Middle school is an exciting time for your daughter as she begins her GCSE programme and starts to shape the direction of her studies to build a future on her own terms. At St Helen and St Katharine, we encourage our students to choose the subjects that fascinate them and with 23 to choose from, there is a varied and flexible programme to suit all aspirations.
The journey begins in Year 9, where choices are made around creative subjects and classical languages, with students selecting three subjects from the range of Art, Ceramics, Design and Technology, Drama, Food and Nutrition, Music and Latin and Greek. Offering choice at this early stage enables students to start developing their passion for their chosen subjects.
As students move towards GCSEs, the flexible approach offered by St Helen and St Katharine enables them to make informed and exciting choices for the years ahead. Alongside the core options of English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science and Modern Foreign Language, they can select a further four subjects (including taking three Separate Science GCSEs).
These choices are selected from a list system, enabling a wide range of subject combinations to suit your daughter’s interests. We find this to be a far more flexible approach than a traditional subject option block system and allows us to do everything possible to provide an exciting and engaging programme of study.
The majority of our students choose to study 10 GCSEs but there is the option of 11 should they wish to study Latin and Greek – or even 12 if they take our Level 2 Further Maths qualification.
Equally, some students choose to substitute one GCSE for our bespoke Global Economics and Finance (HPQ) course, which has been specifically designed by St Helen and St Katharine and is accredited through two Higher Project Qualifications (HPQs). The first is completed in Year 10 and the second in Year 11 and each one is the equivalent of half a GCSE and assessed solely through independent project work. This course provides students with the opportunity to build expertise in this new academic discipline and develop independent learning skills. It is assessed through a well-recognised Level 2 qualification route.
Throughout Middle School, all students take PE and Personal Development every week.
Flexibility and choice is key for students to flourish in their GCSEs. At St Helen and St Katharine, we aim to work around what our students want to study, rather than operating the option block system. This approach encourages students to make choices on their own terms – and our excellent academic results speak for themselves.
