Key Stage 4 (Year 10 & 11)

At Key Stage 4 all our students study the core academic subjects at GCSE: RE, English, English Literature, mathematics and combined science. Achieving good passes in these subjects keeps students’ options open, and allows them to enter the widest ranges of careers and university courses.

●        At Key Stage 4 students study a minimum of 9 subjects: the core academic subjects, and three option subjects. This is both academically challenging as well as offering a wide breadth of study.  Pupils can opt to study three from the following GCSE subjects: separate science, history, geography, French, Spanish, computer science, art, media, food, PE, business, music, fashion, dance, drama and core extension. Additionally, pupils can opt to study from the following Level 2 vocational qualifications: child development, information technology, physical education & business.

●        Appropriate time is given to these subjects to allow for the full delivery of the syllabi and wider subject content to all students.

●        All subjects continue to promote a knowledge approach to the curriculum. The knowledge students are expected to know is specified in all subjects. This knowledge forms the foundations for curriculum planning including the schemes of work, home learning and assessments. In Key Stage 4 students develop how to apply their knowledge with more extended writing or problem solving tasks.

●        Students are well supported through the option process to ensure they are on pathways that allow the greatest chance of academic success. We design the option blocks so that there is maximum flexibility of choice.

●        Students are appropriately guided to whether they study combined science or separate science.

●        For the core subjects, pupils will be in one of seven teaching sets – B1, B2, B3, B4, W1, W2 & W3.  Our B band is Bishop and our W band is Walsh.  These teaching sets are hierarchical and are determined by our maths and science departments. 

●        The SAINT programme is designed to develop students’ spiritual, moral, social, cultural and vocational development as well as understanding British values and culture.

●        The extra-curricular programme continues to enrich students learning, opening opportunities to experiences that broaden students’ horizons. The programme also includes GCSE support and exam preparation after the autumn term in Year 11.

●        The timetable for Key Stage 4 is based on a two-week cycle and comprises of a 25 period week with 5 one-hour periods per day.

The full list of GCSE subjects available to the students are listed below:

In addition to the core subjects there will be opportunities to learn and put into practice the knowledge and skills related to work related learning and enterprise. These will take place across the curriculum within different subjects and activities. They provide students with an experience of working life and help them learn about working practices, the work environment and developing skills for working life. As a school we feel work experience is an essential aspect of students’ development and aim to support them in an ever increasing competitive world of work. We strongly support and encourage our students to broaden horizons and pursue their dreams. Consequently, all Year 10 students have a week of work experience during the summer term.