• St Marys College
• Our Mission
• Pastoral
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• Arts
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• Extra Curricular

St. Mary's College

St Mary’s College, our senior school, is particularly proud of its outstanding academic success, which is based on a broad curriculum geared to maximising the potential of each individual pupil. The emphasis is on establishing a confident and self-motivating attitude to learning. At the same time, students are taught study skills, whilst daily homework complements the process of learning. The aim is to develop high levels of knowledge, understanding and essential study skills in preparation for GCSE.

There is a Credit System in Years 7 - 9 which encourages students to achieve excellence in academic spheres as well as in pastoral and sporting contexts.

All students within Key Stage 3 study the National Curriculum subjects of English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography,History, Music, French, Art, Design & Technology and PE, with the addition of Religious Studies. German is introduced in year 8 and becomes optional for GCSE. ICT is formally taught in Years 7-8, with the subject becoming cross-curricular from Year 9 to Year 11.

GCSE examination courses in English, Mathematics, Religious Studies and  Modular Science  begin in Year 9, since most students take these subjects one year early in Year 10.

All students continue to follow the National Curriculum Core Subjects of English and Mathematics and three Sciences to GCSE. Our system also allows students to continue with both History and Geography to GCSE. Additionally, English Literature, French and Additional Mathematics/Statistics are taken in Year 11. An option system provides scope for greater specialisation in non-core subjects such as Art, Music, Classical Civilisation and PE at GCSE. In 2010 the College introduced A/S Maths and GCSE Film Studies into Year 11; this experimental curriculum has proved to be very successful and will be offered once more for 2011/12.

In Years 10 and 11 there are special reports, compiled to assist students, as well as a GCSE Revision Guide. There is a Mentoring System in Year 11 designed to work alongside Form Teachers. Extra revision classes are held during the Easter holidays and in the build-up to external examinations.

Over the last four years, an average of 95% of the students gained higher-grade passes at GCSE in 5 or more subjects including Maths and English.