Whole School Curriculum Overview
The school curriculum conforms to National guidance and legislation. To view our school curriculum policy, please click here.
Each student has an entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum.
The curriculum will include at Key Stage 3:
• English • Mathematics • Science • History • Geography •
• MFL – French and Spanish • Religious Education • Art • Music • Physical Education •
• Personal, Social and Health Social Education • Design and Technology • Food, Nutrition and Textiles • Dance • Drama •
and at Key Stage 4*:
• English • Mathematics • Science • Personal, Social and Health Education •
• Physical Education • Religious Education •
* up to four further options
Teaching at KS3 is a mixture of ‘setting’ and mixed ability. Setting takes place in Maths, Science and Computing from Year 7 onwards. English, Humanities and other subjects are taught in mixed ability groups.
A Nurture provision is provided in Year 7 and Year 8 in English, Humanities and Languages. Extended curriculum projects operate for ‘Gifted and Talented’ students in KS3.
To view our Year 7 Curriculum Evening presentation 2025, please click here.
To view our Year 8 Curriculum Evening presentation 2025, please click here.
Please note: 5 year plans shown on subject pages are working documents and are updated continuously.
KEY STAGE 3
KEY STAGE 4
The Core Curriculum and ‘EBacc’ subjects
All students follow a statutory core curriculum which accounts for 60% of the timetable:
English (GCSE English plus GCSE English Literature = 2 GCSEs) – students follow an english curriculum which leads to a qualification in English Language and Literature.
Mathematics (1 GCSE) – Maths is delivered through groups set by ability.
Physical Education – Students follow a programme of core Physical Education through Year 9, 10 and 11.
Science – Students taking combined Science will also study Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students taking ‘triple’ science will study Biology, Chemistry and Physics in greater depth.
• GCSE Combined Science = 2 GCSEs
• Triple Science = 3 GCSEs (in each of Biology, Chemistry, Physics);
RE – Following Somerset agreed syllabus for RE.
PSHE – Includes citizenship, work-related learning and careers.
EBacc subjects
In order to ensure that students study a broad range of academic subjects the government has advised that students’ progress from KS2 to the end of KS4 will be judged on the basis of their best 8 approved qualifications including 5 EBacc qualifications.
For the majority of students 4 of these Ebacc qualifications will already be taken in the core curriculum: English, Maths and two Science GCSEs.
All students are therefore required to select at least one of the EBacc qualifications in French, Spanish, Geography, History or Computer Science. We encourage all students to consider the full English Baccalaureate at KS4.