Key Stage 4
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is deliberately flexible, with a staggered approach to specialisation which allows students to benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum, whilst beginning to focus more strongly on their academic interests and passions. We will publish curriculum guides for each subject at the beginning of the academic year.
Year 9: Breadth and the beginnings of choice
All students begin their GCSE courses for the core subjects of English Language and Literature, Mathematics and Science in Year 9. We believe that studying for these important exams across three years enables our students to develop a greater depth of understanding as well as increasing the likelihood that they will achieve the top grades.
All students also study Computer Science, History, Geography, French or Spanish, PE, PSHE and Citizenship in Year 9, and begin work on their Extended Project. They are also able to choose three other subjects which they may study just for this year or take forward into their GCSE curriculum.
Within the visual and performing arts, students choose two of: Art & Design; Product Design; Dance; Drama; Music. They also choose one of the following :
- Additional Science
- Computer Science
- Food Technology
- Italian
- PE
- Photography
- Psychology
- VCERT Business & Enterprise
Years 10 and 11: Depth of study and specialisation
From Year 10, our students are offered a wider choice of additional courses from which to build their GCSE portfolio. We work closely with each student to ensure that the choices they are making support their aims and ambitions for Key Stage 5 and beyond.
All students study English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science, PE, PSHE and Citizenship in years 10 and 11, as well as continuing to work on their Extended Project. They then choose further courses from a list which includes:
- Art & Design
- Business Studies
- Computer Science
- Dance
- Drama
- Economics
- Food Technology
- French
- Further Maths
- Geography
- History
- Italian
- Music
- Physical Education
- Product Design
- Psychology
- sociology
- Spanish
- Triple Science
Extended Project
From Year 9 onwards, students work on an Extended Project, which builds on their experience of Thematic Learning in Key Stage 3. The project is completed in a series of stages throughout Key Stage 4, culminating in assessment through a range of media.