging, with reduced proportions of coursework and controlled assessment.
In addition, we have seen the abolition of modular exams for all courses and a return to traditional, linear courses with the emphasis on exam performance at the end.
The table below shows the new grading structure of GCSEs, compared to the old A*-G system that many parents may be more familiar with: New GCSE Grades 9-1
Your child will follow a curriculum that consists of core subjects that all students will follow and a number of options subjects which your child can select.
The core, compulsory subjects are: English Language and Literature, Maths, Science, and Physical Education. Students will also experience a number of Personal Development days over the two years of Key Stage 4, where they will learn important life and learning skills and cover compulsory curriculum elements such as careers support and work experience, drug and alcohol awareness and sex and relationships education.
For Science, students will choose between Combined Science, a double-award course which covers all three Science disciplines and is worth two GCSEs, or three separate GCSE courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Both of these Science routes are strong, academic options and can lead students to study Science at A-level and beyond. The separate Science GCSEs are recommended for those who have a strong interest in Science and science-based careers, such as Medicine or Engineering.
Among the non-compulsory subjects, there are two main course types on offer:
1. GCSE courses: These are traditional, academic courses, which are graded 9-1.
2. BTEC Level 2 courses: BTECs are a vocational alternative to GCSEs. They cover similar content, but are assessed differently, with a greater coursework component that makes them more accessible for many students.
Your child’s choice of subjects will be guided by their current achievement levels.
For example, our most able and high-achieving students will be steered towards subjects that fulfil the EBacc: History or Geography, and a foreign language.
The vast majority of students will follow a Progress 8 curriculum to ensure breadth and balance in their studies and maximum opportunities post-16; these students will study History, Geography, a foreign language, Separate Sciences or Computing as one of their options choices.
Students needing more support and a more accessible curriculum will have the opportunity to select more vocational qualifications, while others will have a balanced choice with elements of both of these pathways.
Sample KS4 timetable
Sample KS4 timetable
Note to Parents
Note to Parents
Please note that we will do everything possible to run all courses that are on offer in this booklet, but whether a course goes ahead in September 2023 will depend upon the number of students who choose it. If a limited number of students choose an option, it may not be possible for us to run the course.
Additionally, both parents and students should be aware that options choices will include limitations, both in terms of the courses that are open to each student based on their ability, and in terms of the subjects that can be chosen together according to the option blocks. It is important that families plan realistically and flexibly, with reserve choices in mind.
Page updated
Report abuse