Curriculum

The English department at Babington House plays a key role within the school. We aim to stimulate intellectual, emotional, social and academic growth. In addition, lessons expose pupils to different and often conflicting viewpoints, develop pupils’ speaking and listening skills and helping to foster a life-long love for reading and learning.

In Years 7 – 9 we begin to prepare students for the skills they will need at GCSE level. This covers three strands:
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking and Listening

We use Assessment for Learning extensively and pupils are part of their own learning with individual, peer and teacher assessments completed regularly. All our pupils are entered for both English Language and English Literature GCSEs, following the AQA specifications for examination.

The requirements of the new GCSE mean that students no longer complete Controlled Assessments for GCSE English Literature and Language, and all exams are taken at the end of Year 11.

In Years 10 and 11 we prepare students for the following examinations:

English Literature:
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel
Paper 2: Modern texts and Poetry

English Language:
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives

Spoken Language Non-Examination Assessment – separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE)

In addition, we widely encourage reading and have a book-borrowing scheme within the department. Our debating club is run by pupils in Year 11 and gives the girls the opportunity to work with other year groups and express their views in a safe and rewarding environment.

The department seeks to encourage and extend an enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of both English Language and English Literature and create an atmosphere where students wish to learn.

Welcome to Mathematics. This innovative department is focussed on the pupils’ learning and achievements. We work to ensure that every pupil has the opportunity and encouragement to do their very best, to develop mathematical thinking, to raise standards and to enjoy mathematics.

All pupils follow a linear Mathematics course, starting in Year 7, that eventually leads to the Edexcel GCSE examination. Each year group is divided by ability into two sets (KS3) and then three sets (KS4) enabling them to be challenged according to their ability.

Students in Years 10 and 11 are offered the opportunity to study GCSE Further Maths as well as GCSE Maths. Further Maths is a great way to stretch our most able Mathematicians, giving them a taste of more advanced Mathematics particularly if they are considering studying Maths at A Level and beyond.

GCSE Mathematics is designed to equip students with fluent knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts. On completion of the course, students will be able to reason mathematically, draw conclusions and interpret mathematical information in a variety of forms.

Mathematics provides a strong foundation for employment and further academic and vocational study. The knowledge and skills obtained by students at GCSE level will help them to progress to a full range of courses in higher education and are crucial in other disciplines such as biology, physics and geography.

Specification at a glance:

Number:
• Calculations
• Fractions, decimals and percentages

Algebra:
• Notation, vocabulary and manipulation
• Graphs
• Solving equations
• Sequences

Geometry and Measures:
• Construction
• Area and volume
• Pythagoras’ Theorem and Trigonometry
• Vectors

Ratio and Proportion:
• Direct and inverse proportion
• Compound units

Probability:
• Conditional probabilities
• Venn diagrams and Tree diagrams

Exploring ecosystems, microorganisms, stars, particle accelerators and launching rockets into space are just a few of the exciting possibilities offered to students by our outstanding Science department at Babington House.

Science is taught at Key Stage 3-4 in three purpose-built, fully resourced science laboratories. In science, our aim is to provide an excellent education for all our students, giving them the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them.

At Key Stage 3 we follow the AQA Activate course. This has been specifically tailored to the new AQA KS3 Syllabus and Big Ideas principle and helps students prepare for AQA GCSE Sciences which we follow at KS4. All students get free online access to the student eBooks and resources via Kerboodle.

In Year’s 7 and 8, students have two science lessons each week covering the following topics:

Useful links:
· https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/ks3/ks3-science-syllabus
· https://www.kerboodle.com/users/login

At KS4, we follow the AQA specification for GCSE Sciences. All students get free online access to the student eBooks via Boost (the online platform provided by Hodder Education).

In Year 9 students begin preparing for their GCSE courses and are taught the three sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as separate subjects by specialist teachers. At the end of Year 9, pupils will then choose to study either Combined Science (equivalent to two GCSE’s) or Triple Sciences (equivalent to three GCSE’s).

