Our prime objective at Beaumont is to enable each individual, including those of exceptional ability and slow learners, to develop his or her maximum potential through a stimulating and challenging curriculum and by carefully monitoring each pupil’s social and academic progress.

Our arrangements are designed to ensure that:

• all pupils receive the broad and balanced  education needed for life in the 21st century
• all pupils experience a range of teaching and learning styles
• pupils of all abilities can achieve success
• parents are kept well informed about the progress of their children
• pupils are given professional guidance about the choice of subjects studied after the first three years.

The curriculum consists of :

• a number of subjects
• a wide range of activities which supplement and enhance the timetable, including Curriculum Enrichment Days.
• certain themes which occur in a planned way across several subjects.

Parent(s) / carer(s) are requested to inform the school in confidence if they anticipate that an aspect of the school's curriculum might cause a particular difficulty for an individual pupil. In most cases, contact with the class teacher or form tutor will be more than adequate, but the Head of Year, Mr Cross, (Assistant Headteacher—Pastoral) or Mr Levoir (SENCO) should be contacted if the information is especially sensitive or difficult.  Pupils are also encouraged to inform the school if they are aware of aspects of the school’s curriculum which might cause them distress.

KEY STAGE 3

The table below shows the number of lessons per week in each subject. The percentages are estimates of the time devoted to each subject over Key Stage 3 as a whole; they cannot be exact because they do not include the time spent on curriculum enrichment days and other activities.

At Key Stage 3 all Beaumont pupils study two modern foreign languages. In Year 7, all pupils begin French or German and go on to take French, German or Spanish in Years 8 and 9. At Christmas 60 students are given the opportunity to join fast-track groups, which will sit GCSEs at the end of Year 9.

KEY STAGE 4

At Key Stage 4, pupils continue with a core curriculum which will usually involve preparing for the following GCSEs: English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science (two or three certificates), and a Modern Language. The core Modern Language can be any one of French, German or Spanish, and Italian is offered as an Option. The core curriculum also includes Personal & Social & Health & Citizenship Education in Year 10 (PSHCE) - including aspects of Religious Education - a PE subject (GCSE, BTEC or Practical Activities) and ICT.

In addition, pupils will choose optional subjects. At present pupils are asked to choose four Option subjects, in consultation with parents and teachers. Currently we do not insist that students choose courses to achieve the proposed English Baccalaureate. They are, however, encouraged to choose a balance from the different families of subjects – the Humanities (Business, Economics, Geography, History or Philosphy and Ethics), Sport and Expressive Arts (Art, Drama, BTEC Performing Arts, BTEC Sport Studies, PE or Music), Languages, and Science and Technology (Practical Engineering, Resistant Materials, Graphics, Food and Nutrition, Textiles, and additional Science or ICT qualifications). Around 50% of pupils will take a second Modern Language as one of these options.

In order to increase flexibility and provide a wider range of options, there is also the opportunity for a small number of pupils to follow vocational courses at other institutions. Current courses on offer include Health and Social Care, Construction, and Motor Vehicle Studies at Oaklands College.

If GCSE courses are inappropriate for a student alternative accreditation is available in most subjects so that all students' achievements can be recognised.

The table below shows the number of lessons devoted to each subject per week. The courses with three or more lessons per week usually lead to the GCSE examinations.

The range of courses and opportunities for choice between options is reviewed annually to reflect the changing nature of demand for different qualiications and Year 9 pupils and their parents are asked to make their choices in the Spring prior to starting Year 10. Detailed course information and advice on choices is made available at that time.

Explanatory information about target setting in KS3 and KS4 can be found here.

“There is an extensive range of courses for those in Years 10 and 11.”

(Ofsted Report 2008 - full report available here)