Explaining the Curriculum
The teaching staff are grouped into subject areas led by Heads of Department.
The Curriculum
At Coopers’ Company and Coborn School we operate a two week timetable with 5 lessons per day, totalling 50 hours over the fortnight.
The National Curriculum is taught from Years 7 to 11.
- In Year 7 all students follow courses in: English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Computer Science, a Modern Foreign Language, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Art, Music, Philosophy for Children, and Physical Education.
- Year 8 students follow a similar pattern with the introduction of a second Modern Foreign Language. This structure is continued into Year 9.
- Overall, Key Stage 3 at Coopers’ Company and Coborn School is referred to as a ‘Mastery Curriculum’ with staff assessing students according to specific key skills which should be ‘mastered’ before moving to the next stage.
- During Year 9, the students choose the subjects they wish to continue with, or start for the first time, at GCSE.
- In Years 10 and 11 certain subjects remain compulsory whilst others remain within the choice of the students.
- Compulsory subjects are, English language and literature, Mathematics, Science (double award), a Modern Foreign Language, RS and core PE. Students can then choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama, Food Preparation and Nutrition, French, Geography, German, History, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education and Spanish. For more information please see the Year 9 Options Booklet on the Year 9 pastoral page.
- All students at Key Stage 4 are taught in mixed ability classes, with the exception of English, Mathematics and Science, where students are broadly set according to ability.
- The majority of students progress into the Sixth Form and then go on to further education, including Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
- The Sixth Form has approximately 460 students.
- All students at Key Stage 5 follow A Level study programmes and are taught in mixed ability classes. The majority will complete 3 A Levels. However, a minority of the most able students can study 4 A Levels. For some students there is also the opportunity to study the Extended Project Qualification. We have a comprehensive non-qualification curriculum, which encompasses opportunities such as enrichment and work shadowing.
A full personal, social and health education programme (PSHE) is followed through all years and taught in part via the medium of tutor time and PSHE full day conferences.
