Curriculum Overview

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We aim to provide, for all students in all Key Stages, a broad and balanced curriculum which not only encompasses those elements required by law, but which broadens, enriches and stimulates individual learning.

Additionally at all Key Stages there is an extra-curricular programme that provides students with the opportunity to develop their skills and interests further. There is also the opportunity to undertake a wide range of leadership roles.

 

7K7A1202   7K7A1747   7K7A1836

 

Timetable Structure

We operate a 50 period 2-week timetable with lessons lasting 1 hour and all students receive one hour of PSHEC per week and one hour of tutoring ‘Cura Personalis’ every two weeks.  This is complemented by a 15 minute tutor or assembly session at the beginning of each day.

Setting

Key Stage 3

Students in Year 7 - Mixed ability groupings in all subjects with the exception of Maths and Science which are set. There are three ability tiers in Maths & Science.

Students in Year 8 - Maths are blocked against Science, MFL, Music and Computing whereas English are blocked against RE, Geography, History, Drama and Art. There are four ability tiers in Maths and three ability tiers in English.

Students in Year 9 - English are blocked against RE, Geography, History, Art and Drama whereas Maths is blocked against Science, MFL, Computing and Music. 

 

English Based Setting

Maths and Science Based Setting

   

2 groups of equal ability (A,P)

2 groups of equal ability (A,P)

4 groups of equal ability (H,J,S,T)

2 groups of equal ability (H,S)

2 groups of equal ability (J,T)

2 groups of equal ability (M,V)

2 groups of equal ability (M,V)

  

Key Stage 4

Core Provision - there are eight teaching groups for Maths, English, Science, RE  and PE. Option subjects are taught in mixed-ability groups as per the table below.

 

Subject  Setting 
 Maths  

 8 classes with students set using attainment in Maths

 This supports preparation for tiered assessments, either Higher or Foundation

 Science   

 8 classes studying Science - set using attainment in Science

There are two pathways - Separate Sciences and Combined Science and within these there are two tiers of Entry - Higher or Foundation.

 English-based   block

 8 classes studying English and RE (for current Year 10)

 Students are set using attainment in English

 Options

 Students are taught in mixed ability classes based on students' option choices.

 PE  8 classes – set using attainment in PE

 

All Key Stage 5 subjects are selected by students with the exception of GCSE English Language and Maths resits. If a student has not achieved at least a grade 4 at Key Stage 4 then they need to continue studying either GCSE English or Maths until they achieve a minimum grade of 4.

Key Stage 5

In KS5 the teaching is in mixed ability groups; there is no setting however students need to meet subject entrance criteria in order to be able to study that subject.

 

Key Stage 3 - 5 Curriculum Summary 

(The numbers in brackets indicate the number of periods per 2-week cycle allocated to that subject)

Number of periods over 10 days

KS3

KS4

KS5

Yr7

Yr8

Yr9

Yr10

Yr11

Yr12 & Y13

Art

(2)

(2)

(2)

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

Business Studies

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

Business BTEC

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

Computing Core

(2)

(2) + Optional Twilight

(2) + Optional Twilight

Drop down day (Apptastic) and Integrated

Computing GCSE and A Level Option

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

Design & Technology - Food

(2)

(2)

(2)

(5) option

(5) option

Design & Technology – Product Design

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

Design & Technology - Textiles

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

Drama and Theatre Studies

(2)

(2)

(2)

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

English

(6)

(6)

(6)

English Language

(6) Core

(6) Core

(9)

(5) resit

English Literature

(9)

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

(1)

Geography

(3)

(3)

(3)

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

Government and Politics

(9)

Health and Social Care (HSC) BTEC

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

Hospitality (Level 2)

(14)

History

(3)

(3)

(3)

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

Maths

(6)

(6)

(6)

(6) core

(6) core

(9)

(5) resit

Maths: Additional

(4) twilight

(4) twilight

Maths: Further

(9)

Maths: A Level

(9)

Media Studies

(9)

(9)

MFL: French or 

(6)

(6)

(6)

Spanish also twilight option

(5)

(5) option

(9)

MFL: Spanish

(5) 

(5) option

(9)

Music

(2)

(2)

(3) plus early entry

(5) option

(5) option

(9)

PE: Core

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3) core

(3) core

PE: GCSE Option

(5) option

(5) option

PE: A Level

(9)

Photography

(9)

PSHE and Citizenship

(2) core

(2) core

(2) core

(2) core

(2) core

(2) core

Psychology

(9)

Reading

(1)

(1)

(1)

Religious Education (KS3, GCSE, Sixth Form Provision)

(5) core

(5) core

(5) core

(5) core

(5 ) core

(2) core

Religious Education: A Level

 

(9)

Science

(6)

(6)

(6)

Science: Biology

(9) core option

(9) core option

(9)

Science: Chemistry

(9)

Science: Physics

(9)

Science: Combined

 

(9) core option

(9) core option

Sociology: A Level

(9)

Sociology: AS GCSE Option

(5) option

(5) option

Travel and Tourism BTEC

(9)

Tutoring ‘Cura Personalis’

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

T Level - Health

(27)

T Level - Business Management & Administration

         

(27)

  

Key Stage 5 Curriculum 

In Year 12 Sixth Form students study a personalised programme of courses, which has been determined after interviews with Senior Leaders. Usually this programme consists of three Level 3 subjects of study (either A Levels, BTEC or a combination of the two) or a T Level (from September 2022) which is the equivalent of 3 A Levels. Students may also undertake enrichment courses e.g. Extended Project Qualification (Level 3; equivalent to half an A Level.)

‘A’ Level and BTEC National Diploma, Certificate and Extended Certificate courses are taught for nine periods per 2-week cycle.

We also offer Level 2 First Extended Certificate in Hospitality.

In September 2022, we introduced our first T Level in Health and Science and this will be followed by another in Business and Management from September 2024.

In line with national requirements, if a student has not achieved a grade 4 in GCSE Maths or English at KS4, they will continue to study these subjects, until they have achieved a grade 4.

For further information regarding the Sixth Form please click here

As a Roman Catholic Sixth Form, the spiritual development and engagement of our students is a priority. All students in the Sixth Form have one timetabled Core RE lesson per week to continue to study, discuss and explore areas of Theology, Philosophy, Ethics and Spirituality within Modern Britain.  Attendance at these lessons is a requirement of each student but there is no set homework, coursework or formal examination.  Students are assessed to ensure that they are progressing in confidence and ability as young women who engage with issues and people from a spiritual perspective within a Catholic school and culture. 

All 6th Form students participate in our “Future Pathways Programme” as part of the PSHE programme that covers Higher Education & Careers, PSHE, and Citizenship.

If you wish to find out more about the curriculum our school is following please email enquiries@stphils.org.uk and view the curriculum policy on the policies page here.

St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls

Shorts Road

Carshalton Surrey

SM5 3PS

T: 020 8642 2025

 

For general enquiries please mail:

enquiries@stphils.org.uk

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