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KS3 & KS4

KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM

Year 7 and 8 pupils follow our Key Stage 3 Curriculum. From September 2023 Years 7, 8 and 9 students will follow our Key Stage 3 Curriculum.  Students are placed in mixed ability tutor groups and for the majority of lessons they are taught in mixed abilities classes. In Mathematics, Science and Modern Foreign Languages students are set according to ability; these decisions are made by each curriculum areas taking responsibility for how they set students.

Sets are regularly reviewed with movement between sets occurring when appropriate. At Key Stage 3 the majority of students have four language lessons focusing on one language.  A small minority of students have two language lessons, and two literacy lessons a fortnight.  Data from CAT4 and NGRT tests along with Key Stage 2 data determine who is in this group.

All students in Key Stage 3 will study:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Geography
  • History
  • French
  • German * Top set only
  • Literacy * some students have extra literacy lessons rather than studying a language
  • Art
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Design Technology; this is taught in twenty week blocks, students will study Graphics, Food and Nutrition, Resistant Materials and Textiles
  • ICT
  • Core PE
  • PSHE
  • RE

KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM

Stowmarket High School currently delivers a 3-year GCSE programme of study. However, from the start of the academic year in September 2023 students will choose their options in February/March of Year 9.  In KS4, we offer a more personalised and flexible, curriculum enabling everyone to find a combination of courses which complement their interests and talents. We are able to cater for the needs of all our learners from the most academically able, to those with additional educational needs by offering three curriculum pathways. All learners have the opportunity to choose from GCSE and Vocational/BTEC courses. 

For the majority of lessons, teaching groups will be mixed ability. In Mathematics and Science students are set according to ability based on a range of data, with each of these curriculum areas taking responsibility for how they set students. Sets are regularly reviewed with movement between sets occurring when appropriate.


All students at Key Stage 4 study:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Science* (Double Award or Separate Sciences)
  • Core PE
  • PSHE
  • RE
  • Inspirational Futures 

Current subjects/courses that students can choose as part of their Year 9 options process are:

  • Geography
  • History
  • French
  • German
  • ICT
  • Computer Science
  • Exam PE
  • V Cert Sport and Coaching
  • Resistant Materials
  • Graphics
  • Engineering
  • Textiles
  • Food and Nutrition
  • V Cert Hospitality and Catering
  • Art
  • Drama – BTEC Performing Arts 
  • Music – BTEC Music Practice 
  • Photography
  • Health and Social Care
  • Child Development
  • Business Studies
  • Employability for Life


 
Each year we look to evolve and adapt our Key Stage 4 offer so that it is appropriate for students in that particular year group.