Students at Key Stage 3 are offered a broad and balanced curriculum, building on their learning experiences from Key Stage 2 and preparing them for the next stage in their journey. There is a wealth of resources available to ensure all students are challenged and supported to fulfil their potential in the first phase of their secondary education. 

Our curriculum is focused on supporting and challenging your child to be the best and to achieve the best that he or she is capable of. Staff prepare lessons to meet the specific needs of the young people in their class, we are proud of our ability to personalise the learning experience in each and every classroom. We work collaboratively to ensure each teacher is able to meet these expectations and teach your children as effectively as possible, whether that be stretch and challenge for the more able to foster the skills and attitudes of resilience and independence, or support and scaffolding resources where needed. Ultimately, we aim to ensure that every child receives Quality First Teaching 100% of the time. We believe that intelligence isn’t fixed – your child can achieve whatever he or she sets their minds to and we will work hard with them to both realise and achieve their goals. 

All students at receive 1 hour every two weeks as part of their Character and Personal Development lessons. These encompass a variety of personal, social and health education alongside curriculum lessons and a detailed form and assembly programme. 

Students 5-year journey is structured into 3 years at KS3, choosing their options in Year 9 and study two further years at GCSE.  

Class sets and bands

At KS3 we operate two parallel bands of equal ability known as X and Y band. Within each of these bands, students are timetabled into classes for different subjects.

In core subjects to include English. Maths, Science and Humanities (Geography/ History and RE), students are set by ability using a range of data to include their KS2 scores from Primary School, GL Assessment scores and ongoing assessment data completed during and at the end of the year.

In all other subjects, students are in mixed ability classes where the class set number is assigned to balance all cohort factors and is not linked to targets or attainment.

The GCSE curriculum continues to offer breadth and diversity, covering a range of subjects for all students, but also offering opportunities for students to specialise in areas of the curriculum they wish to develop further. Courses are designed to be relevant for students and to match their talents and interests. Students are supported in selecting their personal pathway including traditional academic and vocational courses (GCSEs, BTECs, OCR Nationals etc). ​ 

We work with other training providers to ensure a variety of possibilities and options for students in Key Stage 4. We work in partnership with Arden School within the AMAT Trust to plan for the future and will continue to develop in order to deliver opportunities and fulfilling learning experiences for our pupils.  

All students receive 1 hour every two weeks as part of their Character and Personal Development lessons. These encompass a variety of personal, social and health education alongside curriculum lessons and a detailed form and assembly programme. 

Class sets and bands

At KS4 we operate two parallel bands of equal ability known as X and Y band. Within each of these bands, students are timetabled into classes for their core subjects to include Maths, English, Science, Humanities and PE.

In option subjects’ pupils are placed into a class based on their option choice within each block- A, B or C. Option classes are usually mixed ability due to the student numbers and classes timetabled at that time.

In core subjects to include English. Maths, Science and Humanities (Geography/ History), students are set by ability using a range of data to include their KS2 scores from Primary School, GL Assessment scores and ongoing assessment data completed during and at the end of the year.