Upper School Curriculum

At the Upper School the school day runs from 08.45 – 16.10.  The school day starts and finishes with form time.  Lessons are 50 minutes long with natural breaks between classes as students move to their next lesson and three breaks through the day including lunchtime.  

Key Stage 3:  each class is offered a broad curriculum:

Key Stage 4:  students select their options in addition to a core curriculum of:

With current option selections of:

• Geography or History
• Music or Media
• PE or Art

 Pathways & Accreditation

In the Upper School we follow a GCSE curriculum in most classes with the opportunity within the class group for students to take either Entry or Functional Skills qualifications.  This may be a choice on their way to GCSE or instead of GCSE dependent on their ability in that subject and their resilience for sitting examinations.   Many of our students have a spiky profile in their learning so can study at different levels in different subjects.  This offers the greatest flexibility and opportunity for them to reach their full potential.

 From Year 9 we usually stream our English and Maths groups to focus on either a functional skills or GCSE pathway.  It is also at this point that the students choose their options for study.

 Currently, the school uses Edexcel , AQA and WJEC as exam boards.  We accredit using GCSE, Functional Skills or Entry Level as appropriate.