Introduction

Pupils at Caterham School are taught with commitment and enthusiasm. The professional expertise demonstrated by the staff combined with our personalised tutorial system ensures a high academic standard.

We recognise the need to address the career aspirations of pupils and so we have an excellent record of academic achievement and entry into higher education. We aim to achieve an all round education whilst providing the opportunity for personal development and life skills.

Overview

Caterham School is committed to providing a rigorous academic and intellectual education which will challenge and engage pupils, offer continuity and progression of learning to foster a life-long love of learning for its own sake and provide them with a secure foundation on which to continue into Higher Education and into the careers of their choice.

All pupils of compulsory school age receive a full-time supervised education. This education is intended to give pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative aspects.

In the Senior School, in Key Stages Three and Four, the core curriculum of subjects provides the opportunity for pupils to acquire skills in speaking and listening, literacy and numeracy. These are further developed in their other subjects. Pupils are taught 40 periods per week (35 or 40 minute periods) below the Sixth Form.

All pupils study a core curriculum of Mathematics, English, Science and a Modern Language until the end of Key Stage 4, and there is also the opportunity for them to build around that a combination of other optional subjects. Quite deliberately, the school chooses each year to construct Third, Fourth and Fifth Year timetables around pupils’ choices, and not the other way around; thus there are no predetermined “Option Bands”. The School aims to run any course in which there is sufficient demand.

From First Year to GCSE

First and Second Years
In First and Second Years, all pupils receive a broad introductory curriculum which gives them experience in all of the aspects outlined above. In addition to Mathematics, English, Science and a Modern Language they study History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, Music, 3D Design, IT, PE and Games, and have RPSE lessons. From September 2010 all pupils will also take a carousel of subjects, a distinctive element of the Caterham curriculum, offering the chance to explore a range of disciplines including study skills and typing.

Third Year
From the Third Year an element of choice is introduced to enable pupils to explore those subjects more fully for which they have a natural enthusiasm and/or aptitude. In the Third Year, all pupils study the core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies, at least one Modern Language, IT, PE and Games. Science is taught separately as Physics, Chemistry and Biology. This curriculum is supplemented by a choice of three further subjects from Latin, Greek, a second Modern Language, Art, 3D Design, Music and Drama.

Fourth and Fifth Years
In the Fourth and Fifth Years, the core curriculum is English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science and a Modern Language as well as PE and Games and RPSE. Pupils study Science as three separate subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) in the Fourth Year and then for the Fifth Year, a choice is made as to whether they opt for the Dual Award or continue all three sciences to GCSE. To this core is added a further three subjects selected by the pupils. These are chosen from Latin, Greek, a second Modern Language, Art, 3D Design, Music, Drama, GCSE PE, Economics and Business Studies, IT, History, Geography and Religious Studies. The core curriculum provides continuity and progression of learning, supplemented by additional subjects.

Almost all pupils take ten GCSEs. Class sizes are usually in the low twenties, although in some subjects they will be much smaller.

Click here for GCSE Options

Sixth Form

Students in the Sixth Form play a central part in the life of Caterham School, as senior members of the school community and as role models for the next generation. The Sixth Form also represents the culmination of a school career as well as preparation for university. These two years are likely to be the most challenging and exciting that students will have experienced. During this time, they will develop the maturity and focused ambition to succeed and perhaps even go beyond their own expectations. Our Sixth Form students involve themselves fully in a wide and stimulating range of activities and we set high standards to enable you to develop the academic, creative, sporting and personal strengths needed for the 21st century.

Sixth Form Entry Criteria
The qualification for Sixth Form entry is six GCSE subjects (or equivalent) passed at grade A. Additionally, there are specific entry requirements for each A level subject. These have been set because our experience is that those who do not achieve these grades in GCSE will not succeed at A level. In some subjects A2 is more difficult than AS, therefore separate criteria have been established for admission to AS and A2. A summary of the entry requirements are listed in the Sixth Form Options booklet. All pupils must qualify to study four subjects.

