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Years 9 - 11 Academic Overview

Taught curriculum

Bedales has a long tradition of leading the way in educational change. Our determination to do what is right for our students has led to the creation of a unique curriculum for Blocks 4 and 5 with a range of innovative courses designed to complement a core of GCSEs. Our students combine five to seven GCSEs with other courses, many of which are Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs) which offer highly stimulating courses for our students and staff. BACs are devised by Bedales departments to combine rigour with flexibility, and to allow scope for individual exploration within a clear syllabus framework.

In Block 3, the taught curriculum is intended to consolidate students' prior learning, introduce new areas of study and look forward to the requirements and opportunities of GCSE and the BACs. Students are introduced to a variety of teaching and learning styles, encouraged to find the modes of working which are most effective for them, and expected to exercise a high degree of responsibility over the organisation and conduct of their own work.

Subjects are set in a variety of ways so that very few pupils will find they have identical timetables.

External Examination Information

Private study

In addition to work in the classroom, students are given prep to complete in their own time, according to a weekly timetable. Prep can be done at various times in the week, a proportion of which will be supervised. During the course of Block 3 it is expected that each student will establish effective working habits and an appropriate balance between academic work and other pursuits.

The wider curriculum

All students take part in the daily Activities programme. From the moment they enter the school, students are encouraged to take part in the wider life of the community. They may represent the school in competitive sports, join a choir, orchestra or band, take part in drama performances or write for one of the many publications. They can see a variety of exhibitions and performances in the Olivier Theatre. They can take part in the school's voluntary service programme in the local community, join one of the groups raising money for charity or take up an opportunity to develop a new initiative in the school.

Curriculum structure

In nearly all respects, students all follow the same curriculum in Block 3. However, a choice is available in the areas of Modern Languages and Classical subjects. In Blocks 4 and 5, the curriculum is built around a compulsory group of five GCSE subjects and two non-examined courses, plus a choice of Bedales Assessed Courses and other GCSEs or externally examined subjects. The content of the courses is broad and stimulating, offering cross-curricular opportunities and being suited to a wide variety of learning styles. Since we aim to develop a broad range of skills through the delivery of BACs, internal assessment includes a mixture of written assignments, presentations, projects and performances, together with terminal examinations as appropriate. Each course is externally moderated.

Each student, working closely with a tutor, will construct a programme based on the five core subjects and other courses chosen from BACs (maximum of five) and other externally examined subjects (maximum of two). The curriculum layout allows a wide variety of subject combinations, including programmes with an even spread across different subject areas as well as programmes with a definite specialist bias. Experienced tutors will help students strike the right balance between essay-based, arts and technical subjects.

Examples of student programmes

In addition to the core of English Language, Mathematics, one Modern Language and Double or Triple Award Science:

David chose French and History GCSEs, and BACs in Theatre, English Literature and Dance.

Harriet chose Spanish and History GCSEs, and BACs in English Literature, Outdoor Work and Classical Music.

Alice chose French and History GCSEs, together with BACs in Geography, Art and Design.

Molly chose Spanish and History GCSEs, alongside BACs in Art, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE) and Design.

Kate chose Spanish and History GCSEs, with BACs in Ancient Civilisations, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE) and Theatre.

Download a guide to Bedales Assessed Courses and download the addendum to the Bedales Assessed Courses brochure (September 2012)

Download an extract from the Parents' Day programme 2009 with a focus on Bedales Assessed Courses

Download an introduction to the Curriculum in Block 3

Download an introduction to the Curriculum in Blocks 4 & 5

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