Key Stage 3

In KS3 all students follow the National Curriculum subjects:

Students in Key Stage 3 study 8 different Art and Technology subjects through a yearly carousel of 4 rotations. Two carousel subjects are followed each week for a 9-10 week rotation, and these include Fine Art, Textiles Art, Digital Art, Food Technology, Resistant Materials, Music, Drama and Dance. This gives them a wide variation of practical and academic learning opportunities.

Literacy is a key focus during form time at KS3 and KS4 and this can include both fiction and non-fiction reading.  Over the course of the academic year, students engage with fiction and non-fiction texts and develop their reading comprehension skills.  This includes whole form reading with the form tutor of a fiction novel, and incorporates the skills of skimming and scanning, asking and answering questions about the text and summarising the key points raised.

A small number of students at Key Stage 3 may have additional English lessons instead of Languages in order to strengthen their English progress and their ability to succeed in other lessons.

Students in Key Stage 3 are organised into mixed ability classes, and can be set in Maths.

Students choose their option subjects for Key Stage 4 in Term 3/4 of Year 9. Students in Year 9 receive detailed information, advice and guidance about their KS4 subject choices. Parents are fully involved in this, including through Parents’ Evening and Options Evening.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) we offer a wide range of courses to ensure that all students have the opportunity to study subjects about which they are passionate, and to encourage a love of learning. Our focus in KS4 curriculum development is on quality and choice. We review our KS4 offer each year, and we evaluate the success of all courses regularly during the academic year.

All students study GCSEs in Maths, Statistics, English Language and English Literature at GCSE. All students also study Combined Science in Years 10 and 11, worth 2 GCSEs. All students will take core PE, and will study a programme of Personal and Social Development. Students will be set in Maths.

Students in year 9 are currently able to choose 4 option subjects to study at GCSE. We have introduced in our 2024 offer a wider choice of Vocational subjects, so our non-GCSE offer now includes Retail Business, ICT, Travel & Tourism, Health & Social Care, Child Development, Dance and Sports Studies.

All students are encouraged and supported to choose a combination of subjects to achieve the English Baccalaureate (English, Maths, two Sciences, a modern foreign language and one of Geography and History), however we do not make this obligatory.

We also support some students to achieve Level 1 Vocational Courses (AQA Awards) to meet their needs, and Functional Skills in English and maths as part of their Options.

Currently the option subjects available are:

All subjects are GCSEs except those indicated, which are a vocational equivalent of GCSEs.

Some students will also be able to choose additional lessons in English and Maths as one of their option choices to boost their progress in these key areas.

Information about our Options process and the subjects can also be found here: https://www.barnwood-park.gloucs.sch.uk/year-9-options

In Year 10 all students undertake work experience in a wide range of placements to match their different interests and abilities.

We provide support for students to continue their studies when they leave Barnwood Park. All students receive one-to-one careers interviews, and we have strong links with sixth forms and colleges which help each of our students continue their learning successfully.

Please contact Mr Fuller the Deputy Head if you have any questions concerning the curriculum at sfuller@barnwood-park.gloucs.sch.uk