Our Key Stage 4 curriculum has adapted during recent years as a result of many significant changes to the national examination system. Our aim is to provide students with a broad and balanced curriculum which meets their needs regardless of ability or interest. This section of the website is designed to give you a brief overview of how we have structured our curriculum in Key Stage 4 (Year 9 – Year 11). If you would like to find out more about the specific courses studied by students in each subject, please click on the the ‘subjects menu’ link in our ‘curriculum and learning’ drop-down menu (http://www.colfox.org/subjects-2/)
Students who started Year 9 in September 2019 follow a specific curriculum model. To view the number of hours per fortnight in each subject please click here . This curriculum sees students selecting four GCSE ‘options’ to run alongside their ‘Core’ GCSE’s in English, Maths and Science (higher ability students will take Triple Science and other will study double award). All of these courses will be studied as three year GCSE’s allowing the time for the greater depth of learning and higher standards of the new GCSE’s. In this new model the English Baccalaureate has not been made compulsory. Students have been allowed greater freedom in choosing the subjects that they want to follow.
This model is changing in September 2021. Students will not start their GCSE’s until Year 10, the curriculum map can be viewed here.
To discuss general aspects of the key Stage 4 curriculum and route to gaining qualification please do contact Deputy Headteacher Ms L Webb or by contacting the school office (office@colfox.dorset.sch.uk).To discuss more specific aspects about the options process and options choices please contact Graham Farrow (farrowg@colfox.dorset.sch.uk) or again by contacting the school office. We hope you find this information useful.