The curriculum at St. Peter’s has been designed to ensure all pupils develop academically, spiritually, morally, socially and physically. As part of the curriculum the government expects schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. As a Catholic school, St. Peter’s embeds those values through its ethos and mission statement, which extends to all activities in school, within and outside the taught curriculum.
Independent Advice and Guidance (IAG) meetings are provided to all pupils in Y8-13 appropriate to the stage and age of pupils. These interviews are to ensure that pupils make informed choices at every stage and are in a position to make the next step into further or higher education, apprenticeships or employment. Careers education is delivered holistically as part of the Citizenship curriculum, during form times and by individual subject areas.
Further information about the curriculum will be made available to pupils when they make their subject choices for KS4 and KS5. If subject specific information is required, please contact the relevant subject leader. Any other enquiries should be addressed to Mrs Crees, Senior Assistant Headteacher (Finance, Curriculum and Timetabling).
In years 7, 8 and 9, all pupils study the statutory National Curriculum subjects; Mathematics, English, Science, MFL, Geography, History, Art and Design, Design Technology, Music and Citizenship in addition to the non-statutory subjects Drama, Religious Education, Personal Development and Computing. In the Spring Term of Year 9 pupils select which optional subjects they will study in Years 10 and 11.
In years 10 and 11, all pupils continue to follow a core programme of Mathematics, English Language and English Literature, Religious Education, Science, PE and Personal Development and Citizenship. At KS4 Science GCSEs are offered in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as Combined Science.
The majority of pupils will study the core curriculum plus:
- A Modern Foreign Language (French, German or Spanish)
- A humanities subject (History or Geography)
The following optional subjects are available:
- A second humanities subject (History or Geography)
- A second Modern Foreign Language (French, German or Spanish)
- Art and Design
- Business Studies
- Catering
- Computer Science
- Dance
- Drama
- Health and Social Care
- Music
- PE/Sport
- Product Design (Resistant Materials or Textiles)
- Sociology
Work experience is a vital part of Key Stage 4. It gives pupils an insight into the world of work and can help to influence post –16 choices and career plans. All Year 10 pupils spend a week taking part in Work Experience. Placements vary a great deal and have included experiences in the Army, offices, nurseries and schools, theatres, engineering companies, catering, journalism, archaeology, the RAF, banking, travel agencies and so on.
A wide range of subjects are offered at St. Peter’s Sixth Form. Pupils select three subjects to study over two years. All pupils have the option to study AS Level Core Maths in Y12. Pupils studying Mathematics may wish to study Further Mathematics as a fourth subject.
All pupils will study the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or Christian Living as part of their religious and vocational education. Pupils can choose from a range of enrichment activities, such as supporting in KS3 lessons, paired reading, peer mentoring/mediation or PE.
