Our Curriculum

At every stage of our curriculum, we give our students, who are all very bright, stretch and challenge and prepare them for the next step of their academic journey; from Key Stage 3 into 4, from Key Stage 4 into ‘A’ Levels, and from Sixth Form into university and life beyond.  Throughout their time with us, we support our students on their individual pathways to follow their aspirations and fulfil their potential.

At Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, and 9) our students study English, Mathematics, Science, two modern foreign languages, History, Geography, RE, Art, Drama, Music, Computing, Technology and PE.

This curriculum recognizes the need for rigour and pace whilst also giving our students a wide breadth of experience, extending and enriching the National Curriculum to meet the needs of our very able students.  Their Technology course across the first two years encompasses 5 separate areas and a challenging project on structures.  The Computing course includes coding from Year 7 and develops all the IT skills they will need to be effective in their studies at our school. We have also expanded Drama provision to support students develop their interpersonal skills.  In Mathematics and Science the GCSE syllabus is followed from Year 9 in response to our students’ ability levels.

At Key Stage 4 all of our students follow an academic programme of 10 GCSEs with the English Baccalaureate at its heart.   3 separate sciences are taught to every student, there is the choice of 3 modern languages, 4 technologies and all girls follow a ‘Philosophy 4 Children’ course that delivers philosophy and independence of thought; students also have 1 or 2 hours per week of Physical Education. There is a further choice from eight other GCSEs including, amongst others, Computer Science, Art, Music and Drama.  Latin and Photography are offered in twilight lessons after school.  Students are set by ability in Mathematics and taught in mixed ability groups in all other subjects. 

In our Sixth Form we offer 25 subjects over a very broad range.  These include all the facilitating subjects required for top universities, including Further Mathematics.  Other subjects available include, amongst others, three Technology subjects, Art, Psychology, Philosophy and Ethics, Economics, Drama and Music.  In Year 12 there is a wide-ranging elective suite; compulsory Physical Education; there are opportunities for students to complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ); the opportunity to complete a Sports Leaders qualification; and take part in Young Enterprise.  High quality preparation for Higher Education and careers advice is central to the pastoral programme in Sixth Form.

Our PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) course runs throughout KS3, KS4 and KS5.  It is delivered by form tutors and is designed to prepare our students to take an informed and active role as citizens in British society.  Alongside this an extensive tutor-time, enrichment and extra-curricular programme seeks to instill confidence and resilience in our students for the adventure of life beyond the school.

If you have any queries about our curriculum please email Jonathan Donnelly (Assistant Headteacher) on jdonnelly@wallingtongirls.org.uk

A curriculum that meets the needs of our students allowing them to progress.