A broad, balanced and inspiring curriculum

With a wide range of subjects providing a strong foundation for further study, our curriculum is designed to equip our students with the skills to think for themselves, to nurture confidence and independence, and to encourage them to be active learners with teamwork and leadership skills.

Lower School

In Years 7 and 8, the curriculum is broad and balanced. The core subjects studied by all students include English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, French, Physical Education, and Personal Health and Social Education.

In Year 7, students also study  Art, Computer Science, Drama, Design & Technology, History, Geography, Music, Religious Studies and the Year 7 Enrichment programme (Digital Literacy and Wild Fridays).

In Years 8, all students take a second Modern Foreign Language (they choose either Italian or Spanish), and Food and Nutrition. They may also take a short course in Philosophy, politics and Economics.

Upper School

Students continue to study the core subjects of English (Language and Literature), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, French, PE and PSHE.

In Year 9, students continue with the full breadth of subjects they studied in Year 8. During the course of Year 9 they choose the 3 ‘option’ subjects that they will take for GCSE in addition to the core subjects, and after May half-term they embark on studies in only those subjects that they will take for GCSE.

Option subjects offered at GCSE include: Art, Computer Science, Drama, Design & Technology, Geography, History, Food and Nutrition, Italian, Music, Religious Studies, Spanish, Sports Studies, and Textiles.

Sixth Form

In Year 12 all students follow the JCG Advanced Learning programme, which has three components:

·      three A level subjects, which students will study for two years (some students may choose to take Further Mathematics as a fourth A Level)

·      an elective programme with a number of short courses

·      a compulsory enrichment programme

A Level subjects are chosen from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Design Technology, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, History, Italian, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Spanish, Sports Studies, Theatre Studies and Textiles.

The elective courses will vary from year to year, responding to student interest and needs. Our elective courses include the Extended Project Qualification along with a variety of short courses, which develop intellectual curiosity, imaginative thinking and an understanding of cultural events which shape our world.

The enrichment programme encourages students to consider their post-18 options and prepares them for university applications or embarking on a career. In addition, students also have 1 lesson each week following the VESPA course, a programme to help students become more effective learners, set challenging academic goals, and reflect on and manage their own systems and practices for learning.

In Year 13,  students study their A Level subjects and follow an enrichment programme which provides guidance and support through the UCAS process.

Curriculum Plan 2026 - 27