Curriculum Structure
The school week is divided into 25 periods, with five periods a day: four before lunch and one in the afternoon. The school operates a two-week timetable. Period 5 on a Friday forms part of a wider Personal Development programme that includes mentoring, development of broader learning skills, a variety of outside speakers, and enrichment activities designed to enhance the core curriculum.
Key Stage 3 - Years 7, 8 and 9
Ability Setting
In Year 7, pupils are taught in mixed ability forms for most subjects, with smaller groups for Languages, Technology and PE. In Years 8 and 9, pupils are divided into three equal cohort groups. Within these cohorts, pupils are ‘set’ independently for Science, PE, English and their Humanities (ie History, Geography, RE). They are set across the year for Maths and are in mixed ability groups for Languages, Technology, Art, Drama, Music, Personal Development and Computing.
Lessons per fortnight
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Mathematics | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Science | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Art | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Computing | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| D&T / Food | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Drama | 2 | 3* | 2 |
| Languages | 4 | 8 | 4 |
| Geography | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| History | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Music | 2 | 2* | 2 |
| PE / Games | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Personal Development | 1 | 3* | 1 |
| RE | 2 | 2 | 3 |
*Subjects taught in rotation
Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11
Core Curriculum
Although there is an element of choice at this Key Stage, all pupils follow a common core of subjects:
- English Language and literature – 8 hours per fortnight
- Mathematics – 6 hours per fortnight
- Science – 9 hours per fortnight for double award or 14 hours per fortnight for triple award (chosen as one of students’ 4 options)
- RE (full GCSE) – 2 lesson per fortnight
- Core PE (non examined) – 2 lesson per fortnight
Options Subjects
In addition to this core curriculum, students are able to select 4 options, providing a broad choice of subjects. It is normal for the majority of our students to choose one or more modern foreign languages and either Geography, History or both
Option choices are unrestricted and students are guided in their selections. Each option subject is taught through 5 lesson per fortnight. More information about the GCSE options can be found here:
Key Stage 5- Sixth Form
6th Form Curriculum Structure and Entry Requirements
All entrants to the Sixth Form must apply to study at least 3 recognised courses. A Level courses are taught in 8 hours per fortnight with Further Maths. Sixth Formers must take part in compulsory games lessons and are encouraged to represent the School if required during the week and at weekends.
In recognition of our academic offering, all entrants must have a minimum of 5 full GCSEs or equivalent at grades 9-5, which include both English (Language or Literature) and Mathematics, and with 3 of their passes at grade 6 or above. Additionally, all entrants must fulfil subject course entrance requirements as specified in the Sixth Form Prospectus. We are able to consider students who do not meet all of these requirements, but such applicants can only be offered places if the School sees other compelling evidence that they will be able to cope with the Sixth Form curriculum and expectations of St George’s.
This website has a section devoted to the Sixth Form with more detailed information: