Key Stage 3 (KS3) comprises of years 7, 8 and 9, with KS4 being Years 10 and 11.
Our curriculum provides students with exciting learning experiences that are designed to fit the needs of all. Every subject is rich in the development of knowledge and skills and leads towards qualifications needed to succeed in life.
The timetable is 58 periods over 2 weeks with each lesson 50 minutes long. There is a form period of 15 minutes at the beginning of each morning. Break (15 mins) is between and lunch (25 mins). The school day starts at 8:20 am and finishes at 2:40 pm.
Students are taught in groups set by ability according to their Key Stage 2 average scores in the core subjects. There is flexibility in the system as students can be moved between progress groups if this is deemed appropriate following the outcomes from regular key assessment points. Such organisation means that personalised learning is more effective and intervention is more efficient. There is a broad balance of traditional and vocational courses, including carefully chosen courses giving students a wide range of opportunities to gain qualifications.
At the end of Year 9, students choose from Guided Destinations blocks, where a mix of GCSEs and Vocational qualifications are on offer. In every case, decisions are ‘guided’ by the subject teachers and data is examined to ensure students are maximising their chances of getting the best possible grades, leading them onto appropriate Post 16 courses.
The curriculum offer is reviewed every year to ensure that we continue to provide a personalised curriculum that offers both breadth and academic rigour, whilst maximizing opportunities for progression to Post-16 education.