Introduction Public examinations are part of school life and are taken by pupils throughout their school career. Poole Grammar School aims to
personalise the curriculum to the strengths of individual pupils. This results in pupils taking exams when it is appropriate for
their ability, this means we often accelerate pupils. As a member of the Specialist Schools and Academies trust (SSAT) we have a
commitment to extending the most able in these specialist school subjects. As a result we accelerate pupils in these curriculum
areas and provide a range of further vocational courses to reinforce the more traditional academic courses.
Key Stage 3 (Years 8 & 9)
Pupils take Key Stage 3 tests in maths, English and science in Year 8 and 9 according to subject. There is much current debate
as to the value of these tests. From 2008 pupils will take English in year 8 and we are still debating whether it would be more
appropriate to take maths and science in year 8 as well. All pupils also take GCSE ICT (half course) at the end of Year 9 which
is part of our commitment to specialist status. This course is supportive of the rest of the curriculum and provides pupils with
the opportunity of managing coursework.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11)
Pupils in Year 11 sit ten GCSE subjects, unless they take Double Award Science, in which case the total is nine. The majority
also take an additional GCSE in Religious Education. In addition many pupils take AS ICT or Microsoft Office (MOS) vocational
exams. We are also expanding the number of subjects where there is a choice between AS or GCSE, hence teaching pupils according
to their ability. In mathematics some sets are accelerated and take their GCSE in the summer of Year 10 or Autumn of Year 11.
They then go onto the Free Standing Mathematics Qualification in (FSMQ) in Year 11 which is excellent preparation for A level.
Key Stage 5 (The Sixth Form)
All sixth formers are candidates for GCE Advanced Levels, most sitting four subjects at AS with a minority sitting five. Pupils
then drop down to three or four A levels as appropriate. In addition, to support their main stream subjects all pupils take
General Studies A level. Hence the majority of candidates leave Poole Grammar School with four A levels. There is also provision
for taking the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) vocational award. Pupils are also prepared for Advanced Extension Awards
(AEA), Oxbridge entry exams e.g. BMAT and STEP and a range of skills for life courses e.g. Basic Food Hygiene.
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