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy AQA (8464)
Combined Science is a course with a wide-ranging curriculum that encompasses all three sciences and will suit students with any scientific aspiration. The course aims to encourage students to develop a critical approach to scientific evidence, develop the scientific literacy needed by every citizen as well as explore the implications of science for society.

By the end of the course students will have gained a knowledge and understanding of science and how science works, applied their skills of knowledge and understanding to new situations, and developed their practical, enquiry and data handling skills.

Summary of the scheme of assessment: At the end of Year 11, students will sit two examinations for each science (six in total). Each paper contains multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response questions. There is no coursework component for this course. Instead, there are a number of required practicals that students must carry out throughout the course. These will be assessed in the terminal examination.

GCSE Triple Sciences in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Each GCSE above acts as a stand-alone qualification. Students studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate sciences will cover more content than GCSE Combined Science which will provide greater preparation for KS5.

Summary of the scheme of assessment: For each science students will sit two examinations. Again, each paper contains multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response questions. There is no coursework component for this course. Instead, there are a number of required practicals that students must carry out throughout the course. These will be assessed in the terminal examination.

Useful links:
· https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse
· https://boost-learning.com/

The Art Department at Babington is a thriving, dynamic area within the curriculum that constantly evolves to reflect current exhibitions and art practice. Fine Art, Textile Design and Product Design are taught from year 7 to year 9, with courses offered at GCSE.

In years 7, 8 and 9 pupils study a broad range of skills and techniques. Some of the areas covered are still-life, perspective, printing and painting. Pupils learn to weave, make felt, knit, stitch by hand and machine and generally design work to be translated into fabric. They also learn cutting skills, construction methods and designing to meet specific criteria. At all stages a multi-cultural approach is taken with an emphasis on experimentation and historical reference.

For GCSE a portfolio of work is developed, refined and modified with a strong emphasis on independent learning. Preparation for the exam is undertaken over several weeks.

Business directs and drives the world economy. It provides employment and leisure and generates income and wealth. Business helps to improve our quality of life and provides both essential and luxurious goods and services.

Business is available from Key Stage 4. Studying a range of real-life business scenarios students will look at their impact on decision making and develop an understanding of business concepts, objectives and terminology, gaining an understanding of the impact of internal and external issues and how they affect business operations.

Students will explore the purpose and role of a business from identifying a gap in the market through to business planning and delivery. How marketing plays a role in identifying and satisfying customer needs and why a strong human resource management structure plays an important role in supporting a business right the way through the process. Operations and Finance will be key areas of learning, looking at how businesses respond to external market forces, such as ethical and environmental considerations, the economic climate and globalisation.

Computer Science in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 at Babington House equips pupils to become inquisitive programmers, using computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology. It provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.

The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, students are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. Pupils wishing to develop their skills further can choose Computer Science as an option at GCSE and A level.

The Drama Department offers students a dynamic platform to delve into and engage with a diverse array of dramatic styles and genres. With an ever-present drive to learn and embrace new influences, the curriculum fosters both personal and artistic growth.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)
At Key Stage 3, Drama plays a pivotal role in enriching the broader curriculum while simultaneously cultivating essential creative and teamwork abilities. It is also instrumental in building confidence and enhancing social skills. During these formative years, Drama lessons focus on developing:
• Collaborative Skills: Encouraging effective group work and communication.
• Physical Theatre: Enhancing expressive movement and body language.
• Improvisation and Devising: Nurturing creativity and spontaneous problem-solving.
• Role Play: Building empathy and exploring different perspectives.
• Script Work and Creation: Developing skills in both interpreting and writing scripts.
• Exploration of Issues and Genres: Expanding understanding of diverse themes and dramatic forms.
• Stimulus Response: Fostering critical thinking and imaginative responses.
• Practitioner Work: Exploring practitioner’s techniques

GCSE Drama
As students advance to GCSE level, they are challenged to deepen their creative abilities, collaborate effectively to produce captivating performances, and refine their verbal and written evaluation skills. The course follows the Eduqas specification and is divided into three units:

1. Devising Theatre (Teacher Assessed)
2. Performing from a Text (Externally Assessed)
3. Interpreting Theatre (Final Exam, Externally Assessed)

Annual School Production
Each year, Babington House stages a major school production, offering students the chance to engage in all aspects of theatre. From acting and stage design to lighting, backstage management, costumes, and makeup, this eagerly anticipated event aims to involve as many students as possible, providing a comprehensive experience in theatrical production.

