As we personalise the curriculum for pupils so the distinction between Years 8 and 9 as a preparatory time for GCSE in Years 10 and 11 becomes more blurred. Many pupils are in fact accelerated through this period to take examinations earlier and so be challenged further. Hence this curriculum description is continually evolving. What we aim to do is to give a broad grounding during this period whilst encouraging in some subjects those pupils for whom it is appropriate to be accelerated. Given the relatively narrow ability range of pupils, streaming or banding is not used except in Mathematics in Year 9. On admission to the school in Year 8 (12+), pupils are therefore placed in mixed ability forms in which they take the following subjects: English Language and Literature, Mathematics, French, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Religious Education, Art, Design Technology, Music, Physical Education, Personal and Social Education, Thinking Skills and Information Technology. All students are entered for a short-course ICT GCSE at the end of Year 9 and we start GCSE science courses at the beginning of Year 9. Statutory Government SATS tests in English, mathematics and science are taken at appropriate times for the ability of pupils during these two years. In Year 9, in the same forms, pupils continue with these areas and add German or Spanish as a second foreign language. | 
