Curriculum Organisation
Lessons in all subjects and key stages are 60 minutes (55 minutes Period 4A & Period 4B). Lessons are taught over a 50-period two-week cycle, with the timetable for week one as similar as possible to week two in all year groups.
Banding
In Year 7 to 11, the cohort is separated into two parallel bands: A band and B band.
Setting
In Years 7 to 9, pupils are set in all of the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, RE/History/Geography (same class for all 3 subjects) and PE.
In Years 10 and 11, pupils are set in all of the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Science and RE.
Key Stage 3
The school operates a three-year KS3.
| Periods per cycle | ||
| Y7 | Y8 | Y9 |
English | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Maths | 6 | 6 | 6 |
RE | 4 | 4 | 4 |
PSHE | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Science | 6 | 6 | 6 |
MFL | 5 | 5 | 5 |
History | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Geography | 4 | 4 | 4 |
PE | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Computer Science | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Art & Design | 1 | 2 | 2 |
DT | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Music | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Drama | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Key Stage 4
The school operates a two-year KS4.
| Periods per Cycle |
English Language and Literature | 8 |
Maths | 8 |
RE | 5 |
Science | 10 (12 for Triple Science) |
MFL | 5 |
History or Geography | 5 |
PE | 2 (1 for Triple Science) |
PSHE | 2 (1 for Triple Science) |
Optional subject | 5 |
At KS4, the vast majority of pupils follow the EBacc curriculum and select an optional subject (which is studied for 5 hours per cycle) from: GCSEs in Art and Design, Business Studies, Computer Science, Drama, Music, PE and Sociology.
To offer pupils a wide and personalised curriculum we also offer the option of Level 2 Applied General Qualifications in Sport, Business and Enterprise, ICT, Health and Social Care.
Pupils may choose a second MFL or humanities subject if they wish.
Some pupils in Year 11 have up to 5 hours additional Maths/English to improve their numeracy and literacy and support them accessing the whole curriculum.
The school is aware of the government’s ambition to see 75% of pupils studying for the EBacc by 2022 and 90% by 2025. In line with our Catholic ethos that everyone is called by God to fulfil their vocation, every pupil’s need is considered individually to ensure their curriculum is appropriate and allows them to have the greatest possible range of options for their next step.
If pupils do not opt to study Computer Science at GCSE, they still have the opportunity to study aspects of information technology and computer science in sufficient depth to allow them to progress to higher levels of study or to a professional career through the delivery of their GCSE subjects in one of 5 computer rooms when the curriculum demands.
Key Stage 5
A wide range of subjects are offered at St. Peter’s Sixth Form. Students select three subjects to study over two years. All students have the option to study AS Level Core Maths in Y12. Students studying Mathematics may wish to study Further Mathematics as a fourth subject. Each subject is allocated 10 hours per cycle plus an additional 10 hours supervised study time.
All students study the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or Christian Living (2 hours per cycle) as part of their religious and vocational education. Students can choose from a range of enrichment activities, such as supporting in KS3 lessons, paired reading, peer mentoring/mediation.
A Level Courses
Art & Design
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Core Mathematics (AS only)
Drama & Theatre Studies
English Literature
Environmental Science
Film Studies
French
Further Mathematics
Geography
German
Government and Politics
History
Mathematics
Philosophy and Ethics
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Sociology
Applied Courses
Criminology Level 3 Certificate
BTEC Business
Applied Science
CTEC Health & Social Care
BTEC Sport
