Curriculum Overview & Subject Info

We believe that students should develop a strong, intellectual foundation of knowledge that inspires a passion for learning that will last their whole life. Teachers focus on developing key knowledge and its application - not just the techniques required for their subject, but also the well-being and metacognitive skills that develop students’ character, and the leadership skills to be able to support their local community and contribute towards discussion, debate, and action in national and international concerns.

Throughout KS3, students fully cover the National Curriculum and go beyond. Students are taught discrete subjects by subject specialists in English, Mathematics, Science, French, German, Spanish, Physical Education, Geography, History, Religion, Philosophy & Ethics, Art, Music, Computing & IT, Food Preparation & Nutrition, Textiles, Drama, PSHE, Citizenship and Careers Education.

Our experienced staff have placed much thought into the creation of a well sequenced and coherent knowledge-rich curriculum that will last long in students’ memories. As well as developing depth of understanding, our curriculum is broad and stays broad throughout key stage 3. We teach French, German and Spanish up until the end of Year 9. Options are made in year 9 for the start of GCSE courses in year 10.

Through the use of activities to enable recall and retrieval, supporting the development of long-term learning, students are challenged to develop their knowledge and its application in a wide range of GCSEs. Alongside PSHE, Citizenship, Careers Education, Core Ethics & Values and Core Physical Education, students study 9 GCSEs in Years 10 and 11. All students will study English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science, and their option of a language and humanity.

TGGS provides an intellectually rigorous broad and balanced curriculum with 90% of our students will be entered for the EBACC. To inspire maximum motivation throughout KS4, students are given the option to choose between Religious Studies, Geography or History in their Humanities Option. We believe that giving our students this choice, with the option of taking a second humanities subject if they wish, enables students to develop a broad range of knowledge and skills whilst the choice supports students to remain happy and enthusiastic throughout year 10 and 11.

They will also choose one of French, German or Spanish as their language. Students also have two further open choices to make between the following: Art & Design (Fine Art), Art & Design (Textile Design), Business Studies, Computer Science, Drama, Food Preparation & Nutrition, French, Geography, German, Spanish, History, Music, PE, Religious Studies & Triple Science. For those students who want to an even broader suite of qualifications, there is the additional opportunity to gain an extra GCSE in Geology. Level 2 Further Mathematics is also offered to those students in Set 1 and 2 meaning just under 40% of students will complete this.

For those that want it, a suite of 11 qualifications is on offer but we put high emphasis on students’ wellbeing. From discussions with further education providers, we know that having 8 strong GCSE qualifications is enough to allow our students every opportunity they may wish to pursue in the future. So, studying 9 as a minimum will give our students the balance between being able to achieve 8 strong GCSEs whilst also having time to do as well as they can and develop their characters through enrichment and extra-curricular activities. Personal development is one of the many strengths of TGGS.

Our aim is unashamedly for all students to reach their academic potential. This is achieved through building on the bedrock of excellent and rigorous teaching. Our staff our extremely experienced, with many of them having held, or holding, positions of responsibility and working as examiners and moderators. We also have many staff who have a PhD or Masters in their subject or are working towards other qualifications. They are completely committed to the success of our students. But that success is very much not limited to grades.

We are equally committed to the development of character skills, self-esteem and the wellbeing of our students. Through the development of our Ten Habits Programme which is mapped through PSHE lessons and supported by many other departments such as PE, Technology, Science and our Enrichment offer, students develop the habits to help them live a long, happy and healthy life. The character skills we value as a school have been inspired by the essential skills that employers want in employees and our detailed careers programme motivates students to aspire to a wide range of employment opportunities.

In sixth form we encourage our students to take on additional leadership responsibilities. Some of these opportunities include: joining the Head Girl Team – a pivotal role within school which develops students’ leadership and management skills; acting as Heads of House, promoting and encouraging a strong house culture throughout school; running the HUB scheme and leading and organising in-house academic and pastoral support for the lower years. Students are also able to work closely with Heads of Departments as Academic Ambassadors, promoting and supporting learning in their subjects. Within the wider community, students also lead the Junior League of Friends and a local Amnesty Group. Students have a wide-ranging tutorial programme that develops character and life skills, ensuring they are ready for the challenges of the 21st century. Many choose to develop their critical thinking skills by opting to undertake the Extended Project.

Most of our students take three A Level subjects chosen from an extensive range - some individuals take four. Some study an AS level in a creative subject, alongside their three A levels, in Art & Design, Drama & Theatre Studies, or Music. Students have free choice from the following: Fine Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, Geology, German, History, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Philosophy, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Sociology and Spanish.

Students complete their journey at TGGS by developing skills that will enable them to achieve the best academic outcomes to allow them the greatest prospects on completion of their 7-year journey. Through the well thought out and clearly sequenced curriculum, as well as our huge offer of enrichment activities; and because of the expertise of our experienced staff, students gain a love of learning and knowledge that will be secure in their long-term memory for years to come. The disciplinary and substantive knowledge that our students will have developed and through the leadership and extracurricular opportunities they take part in, students develop the self-esteem and character skills that will man that they are able to flourish in any of the further challenges they take on, and are able to lead long, healthy and happy lives.

The school is aware of its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and complies with non-discrimination provisions. Where relevant, our policies include reference to the importance of avoiding discrimination and other prohibited conduct. Staff and trustees are regularly reminded of their responsibilities under the Equality Act. New staff receive training relating to the Equality Act as part of their induction, and all staff receive refresher training every September. The school has a designated member of staff for monitoring equality issues, and an equality link trustee. They regularly liaise regarding any issues and make senior leaders and governors aware of these as appropriate.