In the Secondary phase each subject will be taught with rigour, distinction and depth. We aim to nurture, challenge and inspire in everything we do at CFS, in and outside the classroom.
Curriculum Development & Learning
For further information on our approaches to curriculum development and learning in the Secondary phase, please see our ‘All-Through Curriculum’ page here.
Homework Guidance
A copy of the Secondary Homework Guidance policy can be found on our Policies page here.
Key Stage 3
At CFS, our three year Key Stage 3 enables our pupils to develop the essential skills which they will apply to their GCSEs and post-16 study. Our pupils learn to be independent and flexible in their learning. We also work hard, through our Middle School model, to ensure that pupils are proactively supported through the transition from Primary to Secondary education with a significant reduction in the all too common ‘Year 7 dip.’
Most pupils learn two languages in Year 7 before specialising in Year 8. For those pupils who require support in reading we provide intervention from specialist teaching staff.
Fortnightly lesson allocation is in the table below and you can view the Long Term Plan for each subject by clicking on the number in the table. Each lesson is 55 minutes long.
| Subject | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Maths | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Science | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| History | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Geography | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| RS | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Spanish | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| French | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| DT | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Food | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Art | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| PE & Games | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Music | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Drama | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dance | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Computing | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| PSHE | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 60 | 60 | 60 |
Key Stage 4
At CFS we have a two year Key Stage 4. When choosing their GCSEs in Year 9, pupils are able to select 4 GCSE subjects. Pupils will also study GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Maths and Combined Science (AQA Trilogy course). All pupils must also study at least one Humanities subject or Modern Foreign Language. The remaining option choices are open.
The majority of pupils study nine GCSEs. We do offer personalised support which results in some pupils studying less GCSEs. Our SENCo and Head of Year 9 will discuss these on a 1:1 basis.
We respond to pupil voice when deciding on the option subjects that are available for each cohort, but offer a wide range of traditional academic and creative subjects at GCSE, including: Design Technology, Food and Nutrition, Dance, Drama, Music, Business Studies, Media Studies, Computer Science, Triple Science, PE, Religious Studies and Statistics.
Fortnightly lesson allocation can be found in the table below. Each lesson is 55 minutes long.
| Subject | Year 10 Fortnightly Lesson Allocation | Long Term Plans Year 10 | Year 11 Fortnightly Lesson Allocation | Long Term Plans Year 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 9 or 10 | English | 9 or 10 | English |
| Mathematics | 9 or 10 | Mathematics Foundation Mathematics Higher | 9 or 10 | Mathematics Foundation Mathematics Higher |
| Science | 10 | Biology Chemistry Physics Combined | 10 | Biology Chemistry Physics Combined |
| Option Subjects (students study 4 of these and at least 1 must be History, Geography French or Spanish) | 6 lessons | History Geography French Spanish Art Dance Food DT Triple Science (see above) Business Studies Computer Science Drama Music Media Studies PE Sport Studies RS Full Course | 6 lessons | History Geography French Spanish Art Dance Food DT Triple Science (see above) Business Studies Computer Science Drama Music Media Studies PE Sports Studies RE Full Course |
| PE | 4 | Games | 4 | Games |
| Personal development (inc. PSHE, RE and SCC) | 3 | PSHE | 3 | PSHE |
| Total | 60 | 60 |