The principles of Poole Grammar School’s curriculum

These are:

• to build confidence in our students;
• to provide stretch and challenge for all;
• to develop students’ cultural capital and skills through a knowledge-engaged curriculum;
• to enable a successful transition to higher education and employment by building skills that will enable our students to continue to be successful upon leaving Poole Grammar School;
• to foster in students a love of learning and a curiosity for the world in which they live.

These principles will be realised through lessons (which at Key Stage 3 are broadly in line with the National Curriculum), tutor time, assemblies and extra-curricular activities.

Central to an effective curriculum are the development of the specific skills of literacy, numeracy and oracy. The Poole Grammar School curriculum has carefully chosen content and is coherently organised and sequenced ensuring that knowledge, understanding and skills are built up cumulatively year on year.

Poole Grammar School places high value on the development of the character traits of compassion, integrity, motivation, respect, teamwork and wisdom. These traits are developed and reinforced through curricular and extra-curricular opportunities.

Key Stage 3 – this stage lasts three years, from Year 7 through to Year 9. The curriculum is broad and includes: English, mathematics, science, art, computing & information technology, design technology (electronics, graphics, resistant materials & food technology), drama, geography, history, life skills (PSHE), modern foreign languages (2 out of French, German & Spanish), music, physical education (PE) and religion & philosophy (RP). Careers education is woven into the subject curriculum and is delivered through tutor time and assemblies.

Attainment at Key Stage 3 is criterion based, the criteria for each subject can be found in this document KS3 meeting expectations descriptors booklet

Key Stage 4 – this stage lasts two years and covers Year 10 and Year 11. Students can study a programme of 10 GCSE subjects. 6 GCSE subjects form the core curriculum: English language, English literature, mathematics, Science (triple or double award), a modern foreign language (French, German or Spanish) and religious studies. 11 subjects make up the options programme, from which students can pick 4 or 5: art (fine), art (graphics), computer science, design technology, drama, electronics, food technology, geography, history, a second modern foreign language (French, German or Spanish) and music. Additionally, all students continue to study life Skills (PSHE) and engage in physical education. Some students have the opportunity to take further mathematics (level 2 certificate). Again, careers education is woven into the subject curriculum and is also delivered through tutor time and assemblies.

Key Stage 5 – this stage lasts two years and covers Year 12 and Year 13. Students can study a programme of 3 or 4 A-level subjects chosen from a very wide range of 28 A-level subjects: ancient history*, art (fine), art & design (graphics)*, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, design technology, drama & theatre studies*, economics, electronics, English language, English literature, French*, geography, geology*, German*, government & politics, history, mathematics, mathematics (further), media studies*, music, physics, psychology, philosophy, sociology and Spanish*.

*Offered in partnership with Parkstone Grammar School

In addition, students can study the extended project qualification (EPQ) and a certificate in core mathematics. All students at Key Stage 5 continue to study life skills (PSHE), engage in physical education and take at least one enrichment activity per term. Advice and guidance for progression into higher education and employment is central to the tutorial programme in the Sixth Form.