Academic and Pastoral Programme
Students are excited to study the subjects they chose towards the end of Year 9. Please click here for the GSCE Options booklet which gives more information about the GCSE examination courses.
In Key Stage 4, some of the subjects studied will be compulsory while others can be chosen from a list of options. The compulsory subjects, that lead to 9 GCSEs are:
- English Language
- English Literature
- Mathematics
- Science (Triple Certification in Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
- One from French or German or Spanish or Latin
- One from Geography or History or Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation
- One from Art or Design & Technology or Drama or Music
Depending on staffing and numbers we hope to offer, in addition, one further option to be studied to GCSE from the following list, leading to 10 GCSEs in total:
- Art
- Classical Civilisation
- Computer Science
- Design and Technology
- French
- German
- Latin
- Religious Studies
- Drama
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Spanish
PE and PSHE are also taught throughout Key Stage 4, and are non-examination subjects.
The tutorial programme for KS4 is focused on discussions about current affairs and cultural events within their forms. Assemblies are wide-ranging in content; they are usually delivered weekly to each year group, although some combined Key Stage assemblies are held to mark key events. A weekly bulletin is used to give the girls a summary of the forthcoming week’s activities.
The Heads of Key Stage 4 are Mrs Karmjit Regan and Miss Jessica Rodwell and they have an overall responsibility for the girls’ academic and pastoral progress. The girls are welcome to go to see them at any time with queries or concerns of any nature.
If you have any enquiries about the Curriculum, please contact the Deputy Head, Mrs M Watts, via [email protected].
Extra-curricular
Although the girls must be prepared for an increased workload in Key Stage 4 and some additional pressure from controlled assessments in several subjects, they should also look forward to an exciting programme of extra-curricular activities specific to them. In Year 10, all girls will participate in a Jack Petchey Speakout Challenge workshop with an external trainer to hone their presentation skills, as well as a debating competition. During enrichment week in the Autumn Term the girls are provided with a ‘carousel’ of external speakers. Past programmes have included talks from authors, lawyers, engineers, art historians, nutritionists and Professor Robert Winston, as well as interactive workshops on cooking, creative thinking and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Both year groups are encouraged to take part in the Key Stage 4 play and many girls start working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award. They are also encouraged, through the Spring Term enrichment programme, to take part in volunteering activities amongst the local community.
There are many opportunities for foreign trips during Key Stage 4, including French and German exchanges and a trip to Seville. In recent years a group residential trip takes place at the end of Year 10.
Transition to KS5
There are increased opportunities for girls to take on leadership roles: Year 10 are the Sports Day ‘captains’ and the Year 11 class reps. take responsibility for organising their end of year Prom, yearbook and leavers’ hoodies.
At the end of Year 11 the girls participate in two weeks’ work experience, on placements that they work hard to secure themselves.
A key element of Year 11 is preparation for Key Stage 5 and girls attend subject talks from teachers and students, a careers fair and interactive sessions with a careers adviser and other external guests; all the information they need to help them make their AS subject choices and begin to think about their futures beyond school.