School Curriculum
The school has a broad curriculum, with studies in a broad range of subjects. The school exceeds itself in ensuring all students receive teaching within broad range of subjects, which despite specialisms involve a generally very high standard of teaching by engaged and motivated staff in all departments. The variety of subjects provided has expanded considerably in the past five years, with for instance, Drama included in the Year 7 Timetable for the first time in 2006.
Extra-curricular clubs, during breaks, lunches and after-school periods provide many additional opportunities for students, with for instance includes additional language learning of Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Russian. The English department runs successful Debating (Lower Years) and Critical Thinking Clubs; both of which improve key skills, as well as providing other benefits (Bexley Debating Prize gaining the school 6 dedicated Macs for Film Studies). All these are in addition to the additional revision sessions held for most subjects in the weeks approaching exams which staff/departments are most willing to provide.
Whilst perhaps less prominent within the school, the provision of the four Design and Technology subjects at KS3 (Graphics,Resistant Materials, Food Tech and Textiles) is a key component of the Timetable, with Food Tech being the only known example where double-sessions are preferred over single for these year groups. Each subject has a dedicated room, with specialist equipment (e.g. CAD/CAM, Sewing Machines) and also a single room shared with the Art department.
A fairly significant part of the curriculum is devoted to languages, fitting the schools long-standing (2003) specialist status. In Year 7, all students learn one modern foreign language,(French or German) in addition to Latin; In Year 8 pupils select a second additional foreign language to study, (Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and French or German). Students must continue their two modern languages through to GCSE, with GCSE Latin being a further option for KS4. The option of studying CLINT (Classical civilisation) in Year 9 is also available.
Language learning continues into the Sixth Form, as an option for A-level or as extracurricular, or as a compulsory integral part of the IB. Courses in French and German for Business, GCSE Spanish and British Sign Language are currently available as Extra-Curricular Course for A-Level students. This school has an exceptionally high standard in language learning and attainment and is one of the top thirty schools in the country for language.
The school held SATs a year earlier than the national norm for the Year 8 students in 2008 - they completed their SATs at the same time as the Year 9s - with the intention of shifting GCSE preparation and early GCSE work (including coursework) into Year 9. However, after the KS3 SATs were abolished the following year, GCSE preparation shifted to Year 9 as originally planned. Science GCSEs Specifications are also being withdrawn with the introduction of IGCSEs (at Double or Triple) and Science in the News GCSE from 2007.
Read more about this topic: Bexley Grammar School
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