Geography is an active and engaging subject at Babington House School. Teaching and learning is based upon a successful mixture of skills, knowledge and concepts with a strong emphasis placed on students developing independence and leadership of their own learning.

At Key Stage 3 all students study Geography as part of the curriculum. Typically, this would include the investigation of the weather and Climate to understand climate change, the processes affecting the coast and the impact of flooding. The curriculum is current and focuses on real life events in order to help students make sense of the world around them, for instance studying the factors and processes those natural disasters and the impact and responses of the human population.

Geography Fieldwork is not just an important part of studying geography, it offers a wonderful way of seeing different environments, and a chance for personal development. At Babington House we visit the coast, rivers, and urban and rural settlements to bring classroom teaching to life.

Geography is an extremely popular subject at GCSE. We study the AQA specification.

Living with the physical environment
• Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
• Section B: The living world
• Section C: Physical landscapes in the UK

Challenges in the human environment
• Section A: Urban issues and challenges
• Section B: The changing economic world
• Section C: The challenge of resource management

Geographical applications
• Section A: Issue evaluation
• Section B: Fieldwork

Geographical skills
• Geographical skills

History is an active, vibrant and stimulating subject at Babington House. Teaching is based upon a successful mixture of content, skills and concepts with emphasis placed upon independent learning. In the classroom a variety of teaching methods are used. The pupils are encouraged to debate, use peer assessment, drama and ICT to deepen their understanding of a topic and focus their analytical thinking.

The aim of the Babington House History Department is to teach skills of analysis, interpretation and communication and to give the pupils understanding about the past. Pupils learn to look for the value in sources and to understand why attitudes of people in the past may be different and presented in different ways. By linking current events with the past, they begin to connect how historical events influence contemporary issues.

At Key Stage 3 all year 7, 8 and 9 pupils study History as part of the curriculum. Courses include: Medieval England, Tudor Monarchs, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution and the Twentieth Century World. In Year 9 pupils begin studying the GCSE course by looking at Life in Nazi Germany.

GCSE pupils follow the Edexcel GCSE course. This includes the topics Medicine through Time c1200 to the present, Weimar Germany 1918-39, Elizabethan England 1558-88 and the Cold War.

Bonjour, Guten Tag, Hola! Did you know that French is an official language in 29 countries and is spoken around the world by around 128 million people as first or second language? Or that German is the most widely spoken mother tongue in the European Union and is spoken by approximately 100 million native speakers and also by about 80 million non-native speakers? Did you know that approximately 406 million people speak Spanish as a native language, making it second only to Mandarin in terms of its number of native speakers worldwide?

French, Spanish and German are taught by a dynamic and enthusiastic team of four native specialist educators using stimulating techniques.

Pupils have the option to learn one language from French, German & Spanish.

We are firm believers in teaching languages from an early age, which allows students to develop and improve as they progress through the school. Pupils have pen friends and are encouraged to correspond regularly with them.

French: In French, we use the course book ”Studio” in KS3 and KS4 and we follow the Edexcel syllabus for GCSE.  Our pupils have the opportunity to take an international trip, the most recent being to Paris and Northern France.

German: Work in German is enhanced by cross-curricular projects with modules on chocolate, fashion and The East German State from 1945 to 1989, with a focus on the Berlin Wall.   We use the Stimmt course book which is then followed by the Edexcel course book.  Our trips abroad have included the very popular Christmas Markets tour and journeys to Berlin.

