Curriculum

The curriculum at John O’Gaunt aims to provide all students with an appropriate, broad and balanced education which will prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. The curriculum is also devised so that students are able to further their scientific, technological, cultural, artistic and creative development. This is achieved by ensuring that our students are purposefully engaged with a curriculum that encompasses:

  • an exploration of the world of skills and knowledge organised around delivery of the subjects of the national curriculum;
  • stimulating programmes of learning that are relevant to the world outside school and which includes developing ideas of citizenship, a use of and familiarity with information and communication technology, and an understanding of the environment;
  • a wide range of teaching and learning experiences, differentiated according to age and ability, which encourage students to be enterprising, to solve problems and to work both in teams and as independent learners;
  • personal and social education approaches which offer students opportunities to learn about themselves, how they relate to others and constructive ways of contributing to their communities;
  • an assessment programme designed monitor progress, to improve students’ learning and then to report on progress, informing parents, employers and other appropriately interested parties of achievement against targets;
  • opportunities to learn about work and the economy through projects in our community and the wider global community; enterprise education and relevant qualifications;
  • careers educational guidance including information about opportunities in further and higher education, and employment.
  • opportunities for all abilities to achieve success and gain appropriate, relevant and national recognised qualifications.

Key Stage 3 (Year 7 and 8)

Students start at John O’ Gaunt in mixed ability groups, with the exception of Mathematics where they are grouped by ability after an initial period of settling in. Students study the core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, Design Technology, Information Technology, Philosophy and Ethics and Physical Education. They also study Music, Drama, Art, History, Geography, German and French.

At the end of Year 8, students will select GCSE courses and other relevant vocational courses they would like to follow from Year 9 through until the end of Year 11.  Also, at the start of Year 9, students will begin their GCSE or equivalent courses in the core subjects of Maths, English, Science, ICT and Philosophy & Ethics.

Key Stage 4 (Year 9, 10 and 11)

All students will study English, maths, science, ICT and core PE. Students are usually set in core subjects according to their ability at the end of Key Stage 3. In option subjects, students learn in mixed ability groupings. There is flexibility for students to follow a study route-way through the curriculum which suits their abilities and interests.

For example, a student who is academically gifted might follow a route-way consisting of GCSE’s in English Language, English Literature, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Philosophy and Ethics, ICT (AIDA) as their core curriculum. In addition, they might study GCSE German and History in one year GCSE immersion groups and drama and PE GCSE’s over three years. 

Another student might follow a more vocational route-way with GCSE’s in English, Science BTEC (worth 2 GCSE’s), ICT (AIDA), as their core curriculum. They might then study BTEC in Work Skills and Travel and Tourism and GCSE Product Design and art.

The majority of students will follow a route-way which allows them to complete a GCSE or equivalent qualification in all the core subjects and a variety of option subjects. At the end of Year 11, students will select the courses they would like to follow post-16.

Post-16 studies (Year 12 and 13)

Subject to students meeting the relevant entry criteria, they are invited to continue their studies at John O’Gaunt. There are a number of academic and vocational courses available, ranging from an NVQ in Football Coaching, BTEC National Diploma and the traditional academic disciplines such as A Level Physics, English and History, etc. Courses are closely matched to individual student’s capabilities, ambitions and aspirations and where appropriate, the school collaborates with partner schools in order to widen the Post-16 offer in order to meet demand.

In all key stages students from Years 7-13 receive opportunities to develop their personal learning and thinking skills together with personal, social, health and sex education through taught integrated learning projects, curricular enrichment days and the tutorial programme.Please use the links below for subject information.