Key Stage 4 (Year 10 & 11)
Pupils in Key Stage 4 study a broad and balanced curriculum that is centred on a core offering of Religious Education, English Language, English Literature, mathematics, science (combined or separate), geography and/or history and Spanish. This combination of subjects forms the English baccalaureate (EBacc) and highlights our determination to offer a Key Stage 4 curriculum that is ambitious for all. The EBacc is made up of subjects which are considered essential to opening up future pathways beyond KS4 by enabling pupils to access the widest range of courses post-16. Physical Education for all pupils completes our core offer.
Alongside our core offer, pupils also have the opportunity to study from a range of other subjects to maintain a broad and balanced curriculum. Pupils are free to choose from the following subjects:
Building Knowledge and Skills
The curriculum at Key Stage 4 is designed to continue to build upon the foundations of knowledge students have learned at Key Stage 3 alongside the application of this knowledge to a broad range of increasingly complex problems. Where appropriate, skills will be explicitly taught and practised. Skills such as evaluation, analysis, synthesis and creativity are taught more explicitly at Key Stage 4 alongside the progression of core content.
As with Key Stage 3, we maintain high expectations in Key Stage 4 and apply the same rigour to our quality of education and personal development. The same priority is given to:
1. Reading
2. Disciplinary knowledge
3. Cultural capital
4. Extra-curricular activities
5. Careers
All students in Year 10 have a week of work experience during Enrichment Week. Pupils are encouraged to be focused on their future aspirations and we provide them with an up-to-date view of the labour market, both locally and on a broader scale. We help to facilitate this through expert advice and guidance provided throughout Year 10.
Behaviour and character education is taught as a distinct curriculum through our highly developed SAINT programme.
The Timetable
We offer a 50-period, two-week timetable – 25 periods in Week A and 25 periods in Week B. There are five lesson per day and each lesson lasts for one hour.
