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.
The curriculum 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 have 40 periods per week (35 or 40 minute periods) below the Sixth Form.
In the Fourth and Fifth Years (Years 10 and 11), the core curriculum is English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, a Humanity (Geography, History, Philosophy and Theology) and a Modern Language (French, German, Spanish, Italian) as well as PE, Games and PSHEE. 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. The core curriculum provides continuity and progression of learning, and to this core is added two further subjects selected by the pupils. These are chosen from Latin, Greek, Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish, Italian), Humanities (Geography, History, Philosophy and Theology). Business Studies, Computer Science, Art, 3D Design, Music, Drama and GCSE PE. An options booklet is provided to help pupils and their parents to make informed choices. GCSE examinations are taken in all academic subjects except Maths, English Language and Sciences, which take IGCSEs.
At Sixth Form, we retain an open policy regarding pupils choice of A Level subjects. Pupils have a free choice of any four or in some cases five A Levels, and the school aims to run any course for which there is sufficient demand. All of the subjects offered at GCSE are available at A Level, as well as Further Mathematics, Economics, Business, Psychology and Politics. Advice is given to all pupils regarding their A Level choices and this advice includes an interview with each Fifth Year pupil by the Year Head or senior member of staff. An options booklet is provided to help students and their parents to make informed choices, and a Sixth Form Open Evening allows them to experience the flavour of different A Level lessons before committing themselves to specific subjects.
