Students at Cotham School study a broad and balanced curriculum at Key Stage 4 (KS4).  The core curriculum studied by all students consists of:  English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science, Personal Social and Health Education (PSHEE) and Physical Education (non-examined). In addition to these core subjects, students study pathway courses. Students in Year 10 and 11 study 3 pathway courses. 

Students in Year 9 are carefully supported to select their KS4 pathway with appropriate advice and guidance. The KS4 Pathways Portal contains all  the guidance on how students select their preferences for KS4 courses. 

Key Stage 4 curriculum subjects and time allocations  25 hrs per week, 50 periods x 60 minutes per two week cycle
	Hours Per Fortnight
Subjects	Year 10	Year 11
English	8	8
Mathematics	8	8
Science	10	10
Core Physical Education/ Games (PE)	4	4
Core Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE)	2	2
Pathways (Option) subject	6	6
Pathways (Option) subject	6	6
Pathways (Option) subject	6
Total	50	50

 

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Blocking and Grouping Arrangements
Subject	Blocking	Grouping
English	Half year blocked in Yrs 10 and 11	Top sets on each year half. All other groups are mixed ability
Maths	Half year blocked in Yrs 10 and 11	Setted
Science	Half years blocked in Yrs 10 and 11	Mixed ability in Yr10 for all, following Separate Sciences.    In Year 11: two groups for Separate Science and two groups for Combined Science in each half year block.
Core PE	Half year blocked in Yrs 10 and 11	Mixed ability groups
Core Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE)	Taught in half blocks with science	Mixed ability
GCSE Modern Foreign Languages (French, German or Spanish)	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE History	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE Ancient History	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE Geography	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE RE	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE Sociology	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
CNAT  Sports Science	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
iMedia Vocational Certificate	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE Computing	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
CNAT Enterprise and Marketing	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE Art and Design	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE Music	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE Music technology	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
BTEC Performing Arts Drama	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
BTEC Performing Arts Dance	Taught in option blocks or as Twilight	Mixed Ability
GCSE Food and nutrition	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability
GCSE 3D Design	Taught in option blocks	Mixed ability

KS4 Curriculum Content

Parents and carers can see the Cotham KS3 Curriculum for students in Years 7, 8 and 9 across Terms 1 to 6 in our Cotham KS4 Curriculum powerpoint.  

Curriculum Booklets 

Additional information regarding the subjects delivered at KS4 can be found in our KS4 Curriculum Booklet.   

Year 11 Period 6 Sessions

We provide an additional teaching session for Year 11 students during terms 1 to 4. These sessions run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week and run directly after period 5. All teachers are allocated one hour of directed time to run a Period 6 session once a fortnight. 

The Focus of Period 6

The focus of Period 6 sessions should be on retrieval and exam preparation activities. Please try and link into the information contained on the Preparing for Assessments portal that was created last year. We will be looking to push this with students this year. 

Period 6 Groupings

Each subject is allocated into the one of the below groupings:

• Maths
• English
• Science
• Option X Subjects
• Option Y subjects
• Option Z subjects

Each grouping is allocated one session per fortnight for Period 6.  All Year 11 students are allocated to Period 6 each session, however new for this year faculties are able to select which students from their groups they wish to attend their Period 6 session for each term.

Faculties can either choose to select all their students to attend their sessions that term or choose a subset of students from their groups to attend. The students not selected will not attend Period 6 on that day. Students are selected for their Period 6 sessions at the start of each term. Selected students cannot be changed during the term.