Curriculum Statement

Our Curriculum Approach

Teaching at Alderbrook develops students’ knowledge, skills and understanding and takes place within a broad and balanced curriculum which is deep, rich and meaningful. This is accompanied by an effective social, moral, spiritual and cultural ethos, which helps to develop and prepare students for life in modern Britain.

The Curriculum at Alderbrook School

Our curriculum is designed specifically with three core principles in mind which reflect Ofsted’s new framework; intent, implementation and impact. Through a curriculum which is broad and balanced but also rich and deep, we aim to deliver the following:

i. Promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

ii. Promote tolerance of, and respect for, people of other faiths, cultures and lifestyles through the development of social, moral, spiritual and cultural aspects of learning and students’ own personal development.

iii. Value the development of character by actively developing ‘Skills for Success’ both in lessons and through the extra-curricular and PSCHE programmes.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8)

Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum of 25 hours’ learning time, studying English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, Modern Foreign Languages, History, Geography, Religious Education, Physical Education, Art, Music, Drama, Dance and Technology. Learning is based on the assessment objectives for GCSE subjects, so that key skills are developed from Year 7 through to Year 11 and beyond. In Year 7, students have one Aspire lesson a fortnight where they will have explicit opportunities to consider their personal learning habits and characteristics and develop a greater sense of their ‘growth mind-set’ and overall capacity to make progress through hard work.

Key Stage 4 (Years 9, 10 and 11)

Following their options choices in Year 8, students study their four GCSE and technical qualifications in addition to English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education and Physical Education. In Year 9, students have a supplementary PSHCE lesson one hour a fortnight as part of the Life Ready Programme which aims to develop knowledge of relationships, health and well-being, and living in the wider world.

Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13)

Students study for three or four A Levels in our Sixth Form. Many students studying three A Levels choose to complete an additional qualification in Year 12 such as the highly regarded Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or AS Core Maths. Students also complete an interesting and varied enrichment programme during their time in the Sixth Form.