Home / Senior School / Inspiring curriculum

A broad, balanced and
personalised curriculum

With a wide range of subjects providing a strong foundation for further study, our Senior School curriculum is designed to equip girls with the skills to think for themselves, to nurture confidence and independence, and to encourage them to be active learners with teamwork and leadership skills.

We intentionally offer only the GCSE syllabus, which includes a greater amount of coursework rather than being mainly assessed through final exams. We find this prepares our students for the academic rigour of EPQs and A-level, as well as better preparation for university.

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When you walk into a lesson they are always ready to try something new and be challenged.
Maddy Sommers, Teacher of Maths, Head of Sixth Form

Key Stage 3

In Years 7 to 9, the curriculum is broad and balanced. Our girls study a core of six subjects: English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Geography, History and Religious Studies are taught as separate humanities subjects.

In Year 7 all of our girls study 1.5 hours of French and 2 hours of German per week.
In Year 8 they study 2 hours of each of 2 chosen languages from French, German and Spanish. They also do 1 hour of Latin per week.
In Year 9 they continue with the three languages they studied in Year 8, as above.

A variety of creative and practical subjects including Art, Music, Design Technology, Physical Education and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) are taught to all girls.

For Years 7 to 9, most subjects are taught in form groups with smaller groups in lessons like Design Technology. Sets are only used with Mathematics.

Year 7 to 9 Curriculum Guide

View our Introduction to GCSEs

 

 

Key Stage 4

In Years 10 and 11 our aim is to enable girls to study the subjects they love and that they’re best at. We don’t believe that one size fits all. We believe that every girl is different, and that playing to her strengths is key to her success. We have a flexible approach to our GCSE and A Level curriculum to help each girl to study the mix of subjects that is right for her.

All of our girls study a core of Mathematics, English Language and English Literature.

Most girls study Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but some choose to study only two sciences. We advise girls to choose at least one modern foreign language and at least one of the humanities subjects, and all girls continue with their PSHE lessons once a week.

We have a wealth of other subjects on offer depending on the chosen learning route, including Art, Classical Greek, Computer Science, Drama, Food Preparation and Nutrition, French, German, History, Latin, Music, a Performing Arts Technical Award, Physical Education, Product Design and Spanish, as well as a range of online University led courses (MOOCs).

We provide guidance to all our girls to help them make informed decisions at each stage of their education, and we strive to accommodate their particular choices so that every girl can play to her individual strengths and pursue the route that’s right for her.