The management and development of the curriculum is under the direction of Mrs Rigg, Assistant Headteacher.  She works closely with Heads of Department in all matters relating to the curriculum.  The curriculum changes constantly and a general outline of the current curriculum according to Key Stages is as follows:

Years 7, 8 and 9

In Year 7 the following subjects are presently taught: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Design Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education, Personal, Social and Health Education, Spanish or French and Computer Science. From about the end of September, girls are set in half year groups according to ability, for English and Maths.  DT is taught in nine groups per year; all other subjects are taught in form groups.

In Years 8 and 9, the curriculum is the same as Year 7 except that pupils are set according to ability in two half year groups for English and Mathematics.

Years 10 and 11

In Year 10 and 11, pupils study a core of: Religious Studies, English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science, Physical Education, and Personal, Social and Health and Religious Education.  Girls are set in ability groups for those core subject areas which are examined although there is movement between groups according to performance in assessment. Other subjects selected from option blocks include: Computer Science, History, Geography, Spanish, Polish, French, Drama, Music, Art, Sport, Dance, Food and Nutrition, Textiles, Health and Social Care and Triple Science.

Option choice subjects are generally taught in mixed ability groups.  A small number of pupils in Key Stage 4 are guided towards choosing extra English and Maths, with an emphasis on developing skills for work.

Years 12 and 13

Students in Year 12 and 13 are offered 2 year courses at A level.  Subjects offered are: Art, Biology, Business and Economics, Chemistry, English Literature, French, Geography, Politics, History, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Polish, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology and Spanish.  An OCR Level 3 Diploma is also offered in Health and Social Care as well as BTEC Level 3 Applied Science, Criminology and Sport.  All students are given the opportunity to additionally study AS Spanish/French/Core Maths or for an Enhanced Project Qualification.  All students follow a course in Pragmatic Theology which includes service, along with a course of Personal, Social, Health and Religious Education plus work related learning.  There is a rich non-qualification programme, in addition to Pragmatic Theology, which includes work experience, service in school, music, relaxation and mindfulness.

In all year groups, the curriculum offered is enhanced by a wide variety of activities. Across the Key Stages these include: liturgical celebrations and sacramental practice, residential experiences, curriculum and work related visits, work experience, field courses, university visits, envision and master classes, opportunities to develop personal learning and thinking skills, school concerts and productions, fund raising, sports fixtures and links with other schools and universities.  Careers, relationships and sex education, health, enterprise, work related education and British values education are delivered in all Key Stages in a cross curricular way and explicitly in Personal, Social, Health and Religious Education.  Financial education is important in our school as we believe that our pupils need to develop the skills to manage their finances in order to keep themselves safe and to become financially secure as adults. We have dedicated time on our curriculum to ensure that all pupils receive this education.  In addition, there are two Deep Learning Days for all years in school.

All staff are involved in the development of the school curriculum through their participation in Curriculum Teams and Development Groups.  A Committee of Governors is responsible to the Governing Body for monitoring the School Curriculum. 

If you would like to find out more about our school's curriculum please see Subjects, contact us via [email protected] or by telephone: 0121 454 0895.