Mission Statement: Academic excellence within a strong community of equality and respect, where potential and opportunity are realised.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
Martin Luther King Jr
Our Curriculum
The scale and breadth of our school is unique in our locality. We offer an extensive extra-curricular programme and our curriculum extends well beyond the classroom. We have exceptionally high performance standards in music, dance and sport and have a real commitment to artistic and physical endeavour. We work hard to develop every child’s cultural experience.
The curriculum at George Abbot is broad, aspirational and academically rich offering rigour, challenge and access for all. We want our students to experience the best that has been thought, discovered, created, expressed and to reference their learning within time, place and context.
Our curriculum is delivered by subject experts. All year groups access well planned PSE and RSHE content. Our careers provision is an important strength and supports student choices and decisions on their journey through school. Students study all National Curriculum subjects up to the end of Year 9 – these include:
Key Stage 3 Subjects:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Modern Foreign Languages: French, German, Spanish
- Geography
- History
- RE
- PE
- Art and Design including Photography, Textiles, Graphics
- Computing and ICT
- Design Technology and Food & Nutrition
- Music, Dance, Drama
- PSE and RSHE
Key Stage 4:
- At the end of Year 9, most students drop either Geography or History
- Most students continue with a Modern Foreign Language
- Most students will select two additional option choices
- Students take their GCSE in RE in Year 10
- Students study both English Language and English Literature
- Students study either three single sciences or double science
- Students therefore study 11, 10 or 9 GCSEs
Key Stage 4 option subjects offered in addition to the subjects offered at Key Stage 3:
- Business
- BTEC First Award Level 1/2 – Children’s Play, Learning & Development
- BTEC Level 1/2 Construction
- Hair and Beauty – Practical and Employability Skills City and Guilds Level 1/2
- Media Studies
- Sociology
- Cambridge National – Sports Studies
At Key Stage 5, students study either three or four A Levels or BTECs. Students have 300 minutes of learning per subject per week – 4 lessons. The curriculum continues the aim of breadth and challenge at sixth form level; details of the 36 subjects available can be found on the school website.
At George Abbot, we recognise and respect the diverse beliefs and values of our school community. Parents/Carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or some Religious Education lessons, in accordance with the Education Act 1996. This right allows families to make choices that align with their personal beliefs and values. If you wish to exercise this right, please inform the Headteacher in writing. We encourage you to discuss any concerns with our staff, who are here to support you and your child.
Timetable Structure
There are four lessons of 75 minutes per day and a short break between each lesson. Students thus enjoy fresh air after every lesson and there is access to canteens spread across three breaks. The day begins with a 25-minute Tutor session, when students are welcomed for the day through an interesting form time programme that includes assembly, reading, character development, PSE and citizenship.
Opportunity
Our curriculum extends well beyond the classroom. We have a strong reputation for the quality of our sportspeople and the success of our teams and we offer multiple competitive sports fixtures and an array of sports and athletics clubs. Our music is exceptional; we organise termly concerts for instrumentalists and singers with numerous ensembles, choirs, an orchestra and big band. We stage dance performances and an annual musical productions of the very highest quality. We curate art and design technology exhibitions and plan regular trips to museums and places of historical, cultural and geographical significance. We organise many overseas trips including ski trips, expeditions to places such as Nepal, politics trips to the USA and shorter trips to a variety of European destinations. Our Duke of Edinburgh programme is significant in scale and large numbers of young people participate annually. We run a sixth form Cricket Scholar programme in partnership with Surrey County Cricket for talented cricketers. We have a School Council and student leadership opportunities from Year 7 to Year 13. Every sixth form student is involved in supporting the lower school in some way – perhaps as a reading buddy or an academic mentor. Our young people have an active voice in our community, get involved and help to shape the future. We want them to be ready to make the world a better place.
Behaviour
We have a GA Way – this lays out the six elements of behaviour that are non-negotiable at our school. They are that students are present, presentable, prepared, polite, participate and approach their school day with pace and purpose. We have a genuine focus on rewards to motivate and encourage as well as to recognise the many things that our superb students achieve every day. Phones are not to be seen or heard from 08.25 – 15.15. Our Year 7 students are issued with a signal blocking and lockable phone pouch in which they place their phone every morning. This removes distractions, supports their concentration in lessons, encourages their social skills and promotes positive mental health.
Our teachers prioritise consistency, routines and high standards. Our classroom environments are calm and well presented. We nurture positive relationships where every young person feels known and recognised for all that they bring to our community.
The education of young people is a privilege that we do not underestimate. We provide all that you would seek, and more, for your child. Our young people are our finest ambassadors.
Prospectus
Curriculum Journey by Subject
Development Plans
Year 10-11 Curriculum Booklet
