Curriculum

OVERVIEW

Caterham School is committed to providing a rigorous academic and intellectual education which will challenge and engage pupils, offer continuity and progression of learning to foster a life-long love of learning for its own sake and provide them with a secure foundation on which to continue into Higher Education and into the careers of their choice.

All pupils study a core curriculum of Mathematics, English, Science, a Humanity and a Modern Language until the end of the Fifth Year (GCSEs), and there is also the opportunity for them to build around that a combination of other optional subjects. Quite deliberately, the school chooses each year to construct timetables around pupils’ choices and not the other way around; thus there are no predetermined ‘Option Blocks’ for GCSE and A Level. The School aims to run any course for which there is sufficient demand.

As well as EDGE, the curriculum provides for the teaching of Wellbeing, which is taught to class groups as a timetabled discrete subject

First and Second Years

In the First and Second Years (Years 7 and 8), all pupils receive a broad introductory curriculum which gives them experience in all of the aspects outlined above. In addition to Mathematics, English, Science, one European Modern Language, Latin and Mandarin, they study History, Geography, Philosophy and Theology, Design and Technology, Computer Science, Art, Music and Drama. They also have lessons in EDGE, Wellbeing, PE and Games.

Third Year

In the Third Year (Year 9) an element of choice is introduced to enable pupils to explore those subjects more fully for which they have a natural enthusiasm and/or aptitude. All pupils study the core curriculum of Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Philosophy and Theology, at least one Modern Language, PE and Games. This curriculum is supplemented by a choice of three further subjects from Latin, Greek, Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin), Art, Design and Technology, Computer Science, Music and Drama. An options booklet is provided to help pupils and their parents to make informed choices.

Fourth and Fifth Years

In the Fourth and Fifth Years (Years 10 and 11), the core curriculum is Mathematics, English Language and Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, a Humanity (Geography, History, Philosophy and Theology) and a Modern Language (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin) as well as EDGE, Wellbeing, PE and Games. For the Fifth Year, a choice is made as to whether pupils opt for the Dual Award or continue all three sciences to GCSE. In addition pupils choose two further subjects from Latin, Greek, Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin), Humanities (Geography, History, Philosophy and Theology), Business Studies, Computer Science, Art, Fashion Textiles, Design and Technology, Music, Drama and GCSE PE. An options booklet is provided to help pupils and their parents to make informed choices.

The Sixth Form

At Sixth Form, we retain an open policy regarding pupils’ choice of A Level subjects. Pupils have a free choice of any four A Levels (five if they choose Further Maths), and the school aims to run any course for which there is sufficient demand. All of the subjects offered at GCSE are available at A Level, as well as Economics, Psychology, Politics and Photography. Advice is given to all pupils regarding their A Level choices and this advice includes an interview with each Fifth Year pupil by the Head of Year or senior member of staff. An options booklet is provided to help students and their parents to make informed choices, and a Sixth Form Open Evening allows them to experience the flavour of different A Level subjects before committing themselves to specific subjects.
As well as their A Level subjects, the Sixth Form also follow the EDGE course which develops key skills that can lead to an EPQ and a variety of Sixth Form pathways depending on their plans beyond school. There is an innovative ‘Forum’ programme, including expert-led lectures and seminars on topics such as drug abuse, sexual health, and safe driving. Enrichment opportunities abound in the Sixth Form across all A Level subjects and more. This programme is designed to prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and opportunities of adult life.

English as an Additional Language

Pupils whose first language is not English are assessed prior to entry into Caterham School and again upon arrival during their induction programme to assess their English language capabilities and needs. Extra support is provided through timetabled EAL (English as an Additional Language) lessons. These lessons aim to develop the pupils’ English language skills and communicative ability and to build the students confidence to succeed in an English-speaking environment.
In the Sixth Form, students attend an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) preparation course of two periods a week. They remain on this course until they secure an IELTS score high enough to enter their preferred university.