Spanish: This popular subject uses the course book “Viva” for KS3 and KS4. Each year, students attend a trip to a Spanish restaurant. We also run a trip to Barcelona for KS3 and KS4 pupils.

Music at Babington House thrives as an academic subject, as a co-curricular activity and an integral part of the school’s whole school calendar. The Music Department offers pupils opportunities to develop their musical skills and talents in a vibrant and highly supportive environment. All pupils are encouraged to develop a wide range of musical skills through performance, composition and to listen to music of all genres including world music. Most importantly, pupils are encouraged to enjoy and succeed in their musical activities.

The most up-to-date music technology is available, enabling pupils to develop their writing skills in composition making use of Sibelius and SoundTrap. A solid grounding in theory is offered and all pupils are taught to read musical notation in class music.

Pupils are offered the opportunity to take part in ensemble performance as well as solo performance. A large number of pupils learn a musical instrument or have vocal training. A team of professional musicians (VMT staff) offer pupils opportunities in vocal and instrumental training, where success in graded examinations is encouraged.

A musical scholarship is awarded in the Senior School to candidates showing exceptional musical potential. Regular visits are taken to see performances and participate in workshops at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Glyndebourne. A musical show is presented by the school every two years.

Physical Education at Babington House provides a curriculum which is enjoyable and offers a broad, progressive, relevant range of activities and experiences for students throughout all key stages. We love our sport!

At Babington House pupils have the opportunity to participate in a whole range of co – curricular clubs, inter-house competitions and external fixtures throughout the sporting year. Pupils also have the opportunity to compete at the ISA Regional competitions with the opportunity to qualify for National events. All pupils are encouraged to participate in sport at school and club level.

GCSE pupils follow the AQA GCSE Physical Education Course and are assessed in three sports. This course is 30% practical 70% theory and includes the following topics:
· Knowledge and understanding of the key body systems and how they impact on health, fitness and performance in physical activity and sport
· Knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of movement and their effect on performance in physical activity and sport
· Knowledge and understanding of the principles of training and different training methods in order to plan, carry out, monitor and evaluate personal exercise and training programmes
· Knowledge and understanding of the psychological factors that can affect performers in physical activity and sport.

Paper 1 (30%): The human body and movement in physical activity and sport:
· Applied Anatomy and physiology
· Movement analysis
· Physical training
· Use of data

Paper 2 (30%): Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport:
· Sports psychology
· Socio-cultural influences
· Health, fitness, and well-being
· Use of data

NEA (10%): Analysis and Evaluation of Physical Performance in one sport (coursework based)
The practical element of the GCSE PE course is divided into 3 sports which each have 10% weighing. Within school pupils could be assessed on the following sporting activities:
· Rock Climbing
· Netball
· Athletics
· Badminton

Pupils who uptake GCSE PE are encouraged to use a sport outside of school that they are already part of and play at club level.

Personal, Social, Health and Economics Education and Relationships and Sex Education are delivered in weekly lessons to Years 7-13. In addition, Babington House runs regular well-being drop down days for all senior students, working in collaboration with a number of organisations who support our work in PSHE and RSE.

Topics are all age-appropriate, in line with DfE expectations and delivered through discussion, videos, external agencies, project work and role plays.

The overall aim is to provide Babington students with the facts to make their own decisions, to develop the tools and the skills they need to carry out that decision, and the ability to enjoy or cope with the consequences of their decisions and actions. We want our young people to make independent, healthy choices that keep their bodies and minds healthy, safe and thriving. Students learn research skills, where to go for information and support, communication skills, conflict management, self-awareness, how to help each other, and how to seek help.

More information about the PSHE and RSE curriculum may be found in our PSHE/RSE policy.

Religious Studies at Babington House attempts to enhance awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression and of the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures. Religious Studies is studied by all KS3 students.

Religious Studies should provoke challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, religious traditions and world views that offer answers to these challenging questions. It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development.

Religious Studies is a GCSE option.