Curriculum
Key Stage Three
The Key Stage Three curriculum is designed to enable to pupils to enjoy, achieve and grow in confidence. A big emphasis is placed on pupils developing the necessary skills for life, to encourage them to think, communicate, work within a team and reflect on their learning.
Pupils follow the National Curriculum and are expected to study two languages in Year Seven and Eight with the option of picking up a third in Year Nine. The curriculum is broad and is taught using the latest technology (including interactive white boards in all classrooms), with plenty of opportunities for learning outside the classroom through school trips.
Through the curriculum, pupils learn the important values that will enable them to succeed and thrive at St Edward’s – to work hard, respect oneself and respect others – and they are supported in this process by their form teacher, Head of Year and Head of School. Through morning form period and dedicated days during Years Seven, Eight and Nine, pupils consider a range of PSHE and Citizenship issues and the delivery of this programme is supported by visiting speakers.
It is expected that pupils will take advantage of the many opportunities available to them during Key Stage Three, both during lessons and through the extra-curricular programme, and by the end of Year Nine will have laid the necessary foundations to go on and succeed at GCSE.
Key Stage Four
Pupils are expected to work hard, respect themselves and respect others. The Key Stage Four curriculum both challenges pupils to meet these expectations and equips them with the skills they require to do so.
In terms of the academic curriculum, all pupils study for GCSEs in English, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education and there are opportunities for pupils to specialise by choosing to study three subjects from a list of options choices (including at least one Modern Foreign Language). Through the pathways programme, each pupil follows a curriculum that is appropriate to need, provides challenge and enables all individuals to succeed.
Through morning form period and dedicated days during Years 10 and 11, pupils consider a range of PSHE and Citizenship issues and all pupils have the opportunity to engage in two weeks of work-related learning after their GCSE examinations. Form teachers are responsible for the personal welfare of each individual and, together with the Head of Year and Head of School, monitor pupils’ progress and provide the necessary support to remove any barriers to progress.
GCSE results are consistently high and, each year, a number of pupils move on from Key Stage Four having achieved A* and / or A grades in all of their GCSE subjects. The College is committed to ensuring each pupil finishes Year 11 with the grades s/he requires to access the next stage of her/his education, whether this is at St Edward’s or elsewhere. To allow this to happen, expectations remain high – pupils must work hard and, in return, they will receive the necessary support and guidance from their subject teachers.
Key Stage Five
St Edward’s offers pupils a wide range of courses to study at A Level. The majority of subjects are taught at the College although it is possible to access some courses at neighbouring schools through the post-16 collaborative. Academic standards and expectation are very high. In 2009 14 pupils achieved at least three A grades at A Level. Each year, a number of pupils successfully apply to Oxford and Cambridge universities and many more go on to study degree courses at some of the UK’s most prestigious institutions. It is during Years 12 and 13 that pupils are equipped with the independence and skills required to succeed beyond school and into adulthood. All pupils choose four AS Level subjects in Year 12 (of which they generally continue three to A Level in Year 13) and their learning is enhanced by a broad enrichment programme, including the study of a Modern Foreign Language, General Studies AS Level, Physical Education, Religious Education and the European Computer Driving License.
Pupils are expected to commit themselves fully to their academic work and take advantage of the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer. For the vast majority of lessons pupils are taught and, during study periods, they are expected to use the Learning Resource Centre which has been purpose designed for independent A Level study.
Through morning form periods and dedicated days during Years 12 and 13, pupils are informed about and supported through the higher education application process. Form teachers are responsible for the personal welfare of each individual and, together with the Head of Year and Head of School, monitor pupils’ progress and provide the necessary support to remove any barriers to progress.