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Senior School Curriculum

At Key Stage 3 we follow a Senior School Curriculum that prioritises Literacy and Numeracy alongside a broad range of other subjects. Currently English, Maths and the three Sciences teach their GCSE courses over three years, starting in Year 9.

In Year 10, students study 9 GCSEs and have the option of either Combined Cadet Force or Wayfarers, our own bespoke outdoor learning programme for one afternoon a week.

PSHE (personal, social & health education) and PE form part of the compulsory curriculum at Adcote. All pupils attend PE, alongside two compulsory hours of games-based activity each week. Careers provision is included in the PSHE and tutorial programme.

Art, Craft & Design

Art, Craft & Design

Taking GCSE ART means that you are joining a popular course which has a track record of outstanding results. You will have the opportunity to experiment and develop your artistic abilities, learn new practical skills and processes, and work on an ambitious scale. Students complete one main coursework unit along with a number of smaller short term projects. Project themes will include ‘studies of nature’, ‘movement’ Students relate the ideas and styles of this period to the present day and produce a sketchbook and final piece on a chosen theme. All coursework is combined in Year 11 to form a complete coursework folder.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Optional Subject

Business

Business

Students will investigate, analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues, make justified decisions using both qualitative and quantitative data, including its selection, interpretation, analysis and evaluation, and the application of appropriate quantitative skills. Further study of Business could lead into Accountancy, Marketing, Human Resources, Banking, Operations Management and of course, starting up your own business.

GCSE Optional Subject

CCF & Wayfarers

CCF & Wayfarers

As part of Adcote’s commitment to developing the characteristics of confidence, leadership, engagement, achievement and resilience, students in Year 10 take part in one of the following activities:

CCF (Combined Cadet Forces):

This is based on British Armed Forces, its aims are to develop leadership; leading self and leading others, teamwork and courage. Girls will join with students from Shrewsbury School and be attached to one of four sections: Navy, Royal Marines, Army or RAF. They will stay with these sections for the two terms of the academic year.

Wayfarers Programme:

This is a course run at School and takes girls through leadership training, first aid and problem solving. It gives the girls life skills and a chance to add to their list of qualifications. In addition to this, students are given the opportunity to work towards their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Core Subject

Drama

Drama

Studying Drama teaches you transferable skills like no other subject can and is therefore a valuable option for any student who wishes to develop public speaking skills, creativity, team working skills, discipline and confidence. If you are curious about people, the world around us and the way theatre allows us to bring to life what it means to be human, this course could be for you. GCSE Drama develops creating, performing and reflecting skills and offers plenty of opportunities to adapt the learning content to individual talents and personalities, incorporating elements of Acting, Dance and Musical Theatre in order to play to the strengths of each cohort.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Optional Subject

English Language

English Language

Learning to read with understanding and to express an informed point of view clearly enables an individual to make positive contributions to her community. This course is focused on developing these skills. The pupils will become familiar with a wide variety of literary, non-fiction and media texts. They will extend their knowledge of how language in its different forms shapes their understanding. The material studied will enhance their moral and emotional understanding.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Core Subject

English Literature

English Literature

Learners develop knowledge and skills in reading, writing and critical thinking. This GCSE provides them with opportunities to read widely for pleasure across a range of high quality texts in the genres of prose, poetry and drama and to develop an understanding of how literature is both rich and influential. It enables learners to make connections across their reading and develop a clear understanding of literary works and techniques and also prepares them for the study of literature at a higher level. They are encouraged to become enthusiastic, responsive and knowledgeable readers. In addition, they will be asked to consider moral issues and to appreciate the influence of writers’ social, historical and cultural contexts.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Core Subject

English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language

At the start of Year 10, instead of English Language, students who speak English as a second language will begin studying towards the ESL IGCSE with the CIE exam board using the IGCSE course book as the basis of the 2- year course. They sit their exams at the end of Year 11. This course comprehensively covers all the language skills that the students must be capable of learning and delivering at exam level; Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Core Subject

Food Preparation and Nutrition

Food Preparation and Nutrition

The GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition course is an exciting and creative course which focuses on a range of cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. There are five core topics: Food, Nutrition and Health, Food Science, Food Safety, Food Choice and Food Provenance. This is not just a learning to cook course, there is a lot of theory involved. On completion of this course, students will be qualified to go on to further study, or embark on an apprenticeship or full time career in the catering or food industries.

