The Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that every child is successful in their studies and has the opportunity to learn knowledge and skills from a broad range of subjects. We balance a keen focus on examination success with a desire to engender a love of learning.

Achievement and progress in class, homework, assessments and examinations are used to inform setting arrangements, which are reviewed on a termly basis. Parents and carers receive regular reports, at least termly, and more frequently in Year 11.

Lower School

In the Lower School (Years 7 to 9), all pupils follow a core curriculum of English, maths, science, geography, history, religious studies, PE, PAL (preparation for adult life) and a modern foreign language (French, German, Spanish or Mandarin). In Years 7 and 8 pupils also study drama, music, art and design technology as part of the core curriculum.  At the end of Year 8, all pupils sit the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) 13+ exam. The ISEB examinations are used to assess pupils’ progress in the Lower School and to help inform their decisions about GCSE options when they make them in Year 9. Sitting an external examination at this stage not only provides a benchmark for achievement and progress but also enables pupils to learn key skills such as how to revise and organise work ahead of the GCSE examinations in Year 11.  In Year 9, pupils also follow a course of Liberal Arts that aims to enrich their understanding of the world. Pupils choose from a range of creative modules which includes Ceramics, CAD CAM, Produce and Compose a Track, Performing Arts, Model United Nations and many more.

Please see the curriculum information within the Curriculum Atlas page.

Upper School

In the Upper School (Years 10 and 11) pupils prepare for nine examination subjects: a core of mathematics, English language, English literature, and combined science; at least one of history, geography or a foreign language; and three other option subjects. This enables pupils to take more than one humanities subject, more than one language, triple science or more than one arts/creative subject if they wish. A small number of pupils may wish to take additional GCSEs, including Astronomy and further languages as extension activities.

Physical Education and PAL (preparation for adult life) are also part of the core curriculum for all. The latter includes a comprehensive Careers Education programme with input from a specialist Careers Advisor.

‘Dropdown’ lessons and half days in the Upper School enable pupils to explore themes such as globalization and preparation for work in partnership with Deloitte Consulting who have a long-standing relationship with the Academy.

Please see the Curriculum Information Booklets for Years 10 & 11 attached.

Sixth Form

The Academy’s highly successful Sixth Form is entirely academically selective.                                                         23 A Levels are offered and details of both the entry requirements and subjects offered can be found in the Sixth Form Prospectus.