Curriculum Statement 2025-26: SKS
Curriculum Aims
At Samuel King’s School we have always believed in delivering a broad and balanced, knowledge-based curriculum that prepares students to face the academic rigours of GCSE exams at the end of their Year 11, while also developing the wider skills, knowledge and interests that will help to prepare them to face their studies and training at College or Sixth Form, at 16+, and set them on course for a successful and fulfilling life beyond.
At Key Stage Three (Years 7-9) we aim to provide a sound foundation in English, Maths and Science as well as a range of other academic subject areas. In Maths and Science, the year 7s and 8s are in mixed groups, to allow for streaming to take place to maximise teaching and learning at the correct level. Our Year 9 curriculum is designed to help students to decide what might be good GCSE options for them in Years 10/11. We are keen that as many students as possible qualify for the Ebacc by taking academically challenging subjects through to GCSE, therefore we encourage students to study History and/or Geography and an MFL.
In Years 10/11 (Key Stage Four), the core GCSE curriculum centres on English, Maths and Science, continues but is extended with students choosing four additional options subjects, all to be examined at the end of year 11. The GCSEs are completed over a two-year timeframe to allow pupils the greatest amount of time to increase their knowledge and understanding in the subjects they are studying. From 2022 all students have been taking the triple science qualification at GCSE (either at higher or foundation tier), as long as they are able to. We are able to provide a wide range of choices, enabling students to pick subjects that are of particular interest to them and in some cases directly relevant to future areas of study and employment.
The diagrams below indicate the curriculum and choices available to students in each Year Group.
Key Stage Three
|
Year 7,8 and 9 Subjects |
No. of Lessons Each Week |
|
3 (+2 half lessons) |
|
3 (+2 half lessons) |
|
3 |
|
2 |
|
4 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
2 |
|
ð Assembly |
0.5 |
|
Total |
27.5 |
Key Stage Four
|
Year 10/11 Core Subjects |
No. of Lessons Each Week |
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
ð IT (Functional Skills) |
1 |
|
|
ð Assembly |
0.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
19.5 |
|
|
Year 10/11 Options Subjects for 2025/2027
|
|||
|
Option 1 |
Option 2 |
Option 3 |
Option 4 |
|
Geography |
Computer Science |
MFL |
History |
|
Food Technology |
Art |
Statistics |
RPE |
|
Health & Social Care |
Animal Care |
Business Studies |
Sport Studies |
|
|
|
Dance/Drama |
Music |
|
Students choose one subject from each column and have two lessons in each making their 27.5 period week. |
|||
Please follow this link to access the Key Stage 3 curriculum page.
Please follow this link to access the Key Stage 4 curriculum page.