Senior School: Academic Life

The Literature course will cover a variety of skills and texts including a twentieth century novel (for example ‘Of Mice and Men’), a selection of poetry (ranging from Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 116’ to Sujata Bhatt’s ‘Search for My Tongue’), and a modern play as well as one text from our literary heritage. The English Language course will extend your writing skills and teach you how to write for a different range of purposes and audiences.

Studied as either all three separate subjects (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), or a Combined Science Trilogy course worth two GCSEs. Through practical and theoretical learning both forms will study Cell biology and Bioenergetics, Atomic structure and Quantitative chemistry and Energy and Forces amongst many other topics. Science can lead to myriad careers such as journalism, teaching, research and maybe even finding the next Pandemic cure.

Our Maths GCSE gives pupils a foundation in mathematical skills and develops their knowledge and understanding of how to use and apply mathematical techniques and concepts to solve problems. It includes content such as number, algebra, probability and shape and space as well as additional advanced topics such as calculus with real depth on functions and set theory.

The key word at GCSE is authenticity; you will use language needed for real situations that you will encounter in the country under study, either on an exchange visit or beyond school. Practice in all four skills using topic specific material will hence be at the heart of every good language lesson. Lessons are varied and enjoyable, using a wide variety of resources and materials, with increasing emphasis on examination techniques as the course progresses.

You will debate concepts and ideas, learn to construct arguments in written and oral form and also how to share them in the most effective way. You will examine a wide range of sources, establishing what their meaning is and how valuable they are.  You will be invited to share your opinions, but must base them upon well selected and effectively deployed evidence that reflects a balanced approach to the issue and that leads ultimately to well-rounded judgements.

An ideal subject for developing a wide range of skills. You will learn how to research information from a range of sources and present it in a variety of ways both written and in diagrams. You will learn how to question, investigate, interpret and apply. You can develop experience of manipulating data, using statistical techniques, spreadsheets and graphic packages. Exciting field work will help you organise your own time, and work co-operating with others, supporting you in further study as well as in the world of work.

The syllabus looks to develop a knowledge and understanding of the business environment whilst developing skills such as numeracy and literacy in order to present and interpret information. The course will study the influences of marketing and finance as well as operations and human resources on business. Written exams test business knowledge, comprehension of business concepts, analysis and evaluation.

Religious Studies develops analytical, critical and open-minded thinking across the spectrum of philosophy, ethics and beliefs. You will develop verbal and written reasoning, communication skills and mental agility. Your ability to converse with tact and understanding and inspire those who define themselves by their culture and beliefs is becoming an essential component of sensitive leadership and management, wherever you find yourself.

The new Latin GCSE provides an excellent mix of language, literature, archaeology and history and is excellent preparation for further study in a range of disciplines – literature, history, modern languages and linguistics. The rigour and skills developed in acquiring Latin provide a sound basis for careers in which the close reading and analysis of texts is a pre-requisite, such as law or the civil service. Greek is available as a separate subject and the course is similar to Latin.

Music is a dynamic subject that has broad application in the ‘real-world’. Musicians tend to be busy and organised people and many continue to play and sing throughout their lives whether professionally or as an amateur. Music develops your practical skills as well as helping you to build creative approaches to problems and situations. Along with the practical learning of an instrument you will learn how to listen in a detailed way to a variety of styles and genres and how to articulate your interpretations both orally and through written work.

The emphasis of this course is very much on practical exploration. All drama lessons are built around the ‘Create, Perform, Evaluate’ model, and you will be given the opportunity to explore different plays and devise your own work. The drama staff are there to guide and support you when preparing for the practical and written examination, and strive to make lessons as interactive as possible, embracing the kinaesthetic style of learning drama encourages.

During lessons you will be engaged with practical, creative work from the outset. New techniques are learned as well as ways of thinking and looking. Making and expressing your ideas are at the forefront of the course. You are supported to generate the body of work that best satisfies their own creative ambitions and passions and best meets the exam board assessment criteria. GCSE Art, Craft and Design is both challenging and rewarding; an opportunity to explore and define yourself creatively.

Computer scientists have an almost unparalleled opportunity to pursue careers in science, computing and mathematics, with the skills that the increasingly systems-driven world demands. You will study Systems architecture, network security, ethics within computing computational thinking and programming. Students are given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s), either to a specification or to solve a problem (or problems), during their course of study.

We offer both Graphic communications and 3D Design as separate courses. In a combination of portfolio work and externally set assignments students will learn to analyse and evaluate existing products, about artists, designers and architects, undertaking focused tasks to develop and demonstrate communication, modelling, and relevant processes and techniques. You will learn how to develop and refine ideas, and plan and produce prototype products and design concepts by using IT/CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) in the design and manufacture of products and concepts.

The course has both theoretical and practical elements. You will study applied anatomy and physiology, use of data in sport sport psychology as well as practical performances in three different activities. GCSE Physical Education develops transferable skills that employers are looking for and can lead to a wide variety of employment opportunities in such areas as teaching, coaching, officiating, recreational management, leisure activities, the fitness industry and the Armed Forces.

GCSE photography is divided into two parts: the Personal Portfolio and an ‘Externally Set Assignment’ The Portfolio is almost entirely independently driven by the student, supported and structured by the teacher; however, Year 10 does start with two key areas of focus; in camera skills and post production. The creative arts are the most diverse field of employment that exists and good grades at GCSE can lead the way to an art A level.