Senior school curriculum

From Year 7 onwards, we encourage our students to learn to identify and explore the impact of language, structure and context within a range of texts, varied by purpose, genre and form. Students learn to develop their written voice as well as the importance of developing expression and tone for the purposed aim and audience. Students develop their inference and deduction skills further and through interpretation of texts and extracts are encouraged to establish their own impressions and opinions. We strive to ensure our students are analytical and can deduce the effects of the writer’s craft as well as being confident with their own evaluation of character and theme. Within their writing, students will be able to form structured, technically accurate responses with clarity, interest and imagination.

We believe that our students deserve a broad and ambitious English curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge which ignites curiosity and prepares them well as young women in today’s society. We look to develop their character, including resilience, confidence and independence so that they are able to contribute positively to the life of the school and the wider St Mary’s community.

In Modern Foreign Languages, students will be exposed to an exciting, broad, ambitious, and rich language experience and learn French and Spanish through familiar contexts which are age appropriate. They will consolidate their learning building on essential knowledge and skills communicating clearly, speaking confidently in public and using problem solving strategies.

Students will become increasingly independent in their use of grammar, vocabulary and phonics, using it in more sophisticated contexts and different time frames enabling students to automatise the language.

As students become more confident in using language they are exposed to longer texts and authentic material more regularly. We invariably visit the country of the language they study to put their learning into practice.

At St Mary’s, all our students have the opportunity to discover the legacy of the Classical world. Although rigorous at times, lessons are fun and interesting and aim to encourage the students to think critically about how the Classical world has influenced the modern-day world in terms of language, literature, art, and architecture. As well as aiming to foster a love of the ancient world, the Latin and Classics courses encourage students to develop transferrable skills as independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers.

The Geography Department prides itself on its enquiring approach to the study of Geography, and students are encouraged to question what happens in the world around them. Geography plays a vitally important role in enabling students to understand the ever-changing world around them.

Students cover a wide range of topics where they are taught to challenge misconceptions through a multi-disciplinary approach. Climate change runs thematically throughout the curriculum, from studying the impact of sea level rise on the east coast of the UK to the impacts of fast fashion in an ever-globalised world.

Learning is brought to life in a variety of ways. For example, students put their newly acquired skills into action by becoming weather forecasters and presenters. They also carry out local studies working with Essex Wildlife Trust on Biodiversity, and spending time with a visiting speaker from Oxfam, taking on the role of aid workers.

The History Department is committed to providing the opportunity for pupils to  develop into enthusiastic, curious and knowledgeable students, who have a passion for history and are capable of rigorous, independent thought. A study of history is essential for all students to understand the culture in which they live, as well as the wider world; an appreciation of the past will help give them the skills to navigate both the present and their future. Our curriculum seeks to provide opportunities for all students to feel represented by the past; as well as explore less familiar histories and a wide range of interpretations exploring different people’s perspectives on key events and developments. We also encourage students to think critically about local, national and international issues across a broad range of historical periods and contexts.

The main intent of Religious Studies is to provide interesting and varied lessons which prepare our students for life in a pluralistic society. The aim of the department is to promote an awareness of the usefulness of the subject in everyday life, to encourage enthusiasm for interest in the study of other people’s beliefs and to promote mutual respect, tolerance and understanding across different faiths and communities.

Through the study of world faiths and religious views on ethical issues, it is hoped that students will not only have a good understanding of different faiths and communities, but will be encouraged to think about their own beliefs and reflect on their own choices. This helps them to develop their own ideas and opinions as they learn about the society we live in and their individual place in it. Religious Studies provides students with the opportunity to debate and discuss, enabling them to articulate their views verbally, as well as developing their extended writing skills.

The Art Department at St Mary’s is dedicated to make art and creativity accessible for all. We aim to encourage students to extend, explore and expand their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Lessons and units are aimed at being knowledgeable and vocabulary rich so that pupils build on what they already know to develop powerful knowledge.

