The Academic Curriculum

The aim is to provide as broad a curriculum as possible before pupils choose the optional GCSE subjects. All subjects in the table below are studied, except that a choice is made between German and Spanish.The College will select two sets of pupils to study Latin from those pupils who perform particularly well on Latin papers at Scholarship and CE.

Upper Fourths & Fifths (Years 10 & 11)

These are the two years leading to GCSE. In the Lent Term of the previous year pupils will have been asked to choose three subjects from column B. At least one must be from the Humanities (Geography, History or Theology & Philosophy). In addition they will take the seven subjects in column A through to GCSE giving a total of ten subjects. Latin GCSE is taken at the end of the U4 year and pupils may opt to study a module of Latin AS in the fifth form. Some sets take Mathematics early and then study an AS module. IGCSE examinations are taken in the three separate sciences, Mathematics and Information Technology. There is a period of Physical Education in the M4 and U4 years. These years also have a period of Personal & Social Education and Information Technology, and fifth formers have a period of general Religious Education. AS Critical Thinking is offered as an additional subject to two sets of pupils in the fifth form.

All pupils follow a course of 4 subjects to AS level in the Lower Sixth and sit the AS exams in the June of their Lower Sixth year. Those taking English will now follow the Cambridge Pre-U, sitting all their exams in that subject at the end of the Upper Sixth Year. A number of the most able take all four on to full A2 level in the Upper Sixth, whilst the majority takes three. The subjects are chosen from those listed below. We try to accommodate all combinations. Arrangements are made for pupils to take AS or A2 levels in their first language if this is not English. Classical Greek can somtimes be taught by special arrangement.

In the Lower Sixth, many pupils opt to follow an AS course in Critical Thinking. Some are able to join the Young Enterprise Scheme. There will also be an opportunity to undertake an Extended Project giving an opportunity for extended individual research. In the Upper Sixth, the Securities and Investments Qualification is offered.