Year 9 & GCSE Curriculum

View a selection of our GCSE 2021 & 2022 success stories below. 

Year 9

In Year 9 pupils study up to eighteen subjects over a two week timetable of 58 periods. The aim is to provide a broad, balanced curriculum which allows pupils to experience a wide range of subjects, some of which may not have been offered during their earlier schooling. Each lesson is 55 minutes in length apart from those on a Saturday morning, which last for 50 minutes.

GCSE

The aim for Years 10 and 11 is to follow a curriculum based on a ‘core’ of English, Maths and Science and four ‘options’ that ensures a broadly balanced programme for all pupils, without inhibiting the specialisation required for a variety of Sixth Form courses.

In Years 10 and 11, every pupil studies English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Science. There are two routes through Science GCSE: pupils can choose to study separate Sciences, in which case they must choose Science as one of their ‘option’ subjects; otherwise, they will study Combined Science: Trilogy (worth two GCSEs). The remaining four optional subjects allow the opportunity for pupils to tailor their programme to suit their abilities and intentions for further study. The framework within the options ensures that a balanced curriculum is followed. In certain circumstances a pupil will be advised to take three rather than four optional subjects so that additional time may be spent on supporting their core subjects. In Years 10 and 11 pupils also follow non-examined courses in Physical Education and PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education).

Each pupil should choose four optional subjects ensuring that they meet the requirements of the two restrictions placed on the choice.

1. One of the following Modern Foreign Languages must be chosen: French, German, Spanish, and Latin

2. A humanities subject must be chosen: Classical Civilisation, Geography, History, Latin, and Theology, Ethics and Philosophy (Religious Studies)

The remaining two choices can be selected from: Art and Design, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design and Technology (Resistant Materials), Drama, French, Geography, German, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Theology, Ethics and Philosophy (Religious Studies), Science (for Separate Sciences), and Spanish

Support for Learning (SfL) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) are also available as an optional subject for those pupils who need them. Opting for SfL means that additional time may be spent on supporting the core subjects. This option may be selected upon recommendations from the SfL department. EAL should be chosen by those pupils whose native language is other than English.