Our broad and balanced curriculum enables children to build towards excellent academic achievement whilst ensuring that their broader skills of communication, teamwork and leadership are explored through the sporting, musical, dramatic and extra-curricular opportunities available. A joint vision for our pupils between the Preparatory and Senior Schools encourages children to throw themselves into school life, but is mindful of ensuring that their time is balanced and that they are not overloaded.
Year 7 to Remove (Year 9)
British National Curriculum
Pupils follow the ‘British National Curriculum’ and all overseas students take part in lessons with our British students. All lessons are conducted in English so it is essential that overseas pupils have a reasonable level of written and spoken English.
Lower Fifth (Year 10) to Upper Fifth (Year 11)
GCSE Courses
Pupil's take the ‘General Certificate of Secondary Education’ (GCSE), studying a total of between 7 – 9 subjects, some of which are compulsory and some optional subjects, working towards public examinations at the end of the second year. Students are also required to complete coursework, (not under examination conditions) which is marked and the grades count towards their overall mark.
At this level the emphasis of the curriculum is on retaining breadth. The core subjects are English (Language and Literature), Mathematics, Science and Religious Studies. Top sets take Triple Award Science and other pupils take Dual Award Science. In addition, pupils take further subjects which are selected from the following:
Other elements within the curriculum are: Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHEE), Careers, Sport, Music, Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Technical Theatre.
Lower Sixth (Year 12) to Upper Sixth (Year 13)
A-Level Courses
In the Sixth Form, students take ‘A level courses’ which are required for entry to university. All students take three subjects. Students can choose which combination of subjects they wish to study and the Principal, subject teachers and the Careers Co-ordinator all provide advice on which combination of subjects are required for specific university courses. There are public examinations at the end of the Lower and Upper Sixth with results published in mid-August each year.
In the Lower Sixth Form, pupils study four, or occasionally more, Advanced Subsidiary subjects. Pupils are advised about suitable combinations of subjects before the March deadline and every effort is made to timetable all requested combinations without constraints.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Pupils may also take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This enables them to extend their academic interests and to develop some of the skills useful for university. This qualification, worth half an A Level, is highly regarded by universities and is aimed primarily at those students who are most able to take on additional study alongside their A Levels.
Destinations of Leavers
We are very proud that, every year, all our Sixth Form leavers go on to the best universities, specialist art or music colleges or workplace training programmes to gain the qualifications they need for the careers they wish to follow. See our recent destinations of leavers.