Subject Details

English

In English, students explore and produce a wide range of writing, including stories, letters, reports, poems, radio and television broadcasts, films, newspapers, magazines and novels.  Reading features strongly through the use of a full range of texts.  The Library is also used to develop research skills.

Maths

The Mathematics course builds on students’ work at primary school and follows a structured and varied programme of practical activities as well as basic number work and mental calculations.

Science

Science is taught as a single subject, balancing areas of knowledge, skills and understanding drawn from Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Earth Science.  Practical/experimental skills are emphasised and the course follows naturally from the work carried out at primary school.

Design

All students follow a course of study covering Art and Design and Technology subjects.  They develop designing and making skills creatively using a variety of materials (textiles, food, wood, metal, plastics), whilst gaining understanding of the applications of design outside the classroom.

Humanities

Humanities includes work in History, Geography and Religious Education.

Information Technology

Information Technology is taught as a normal element of each of the subjects in Years 7 to 9.  There are 267 computers in curriculum areas around the school.

Languages

All students study a modern foreign language in Year 7.  In addition, in Years 8 and 9 an additional language is studied.

PE, Music and Drama

All pupils in years 7 to 9 have lessons in Drama, Music and PE and each of these subjects can be studied to GCSE level in Years 10 and 11. In   PE, they are introduced to a wide range of sports.  The performing arts and sport play an important part in the curriculum of every student and the school is equipped with excellent facilities.  A wide range of extra-curricular activities is offered to all students in Drama, Music and Physical Education.  There is a strong tradition in the school of participation in competitive sport locally, regionally and nationally in individual and team categories.

Personal, Health and Social Education

Aspects of Personal, Health and Social Education (PHSE) are incorporated in all the subject areas taught in school.  PHSE is a vital part of every young person’s education.  The aims of PHSE are to develop the students’ awareness of themselves and others – their attitudes, feelings, beliefs and values.  We also aim to develop the skills of individual and collective decision–making, and to explore social and health issues, relationships and sex education and careers education.   Parents may prefer that their son or daughter does not take part in lessons covering aspects of sex education and in this case, they should contact the Headteacher at the start of the school year.

Perhaps more than any other part of the curriculum, the Governors consider responsibility for Personal, Health and Social Education to be jointly held between teachers and parents, with each supporting the work of the other.

Religious Education and Collective Worship

As a separate subject in Year 7 and as part of their Humanities lessons in Years 8 and 9, students study Religious Education.  We follow the RE syllabus agreed for Derbyshire Schools.  Each year group also takes part in assemblies which may include acts of collective worship.  Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education lessons by notifying the Headteacher at the start of the year.