Curriculum
Starting at Year 9 (age 13), pupils join and complete one year of study before progressing into Year 10 when the GCSE course commences and exams are taken at the end of Year 11.
In Year 10 and 11, pupils study the core subjects of English language, English Literature, mathematics and the sciences. They will be guided towards either taking three separate sciences, counting as three GCSEs, or the combined award science course, which counts as two GCSEs.
Pupils choose three or four optional subjects at GCSE, depending on which science route they follow. There is plenty of advice available on which subjects to choose from Houseparents, tutors, subject teachers and Heads of Department.
PRE-A-LEVEL PROGRAMME
This course is specifically designed for international pupils to get the most out of their year abroad. The course is fully aligned with GCSE classes and offers a focus on core subjects as well as choosing a humanity, language and creative option.
Pupils will be full-time boarders, part into the school’s six houses. Each pupil will be closely supervised by a dedicated and experienced tutor. Timetabled and supervised study periods will help pupils to make excellent academic progress.
Those who complete the course and gain sufficiently high grades will be able, if they wish, to stay on and join the school’s outstanding Sixth Form to study A-levels.
A-LEVELS
Is a two-year linear course starting in Lower Sixth (age 16). Pupils pick three or four A-level subjects to focus on over the two years, but may choose to drop to three at any stage in the first year of the course.
The extended project qualification (EPQ) will be available to all. Pupils taking three A-levels will be strongly encouraged to do an EPQ. There is also a skills/extended project/lecture timetable block, which allow us to make academic enrichment a core aspect of the Sixth Form experience.
BTEC COURSES
Our BTEC programme is a full-time course which can also be taken in conjunction with one other A-level. We offer BTEC courses in Sport (up to the Extended Diploma) and Business (up to the Diploma). Many pupils take a combination of the two courses to build a full Extended Diploma portfolio.
EAL
EAL pupils benefit from individually tailored learning programmes and specialist teaching so that they can participate fully in the classroom environment and the boarding house. Within the first week of term all international pupils are assessed on their level of English, to establish the support they may require within their timetables.
Our primary goal is to encourage pupils to become effective independent learners by understanding their difficulties; finding strategies to overcome these and building on their strengths to raise their self-esteem.
All pupils that have English as a second language complete a Cambridge First Certificate. Pupils in Sixth Form are given lessons focused on enabling them to achieve IELTS level 7 or higher, as required by UK universities.
FIRST LANGUAGE COURSES
Pupils are able to take exams within their own language. Our Modern Foreign Languages department offers support for pupils to take exams within their first language, enabling them to achieve additional qualifications at both GCSE and A-level.