Knowledge is sequenced and mapped in a coherent format with the aim to make meaningful connections and developments. Our curriculum aims to be flexible to meet the needs of all learners and evidence informed through rigorous application of best practice and the science of learning.

We prioritise creating a broad, exciting, challenging, diverse curriculum by committing to diversity in the language, artists, texts, and media we use, so all pupils feel positively represented.

We believe that students should be able to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills within a Drama department working to professional industry standards. We ensure students explore a variety of topics, styles, issues and characters, working cooperatively with their peers.  They should use resilience during their rehearsal time, as well as teamwork and problem-solving skills, allowing them to devise their own theatre or bring scripted plays to life. They will build the confidence and creativity to express themselves through the use of drama and performance. Drama embeds verbal use of self and peer feedback where students can demonstrate how to improve a performance to make it further engaging for an audience.

In studying drama, students develop the skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing that they will need to participate in society and employment. Students learn to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others confidently and effectively.

Our aim is to provide a varied and interesting music curriculum which is suitable for all pupils but provides suitable challenges for the more able. We intend the work to be enjoyable and provide a foundation for pupils’ creativity. We include learning beyond the National Curriculum, and give pupils the opportunity to develop their musical talents across three core skills; listening and appraising, performing and composing. These skills run through key stage 3 and GCSE and A-Level.

We believe in the importance of music to a full and rounded education, as recognised by so many important organisations: Music touches the very heart of our humanity and a sense of the wonder of music has touched human societies throughout history. Music education offers young people the chance to understand, perform and create in an aural dimension that often sits outside our capacity to describe in words. For many pupils, the music they love will be part of the narrative of their lives and bring colour to the experiences that shape them.

Food is a subject that brings pupils together with staff and parents in an atmosphere of inclusivity and collaborative working. Our curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook well. Out students learn to apply the principles of nutrition, food science and healthy eating to their cooking whilst instilling a love of food and cooking as a process. Students become independent and self-motivated learners, enabling them to make informed decisions about food and nutrition and acquire knowledge to maintain a healthy relationship with food into adulthood.

The Textiles Department is committed to providing opportunities for students to develop their design and technology capabilities, by combining design and making skills with knowledge and understanding.

We encourage students to challenge themselves, take risks and to show resilience. We want to build our student’s self-esteem and develop their confidence so that they can take ownership of their learning and celebrate in their successes.

Through a broad and well-balanced curriculum which students engage with and enjoy, we are able to teach our young people how to learn so that they can improve and master new techniques, skills and concepts. These skills are transferable across all disciplines and are facilitate progressive learning in their education and personal development.

Within our Textiles curriculum, students will gain knowledge of textiles, explore a range of processes and techniques to develop individual creativity and confidence, as well as facilitate the development of fine motor skills.

We offer a broad and balanced PE curriculum throughout the Key Stages. The aims of the PE department are to maintain and stimulate interest and enjoyment in PE, to promote health and fitness for current and future lifestyles. We aim to educate every student to her maximum potential, providing safe and enjoyable experiences with a varied, challenging programmed of physical activities. Through participation in PE, our students develop their self-confidence and a sense of responsibility for their own actions and the effects on themselves and others. We offer a wide range of clubs and teams and promote competition at all levels of ability.

Throughout the school we work to foster enjoyment of exercise and activity for its own sake and for its health benefits as well as encouraging participation, the development of skills and confidence. We also encourage self-motivation and decision making in students, with positive attitudes to fair play, honest competition and good sporting behaviour.

St Mary’s offers students the opportunity to participate in the DofE Award Scheme, which challenges young people aged 14 to 25 around the world to serve others, acquire new skills, experience adventure and make new friends.

Valued highly by colleges, universities and employers, the DofE Award has provided our students with some life-changing experiences, as well having been a lot of fun!

The Award is split into four sections, each of which participants must satisfactorily complete. The first three sections of the Award are almost limitless in their range of choice. Within these sections, each girl is encouraged to select her own programme of activities; some of which she may already be involved in, and others of which may be entirely new experiences.