The AS (Lower Sixth) and A2 (Upper Sixth) courses are separate, although together they constitute a full A level. Graduation from Lower to Upper Sixth will not be automatic. Candidates who perform poorly in AS level examinations may need to repeat the Lower Sixth year, and at least a ‘C’ grade at AS level will be expected of those who wish to continue a subject to A level in the Upper Sixth. Decisions are made on which subjects should be continued to A2 level when the results of AS examinations are known.

The Sixth Form
At Sixth Form, a similar open policy applies to pupils’ choice of A Level subjects. Students have a free choice of any four or, in some cases, five A Levels, and the school aims to run any course in which numbers are economically viable. All of the subjects offered at GCSE area available at A level, as well as Further Mathematics, Economics, Business Studies (these are offered as one subject at GCSE, but separately at A level), Psychology, Politics and Textiles. Advice is given to all students regarding their A Level choices and this advice includes an interview with each Fifth Year pupil by the Year Head or Deputy Head. All pupils study at least four subjects to AS Level.

The Sixth Form curriculum of examination subjects is supplemented by an innovative non-examined ‘Forum’ programme, including expert led lectures and seminars on topics such as drug abuse, sexual health, and safe driving. This programme is designed to prepare pupils for the opportunities and responsibilities of adult life.

Sixth Form students will be allocated to a Tutor who will monitor academic work and involvement in co-curricular activities, in consultation with the Director of Sixth Form, Head of Lower Sixth and your Head of House. Students will have many opportunities to help in the day-to-day management of the school and have their own recreational and study areas in the Pye Sixth Form Centre.

Private Study
Sixth Form students have provision for Private Study which includes use of the Pye Sixth Form Centre, the Maggs Library and the numerous computer facilities located in departmental bases.
Sixth formers will either be ‘licensed’ (i.e. free to manage their ‘free’ periods) or supervised during Private Study. This’ licence’ is given when, and if, Sixth Formers has met their ‘grade’ requirements in our half-termly reporting system. This licence is reviewed at every reporting cycle.

Modular Examinations

A Levels are modular examinations, and Units are taken in stages during the two year course. Apart from Mathematics, no modular examinations are taken in January of the Lower Sixth Year, to avoid disruption and to allow for continuity of learning.

Careers
Careers guidance is provided by a well-resourced Careers Library which is available to all pupils and by the Careers Department which provides support and advice as well as organising additional visits by outside agencies, speakers and advisers. The Careers Department supports the organisation of work experience for Fifth Year pupils. For University application, there is a rigorous process which is organised by the Head of Sixth Form.

Academic Ethos
In the Senior School, considerable emphasis is placed upon examination success (most pupils will obtain between 9 and 11 GCSEs and 3 or 4 A Levels) though it is important that as much attention is given to those who find academic work challenging as to the high-fliers. Teachers monitor academic performance closely and take remedial action promptly in the case of those pupils who are struggling. All pupils are expected to give of their best and to be encouraged to develop their natural talents to the full. Modest results for pupils who may find academic work challenging are as worthy of recognition as are outstanding results for another who may be naturally gifted.

Games
The Games programme involves the use of facilities at the Old Caterhamians Sports Ground and on the main school site. The multi-gym, Sports Hall, Astroturf, Squash Court and various indoor facilities are used for a variety of sporting activities during Senior games afternoons.
In the Senior School, each pupil, regardless of age, participates in a full Games programme on one afternoon of the week.

Related policies
Religious Personal and Social Education (RPSE) and Gifted & Talented and Special Education Needs policies can be found in the policy section.

A2 Subjects in 2010 / 2011

Art & Design
Biological Sciences
Business Studies
Chemistry
Drama/Theatre Studies
Economics
English Literature
French
Geography
German
History
ICT AS
Latin & Greek
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Music
Philosophy & Ethics
Photography
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Politics
Spanish
Textiles
3D Design

Click here for A Level Options 2010 – 2011