The Upper School provides a safe, supportive learning environment – ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to achieve their full potential

Upper School- Years 10-11

The Upper School aims to provide a safe and supportive learning environment to ensure every pupil has the opportunity to achieve their full academic and wider potential. Pupils are given great opportunities, are set high expectations and given greater responsibility for their own learning in an environment which is both positive and productive. A close working partnership operates between pupils, parents and teachers. Working together, we encourage, challenge and target support to pupils to provide outstanding care at this crucial time in their development.

We aim to develop pupils into impressive young adults. We aim to develop our pupils academically and as well-rounded individuals, who are prepared for a much wider range of choices and challenges. This can measured from the many great activities taking place within the Upper School to enrich their potential in later life: Duke of Edinburgh, Sports Leaders, Careers events and Interview experience to name but a few. Many are linked with the school’s historic, vibrant and competitive House system, which also operates with an extensive range of team and individual sporting events.

Pupils begin their preparation in Year 9, studying a wide range of academic subjects, together with Learn to learn (Y11) PE and Games. During the course of Year 9, students come to thoroughly understand the content and approach to each subject. This aims to help students make informed, guided choices for their GCSE subjects.

The two-year GCSE course starts in Year 10 with examinations taking place at the end of Year 11. Top set Maths students also study GCSE Further Maths. All students have access to a wide range of support beginning with their teacher, tutors and Heads of Year. Most subjects offer Support Groups to provide extra time and tutoring where needed.

Pupils study 9 GCSE subjects, with the most able offered the opportunity to study for additional courses (such as Further Mathematics).

The subjects that all pupils take are:
English Language, English Literature, Mathematics,
The three Sciences or combined science.

Additionally students choose either three or four subjects from the list below:

Art and Design
Business
DT- Resistant Materials
Drama
French
German
Geography
History
Computing
Music
Sports Studies
Philosophy and Ethics

Non-examined courses:

Physical Education/Games
Learning to Learn (in Year 11)

We encourage pupils to consider EBacc when choosing subjects to support future UCAS applications, if pupils aspire to study at Russell Group or Oxbridge Universities.

The Year 11 Information Evening is held in February every year and all relevant documents will be uploaded here.

Employability

In Key Stage Four, we benefit from working closely with GFutures, a local Enterprise Partnership to develop the KS4 Employability Skills. Students are exposed to a range of activities that enhance their ‘personal brand.’ These involve; mock interviews with business professionals, interview workshops and CV writing exercises. At the Crypt, we encourage our students to undertake work experience in the holidays. If students require additional guidance with this then they should speak to Miss Okell or book a careers appointment with Mr Lloyd.