Curriculum

Years 7 and 8 curriculum - Threshold Curriculum

Students in Year 7 and 8 follow our ‘Threshold Curriculum' where deeper learning and understanding is promoted in each subject area. 

Our Threshold Curriculum builds on the Key Stage 2 primary curriculum and provides the foundation for academic success in later examinations. It places the most fundamental parts of each subject at the core of learning in lessons. 

Students study a variety of challenging and engaging topics that are built around the key ideas and skills they need to progress in each subject. These are called the Threshold Concepts.

Learning is structured in three cycles throughout the year. Each cycle is composed of three key areas to ensure students are given time to reflect and respond to feedback from assessments.

Feedback/Response

Students will receive feedback during their lessons, as part of the third phase of the learning cycle. This means that whatever the scores achieved, students will have the opportunity to reflect on their work and complete tasks that will close any gaps in their knowledge in the last two weeks of each cycle.

Target Setting

We do not set targets for students in Year 7 or Year 8. Instead, we believe that feedback on how to improve should be the focus of students’ efforts. This approach ensures that students are always looking for ways to improve and do not feel constrained by a target. 

Knowledge Organisers

Year 9 curriculum - Bridging Curriculum

Year 9 follows a Bridging Curriculum. This provides an introduction to GCSE, using GCSE descriptors and skills without specifically covering GCSE content. 

Students are assessed using the new 9-1 levels. Assessments inform judgements about how well students are performing in relation to milestone targets to enable good progress towards their eventual GCSE targets. 

This bridging year provides an essential grounding in GCSE principles, prior to Key Stage 4, allowing our students to transition easily into the demands of full GCSE content.

Targets are set for the end of Year 9, using a ‘milestone’ target. This target is set to challenge students and if met, it will see students meet or exceed their GCSE target which they will receive in Year 10.

Learning is structured in three cycles during the year. Each cycle is composed of three key areas which are outlined below to ensure students are given time to reflect and respond to feedback from assessments.

Year 9 options

In Year 9, your child embarks on an exciting and challenging part of their life as they pick their options and progress into Key Stage 4. All students study English, Maths, Science and Core PE and they then choose four options subjects to study as well.

The options available are shown in this year’s options booklet here. This booklet contains information and guidance about the options process, staff to speak to and the subjects on offer. Please study the options booklet carefully to help your child make the important decision about the subjects they wish to study at Key Stage 4.

Feedback/Response

Students will receive feedback during their lessons, as part of the third phase of the learning cycle. This means that whatever the scores achieved, students will have the opportunity to reflect on their work and complete tasks that will aim to close any gaps in their knowledge in the last two weeks of each cycle.

Years 10 and 11 curriculum

In Year 10 students move into Key Stage 4 where they undertake the study of full GCSE courses or vocational qualifications. 

Some core subjects are mandatory and some are chosen through the options process. All students will study English, Maths, Science, Core Physical Education and Personal, Social and Health Education. In addition, students will also pick four options subjects to study alongside this.

GCSEs and vocational qualifications (BTECs and Cambridge Nationals) are studied across the two years of Key Stage 4.