Focused, Supported and Ready to Succeed
How we prepare students in Years 10 and 11 for their GCSEs and beyond.
Years 10 and 11
Choosing your path through Key Stage 4
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is based on a guided options process that enables students to study a balanced range of subjects and prepare effectively for the next stage of their educational journey. Through careful guidance, students select subjects that reflect their interests, strengths and future aspirations. All students follow a strong academic core which includes English, mathematics and science. Alongside this core, students choose from a range of humanities, languages, creative and technical subjects, allowing them to develop a broad and balanced programme of study.
At the heart of our Key Stage 4 curriculum is the belief that students should experience both depth and breadth in their learning. Our curriculum encourages academic achievement while also promoting creativity, critical thinking and personal development. Through our guided options process, staff work closely with students and families to ensure that subject choices support each student’s progress, wellbeing and future ambitions, whether that involves further academic study, technical pathways or career-focused opportunities. Our aim is to provide every student with a high-quality, balanced education that equips them with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for success beyond Key Stage 4.
Entitlement Areas
The Arts (Art and Design), Design and Technology, the Humanities (Geography and History) and Modern Foreign Languages are not compulsory national curriculum subjects after the age of 14, but all pupils in maintained schools have a statutory entitlement to be able to study a subject in each of those four areas.
The statutory requirements in relation to the entitlement areas are:
- Schools must provide access to a minimum of one course in each of the four entitlement areas.
- Schools must provide the opportunity for pupils to take a course in all four areas, should they wish to do so.
- A course that meets the entitlement requirements must give pupils the opportunity to obtain an approved qualification.
It is our intention that all students will have access to at least one course in each of the four entitlement areas.
Core Curriculum
A student’s core diet at Key Stage 4 typically consists of:
- English (Language and Literature)
- Mathematics
- Science (Trilogy or Triple Science)
- Personal Development (including Citizenship and CEIAG)
- Physical Education
Provision for Triple Science is made where appropriate and students are provided with additional time to study all three sciences.
Curriculum Allocation
Year 10
| Subject | Higher Pathway (hours per week) | Foundation Pathway (hours per week) |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4 | 4 |
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Combined Science | — | 5 |
| Triple Science | 6 | — |
| Physical Education | 1 | 2 |
| Personal Development & RE | 1 | 1 |
| Three Option Choices | 9 | 9 |
Curriculum Allocation
Year 11
Due to the de-coupling of the curriculum at Key Stage 4, current Year 11 students have already undertaken two GCSE option examinations. This curriculum structure is in place for one more year only, to support this transition period.
| Subject | Higher Pathway (hours per week) | Foundation Pathway (hours per week) |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 5 | 5 |
| English | 5 | 5 |
| Combined Science | — | 6 |
| Triple Science | 6 | — |
| Physical Education | 1 | 2 |
| Personal Development & RE | 1 | 1 |
| One Option Choice (in one year) | 6 | 6 |