Subjects

In addition to teaching our Faith and the National Curriculum, we offer a range of individually tailored educational pathways from the vocational to early entry in the traditional academic GCSE through to A/S level. The school teaching policy lays particular stress on the importance of literacy, of numeracy, and of ICT and communication skills.

Curriculum Structure

In Year Seven pupils are taught in mixed ability groups, although they are setted in Mathematics according to ability. In Year 8, setting occurs in English, Mathematics, Science and Modern Languages. All year nine pupils are offered the opportunity to access the key stage 4 curriculum through GCSE in Art and Design, ICT and Statistics. In Year Nine, setting occurs in all subjects other than Physical Education and the creative subjects. All National Curriculum subjects are taught, and fully equipped specialist rooms are used for Information Technology, Design Technology, Science, Music and Modern Languages. Arts College Status has enabled us to transform the facilities in this area.

In Years 10 and 11 we continue to offer the Core Subjects of English, Mathematics and Science plus Religious Education, Personal, Social and Health Education, and Citizenship. Additionally, all pupils are offered an extremely wide range of Options including: History, Geography, French, Spanish, PE, (additional to core), Business Studies, Graphics, Systems and Control, Information and Communication Technology, Art, Resistant Materials, Music, Food Studies, Child Development, Photography, Media Studies, Drama, Dual Award Science, BTEC Construction and BTEC Art and Design.

We believe that all children have a right to equal opportunities. It is school policy to enter all pupils for external examinations.

Teaching our pupils to accept responsibility and to make sensible decisions is important and our Year Ten and Year Eleven pupils attend consultation evenings with their parents to discuss progress with their subject teachers and to set targets.

Many of our pupils go on to Further Education and to University.