The School
Curriculum
A comprehensive school offers special opportunities and poses special challenges. For example, in schemes of work it gives us a chance to avoid making rigid decisions at eleven-plus or even later. Our principal aim is to ensure that students, whatever their abilities, develop at their own best pace.
Our priority is the provision of a challenging curriculum, which is up to date, suited to the needs of the students and under constant review. Our approach to the National Curriculum is to ensure breadth, balance and choice. In Year 7, all students are taught in their mixed-ability tutor group, apart from maths, with support in some classes provided by the Learning Support Department. During this improtant first year, we carefully assess the future educational needs of each child and monitor their progress. In Years 8 and 9, students are setted in each subject according to ability and continue to study the full range of National Curriculum subjects.
However, whereas all of Year 7 studies French only, over two thrids begin to study a second Modern Language, German or Spanishy, ini Year 8. Emphasis is placed on Information Technology throughout Key Stage 3. Every studetn has an hour a week to gain experience in of word processing, spreadsheets, databases, computer-aided design and creation.
In Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) the school offers a curriculum which leaves all future academic and career options open. It is possible to take 10 GCSE courses. There is a choice of options in addition to the core of Science, Maths, English, Design Technology and Core Studies. Throughout their time at School, students follow a programme of personal, social and health education which offers guidance and support in well being and vocational matters. The Careers Guidance programme starts in Year 7 and continues throughout the school. Students will receive guidance from the Connexions Service at Key Stage 4. In Year 10, all students have one week's work experience. The school's commitment to Careers Guidance was recognised in 1997 and 2003 with the Investor in Careers Award.
We have a policy of supporting students with learning difficulties. Following careful screening by the Learning Support Department in September, specialist support is provided where required. This Department has a well-deserved reputation for its excellent work but the school places equal importance on providing enrichment opportunities for those students idenntified as being more able.
Each year our excellent examination results and value-added performance rank us as one of the most successful schools both locally and nationally. In 2005 we were one of only 46 schools named in the annual OFSTED report to parliament as providing a consistenly high standard of education.