Our Curriculum
Curriculum-Gallery (ID 1046)
Whole School Curriculum Statement
As an Academy we have the freedom to decide the best curriculum for our very able students and we keep our model under constant review to ensure our students are prepared for a rapidly changing world. Our curriculum supports our students to belong, thrive and lead, and it is underpinned by three guiding principles in being broad, rigorous and student-centred.
Breadth of opportunity is particularly important to us: for our students to be individuals and have the true opportunity to explore their place in the world, it is vital that the curriculum remains as wide-ranging as possible, for as long as possible. For example, during our three-year Key Stage 3, all students embrace the challenge of studying two languages from a choice of four, alongside specialist lessons in each of the Arts and Humanities. Tuesday afternoon (TPM) provides additional flexible curriculum time that enriches and widens students’ cultural capital and practical skills by covering a plethora of activities from public speaking and personal finance to gardening and ironing.
At Key Stage 4, instead of having ‘option blocks’, we build the timetable around students. This is about knowing, valuing, and supporting our students as unique learners.
Similarly, at Key Stage 5, students are carefully guided to the appropriate pathway that will support their individual aspirations for the future, either starting Year 12 with four A Levels or three A Levels plus the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The EPQ provides an opportunity for students to engage in learning which goes beyond the usual curriculum studies, planning and carrying out research on a chosen topic which is not covered by their A Levels.
Academic rigour sits at the heart of our curriculum; students of our calibre should rightly be challenged to go deeper and far beyond the National Curriculum. All the subjects we offer are demanding academic disciplines, and we are proud of our subject specialist staff who deliver them.
Key Stage 3 - Years 7, 8 & 9
Students joining us in Year 7 study Art, Computing, Drama, English, two from French, German and Mandarin, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Personal Development (including Life Skills e.g. cookery), Physical Education and Games, PTE (Religious Education) and Science.
As they progress through their first three years, they also have the opportunity to start learning Spanish.
Tuesday afternoon (TPM) includes climbing, origami and bushcraft to name but a few of the activities which broaden our students’ skills and learning.
Year 9 is a transition year when students continue to study the same broad curriculum as in Years 7 and 8 but begin to meet some GCSE skills and content. During Year 9 our information, advice and guidance programme helps students in deciding which GCSE subjects they will choose to study in Years 10 and 11.
Key Stage 4 - Years 10 & 11
Students take all their external GCSE qualifications at the end of Year 11.
All students have a core curriculum of English Literature, English Language, Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
They can then choose four options subjects from the list below, on top of the non-examined subjects of PDC (Personal Development Curriculum), Physical Education, Technology and Design, Core PTE and Games.
The GCSE option subjects are:
- Art
- Business
- Computing
- Drama
- French
- Geography
- German
- History
- Mandarin
- Music
- Philosophy, Theology & Ethics (PTE)
- Physical Education
- Spanish
Our student-centred system means we give free choice, under guidance of the pastoral and academic teams, as to which GCSEs a student would like to follow. We then build the curriculum around them. We feel this is the best approach to meet the needs of each individual student in our care.
Key Stage 5 - Years 12 & 13
The Sixth Form years offer exceptional opportunities for academic progress and self-development. Our curriculum meets all aspects of the Study Programmes for 16-19 year olds, and students’ core academic studies are supplemented by our IAG (Information and Guidance) Programme and a vast array of enrichment and co-curricular activities.
Alongside the broad and flexible combination of A Level qualifications that we offer, this attracts a large cohort of students to the Sixth Form both from our own Year 11 and from other schools across the region.
Our students begin Year 12 on either four A Level courses or three A Levels plus the Extended Project Qualification, usually moving onto three in Year 13. A small number of students studying Maths and Further Maths may wish to study 5 subjects, but this is the exception rather than the norm.
Subjects Currently on Offer at Pate's Sixth Form
- Art
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Drama & Theatre
- Economics
- English
- French
- Geography
- German
- History
- Maths
- Further Maths
- Music
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Politics
- Psychology
- Spanish
Curriculum-Gallery (ID 1046
Curriculum Overview
The impact of our curriculum is clear to see. Our students achieve the very highest possible outcomes in terms of academic qualifications (attainment and progress), that see them go on to the very best University courses (both in the UK and abroad) or to highly competitive Higher Apprenticeship programmes.
If you would like to find out more about our curriculum please contact the Academic Deputy Headteacher, Mr Henley by emailing ahenley@patesgs.org.
