Curriculum
Years 7 & 8
Students at Cheney School will experience all subjects within the National Curriculum in Years 7 and 8. Some subjects are set by ability, for example mathematics, whilst other subjects, for example, art and drama, are taught in mixed ability groupings.
Students with significant literacy and numeracy needs have additional support through our 7 Star curriculum.
Years 9, 10 and 11 follow the Guided Choices Curriculum
At Cheney, we have devised a curriculum that has more choice and flexibility within it. Students begin Key Stage 4 in Year 9 and are guided through an appropriate curriculum that will maximise their achievement. The Guided Choices Curriculum offers subjects at both GCSE level and equivalent vocational qualifications. The vocational qualifications are Btec courses which provide stimulating and appropriate learning environments for those who prefer to learn in a more practical way. We now offer the following subjects at Btec:
- Sport
- Business
- Art and Design
- Leisure and Tourism
- Science
- Dance
- Acting
On this flexible curriculum, students will be able to take exams early, starting in Year 9.
Being a specialist Language College, we offer a wide range of languages at GCSE, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Urdu and Latin which are part of our normal provision. Students can expand their studies through the wide range of extra curricular activities. The range of activities is very extensive.
Gifted & Talented – Independence and Enquiry
Cheney School is committed to developing the gifts and talents of every individual student in the school. Working with students with special gifts or talents in particular academic, sporting or artistic areas is part of this wider commitment.
We use a wide range of data to identify very able students – CATs tests taken in Year Seven, end of KS2 and 3 levels, and GCSE results. We also rely heavily on primary school and Cheney staff recommendations. In addition, any parent or student can recommend someone for inclusion on our ‘Independence and Enquiry (Gifted and Talented) register’.
Like all students, very able students are encouraged to take part in some of the more than sixty extra-curricular activities on offer. Cheney students have won national competitions in fields as diverse as girls’ football and competitive debating. However our primary focus is on stretching and challenging pupils in the classroom, and in encouraging independent self-motivated enquiry, so that students can push themselves to exceptional performance. A ‘Competitive Universities Group’ supports students applying to Russell Group Universities and Oxbridge – it regularly welcomes back Cheney students who have achieved outstanding success at university, to inspire and encourage younger students. The AQA Extended Project provides the opportunity for very able Sixth Formers to carry out university level private study.
(Please click on links shown on the left for further information)