Academic Life

Extensive and exciting educational opportunities continue for all students within the Senior Department and our team of specialist teachers ensure a lively and stimulating learning environment.

Our broad, balanced curriculum enables students of all abilities to achieve success. By learning the skills required for independent study, students are also prepared for the opportunities and responsibilities that lie ahead. Small classes throughout the Senior Department ensure that each student receives individual attention. Students are encouraged to achieve success in both academic and extracurricular areas with support from our dedicated staff. Our teachers employ a variety of teaching methods to support each student’s talents and interests, so they gain the work at the level of which they are capable.

In Years 7 & 8, students study English, Mathematics, Science, French, Spanish and German, History, Geography, Personal and Social Education, Religious Education, Design and Technology, Food Technology, Art, Music, Drama, Computer Science, Business Studies, Physical Education and Games. 

In Year 9, students choose their GCSE Options, allowing a three year course of study and the opportunity to study the subjects that they most enjoy.  Our GCSE Options encompass all of the subjects listed above and in addition we offer: Psychology, Dance, Travel and Tourism.  All students start by studying towards the three separate Sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, although some eventually elect to sit the double award, Combined Science, rather than the triple, individually awarded qualifications.  Decisions are made on a pupil by pupil basis.  We offer a certification in Further Maths, by invitation only, for our top set students.

A full range of facilities supports the delivery of our curriculum including a large sports hall, fully equipped ICT suites, purpose-built Food Technology and Design and Technology rooms as well as a Modern Foreign Languages block, Dance and Drama studio and Music House.