Teaching the Curriculum

Learning at Pensby

The Headteacher delegates responsibility for the day to day teaching of the curriculum to the heads of eight broad faculties. In turn, each Head of Faculty may work with a number of Subject Heads to ensure that pupils are being given every possible opportunity in the appropriate subject.

The curriculum of the school must clearly fit in with the demands of the National Curriculum and LEA policy, as well as fulfilling what we feel to be the specific needs of our pupils. We are fully committed at Pensby to equal opportunities for all - every pupil is given full access to the entire curriculum, and is provided for in every possible way. We also make sure that every pupil is encouraged to develop to her fullest possible potential, and that no gender issues limit the range of choices that pupils have at their disposal.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

For the first three years (Years 7-9) pupils are taught in sets, mixed ability groups, or broad bands as appropriate for each subject, and follow a broad, balanced curriculum. All pupils study Mathematics, English, Science, French, Geography, History, and Religious Education. Design Technology (Food), Design Technology (Communication), Information Technology, Music, Art, Physical Education, Drama and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) including Citizenship. Spanish is offered as a second foreign language in Year 8.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)

In the fourth year (Year 10) pupils have a degree of choice in the subjects they study. They are offered careful guidance about these choices and parents are invited to discuss them at a parents' evening. After this process of advice and discussion, the pupils are able to make informed decisions and their preferences are generally met.

The Common Core

All pupils will study English, Mathematics and Science to full GCSE level. Religious Education and ICT will be studied to GCSE level but as Short Courses leading a half GCSE. Also as part of the core pupils will study PSHE, Citizenship, Careers and PE but these will not be examined.

GCSE Option Choices

A wide range of subjects is offered as options. These take the form of traditional GCSE's and Vocational GCSE's. Vocational GCSE's are equivalent to two traditional GCSE's and take up double the teaching time. Pupils can choose four traditional courses, two vocational courses or one vocational course and two traditional GCSE's. The table below gives an indication of the typical choice that a pupil may have. Pupils would choose one subject from each column to arrive at one of the combinations above.

All pupils who follow a GCSE course will be entered for the examination unless there are exceptional circumstances.