Key Stage 3 (Year 9 Transition)

Year 9 is considered to be a transition year as students do not begin their GCSE courses until Year 10, with the exception of maths. At Bishop Walsh Catholic School our curriculum is ambitious and challenging for all students. Our Year 9 curriculum is designed so that the students will study additional knowledge and skills that widens their breadth of subject knowledge, thereby ensuring that our curriculum is not prematurely narrowed.

All groups are mixed ability with the exception of maths.  Pupils will study GCSE maths in teaching groups B1, B2, B3, W1, W2 & W3.  These groups are hierarchical and are based on attainment data from Year 8.  Maths teaching sets are kept under constant review during Year 9 by our KS4 maths lead and head of department.