Curriculum Overview
As a Catholic school we seek to develop the whole person: academic, moral, spiritual, and social aspects. We understand that every person is unique and students are given every opportunity to develop to their full potential and to contribute positively to the School community. We continue to offer a broad and balanced curriculum and have continued our extended school service.
GCSEs are currently graded using the 9 to 1 system with 9 equivalent to A**, 8 equivalent to A*, 7 equivalent to A, 6 equivalent to B, 5 equivalent to C+, 4 equivalent to C-, 3 equivalent to D and so on.
Boys currently follow a 3-year key stage 3 and do 2-year GCSE courses starting in year 10. We are making these curriculum changes to help pupils to close knowledge and skills gaps due to Covid lockdown, to give pupils greater breadth of curriculum and to increase cultural capital opportunities.
All students are regularly set homework to build on their lesson-based learning and encourage them to develop their independent study skills. Parents/carers and students can see details of the tasks set and monitor homework completion via the Go4Schools platform. The platform is updated daily by teachers so parents/carers are continually aware of the homework their son should be completing and the deadlines they should be meeting.
Parents/carers can also monitor their son’s performance in school via the Go4Schools site. The platform contains up-to-date information on attendance, progress and behaviour. This is an excellent tool in enabling parents/carers to remain aware of achievement levels throughout the year, instead of solely relying on Parents' Evenings and assessment reports.
All year groups have planned enrichment opportunities to complement the curriculum and enhance learning. We capitalise on our location in London to access cultural capital opportunities, whilst also offering opportunities to go further afield, e.g. international trips include; Auschwitz in Poland, skiing in Austria, battlefields in France, the ruins of Pompeii in Italy, as well as visits to China and the USA (New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and Boston).
More information about school life (including homework timetables, key dates, Year team staff, and student council representatives) can be found by visiting the individual Year groups in the student section of our website.
Our Curriculum Model can be viewed here.
Year 7
We work hard to ensure that the transition from primary school to secondary education is as smooth as possible for our Year 7 students. Our Key Stage 3 curriculum introduces Year 7 students to a broad range of subjects, allowing them to experience subjects they may not have encountered before e.g Design Technology and Computer Science
When students arrive at St Aloysius they are placed into tutor groups, students are taught in these tutor groups for most of their subjects in Year 7. Student’s progress is reviewed twice a year after exams to assess whether they require more challenging work or would benefit from additional support.
Year 7 students will study; English, Maths, Science, Religious Education, History, Geography, a Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish), Art, Music, Computer Science, Design Technology, and Physical Education. Pupils who have weak literacy skills do extra reading instead of a Modern Foreign language.
The Year 7 Curriculum Overview Booklet contains detailed information on the topics covered and assessments undertaken within each subject throughout the year.
Year 8
Year 8 students, now settled into secondary education at St Aloysius’ College, will build upon their knowledge and understanding gained in year 7, and continue to study the same subjects at a more advanced level. For English, Maths and Science students are split into sets in line with their ability. Ability sets enable teachers to design lessons and tasks that are appropriate in challenging and supporting all students to achieve the best academic qualifications. All other subjects are taught in Form groups
All Year 8 students will study; English, Maths, Science, Religious Education, History, Geography, a Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish), Art, Music, Computer Science, Design Technology, and Physical Education.
The Year 8 Curriculum Overview Booklet contains detailed information on the topics covered and assessments undertaken within each subject throughout the year.
Year 9
Year 9 will follow KS3 and during the spring term of Year 9 pupils will be required to select the subjects they wish to take for GCSE. In order to aid this decision process students and parents/carers will be invited to an Options Evening and provided with details about both optional and core GCSE subjects. Further information regarding this will be supplied nearer the time.
Students may also study up to three of the following subjects; Geography, History, French, Spanish, Art, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design Technology, Graphics, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education, Psychology, Sociology or BTEC PE.
The Year 9 Curriculum Overview Booklet contains detailed information on the topics covered and assessments undertaken within each subject throughout the year.
Year 10
All Year 10 students will study; English, Maths, Science and Religious Education and a significant majority of pupils study EBACC.
Students may also study up to three of the following subjects; Geography, History, French, Spanish, Art, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design Technology, Graphics, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education, or BTEC PE.
The Year 10 Curriculum Overview Booklet contains detailed information on the topics covered and assessments undertaken within each subject throughout the year.
Towards the end of Year 10 students will take part in a one week work experience placement. This is a chance for our students to experience the ‘working world’ and learn some key life skills. Students are encouraged to find their own placements by contacting businesses directly, and by using contacts that may already exists through family, friends and other networks. Students may wish to obtain a placement related to the field of work they wish to progress into post-education. Our Careers Manager and our Work Experience Co-Ordinator will meet with students to provide advice and guidance to students. Further information will be provided to students and parents/carers during Year 10.
Year 11
Year 11 is a crucial year for our students as they complete their secondary education and decide their future paths. We strive to ensure that each and every student leaves Year 11 with the best possible academic achievements as well as a broad range of skills, knowledge and attributes needed to succeed in life.
Throughout the year students undertake mock exams to obtain a clear indication of their expected GCSE grades. Subsequently, each individual student’s progress is carefully considered and strategies are developed to ensure maximum progression. Our staff also work hard to provide an immense level of support, offering; revision sessions during school holidays, before school and after school, homework clubs, and regular subject specific catch up sessions for those who need it.
All Year 11 students will study; English, Maths, Science and Religious Education and a significant majority of pupils study EBACC.
Students may also study up to three of the following subjects; Geography, History, French, Spanish, Art, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design Technology, Graphics, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education, Psychology, Sociology or BTEC PE.
The Year 11 Curriculum Overview Booklet contains detailed information on the topics covered and assessments undertaken within each subject throughout the year.
Whilst Year 11 is academically important, it is also vital that students give ample attention and consideration to their progression options. Students are provided with guidance in selecting their A-Level subjects or other post-16 options, and assistance in applying to our Sixth Form or other post-16 establishments. Our students also participate in our highly successful annual ‘Present Yourself Day’ with business leaders, and other employability and progression skills workshops. Guidance is available to all students throughout the year, however we recommend students establish their post-GCSE plans earlier in the academic year to allow sufficient time to focus on their GCSE assessments.
Further information and guidance can be found by visiting the Year 11 area in the student section of our website.