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Queen Elizabeth School

Curriculum

At Queen Elizabeth School, our curriculum allows students to receive a broad and balanced education.

It’s overarching purpose is to be challenging and accessible to every student, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they require in their future learning and employment. It is sequenced in a manner that enables students to flourish both academically and in character development.

The aims of the curriculum are:

  • To educate the students for life through the offer of a broad and balanced approach to learning, where relevance, challenge, progression, continuity and support are key elements of all the activities undertaken.

  • To provide an appropriate range of opportunities and experiences to inspire students to succeed in the next stage in their education, training or employment.

  • To enable high standards of academic achievement where outcomes empower students to progress onto further study and / or employment.

  • To provide a suitable and effective learning environment for those students requiring special provision, including those with statements of special need, and for those students who have English as an additional language.

  • To contribute effectively to students’ intellectual, physical and personal attainment and development.

Students are offered a wide range of choices which enables them to study a personalised learning pathway from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4. They are supported in this process through careers guidance, curriculum information events and one-to-one meetings. Students spend three years in Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) and two years in Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11).

Our Curriculum subjects:

Key Stage 3:

Students study a broad range of subjects incorporating the core (Maths, English and Science) and foundation subjects. It is also designed to be flexible to allow support for those students who have English as an Additional Language.

Staff use a range of data including CATs verbal and non-verbal reasoning scores to plan and deliver lessons to support every student within the classes. The Key Stage 3 curriculum provides students with the skills and knowledge across the whole curriculum to be able to achieve as they move forward in their education.

Each lesson is 50 minutes long, with the number of lessons per week below.

 

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9     

English

5

4

4

Maths

4

4

4

Science

5

5

4

History

2

2

3

Geography

2

2

3

MFL
(Spanish or French)

3

3

2

DT
(Resistant Materials
/ Food)

1

2

2

Art

1

1

1

IT

1

1

1

Religious Studies

1

1

1

Performing Arts
(Music and Drama)

2

2

2

PE
(including Dance)

2

2

2

PSHE

1

1

1

Total

30

30

30

Key Stage 4:

At Key Stage 4, students study a core curriculum of:

  • English Language

  • English Literature

  • Mathematics

  • Science (Combined or Triple)

  • Religious Studies

  • Physical Education

The options process then allows students to choose subjects based on their own personal progress. Please see below for more details on the options process:

Year 9 Options Booklet

 

The range of subjects offered at Key Stage 4 includes:

  • Art
  • Business Studies
  • Catering & Hospitality
  • Childcare
  • Computer Science
  • Construction
  • Dance
  • Design Technology
  • Drama
  • French*
  • Geography
  • Health & Fitness
  • Health & Social Care
  • History
  • Music
  • Spanish*

*Students must have studied this subject at KS3 to select as an option. 

Where possible, we also support students in completing GCSE in a range of additional languages that they may already be fluent in.

 

The options process is supported further by a Careers Education Information and Guidance (CEIAG) system across the school. This includes students having careers interviews during KS3/KS4, work experience opportunities, guest speakers from local further education providers and careers fairs. The school has been awarded the national Quality in Careers Standard Award. Further information on the school's Careers Programme can be found here. 

Each lesson is 50 minutes long, with the number of lessons per week below:

 

Year 10

Year 11

English

6

6

Maths

6

5

Science

6

7

RS

1

2

PE

1

1

PSHE

1

0*

Option A

3

3

Option B

3

3

Option C

3

3

Total

30

30

*Delivered within the tutor time programme.

Curriculum Maps:

Use the links below to see what your child will be studying in each subject this Autumn term.

Year 7 Curriculum Map

Year 8 Curriculum Map

Year 9 Curriculum Map

Year 10 Curriculum Map

Year 11 Curriculum Map

The wider curriculum: 

Alongside the above, each student is given access to a wide range of opportunities, experiences and takes on responsibilities to prepare them for later life. These include: 

  • Trips domestically: theatre, educational trips to the coast, historical sites, Cadbury’s World Business

  • International trips: French markets, ski trips, Germany – Holocaust and historical sites

  • Debating society, UK Maths Challenges, Duke of Edinburgh Awards

  • Links to Music School, Shakespeare Schools Festival, The Feast, Eco-School Status

  • Sporting opportunities: Fixtures and clubs, Juventus Academy, County and Town Sports

  • Guest Speakers: Flavasume Trust, Mike Haines, Walk to Freedom.

For any additional queries please contact Mr C Stainsby.