Senior School Curriculum

BCS teaches a broad and balanced curriculum throughout Key Stages 3 and 4; we currently offer 21
subjects at GCSE and 27 subjects in the Sixth Form for AS and A2.

In Years 7 and 8 our pupils have lessons in English; Mathematics; Science; French; Spanish; Geography;
History; Religious Education; Physical Education; Art; Drama; Food Technology; Music; Information and
Communication Technology; Design and Technology and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and a games afternoon with matches each week. German, Chinese, and Russian are offered as well.

In Year 9 our pupils have lessons in English; Mathematics; Science; Geography; History; Religious
Education; Physical Education; Drama; Information and Communication Technology. Pupils may choose
either one or two languages (French and Spanish) and this is part of an options choice with Art; Design and
Technology; Home Economics and Music. In addition pupils are taught PSHE and Citizenship and a games afternoon with matches each week.

All pupils in Years 7-9 have one lesson a week timetabled together for enrichment. In the autumn term all pupils use this time to work towards the Junior Musical and then have various projects in the other two terms.

During Year 9, pupils will choose their GCSE subjects which they will then study in Years 10 and 11. Most pupils take nine subjects although this is tailored individually, with some taking eight and some even eleven. Most take English, English literature, Mathematics (iGCSE) and from September 2013 pupils will be taking the iGCSE in Science which equates to two grades and they usually study one modern language. In addition pupils choose up to three further subjects from Geography; History; Religious Education; a second modern language; Business Studies; Art and Design; Drama; Home Economics; Music; Design and Technology and PE. Qualifications in ICT are encouraged, as are those in speech and drama and instrumental music. Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Russian are all offered at GCSE level

 

Click here to download our current Y9 Options Booklet.

One year International GCSE course for pupils joining in Year 11.
An intensive one year International GCSE course is also available for pupils joining in Year 11. Pupils will study English, Mathematics and normally 2 sciences and either Business Studies or Geography, although there is some flexibility and the timetable is tailored to an individual’s particular strengths and interests. Where possible we will also provide teaching in the pupils own language. Our specialist EAL teachers will provide extra English support for international pupils.
 

In Year 12 most students will study four subjects for AS levels and will be examined in these subjects before going on to study three of them to A2 level. A three year A-level course with a Foundation year is available. Important though academic qualifications are, school is also an essential training ground for life in the outside world. At BCS we discuss current affairs; personal values and morals; coping with peer pressures; and ‘hot topics’ such as relationships, racism, alcohol and drugs, to help ensure that your son or daughter will become a confident, responsible and tolerant adult. Students may also become involved with one of the community projects sponsored by the school, from fundraising for charity to assisting in social events for disabled children or entertaining elderly people from the local community.

In addition, we place great emphasis on the extracurricular activities of pupils and we strongly encourage all pupils to develop an extensive portfolio of additional skills. These skills and activities are essential in
applications to future educational establishments and we strongly urge all pupils to keep a Record of Achievement file.

 We celebrate the success of our pupils in external music and speech and drama examinations and we promote these activities most strongly to our pupils.

We have an extensive programme of support available to pupils who have SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) or those who have EAL (English as an additional language). We have very experienced and highly qualified staff who have a special interest in these pupils and their progress, but all teachers are able to support these pupils due to our exhaustive in service training programmes and following the individual educational plans produced for these pupils.

We offer the IELTS programme and we have a 3 year A level programme, with the first year being a
Foundation Year, for pupils who do not have English as a first language (if their English is not at a level that
enables them to access the full curriculum effectively). All pupils at BCS have the option to extend their A Level course over 3 years if this will support their learning.  

We identify and support gifted pupils and we support applications for selective 11+ examinations, scholarship programmes and Oxbridge applications.

Our A level enrichment programme is focused on giving all our students additional career support and we have developed a comprehensive support structure which assists students with university applications. All applications are completed online which allows students to track progress, we offer excellent guidance in relation to the application process which starts early on in Year 12. In addition the Sixth Form works with students in Year 9 – 11 to ensure they receive the correct guidance for university choices.

All Sixth Formers follow a core enrichment programme designed to suit their needs.

SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM

In the Sixth Form, most students study four subjects for the AS-level examination in Year 12 and select three of these to take forward to A2 level in Year 13. All subjects contribute to the total point score that will be used by universities for assessment in the Higher Education entry process. Students enjoy a dedicated Sixth Form Centre housed in the main school building but separate from the main teaching block. The Centre offers seminar and tutorial rooms and a common room all with wireless computers.

All students are able to extend their studies for AS / A level courses over a three year period if this suits their learning needs.

Subjects currently offered for the formal curriculum at A2 and AS are English Literature, Drama, Media Studies, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Geography, Business Studies, History, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, Physical Education, Art, Music, Design and Technology, German, ICT, Russian, Food Technology, Economics, Law, Media Studies and Chinese.

The school is open to offering other subjects where sufficient demand exists.

The Sixth Form experience is designed to provide a broad and stimulating Enrichment Programme built
around this core of formal subject studies, together with participation in the school’s Activities Programme. Students are mentored in the skills needed for university and job applications and interviews, develop public speaking and debating skills, attend workshops or seminars (sometimes at other schools) which bring them into contact with people from all walks of life, and travel around the country to interviews or Open Days at universities and other Higher Education establishments. A Visiting Speakers’ Programme introduces students to a range of professional and inspirational perspectives from outside the school. All members of Year 12 participate in a residential personal development course towards the beginning of the academic year. Sixth Formers are expected to contribute to the life of the school and may become a Sixth Form mentor, prefect, reader or other aspect of community service. Where possible we try to tailor this to suit the needs of students and their future career.

BCS has extensive links with Bournemouth University (10 minutes from BCS), enabling our students to enjoy extended academic opportunities and creating an ideal platform for university preparation and future success.
 

   

 

BCS pupils took part in the British Council creative writing scheme to creat Mini-sagas, stories told in exactly 50 words. This is one of the published prize-winners.