“For every student, regardless of background or circumstance, to acquire the knowledge and develop the qualities which will open the door to the future of their choice.”
– Laurus Trust Vision
Laurus Trust schools provide an excellent and rounded education for all their students, regardless of their individual backgrounds, preparing them well for their future careers.
Our curriculum ensures that every student recognises what it takes to succeed, sets aspirational goals and works hard to achieve them with the support of a highly qualified and dedicated team of education professionals. It is shaped by the students as it responds to their individual needs and is underpinned by the Four Cornerstones of the Laurus Trust.
Our approach to the curriculum also complies with the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice 2014. Further information on how we ensure the curriculum is accessible to students with SEND can be found in the Equality Policy on the Laurus Trust Policies page and in our SEND Information Report on the SEND Policies & Reports page.
We operate a two-week, 56-lesson timetable cycle. All lessons are 55 minutes long.
Key Stage 3 Overview
Year 7
Upon entry into Year 7, students are placed into one of ten Tutor Groups which are divided into 2 bands, x- and y.
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) are taught in mixed ability groups to begin with, though this will be reviewed during the year. English and Maths, together with all other subjects Art, Beliefs & Values, Computing, Design Technology, Drama, Geography, History, Music, and Science, are taught in mixed ability classes, while PE is organised in gender-specific, mixed-ability groups.
View the Year 7 Knowledge and Skills Guide below for more information.
Year 8
We have a similar arrangement to Year 7 with mixed-ability groups. However, English has a degree of setting with a top set, three mixed-ability classes and a ‘supported’ group in each year-half.
View the Year 8 Knowledge and Skills Guide below for more information.
Year 9
In Year 9, students take their Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) GCSE exams and students may move groups to prepare for different exam tiers.
English is taught in ability sets, whilst Science, Maths, Art, Computing, Performing Arts, PE, History, Geography, Design Technology, Religious Studies and PSHE are taught in mixed ability groups.
View the Year 9 Knowledge and Skills Guide below for more information.
Curriculum Structure
Key Stage 3
| Subject | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Maths | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Science | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Beliefs & Values (PSHE, RS & Citizenship) | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| PE | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Geography | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| History | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Languages | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Art | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Technologies | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Performing Arts | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Computing | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total lessons per week | 56 | 56 | 56 |
Right to withdraw children from Religious Studies (RS): Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their child from Religious Studies (RS), this is in accordance with the 1988 Education Reform Act. Parents/carers considering withdrawal from RS should contact the head teacher to arrange a discussion. (Parents/carers can only withdraw their child from RS, not other curriculum areas. For example, students can’t be withdrawn from a study of religious art in an Art lesson, or parts of the History curriculum such as the study of Christian conversions).