Senior School Curriculum

Our students pursue a broad and balanced academic curriculum, with strong provision for both arts and science subjects. This programme is underpinned by a wide range of creative and physical activities.

Subjects

 

Upper 3 - Upper 4 (Yr7 - Yr9)

All girls follow a three-year foundation course from age 11 to 14. The curriculum has been designed to provide breadth and balance whilst enabling each girl to develop her particular interests and talents and keep future options open as long as possible. It broadly embraces the spirit of the national curriculum and it is regularly reviewed to keep abreast of developments in national examinations, higher education and new technology.

Careers Guidance forms an important part of the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme in Year 9 as the girls prepare to make their GCSE choices. All subjects are taught by well-qualified, specialist teachers. Visiting speakers, day-trips and fieldwork enrich classroom studies. Language trips are organised regularly to France, Germany and Spain.

Lower 5 - Upper 5 (Yr10 - Yr11)

All girls follow a programme of study leading to ten GCSEs plus OCR Nationals ICT. On rare occasions a girl may be permitted to study more than 10 GCSE subjects; however, we feel it is important for our students to enjoy each of their subjects and to have time to take full advantage of the extra-curricular opportunities on offer. Studying for extra qualifications can cause undue pressure and are simply not necessary for moving on to A Levels and Higher Education.

To provide breadth to the curriculum there is a programme of non-examination lessons comprising Physical Education, Personal, Social & Health Education, Careers guidance, and Religious Studies/Ethics. This programme is supplemented by occasional day or half-day 'Lifeskills' sessions.

 

 

Senior School Day

For early arrivals, breakfast is available in the Dining Centre from 08.00. Girls may also work quietly in the library where they are supervised until 08.20, then in their form rooms until registration.

08.40	Registration/Tutor time/Assembly
09.15	Period 1
10.15	Break
10.35	Period 2
11.35	Period 3
12.35	Lunch Activity A
13.05	Lunch
13.20	Lunch Activity B
13.50	Period 4 with registration
14.55	Period 5
15.55	End of Day

 

After school, girls can wait for collection in the school library rooms, where they can do homework, or chat quietly to friends and play board games. The school canteen is open for snacks until 16.20. The late room facility closes at 17.30.