Curriculum

The Senior School follows the National Curriculum used in England where Years 7 to 9 follow the Key Stage 3 Curriculum, Years 10 and 11 study a combination of IGCSEs and GCSEs and the Sixth form follows the A Level programme.

At all levels, our curriculum is enhanced by extra-curricular activities in sport, music and drama. We ensure our pupils have opportunities for investigative and independent learning, outdoor learning educational visits, team work and leadership activities.

Our Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme helps pupils develop the life skills they need to lead healthy, confident and fulfilling lives as responsible citizens with a global and environmental awareness. We actively promote fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance.

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 (KS3) is comprised of three year groups, Years 7, 8 and 9. Up to the end of KS3 (age 14) all pupils follow the same core curriculum which includes: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Computing, Physical Education, Music, Art, Drama and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education). Pupils also select two languages from French, Spanish, German or Dutch. For pupils whose native language is not English there is an opportunity to choose English as an Additional Language (EAL) or Drama. For our native Dutch pupils we offer a Native Dutch language course.

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 4 (KS4) is a two year (Years 10 and 11) programme leading to external GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). Pupils follow a core curriculum of English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In addition a further four subjects are chosen by pupils. Subjects studied in Key Stage 3 are offered, alongside Business Studies and Media Studies.

Sixth Form (Key Stage 5)

In the Sixth Form, comprising of Years 12 and 13, all pupils have the opportunity to succeed to their fullest potential. In our increasingly competitive and globalised world, given the challenge that is ahead of our pupils, we ensure that resilience, aspiration, leadership and well-being are nurtured in all of our Sixth Formers. A Levels remain the gold standard in education and pupils who are successful will hear university doors and career opportunities opening around the world.

As such, we have a culture of collaboration and collegiality in the Sixth Form that creates a wonderful working environment for our pupils to flourish as fully as their talent and hard work will allow.

The curriculum we offer is based around three key components. The first is the academic pathway of A Level and GCSE subjects that pupils will choose to study. This is then complimented by a compulsory core curriculum of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and electives subjects. The aim of this core curriculum is to develop independent learning, critical thinking and problem solving skills.

There are no compulsory subjects, and, after counselling, pupils select up to 4 appropriate subjects to study in Year 12 (AS). We offer a diverse range of A Level courses from the Arts, Languages, Humanities, Sciences and Mathematics. Pupils are then required to continue into Year 13, taking 3 of their subjects (A2) to gain the full A-Levels. GCE Advanced Level courses are made up of a number of units. Most units are assessed by examination, though some are assessed as coursework.