All students follow a broad and balanced curriculum to ensure that we meet our National Curriculum obligations and provide a wide range of learning experiences.  A range of teaching and learning styles is presented and work is differentiated in all subjects to ensure that students progress at an appropriate level.  Students are assessed in all subjects. Their progress is monitored carefully against agreed annual targets. Progress checks are sent regularly to parents. A programme of intervention is carried out if students fall behind in their progress towards the annual targets.

Key Stages 3 and 4

Currently, in Key Stage 3, our students study English, Mathematics, Science, Design Technology, French, Humanities (History, Geography and RE), Art, Physical Education, Drama, Music and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).  In addition, students spend time each week on Personal and Social Education (PSHCEE) and in Year 7 undertake a Learn to Learn programme. 

All students in Key Stage 3 are currently streamed according to ability, and will be set from September 2010.

From September 2010, Year 9 students will all have the chance to start their GCSE’s in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science, rather than waiting for Year 10.  Some more able students will then complete their GCSE’s in these core subjects by the end of Year 10, while others that need more time to achieve a good grade can continue with these subjects into Year 11.

This will also enable us to offer 3 separate science qualifications in Biology, Physics and Chemistry to our more able science students for the first time.

We will also stagger the options process. What this means is that students will choose their vocational/applied option in Year 8 and study their course in Years 9 and 10. The applied/vocational subjects available are Business, Health and Social Care, Sport and Performing Arts- all double awards.

In Year 9 students will make further option choices to study in Years 10 and 11.  All students follow a Design Technology subject (from Food, Textiles, Graphic Products or Product Design). Students also choose two options from the following subjects: Art; Drama; French; Music; History; Geography; Photography [and ICT from September 2011].  All students also undertake Physical Education and Personal and Social Education.

The curriculum is tailored to meet individual needs and a number of courses are run in collaboration with New College Stamford.

Students are given careful guidance on their choice of subjects and their routes into further study and careers. Teaching staff, support staff, the Connexions careers service and parents are all involved in the process and Options evenings are held each year for Year 8 and Year 9 students to provide information and advice.

The changes to our curriculum mean that by the time a child reaches the end of Year 10, they may already have secured anywhere between 2 and 7 GCSE’s. The number that they will have achieved by the end of Year 10 will obviously depend on how able they are in the different subjects.

This also means that when a child is in Year 11 they will be offered the chance to do a range of other courses to provide stretch and challenge for our more able students and continued support for those students who require it.

Students in any year group who demonstrate a particular ability, or who make particularly rapid progress in a subject are placed on our Gifted and Talented register.  This enables them to access a  differentiated curriculum which are more challenging.  They also benefit from other activities to stretch them and further enrich their learning.