Our Curriculum
Marlborough students in school; happy learning and making exceptional progress
Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum at Marlborough is a dynamic, carefully crafted and student centred provision that we believe prepares our students well to meet the rigours of adulthood and employment with confidence and emotional intelligence, all underpinned by our key values of dignity, kindness, compassion, courage and endeavour.
One size does not fit all and our curriculum pathways are designed to:
- Stretch and challenge all abilities.
- Offer breadth and balance.
- Inspire the sense of awe and wonder that makes teaching exciting and learning effortless.
- Respond to an increasingly technological world.
- Keep students safe.
- Ensure all students are prepared to follow their dreams whatever level they are working at.
- Offer enrichment and creative activities that compliment and support learning as well as opening up the world and the opportunities travel and learning can provide.
- Ensure that all students have respect for themselves and others within a multicultural society.
- Give students opportunities to develop their character, express themselves intelligently and with regard for good manners and the law.
The curriculum is never 'done', it is reviewed annually in light of our cohorts and statutory requirements. We will always choose the right courses and means of assessment with our students' best interests at heart; we will never stand still.
Key Stage 3
The curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced in line with the National Curriculum, legislation on the teaching of Philosophy and Ethics, Relationship and Sex Education (RSE), Citizenship, Careers and Economic Education. Religious Studies is taught throughout the school using the Hertfordshire County agreed syllabus.
At Key Stage 3 our curriculum consists of four different curriculum pathways in order to provide a more personalised approach and meet the needs of all our students. The four pathways are:
- The main curriculum
- Rapid progress curriculum
- Enhanced learning curriculum
- Fast track curriculum
| 2021-22 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Year 8 | |||
| Periods | % | Periods | % | |
| English | 7 | 14% | 7 | 14% |
| Mathematics | 7 | 14% | 7 | 14% |
| Science | 6 | 12% | 6 | 12% |
| Art | 3 | 6% | 3 | 6% |
| Drama | 2 | 4% | 2 | 4% |
| Geography | 3 | 6% | 3 | 6% |
| History | 3 | 6% | 3 | 6% |
| Computer Science | 2 | 4% | 2 | 4% |
| Languages | 5 | 10% | 5 | 10% |
| Music | 2 | 4% | 2 | 4% |
| Physical Education | 4 | 8% | 4 | 8% |
| PSHCEE | 1 | 2% | 1 | 2% |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 1 | 2% | 1 | 2% |
| Technology | 4 | 8% | 4 | 8% |
| TOTAL | 50 | 100% | 50 | 100% |
PSHCEE including RSE is taught through one discrete lesson each cycle at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, with the addition of some PSHCEE events.
RAPID PROGRESS
The Rapid Progress students’ curriculum is designed to enable students to catch up and make rapid progress in their literacy and numeracy skills and to enable them to fully access the Secondary curriculum. As a result students have a reduced Modern Foreign Language provision and integrated Humanities over the Key Stage.
ENHANCED LEARNING
The Enhanced Learning students have enhanced learning in English which is designed to boost literacy levels and further develop confidence and self - esteem. As a result students have a reduced Modern Foreign Language provision.
FAST TRACK
Our Fast Track course is designed to stretch the more able. There is a Fast Track group in English, Mathematics and Science. Students on our Fast Track curriculum are also invited to take part in our Latin Club where students learn about Ancient Rome and Greece (Classics) and take modules from the Cambridge Latin course.
key STAGe 4
At Key Stage 4 our curriculum consists of four different curriculum pathways. All students in Years 9, 10 and 11 study English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, Philosophy and Ethics, Sport, Citizenship, PSHCEE including RSE and Careers.
In addition, students on the:
- Atom Curriculum follow the English Baccalaureate and are able to choose four more subjects including Humanities, a language plus two further subjects.
- Electron Curriculum are able to opt to follow the English Baccalaureate. They are able to choose three other subjects; either a humanities or language option, plus two further subjects.
- Proton Curriculum are able to choose three more subjects including a Humanities subject, plus two further subjects.
- Neutron Curriculum follow a study support programme to develop their life skills and support them with their learning. They also take the Cambridge National Creative iMedia course, plus two further subjects.
The Key Stage 4 curriculum structure that is currently in place is:
| 2021-22 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | ||||
| Periods | % | Periods | % | Periods | % | |
| English | 7 (9) | 16% | 8 (10) | 16% | 8 (10) | 16% |
| Mathematics | 7 (10) | 14% | 6 (9) | 14% | 7 (10) | 14% |
| Science | 10 | 20% | 10 | 20% | 10 | 20% |
| Physical Education | 4 | 8% | 4 | 8% | 3 | 8% |
| PSHCEE/RSE/Careers | 1 | 0% | 1 | 0% | 1 | 0% |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 1 | 2% | 1 | 2% | 1 | 2% |
| Option 1 | 5 | 10% | 5 | 10% | 5 | 10% |
| Option 2 | 5 | 10% | 5 | 10% | 5 | 10% |
| Option 3 | 5 | 10% | 5 | 10% | 5 | 10% |
| Option 4 | 5 (*) | 10% | 5 (*) | 10% | 5 (*) | 10% |
| TOTAL | 50 | 100% | 50 | 100% | 50 | 100% |
NB: (9/10) (*) Students on the Electron, Proton and Neutron curriculum additional lessons of English and Mathematics per cycle and as a result do not take a fourth option.
Optional Subjects include:
|
Art and Design |
French |
|
Art and Design: Textiles Design |
Geography |
|
Business Studies |
Graphic Design |
|
Child Development |
Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy |
|
Classical Civilization |
Health and Social Care |
|
Computer Science |
History |
|
Creative iMedia |
ICT |
|
Dance |
Media Studies |
|
Design and Technology |
Music |
|
Drama |
Philosophy and Ethics |
|
Engineering |
Physical Education |
|
Food Preparation and Nutrition |
Spanish |
Key stage 5
We organise our curriculum in conjunction with our learning partners; St Albans Girls School, Loreto, Townsend and Samuel Ryder.
Students can follow a programme of Level 3 study. Courses are offered both at Marlborough and at our learning partners’ schools. All students study a core curriculum which includes Sport, Games, Careers, PSHCEE including RSE, and a Leadership for Life programme.
Students can study up to four subjects which are a combination of advanced level or advanced vocational qualifications:
|
Art and Design |
Further Mathematics |
|
Biology |
Geography |
|
Business Studies |
History |
|
Chemistry |
Mathematics |
|
Classical Civilisation |
Media Studies |
|
Computer Science |
Music |
|
Dance |
Philosophy and Ethics |
|
Design and Technology - 3D Product Design |
Photography |
|
Drama and Theatre Studies |
Physics |
|
Economics |
Politics |
| English Literature |
Psychology |
|
Film Studies |
Sociology |
| Food Technology |
Spanish |
| French |
Sport Development, Coaching and Fitness |
These courses may vary from year to year.