The Cotswold School has at its heart the values of ‘friendship and knowledge’. Our vision is that, by the time they leave our school, every child has gained the knowledge they need to succeed in their lives.

The accumulation of knowledge of a rich and broad curriculum– by all students – is at the centre of what we do. From their first day in Year 7, we want students to discover a love for learning and knowledge that will help them select their GCSE courses and progress successfully throughout their school life and into the future. We can offer a variety of pathways as each student progresses through the school but always ensure that doors are open to everyone to enjoy our full and well developed curriculum offering.

Starting with the national curriculum, our expert subject leaders carefully consider what a student should know at each stage of their progression in school. In some areas, they have gone beyond the content of the national curriculum to give students the knowledge they need to address life in modern Britain.

Our curriculum is fully mapped to ensure that subjects can draw out inter-related content and that teachers across the school understand the wider picture of what each student is learning.

We have carefully sequenced the chosen content, ensuring students build on their previous knowledge and are clear about what they are expected to achieve. We use assessment to ensure the correct components of knowledge are in place before progression.

It is a curriculum based on parity of opportunity with every effort made to identify and address under-achievement. A core value is to ensure that disadvantaged pupils (Pupil Premium and SEND) are given an outstanding education and the support they need to make progress at least in line with their peers.

Our curriculum is designed to be inspiring and to build curiosity. It is engaging and relevant to the modern world in which we live. We hope to develop independence and confidence whilst helping students to develop their own approaches to learning and development. Critical thinking and problem solving are inherent in many of our subjects and approaches. Ours is also a curriculum that has the real world and future employability at its heart. As our school mission statement says, we are “Creating Brilliant Futures”.

For more information about each subject area, please see individual subject pages.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

In Years 7- 9 (Key Stage 3) pupils take the following subjects:

Art; Computing; Design and Technology; Drama; English; French; Geography; German; History; Mathematics; Music; Philosophy, Beliefs and Ethics; Physical Education; Science and Spanish.

Students all experience the same subjects in Years 7 and 8. In Year 9 they can choose which Modern Foreign Language (MFL), Design and Technology and Arts (Art, Drama, Music) subjects they want to concentrate on.

In certain subjects, students are grouped by ability (for example, in Maths) which is calculated using primary school data. These sets are frequently reviewed and further Year 7 testing can result in some pupils moving classes.

Most students study two MFL and then go on to study at least one MFL at GCSE. A few students will study just one MFL in Key Stage 3 with the aim that they can develop better confidence and ability so that they can continue to study that language up to GCSE.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11)

In Years 10 and 11, pupils follow a varied programme of GCSE courses, some of which are chosen in consultation with their parents and the school. During the spring term of Year 9, we invite parents to an Options Evening to fully explain our course options.

We believe students have an excellent selection from a wide variety of traditional GCSE subjects and newer vocational courses. We use evidence from students’ achievements and parental feedback to evaluate the balance of subjects on offer at this stage.

Certain GCSE subjects are compulsory during these two years. These are:

English Language; English Literature; Mathematics; Science (Double Award); a Humanities subject and Modern Foreign Language (for some students).

Option courses include:

Art; Business Studies (BTEC and GCSE); Computing; Drama; Food; French; Geography; German; Childcare; History; ICT; Music; Physical Education (GCSE and BTEC); Product Design; Religious Studies; Spanish; Textiles and Triple Science.

Students in Years 10 and 11 are organised into teaching groups for the core subjects: English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities. Some core subjects use sets and others are mixed ability. Students also have a choice of up to three other subjects and are taught in mixed ability groups. The Learning Support Department help students with particular educational needs both within lessons and outside the classroom on an individual basis.

Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form, Years 12 & 13)

Students in our Sixth Form study a wide range of Level 3 courses. Entry requirements vary from course to course (details of subject entry requirements can be found on the Sixth Form section of our website, with consideration of the individual student’s strengths, interests and aspirations helping to inform any decision.

Our Key Stage 5 programme includes additional courses to help prepare for university – such as Critical Thinking and Core Mathematics – and extensive support for the next steps, including our Higher Education and Apprenticeships days; practice interviews; subject ambassadorships and work experience opportunities.

Applications are welcome following the Sixth Form Open Evening, held in mid-November, along with ‘taster lessons’ to find out about subjects that students have not experienced before. Interviews with a senior leader are carried out in the weeks following this.

AS and A Level Subjects:

Art; Biology; Business; Chemistry; Computer Science; Design & Technology (Product Design); Drama and Theatre; Economics; English Literature; English Language; French; Geography; German; History; Mathematics; Further Mathematics; Media Studies; Music; Physics; Psychology; Religious Studies; Sociology; Spanish, Textiles.

Level 3 Vocational Subjects:

Business (Double Award); Health & Social Care (Double Award); Sport (Double Award; Extended Project)

Independent Learning

The school believes that independent learning outside of the classroom (homework) is an important aid to good progress and we set pupils relevant work that consolidates, develops and extends the learning in lessons. This work may take a variety of forms. There is no set timetable for the setting of independent learning. All work is recorded by staff on Satchel:One and pupils may also choose to use a traditional planner/diary.

Each parent or carer receives instructions on how to use Satchel:One, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. From time to time pupils will also be directed towards optional extension opportunities which they may find interesting.

Extra-Curricular Programme

An extensive extra-curricular programme of trips, clubs, sports and additional learning activities – from the Spanish exchange to Debating Club – further enriches the learning we offer. It is our aim that these opportunities are available to all as they play such a key element in each student’s personal development whilst at The Cotswold School. For more details please click here.

Curriculum Key Words

Learning in all subjects at secondary school requires you to have a strong vocabulary. Key words will be taught to you in all subjects and you will need to become familiar with them to fully understand the topics being covered.

We have created a quizlet.com account to share with you all the key words and to help you learn and memorise them. This can be found here: quizlet.com/The_Cotswold_School/sets