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Curriculum Information

Academic Curriculum

Although a small school, St Margaret's prides itself on being well resourced. We have small classes in bright rooms where pupils gain the individual attention and support of excellent teachers. The Junior School offers a balanced curriculum, but one which also allows able girls to be stretched. The Senior school introduces a range of new subjects and later allows the girls to select particular options for their GCSE.

Theuse of ICT to support teaching and learning is well established withinthe School, with pupils having access to a fully equipped networkedcomputer suite, a bank of lap tops and several interactive white boardswhich are used to enhance curriculum delivery.

From Reception through to GCSE, St Margaret's aims to set an excellentfoundation for pupils so that they will continue to succeed as theyprogress to their Sixth Form Colleges and later in life.

Throughout Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 all pupils follow programmes, at levels suited to their ages, in the following subjects:

Mathematics
English and English Literature
Science
History
Geography
French
Art
Music
Drama
PHSE/RE
PE and Games
ICT

In Year 8 the girls begin the study of Spanish.

In Year 9 the girls may continue the study of Spanish, or take GCSE ICT

At Key Stage 4 the pupils choose 3 to 5 optional subjects to add to the core of:

English and English Literature (2 separate GCSE subjects) (5x40 minutes per week)
Mathematics (this subject is taught in 2 ability groups) (5x40 minutes per week)
Science (360 Science) – Physics, Chemistry and Biology are taught as three separate subjects, and girls take Science in Year 10 and Additional Science in Year 11(9x40 minutes per week)

A modern foreign language (normally French)

The pupils may choose from the following options:

Art (4 x 40 minutes per week)
Drama (4 x 40 minutes per week)
History
Psychology
Geography
Music
Spanish (4 x 40 minutes per week)
ICT (begun in Year 9)

The pupils may also prepare for the European Computer Driving Licence (an ICT qualification) in addition to the above subjects.

The girls also have 1 hour per week at the local sports centre wherethey alternate between a variety of activities such as rowing, basketball, the trampoline, ,fitness, climbing, volleyball and badminton.