Curriculum

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Our Curriculum is designed to:

• be broad, balanced, comprehensive and accessible to all students. 
• deliver opportunities for students to gain useful, transferable skills whilst also acquiring relevant knowledge.
• be ambitious, enabling high standards of academic achievement where outcomes empower students to progress to Higher Education.
• afford opportunities for all students to develop high levels of literacy and numeracy required for success in the wider curriculum and in adult life. 

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Personal Development

Our curriculum is underpinned by principles of Personal Development; we want our students to clearly understand how to keep themselves (and others) safe and healthy (online and offline), to be accepting of diversity, to show empathy and kindness, and to make a positive contribution to their school, local, and wider communities.

Our curriculum provides a range of spiritual, moral, social and cultural opportunities which promote students’ sense of moral and social responsibility. Students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive and develop as healthy individuals and good citizens, with the strength of character and resilience that will help them to cope with choices and overcome the challenges they are likely to encounter in life. 

Our Careers Education, Information and Guidance provision supports our students to make appropriate choices and provides a wide range of opportunities and experiences to inspire students to succeed in the next stage in their education, training or employment. 

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Key Stage Three

The following number of one-hour lessons is taught in each subject per fortnight throughout years 7-9.

Subject	Number of lessons per fortnight
	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
English	8	8	8
Maths	7	8	8
Science	8	8	8
Modern Foreign Languages	6	6	6
Geography	3	3	3
History	3	3	3
Religious Studies, Self and Society	3	3	3
Art	3	2	2
Drama	2	2	2
Design & Technology	2	2	2
Food Technology	1	1	1
Physical Education	4	4	4

^{*MFL: French, Spanish and German are taught in year 7. Students select two of these to continue into Year 8 and one to continue into Year 9}

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For further details please see individual subject department pages

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Key Stage Four

In Years 10 and 11, students follow a common core curriculum; all students study for GCSEs in Mathematics, English Language, English Literature and Science (Double or Triple award). All students Also have lessons in PE and Religious Studies, Self and Society.

Additionally, students select from a range of ‘option’ subjects.

Every year, GCSE option subjects are selected in response to students’ aptitudes and the school’s commitment to the EBacc portfolio. We are committed to offering a broad and balanced curriculum which is appropriate to the needs of all of our learners.

The following GCSEs are currently taught at Key Stage 4
Mathematics	English Language	English Literature
Science ‘Trilogy’ (Double Award)	Biology	Chemistry
Physics	History	Geography
Religious Studies	French	German
Drama	Art	Fashion & Textiles
Photography	Business Studies	Physical Education
Design and Technology	Food and Nutrition	Computer Science
The following Vocational or Level 1 / 2 qualifications are currently taught at Key Stage 4
·       Level 1 & 2 Health and Social Care ·       Level 1 ABC Certificate Horticulture ·       Level 1 ABC Award / Certificate Motor Vehicle Studies (Motorcycle Pathways)

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