Key Stage 3

This is a broad curriculum offer with 16 subjects, including 4 languages, and discrete, timetabled lessons in Personal Development, Dance and Drama. There is generous time allocation in subjects such as Modern Foreign Languages and Humanities to ensure depth of learning.

The focus at Key Stage Three is on depth of learning and mastery of knowledge, understanding and skills within a wide range of subjects. Our aim is that students become resilient learners with learning focused on thinking hard and working hard. 

Students are taught in mixed ability groups other than in Maths and English where some students will access additional support through smaller group teaching. 

Key stage three is not simply preparation for Key stage four. The curriculum in Key stage three places importance on the delivery of rich and powerful knowledge and ensures students are equipped with the depth of language they need to make exceptional progress. We meet, and in places exceed, the requirements of the National Curriculum.  

Students with additional needs make excellent progress because they are supported by skilful academic scaffolding through, for example, the careful use of pre unit briefings in departments to support the teaching of each curriculum topic, and high quality social, emotional and mental health support delivered through the well-planned wider curriculum and appropriate interventions within learning support.  

The curriculum in Year 9 is designed to provide continuity, balance and breadth, but at the same time enable students to specialise in some courses which meet their needs, aptitudes and career intentions.  

In exceptional cases, small groups of students will be supported with additional English rather than studying both languages in Year 7 and 8. A very small number may not continue with a language in Y9 but will access additional English and literacy support instead.  

Year 7 and 8

Subject Hours per fortnight
Year 7

Hours per fortnight
Year 8

English 7 8
Mathematics 7 6
Science 6 6
History 3 3
Geography 3 3
Religious Education 1 1
Design and Technology/ Dance* 4 4
Modern Foreign Language (MFL) 6 5
Computer Science 1 2
Art 2 2
Music 2 2
Physical Education 4 4
Drama 2 2
Personal Development 2 2

 

*taught in a carousel of 3 D&T subjects with Dance

Year 9

Subject Hours per fortnight
English 6
Mathematics 7
Science 9
Option 1
(Geography or History)
4
Option 2
(Choice of MFL)
4
Option 3 4
Option 4 4
Religious Studies 1
Computer Science 1
Music 2
Art 2
Design and Technology/ Drama* 2
Physical Education 3
Personal Development 1

 *taught in a carousel of 3 D&T subjects with Drama

 

Documents

Curriculum Overview Date  
Year 7 Curriculum Handbook 25th Sep 2024 Download
Year 8 Curriculum Handbook 25th Sep 2024 Download
@@DidcotGirls04:03 PM - 28th September, 2024 A beautiful throwback to the choreographed wizardry on display in the dance department at pic.twitter.com/9MBxpBUD1v
@@DidcotGirls08:23 PM - 26th September, 2024 pic.twitter.com/BOCyhrIcAP
@@DidcotGirls08:22 PM - 26th September, 2024 A wonderful spent with engaging guides, exciting exhibits and brilliant activities on display. Thank you to all our students, staff and visitors for braving the rain and sharing some pic.twitter.com/BIjGYfBABY
@@GKKLeadership04:12 PM - 18th September, 2024 House Opening Ceremony in full flow! pic.twitter.com/RnvRi7nPCL
@@GKKLeadership02:12 PM - 18th September, 2024 Our annual house opening ceremony has started out with a cake sale hosted by all 7 houses! All proceeds to go to Here are our house captains looking rightly proud! pic.twitter.com/a8tud5Kegq
@@GKKLeadership01:11 PM - 11th September, 2024 There is definitely autumn in the air today, but our upper school student leaders are happy and representing their school for official school photos today! pic.twitter.com/cAIn2xf1nP
@@DidcotGirls11:12 AM - 6th September, 2024 Leadership training morning Read more
@@DidcotGirls04:18 PM - 22nd August, 2024 Congratulations to our Year 11 students as they receive their GCSE and BTEC results. These are excellent results and we are so pleased that this resilient and hard-working cohort of students have been awarded results which allow them to progress on to their next steps. pic.twitter.com/m0xyyAaV4Q
@@GKKLeadership06:57 PM - 23rd July, 2024 End of the school year - here are the rising Year 11 house captains with Dr Comina and Mrs Littler! Have a wonderful and safe summer break all! pic.twitter.com/fyIY8N7HR2
@@DidcotGirls12:24 PM - 8th July, 2024 Year 10’s ‘Big Questions’ morning is closing with impressive debates around moral and ethical issues. Year 10 have conducted themselves impeccably and our judge Mr Tamplin is having a challenging time deciding on the winners of each debate. pic.twitter.com/Gm1Btrerhc
@@GKKLeadership09:21 AM - 8th July, 2024 So excited to be part of Big Question Day today organised by the brilliant Mr George! pic.twitter.com/VY7uAaxmvN
@@GKKLeadership12:25 PM - 1st July, 2024 We love a sunny day with the ice cream van in, and as it was a non working day, a little visitor came along with me! pic.twitter.com/aCKmVwQFbB
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