Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Students have the opportunity to choose their own individual learning pathway based around their specific skills and interests. For the majority of students their studies will be recognised through GCSEs and for some, vocational qualifications.

All students will continue to study a core curriculum which lead to GCSE qualifications:

• English Language
• English Literature
• Mathematics
• Science (combined or separate)

In addition, and also leading to GCSE qualifications, most students will study:

• Humanities (Geography or History)
• Modern Foreign Language (French, German or Spanish)

All students will also study an enhanced core curriculum including:

• Core PE
• Learning for Life – personal, social and health education; careers; religious, moral education and Citizenship
• Creativity (Y9) – Performing Arts, Design and Technology, Art and Values
• World Studies (Y9) (including Geography, History and Philosophy, Religion and Ethics) – a programme based around local, national and global issues.

The College offers a wide range of GCSE and Vocational courses which students select to complete their pathway, details of which can be found below.

Students are assessed at regular intervals over the course of their KS4 studies and expected performance for the end of Year 11 is measured against challenging aspirational targets.  Students will also complete a Work Placement during Year 10 and continue to have access to a wide range of extension and enrichment activities.

Year 8 Pathway Process

Students select their KS4 individual learning pathway in Year 8. The process begins with a taught careers module after which students receive a copy of the 13-16 Curriculum booklet, providing information about all the GCSE and Vocational courses being offered, as well as details of the pathway process itself.

Further information in the form of a narrated PowerPoint presentation can be found in the links below. This presentation describes the pathway process, how support can be accessed, and a timeline of the key dates in the process.

Links to both the booklet and presentation are below:

Curriculum overview