Subject Information - Key Stage 4

Our school has a long tradition of providing a broad key stage 4 (KS4) curriculum based predominantly on GCSE qualifications.  The KS4 curriculum aims to maintain breadth, with creative and performing arts subjects offered, as well as vocational subjects, such as Health & Social Care.  The Government accountability measures expect schools to offer students a broad range of at least eight subjects which must include English and Mathematics.  

In order to meet these expectations and maintain our tradition of a broad KS4 curriculum, we run the curriculum over two years giving students the opportunity to study up to ten GCSE equivalent courses with additional qualifications available during twilight language classes, if desired.

Students will study: Religious Studies, English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science and most students will study a Modern Language (French or Spanish).  In addition, they will follow non-examinable courses in PSHE and general PE.

We aim to provide a curriculum that allows students to meet academic thresholds that are highly regarded by employers, universities and the government.  This means that we encourage students to take a humanities subject (either Geography or History) which, along with the above combination, will allow them to gain EBacc (English Baccalaureate).  We also encourage them to choose an Arts subject so that their full range of choices gives a broad and balanced curriculum.  Universities and employers value creativity and ‘soft-skills’ along-side academic qualifications; it is our aim to provide that experience for our students.