Curriculum
SENIOR SCHOOL
Key Stage 3 – Years 7 – 9
The first three years of the Senior School at St. Dominic’s H.S.G. follow National Curriculum guidelines, but also shape the curriculum to meet the needs of pupils, whether it be through educational support or GCSE fast tracking. Girls who need support with their learning will have Individual Education Plans devised by their subject staff, with targets to work towards. They will also receive in-class support. Those pupils recognised as more able will be academically challenged through enrichment activities and attending the gifted and talented summer school. They may also be invited to take early entry examinations for some of their GCSE subjects. To allow this the Year 9 curriculum for many subjects is devised to allow pupils to begin their GCSE studies at the end of the summer term. In ICT students follow an ICT curriculum that allows them to take an ECDL qualification at the end of Year 8, equivalent to a GCSE grade B. They then move onto their GCSE course in Year 9, allowing them access to either a short or full course qualification. The same is true of R.E., where pupils begin their GCSE studies in Year 9. In Science the girls begin their GCSE studies at the beginning of the spring term; thus allowing the more able access to the triple award qualification at the end of Year 11.
In the Senior School pupils study the following subjects: Mathematics, English, RE, PE, ICT, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, French, Spanish, Art, Drama, Music, Home Economics, Design Technology, Citizenship and PSHE.
Key Stage 4 – Years 10 & 11
At Key Stage 4 the following subjects form the core programme that all pupils take to GCSE. PE can be studied as a full course dual award GCSE by opting for an additional lesson within the option blocks. Science is taught as separate disciplines and is examined as either a single, dual or triple award. Pupils studying science in Set A study towards qualifications in each separate sciences (triple award). They begin the study of these sciences in Year 9 allowing them to achieve triple award by the end of Year 11. Those pupils who are not as scientifically inclined complete a dual award course. The following subjects comprise the core curriculum for Years 10 and 11:
English Language Mathematics English Literature MFL French
RE P.E.
Business & Information Systems
Physics Chemistry Biology
(dual or triple awards available for Science)
Citizenship/Careers/PSHE
In addition pupils can opt for up to three option subjects from the following:
History Geography Spanish Music
Performing Arts Textiles Art Child Development
PE (dual award) Food and Nutrition
The option blocks are created from the girls choices and, on the whole, pupils study their first choice of subject to GCSE. In Year 11 pupils will have the opportunity to experience A’ level “taster” sessions in a range of subjects, to assist their choices at Key Stage 5.