First to Fifth Year
Introduction
Pupils follow a varied curriculum, supported by excellent teaching, guidance, and sound advice. This helps them build a love for learning, enthusiasm for study, and confidence through strong work habits.
We regularly review the curriculum, timetable, and school day, ensuring a broad education and the promotion of social, cultural, and moral learning.
Timetables
Senior School pupils follow a two-week timetable, meaning their schedule changes over two weeks instead of repeating weekly. The first week is called Blue Week, and the second is Yellow Week. After ten school days, the cycle restarts with Blue Week. Pupils have five one-hour lessons each day, totaling fifty lessons per fortnight. This schedule allows for a broader curriculum and deeper exploration of topics. First Year pupils quickly adapt to the cycle, which is clearly marked in their school planner.
First to Third Year
The Lower School curriculum is tailored to our pupils’ abilities, offering a broad and balanced study programme. Most pupils joining us in First Year have followed the national curriculum for key stages one and two. At SGS, we don’t strictly follow the national curriculum, but each subject aligns with key stage three requirements.
How many lessons are provided in each subject area over the course of the ten day cycle?
| Subject area | First Year | Second Year | Third Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| English | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Biology | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Physics | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| History | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Geography | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Physical Education | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Life Studies | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Religious Studies/Ethics | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Classics | 0 | 0 | Pupils choose five subjects, with three lessons for each subject per cycle. Two of the subjects must be a language. |
| Computer Science | 2 | 2 | |
| Languages – French | 3 | 3 | |
| Languages – German | 3 | 3 | |
| Languages – Latin | 0 | 3 | |
| Languages – Spanish | 0 | 3 | |
| Creative Subjects – Music | 2 | 2 | |
| Creative Subjects – Drama | 1 | 1 | |
| Creative Subjects – Art | 3 | 2 | |
| Creative Subjects – Design Tech Creative Subjects – Food Tech Creative Subjects – Textiles |
3 | 2 |
The Your Guide To First Year booklet provides more details of the Lower School curriculum.
Fourth and Fifth Year
Moving from Third to Fourth Year marks a new stage in education. GCSEs are the first national exams our pupils take. At this stage, one of our aims is to help pupils take more responsibility for their learning. We regularly check their progress, support them, and encourage them to aim high and reach their goals.
In the Third Year, pupils choose their GCSE subjects. Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, and Science are required. Most pupils take nine GCSEs. We recommend studying a Modern Foreign Language to keep their curriculum broad. Careers staff and form tutors help with subject choices, and all pupils and their parents attend an options evening in January for more information. Choices are finalised later that term. There’s no fixed structure for options; the school adjusts the timetable each year based on pupils’ needs.
The full list of subject options appears below. All the specifications are chosen to meet all conceivable university and national matriculation requirements.
| List of subject options | |||
| Art and Design | Computer Science | French | Music |
| Biology | Design Technology: Product Design | Geography | Physical Education |
| Business Studies | Design Technology: Textiles | German | Physics |
| Chemistry | Drama | History | Religious Studies |
| Classical Civilisation | Food Preparation and Nutrition | Latin | Spanish |
Departments are sometimes able to offer co-curricular GCSE courses which pupils study after school or at lunchtimes. These vary from year to year but in recent years we have been able to offer: Statistics and Italian.
The Middle School handbook contains full details on the range of GCSE options.