GCSE Optional Subject

Geography

Geography

Geography is a relevant, stimulating and useful subject giving pupils an opportunity to understand how the world around them works and how they can make it a better place for everyone to live in.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Optional Subject

History

History

History is an excellent subject to study at GCSE, enabling students to learn about past events and the people who have influenced history, allowing an understanding of how the world got to the point at which it is now, and how it will continue to develop in the future.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Optional Subject

ICT

ICT

Students explore how digital technology impacts on the lives of individuals, organisations and society. They learn about current and emerging digital technologies and the issues raised by their use in a range of contexts (learning, earning, shopping, money management, health and wellbeing, leisure and on the move).

KS3 Core Subject

iMedia Design

iMedia Design

This vocationally-related qualification focuses on how digital products are produced in the media. Running throughout the course are the themes of research, planning, producing a digital product and then reviewing the work. The course is designed to prepare students for, and help them understand, what skills are needed to produce digital designs. This includes understanding a client’s brief, researching around the task and understanding the target audience as well as designing and making a product.

GCSE Optional Subject

Mathematics

Mathematics

You have been working towards your GCSE Maths exam from the day you first learnt how to count and you are already well on the way to knowing what you need. That’s not to say that you won’t have to work hard for the next two years, especially if you are hoping to take the Higher Level exam.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Core Subject

Music

Music

Music is constantly evolving and inspires creativity and expression in a way that no other subject can. It is an exciting, creative, challenging and versatile subject that employers regard highly because of its uniqueness in being both a highly creative and academic subject. Throughout the course, pupils are offered the chance to study a wide range of musical genres, with opportunities for practical learning.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Optional Subject

Outside of lessons, students have a wide range of choirs and ensembles to choose from. Visit our School Life pages for further details.

Physical Education

Physical Education

This course prepares learners for the further study of Physical Education or Sports Science courses (A level or BTEC) as well as other related subject areas such as Psychology, Sociology and Biology. Students will also develop the transferable skills that are in demand by Further Education, Higher Education and employers in all sectors of industry. Employment opportunities where such skills will be particularly valued include the sport and leisure industry, health care, travel and tourism, and teaching.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Optional Subject

Psychology

Psychology

Religious Studies

Religious Studies

Religious Studies is an interesting and stimulating subject providing a great opportunity for students to engage with current issues, developing social, cultural, political, and historical awareness. At GCSE the AQA Religious Studies A (8062) Specification is followed. The course enables students to consider different beliefs and attitudes to religious and non-religious issues in contemporary British society.

GCSE Optional Subject

Science

Science

We believe that science has something to offer every student. From a chef to a nuclear physicist, a lawyer to a cancer researcher, everyone needs some level of relevant scientific understanding. We do not believe in stereotypes or limiting choice at this early stage which is why we offer all three sciences to all students. We nurture and support our young scientists to develop an enquiring mind and to build confidence, with the potential of making the step into any of the Science A Levels. Pupils have the opportunity to study all three science subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics, gaining three GCSEs.

KS3 Subject
GCSE Subject

Spanish

Spanish

Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world.

Top employers say they look for the following in a new employee:

Social skills, Ability to work in a team, Communication skills, Problem-solving skills, Confidence, Experience, and Flexibility. Learning languages gives you these skills. Speaking another language makes you stand out from the crowd.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Optional Subject

Textiles

Textiles

Textile Design is a versatile subject whereby students will gain an understanding of different elements of textile design such as shape, line, scale, colour, texture, pattern, harmony, contrast and/or pattern repetition.

Textiles involves the creation of textile artwork, fashion or soft furnishings using a wide selection of fibres, yarns and fabrics, processes such as weaving, knitting, crochet, printing, digital transfer of images, dying fabrics, Batik, Silk painting and fabric embellishment using beading, hand embroidery and machine stitching.

Textile Designers work is multi-disciplinary and includes creating and developing ideas, materials and techniques for different applications as well as playing a valuable role in the world of fashion, theatre performance and retail.

KS3 Core Subject
GCSE Optional Subject

UAL Fashion and Business