The Curriculum
Early Years Foundation Stage
- Communication, Language and Literacy
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World
- Physical Development
- Creative Development
- Personal, Social & Emotional Development
- Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
Small class sizes, excellent teacher: pupil ratios and a wonderfully safe environment allow a truly child centred and personalised learning provision.
Key Stages 1 and 2
At Key Stages 1 and 2 (Years 1-6) the school curriculum is closely linked to the National Curriculum. However the advantages provided by small class grouping and excellent behaviour allow us to extend our expectations for each individual child.
At Key Stages 1 and 2 the following subjects are taught;
- English (National Literacy Strategy) +
- Maths (National Numeracy Strategy) +
- Science
- ICT
- Geography
- History
- Citizenship/PSCHE*
- Art
- Design and Technology
- Music
- PE/Games
- Religious Education
- Modern Foreign Languages
Extra time is provided for additional English language activities including formal handwriting lessons.
The Preparatory Department section of this prospectus indicates the opportunities provided by daily curriculum enrichment taught by subject specialist staff. Lessons include;
- French as a Modern Foreign Language for all classes from Reception upwards
- an additional programme of Performing Arts in the drama studio
- an additional music session with the Preparatory School Choir
- specialist art provision
- Cookery with the Senior School Food and Nutrition staff
Pupils have access to specialist teaching for
- A range of musical instruments
- English Speaking Board examination preparation
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) schools have a statutory responsibility to deliver a common syllabus called the National Curriculum. The following subjects are taught;
- English
- Maths
- Science
- Art
- Citizenship/PSCHE*
- Drama
- Geography
- History
- ICT
- Modern Foreign Languages
- Music
- Technology
- PE/Games
- Religious Education
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) the National Curriculum still exists but schools are only obliged to deliver a ‘core’ of subjects;- English (compulsory examination)
- Mathematics (compulsory examination)
- Science (compulsory examination at double / triple level)
- ICT (compulsory examination)
- Citizenship (non-examination course)
- Beliefs and Values (non-examination course)
- PE (non-examination course)
St. Peter’s then offers a range of optional subjects for pupils to choose from in order to make a ‘broad and balanced' curriculum.
At St. Peter’s students are expected to undertake a minimum of 9 GCSEs
Core courses listed above are enhanced by:
- English Literature (compulsory)
- Drama (optional)
- Geography (optional)
- History (optional)
- Art (optional)
- Music (optional)
- Religious Education (optional)
- French (optional)
- Spanish (optional)
- Food and Nutrition (optional)
- C.D.T (optional)
Unlike Key Stage 3, the QCA does not directly provide courses (Programmes of Study) at Key Stage 4. These are provided by Examination Boards. Examination Boards are independent companies which design courses, provide resources and set/mark exam papers.
Exam Boards recommend the number of hours necessary to deliver a course. This is known as the number of Guided Learning Hours (GLH). The GLH’s required for a typical GCSE is approximately 90-110 hours. Some courses need more time to complete and therefore have a greater number of GLH’s. This is why some subjects are called Double Awards as they need approximately 180 GLH’s to complete them. They are equivalent to 2 GCSE’s. Pupils have not achieved a higher standard of work than the single GCSE, just covered a greater volume of work.
The Examinations Officer will be happy to discuss examination options with individual pupils and families.