Curriculum
First Year: The Third Form
Boys follow a common curriculum, consisting of: English, Mathematics, French, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Classics, Information Technology, Art and Design, Music, and Physical Education, plus German and Spanish or Greek. Different subjects are taught in sets based on ability. For example, it will be possible for a boy to be in a high set for English and French, yet in a low set for Mathematics if he finds the subject harder.
Each boy is allocated a Tutor, who is linked to the boy’s house. The Tutor supervises and takes a personal interest in a boy’s work. There is a tutorial period within the timetable for the close monitoring of academic progress and for the discussion in small groups of general issues, including matters of personal and social education.
Early in the Summer Term, there is a Third Form Parents’ Meeting, where general progress is reviewed and there is also scope for discussion of suitable choices of GCSE subjects to be studied in the Fourth and Fifth Forms. Parents will receive a document outlining the Fourth Form Curriculum in advance of the Parents’ Meeting.
Full details are in the Third Form Curriculum document which is updated annually in June.
The Fourth Form
The work follows on from that in the Third Form. All boys take English, Mathematics, French, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology to GCSE. These “core” subjects are supplemented by three groups of optional subjects which include Latin or Classical Civilisation, Greek, German, Spanish, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, Design and Music.
The optional courses embarked upon at the beginning of the Fourth Form year are continued through the two years to the GCSE examination. As well as the subjects studied to GCSE, boys will also follow non-examination courses in Religious Studies, Physical Education and Information Technology.
Full details can be found in the Fourth Form Curriculum document which is updated annually in February.
The Fourth Form Parents’ Meeting takes place at the start of the Summer Term.
The Fifth Form
Boys will continue with the two-year course started in the Fourth Form.
The Fifth Form Parents’ Meeting takes place in March, and at this meeting parents and boys can discuss the choice of Sixth Form subjects with teaching staff. In advance of the meeting all parents are sent a copy of The Sixth Form and Beyond, a document that outlines the Sixth Form curriculum, as well as describing the careers guidance available through the school. During the Fifth Form year, all boys will have received preliminary careers guidance through ISCO tests, so that the subjects they choose for their AS and A level courses suitably reflect their interests, their capabilities and their future.
The Sixth Form
Full details can be found in The Sixth Form and Beyond which is updated each December.
At the conclusion of the Fifth Form year, pupils enter the Sixth Form and begin the first year of the two-year courses they have chosen to pursue to A or AS Level. Advice on careers and on entry into establishments of Further Education (universities, etc.) is constantly available to pupils and parents, and meetings with the Staff are arranged for the parents of each year-group.
Each pupil chooses a Sixth Form Tutor, who will advise on university choices as well as providing support in academic and pastoral matters.
Martin Cropper
Director of Studies
mc@shrewsbury.org.uk
