Curriculum

KEY STAGES 1 AND 2

The Junior Department broadly follows National Curriculum requirements but is not constrained by this. In academic terms this means that literacy and numeracy are taught every day. The remaining subjects, Science, RE, PSHE, ICT, History, Geography, Music, Art, PE, Games and Modern Languages (KS2) are taught throughout the week ensuring that each individual receives a broad, balanced and relevant education. All pupils will receive, at some stage during KS1 and KS2, horse riding lessons and access to the farm and estate.

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (KS1) are taught all subjects by their class teacher except ICT, Music and PE. They have access to the whole school facilities and resources which provide many opportunities for enhancing their learning experiences.

In KS2 for certain subjects such as Art, Drama, ICT, Modern Languages, Music, PE, Games, Outdoor Education for Year 5 and 6, and Science for Year 6 pupils, use Senior School facilities with specialist teachers.

KEY STAGE 3

Abbotsholme broadly follows the requirements of the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 but enhances the academic provision by covering supplementary topics, which stimulate interest and enhance learning. English, Mathematics and Science are taught as core requirements. All pupils in KS3 are taught Geography and History. French is taught in all years whilst Spanish is introduced as a second language in Year 8.

Art, Music, Religious Knowledge, Personal and Social Education, Information Technology, CDT, Cookery and Drama are also taught on a regular basis throughout these years. In addition, there is a significant time commitment to PE and Games, the Farm and to Outdoor Education.

KEY STAGE 4 (GCSE)

At GCSE, Abbotsholme provides a variety of courses, which allow a significant breadth of study.

All pupils take a core of English Language and Literature, Mathematics, 21 st Century Science covering the key elements of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Each of these subjects is taught on the basis of sets enabling pupils to progress at a pace, which is most appropriate to them.

Beyond this, there is a range of optional subjects: Agriculture, Art, Business and Communication, Drama, Engineering, French, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education and Spanish. Pupils normally opt to take four of these subjects. In addition, all pupils attend sessions on Careers, Games, Physical Education and Religious Knowledge. Any required dyslexia teaching is arranged in accordance with individual pupil’s timetables, which may result in a slightly reduced number of GCSE options. A booklet detailing the curriculum and options at Key Stage 4 can either be downloaded from our website or obtained in hard copy format.

AS/A2

In the Lower Sixth, students typically choose four AS subjects, in addition to General Studies. They also take part in Games classes. Currently we offer 20 subjects at AS level, most of which can be taken to full A level: Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Critical Thinking, Engineering, English Literature, French, Geography, History, ICT, Mathematics, Film Studies, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Spanish, Theatre Studies, and General Studies. Additional courses include the BTEC First Diploma in Countryside and Environment and the British Horse Society’s Instructor’s Course or NVQ in Equine Studies. Further Maths is offered to the Upper Sixth as an extra AS subject.

In general Upper sixth students continue with three or four subjects to A2 level.

Overseas students, who require EAL tuition, are prepared throughout the Sixth Form for the IELTS examination, which is recognised as a qualification for entry into UK universities.

A booklet detailing Sixth Form options can either be downloaded from our website or obtained in hard copy format.

Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)