Curriculum

Years 7-9 (Key Stage 3)

For the first three years at the School, pupils will follow a broad and challenging academic programme that closely follows the National Curriculum in KS3 that will be introduced in 2014. You can see the Key Stage 3 curriculum in detail here. 

Mathematics: Setting in Maths will begin in Year 7 from September 2014.

English: Setting in English will occur in Years 10-11 (Key Stage 4).

Latin: Latin will be compulsory in Key Stage 3.

Modern Foreign Languages: MFL will be introduced in Year 7, with scope for pupils to study up to two at GCSE or IGCSE level. Pupils will start to be set in Years 8 or 9.

Science: Setting will begin in Key Stage 4 based on whether pupils will be working towards GCSEs/IGCSEs in three separate science subjects, a dual award qualification or a single award qualification. In each case, pupils will still be taught the sciences as separate subjects.

Information and Communication Technology: ICT will be embedded in the curriculum with different subject teachers taking responsibility for the delivery of different skills and topics.

Other Key stage 3 subjects that will be taken by all pupils: History, Geography, Religious Studies, Music, Art, Drama, Physical Education and Games.

Personal Social and Health Education: PSHE will be delivered by Form Tutors.

Stretch and Support: Those pupils who need reinforcement of foundation skills in English and/or Maths in Year 7, or who will benefit from further support in Years 8 and 9, will have one or two periods a week set aside for additional support. At the same time, other pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 will take courses and attend lectures in subjects such as Politics and Philosophy.

Extended School Day: The school will be operating an extended day to enable pupils to take part in a range of activities as well as supervised study sessions. Pupils will be expected to remain in school – or attend music, drama or sports clubs nearby – until 5.00pm on Mondays to Thursdays. The School day will finish at 3.50pm on Fridays.

Years 10-11 (Key Stage 4)

As with Key Stage 3, we'll be following the new National Curriculum in Key Stage 4. You can see the draft programme of study in English, Maths and Science here. 

Core subjects: Every child at the School will study a core of subjects at GCSE or IGCSE level at Key Stage 4, including English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, History, Science (worth between one and three GCSEs/ IGCSEs, depending on the depth of study) and an Ancient or Modern Foreign language. This will lead to between six and eight GCSEs/IGCSEs, depending on the depth of Science study.

Options: Pupils will then choose a further two options from a menu that includes an additional Foreign Language, Geography, Religious Studies, Music, Art, Drama, Classical Civilisation and Ancient History.

Sport: Pupils will continue with Physical Education and Games throughout Key Stage 4.

Class Sizes

Each year group of 120 will be divided into five tutor groups of 24.

Tutor Groups

Tutor groups will operate as follows:

• In those subjects where there is no setting in Key Stage 3 (English, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Music, Art and Drama), children will be taught in their tutor groups.

• Each tutor group will be looked after by a Form Tutor who will be responsible for monitoring and supporting the academic progress of the pupils in his or her form as well as attending to their pastoral needs. Form Tutors will be the first point of contact for parents.

• There will also, eventually, be Senior Tutors for each year group who will set the pastoral and academic tone for the cohort. They will offer support to Form Tutors and to those pupils with the greatest need.

Form Tutors will have time with their forms at various points during the week to:

• Register pupils.

• Deal with pupil administration matters.

• Set targets with their tutees and monitor their progress.

• Reinforce the Habits of mind programme (see below).

• Engage pupils in other meaningful activities.

• Deliver the PSHE programme.

Houses

Pupils will also be organised vertically into four houses: Athenians, Corinthians, Olympians and Spartans.

• The house system will be the basis of intramural group competition.

• House points will be an incentive and reward for good quality work, effort and attitude.

• Teachers will be appointed to lead houses in addition to their other duties.

• There will be opportunities for pupils to meet in house groups.

• Although not directly responsible for pupil wellbeing and attainment, the housemaster/housemistress will be another source of support.

Assemblies

Assemblies will take place three times a week. There will be a whole school assembly on Mondays, including thought for the week; house assemblies on Wednesdays; and another whole school assembly on Fridays, with singing.