Home

Subjects

Our curriculum is designed to fulfil the school’s aim of enabling all students to reach their potential. The curriculum is designed, through relevant and enjoyable activity, to encourage each student to develop her intellectual, physical and personal qualities to the full.

The curriculum should enable each student to appreciate her cultural heritage and the needs and opportunities of the modern world. Schemes of work and teaching techniques are designed to meet the school’s aims which state that we will:

  • Provide an environment to allow students to develop moral and spiritual values;
  • Have high expectations of all students in all areas of school life in line with their abilities;
  • Encourage students’ confidence, self esteem and sense of individual purpose;
  • Value all students as individuals so that they can achieve their full academic and personal potential;
  • Assist students to develop critical abilities, independence of thought and a life long enthusiasm for learning;
  • Establish mutual respect between all members of the school community;
  • Provide a broad curriculum which values the strengths of each subject/student equally;
  • Create a positive, secure and purposeful atmosphere;
  • Recognise that mistakes provide a learning opportunity;
  • Foster links with parents/carers and the wider community;
  • Encourage excellence in every area of school life.

Curriculum for students in years 7, 8 and 9

Throughout the school, emphasis is given to the development of the key skills of literacy, numeracy and use of information and communication technology (ICT). Timetabled lessons in English, mathematics and science at Key Stages 3 ensure that the requirements for National Curriculum assessment are met and that the skills of communication, numeracy, problem solving, working with others, and independent learning are fully developed. These key skills along with the ability to use information technology developed in ICT lessons underpin success in other areas of the curriculum. These essential skills in addition to other employability skills (eg: social skills) are further developed in a cross curricular context.

All students who are able to, benefit from the study of two modern foreign languages and many are given the opportunity to do so. For the minority of students for whom the further study of English is likely to be more advantageous, additional English lessons are provided instead of a second modern foreign language. Design and technology includes distinct modules in the use of food, textiles, and resistant materials. There are timetabled lessons in ICT including a block of lessons related to business themes in each of years 7, 8 and 9.

At all key stages students are encouraged to become independent learners and to take personal responsibility for their progress by using the school library and ICT facilities.

All students follow a course in religious studies (RS) unless their parents/carers exercise their legal right to withdraw them on religious grounds by contacting the head teacher in writing. All students also follow a course in personal, social, health and citizenship education (PSHCE) that includes careers education and guidance.

Curriculum for GCSE students in years 10-11

At Key Stage 4, students are able to exercise more choice over the programme of study which they follow.

In order to maintain breadth and balance in the curriculum and to enable students to develop their individual strengths, everyone is expected to study a range of subjects to Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE level).

It is possible to take up to ten full GCSE examinations and the flexible option scheme encourages students to follow courses from different curriculum areas:

Please note optional courses* may change from year to year depending on demand.

Work related learning, GCSE child development and level 2 courses in subjects such as child care, animal care, hair and beauty are also available at Oaklands College. A Level 1 course is also often available locally for a small group of students.

All students follow non-examination courses in physical education and religious studies. They also follow a PSHCE programme which includes careers education and guidance and fulfils the National Curriculum requirements for citizenship education.

Lessons in the core National Curriculum subjects of English (language and literature), mathematics, ICT and science continue for all. For many students these courses lead to six GCSE qualifications. Lessons are provided in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science. Separate biology, chemistry and physics modules are taught to enable students to appreciate the distinctive nature of the different sciences.

Students are encouraged to appreciate the contributions which all subjects make to a balanced education and the major curriculum areas of creative arts, humanities, modern foreign languages and technology are all equally valued. Lessons take place in all the National Curriculum foundation subjects. A large number of topics are studied in outline to give students the subject appreciation necessary for future course choices, while other topics are studied in depth to ensure academic rigour.

Creative subjects offered are art, music, drama and physical education.

Curriculum for A-Level students in years 12 and 13

Admission criteria to the 6th form for September 2010 is not yet confirmed.

At Key Stage 5, students are encouraged to remain at this school to continue their education.

The school also admits students from outside the school (both girls and boys) if they have met the criteria both for entry to the 6th form and for the courses to be studied. Criteria are published annually in the school 6th form prospectus available in November. Each student follows an individual programme of study tailored to meet his/her needs. The academic programme consists of a very wide range of AS/A2 courses and may include:

Membership of the sixth form always involves more than attendance at AS/A2 lessons. All sixth formers are required to develop a range of skills, including the key skills of communication, application of number and ICT. This also involves some participation in community and work experience programmes.

Sixth formers also develop their personal skills by taking on responsibilities and acting as leaders within the school and wider community.