Upper School - Mrs V Charnock, Head of Years 10 and 11

Supported by tutors in small teams, the boys in the Upper School are encouraged to reach the highest academic standard of which each is capable as they move towards their GCSE examinations. Both inside and outside of the classroom the boys are valued as individuals and encouraged to make a positive contribution to the School.

The Upper School is managed by a Head of Year and supported by a team of four tutors who try to create an environment in which the boys recognise their potential and enjoy their school life.

The curriculum is divided into a core curriculum and a set of options, which allow the boys to study ten subjects to GCSE in Year 11 and a short course in citizenship in Year 10.

As part of their core curriculum all boys study the following subjects:

English Language, English Literature, mathematics and statistics, a modern foreign language, and either all three science (physics, chemistry and biology) or the dual award science course.

All boys take part in games. In Year 10 boys study citizenship and in Year 11 PE.

As part of their options boys may have the opportunity (depending on the option blocking system) to select from the following additional subjects:

Art, classical civilisation, design technology, geography, history, Latin, music, physical education, religious studies and a second modern language (French, German or Spanish, depending on their core choice).

Through their participation in lunchtime and after school clubs and activities boys should be starting to take a leading role in many of the activities on offer and setting an example to their younger peers. There is the opportunity to represent the School in national competitions and activities including music, science and debating. The boys have careers advice from an external professional organisation and are encouraged to take part in work experience at the end of Year 10.

The House system creates further opportunities during the year for all boys to compete for their House in a number of activities including art, essay writing, chess, basketball, swimming and indoor rowing to name a few.

In Year 10 greater emphasis is placed on boys developing their skills in the full versions of rugby, hockey and cricket. During games lessons boys are encouraged to develop an appreciation of different tactical ploys to give them an advantage over the opposition. In addition, an understanding of the different fitness requirements of the sports allows the boys to develop their own fitness programme away from school. Pupils are given a taster session at Derby Rowing Club.

In Year 11 the more able boys will be considered for the first team, whilst other pupils will continue to develop their skills in a less competitive environment. Students study physical education in Year 11, where they participate in such activities as health related exercise, badminton, short tennis, volleyball and basketball. Boys are able to study physical education at GCSE.

As the boys move from the Lower School into the Upper School they learn to take more responsibility for their own actions, and play a greater role in their own learning. Their tutor and Head of Year also start to guide them through career options and give them help with the difficult choices they have to make about their continued study in the Sixth Form.

As in the Lower School tutors meet each boy twice a day, the boys attend assemblies twice a week and enjoy the same commendation system as the Lower School rewarding them for excellence or endeavour in any area of school or home life.

 A level and GCSE Results