Academic and Pastoral Programme
Students are excited to study the eleven subjects they chose towards the end of Year 9. Compulsory subjects are English (comprising English and English Literature), Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as one modern foreign language, either Geography or History, and one creative subject (Drama, Music, Art or Design and Technology) and two free options from any in the list above, or Religious Education, Latin, Classical Greek or Computing, up to a recommended maximum of two Modern Foreign Languages, The students also have weekly PE and PSCHE (Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education) lessons.
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 Acting 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.