In Years 7 to 9, a similar programme is taught to all students, embracing all of the above subjects. Students are taught mainly in the same class in Year 7, apart from Mathematics. This subject operates a system of “setting”. In Years 8 and 9, students are also “setted” in Languages and Science.
Towards the end of Year 9, students prepare for the programmes of study that they would wish to pursue in Years 10 and 11. Details of the process of selecting subject preferences are provided in a separate booklet and given to all students in the Spring of Year 9.
Key Stage 4
English
Mathematics
Physical Education
Science
Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
Citizenship
Work-Related Learning
Religious Education
Personal, Social and Health Education
In addition, students choose three courses from this list:
Art and Design
Drama
Business Studies
Geography
History
Music
French
Spanish
Resistant Materials
Food Technology
Graphics
Textiles
Applied ICT
Applied Art & Design *
Catering
Digital Applications
* Only one further subject is chosen to accompany Applied Art & Design
Students are encouraged to choose subjects that fall within a recommended “Pathway”. Pathways allow for either a balanced set of choices, or for a particular emphasis to be developed (for example, in the Arts, or Languages).
A small number of students study an alternative vocational course involving attendance at the North Dorset Skills Centre or another Training Provider, for one day each week. Courses are run in
Catering
Performance Engineering Operations
Salon Services
Horse Care
Motor Vehicle Maintenance
Land-based Studies
Most courses lead to assessment at GCSE level, although the school also makes use of alternative forms of accreditation for a minority of students, for example the NVQ (level 1 or 2) and BTEC.
Towards the end of Year 10, all students undertake a two-week programme of Work Experience.
Full details of all Key Stage Four courses are published in the Pathways Booklet, available to parents and students in advance of the choosing process in Year 9.
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