Key Stage 3 (Y7, 8 & 9)

All students study English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Religious Education, Information Communication Technology, German, French, Design and Technology, Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education, and Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE). In addition we run a programme of literacy support for students who need it.  Latin is available for students in Years 8 and 9 as an extra curricular session before school.

Grouping and Setting of Students in Key Stage 3

Pastoral Groups:

When they join the school all students are placed in one of 8 Tutor Groups.  These groups consist of 30 students and are carefully planned to ensure that the gender balance and the ability range reflects the profile of the year group.  In addition, in Year 7, we ensure that groups contain a mix of students from different primary schools.  These groups remain reasonable constant for the 5 years, allowing students to build good relationships with their peers and with their Tutor.  Each Form Group is in either A or B band, and also in one of 4 Houses (York, Tudor, Windsor, Stuart).

Academic Groups: teaching groups

For teaching purposes, we create 5 mixed ability teaching groups from the 4 Tutor Groups in each population.  Again, these groups are carefully chosen to ensure that each represents the profile of the year group.  However, each 'teaching group' will contain only 24 students to allow a more personalised approach.  These groups are re-evaluated each year to ensure that they remain mixed ability and that the gender balance is maintained.  Students are taught in these groups in some subjects throughout the Key Stage.

Academic Groups: setting

Students in each 'band' are placed in ability groups for some subjects.  These groups will be reviewed on a regular basis and changes made where appropriate.  The subjects where some setting occurs are:

Mathematics and Science (from Year 7)

French and German (from Year 8)

English (in Year 9)

ICT (in Year 9)

During Year 9 students will make their GCSE choices. Full details of courses available can be found in the Options Booklet.