The Curriculum

In Key Stage 3, all students follow the National Curriculum which is further enhanced by frequent opportunities for students to participate in exciting enrichment activities, not the least because of our well established partnership with local Higher Education Institutions, including Liverpool Hope University and Edge Hill.

All students study:

English
Mathematics
Science
Technology
Information Technology
French or Spanish
History
Geography
Religious Education
Art
Music
Dance
Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education
PE (2 hours of high quality PE)

In year 10 and 11, all students continue with:

English
Mathematics
Science
Information Technology
Religious Education
Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education
PE (2 hours of high quality PE)

In addition, they can choose three other subjects from:

GCSE

Art & Design
Business Studies
Business & Communication Systems
Catering
Dance
Design & Technology
Drama
Food Technology/ Catering
Geography
History
Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
Modern Foreign Languages
Music
Sociology

Vocational Subjects

Art & Design
Construction
ICT
Performing Arts
Sport
Travel & Tourism

Whichever route they take, students are all able to gain a minimum of the equivalent of 5 GCSE grades A* to G. However, options are such that it is possible for students to gain significantly more qualifications at 16-plus than is the standard number nationwide, indeed as many as 14.

During Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), all students engage Work-Related Learning across the curriculum, as well as following a programme of Careers Education Guidance, which is led by a team of subject specialists and which involves outside agencies such as Connexions. In Year 11, all students complete a week's Work Experience as part of their educational entitlement.

One group of students in both Years 10 and 11 will study GCSE in all three separate Sciences. One group of students will also study our Building and Construction course.

How will my child choose subjects to study in years 10 and 11?

During the Spring of Year 9, students and their parents are given comprehensive information and guidance about individual choices to be made about precisely which combination of subjects to study between the ages of 14 and 19, with provision being made for both vocational and traditional courses. Parents are asked to play a key role, in partnership with staff, to help the students make the best decisions.

A booklet explaining the courses is produced annually. You and your child are invited to meet the staff one evening for information and discussion. Subject teachers and form tutors are involved in a program of guidance for students and we are happy to discuss any queries with parents individually.