• It supports pupils to achieve the best that they possibly can in all areas of school life- to produce exceptionally literate and numerate young women.
• It promotes pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development
• It reflects the distinctive character, ethos, aims and values of the School
• There is a fervent belief that all students can make excellent progress regardless of their previous attainment or any additional learning needs.
• There is an explicit focus in all subject disciplines on developing students’ ability to read, talk and write the specific, academic language of that discipline, especially its key curriculum genres.
• The core knowledge students are expected to master in each subject is explicitly identified from years 7 to 11, forming a coherent whole that enables continual progression.
o leading all of them to achieve a broad range of high quality qualifications;
o developing in all students the skills, habits and attitudes, to complement these academic achievements, that will set them apart in an increasingly competitive local, national and international environment.
In addition to supporting the aims, ethos and values of our school, our curriculum wholeheartedly supports the three key aims of the National Curriculum for all pupils; namely that all young people should be:
• Successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve
• Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
• Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society
Teaching & Learning is organised into 5 teaching periods each day – each lesson lasting 55 minutes.
During KS3 (Years 7, 8 & 9) students are grouped for ability and aptitude into three classes in all subjects and study a broad balance of subjects drawn from those specified by the National Curriculum plus subjects that specifically support the religious ethos of the school.
The composition of teaching groups is constantly monitored and adjusted where appropriate to ensure that all pupils are taught in the most suitable groups.
The KS4 (Years 10 & 11) Curriculum comprises a compulsory core covering 19 of the available 25 teaching periods - with the remaining six lessons organised into two option groups. These option groups are created and populated as a result of the school’s Guided Choices process which begins in February of Year 9.
Parents are consulted about these options and fully involved in the Guided Choices process.
