Senior School Carousel
Exploring a breadth of subjects through hands-on learning and seasonal rotations
Our Carousel programme gives students the chance to discover a range of subjects before deciding whether to continue them in later years. Each area is explored in focused blocks, allowing students to immerse themselves in the learning and develop a strong early foundation.
Year 7 and Year 8
Cookery and Environmental Studies are taught on rotation in blocks of around six weeks. Each student studies one subject for one lesson per week, totalling approximately 27 periods each year.
Year 9
In Year 9, the rotation widens to include Cookery, Philosophy & Ethics, Environmental Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects are offered in six-week blocks, with students attending one lesson per week (around 18 periods each year).
Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies offers students the chance to learn about the natural world through hands-on exploration. Lessons take place at Arunwood, our beautiful outdoor learning space, home to livestock, companion animals, reptiles and poultry. Students also work in our vegetable garden, forest school area and the surrounding wild spaces.
These sessions encourage students to understand environmental issues, animal care and land management. Wellbeing is woven throughout, with practical learning that changes naturally with the seasons.
Year 9 Philosophy & Ethics
Philosophy & Ethics invites students to grapple with big questions through the community of enquiry approach. They learn to listen closely, express their ideas clearly and respond thoughtfully to others. Topics include questions such as Can we know anything for certain?, What is a good life? and What is happiness?
Through guided dialogue, students shape their own considered responses and grow in confidence as thinkers, developing valuable analytical and evaluative skills.
Food & Nutrition and Environmental Studies by Year Group
| Year 7 |
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Food & NutritionStudents begin by developing core practical skills and an understanding of nutrition and healthy eating. They learn knife skills, bread making, how to cook rice and pasta, and how to season and use both oven and hob safely. Dishes include pasta salad, cheese scones, flapjacks, apple crumble, Bombay curry, pizza muffins and Mexican fiesta rice. Pupils also learn how to adapt recipes to improve their nutritional balance and reflect on organisation, hygiene, safety and technique. Environmental StudiesLearning takes place at Arunwood, encouraging students to connect with the environment and gain confidence handling animals and exploring natural habitats. Topic blocks include:
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| Year 8 |
Food & NutritionIn Year 8, students extend their skills and begin to explore meal planning and nutrition in greater depth. Each lesson introduces a new practical technique as they make sweet and savoury dishes such as Anzac biscuits, carrot cupcakes, Mediterranean pasta salad and macaroni cheese. They continue to learn about food safety, nutrition and how to adapt recipes to improve their health benefits. Environmental StudiesYear 8 students deepen their understanding of animal care and the wider environment through hands-on learning at Arunwood. Topic blocks include:
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| Year 9 |
Food & NutritionYear 9 students build on earlier learning and begin to explore the knowledge and skills needed for GCSE study. Lessons remain highly practical and take place in the Vege Centre. Dishes include veggie chilli, fresh pasta, sweet and sour vegetable and choux pastry. Students develop confidence in working safely and efficiently, understanding nutrition and preparing fresh, homemade food. Environmental StudiesStudents continue to explore environmental issues and animal management within the rich learning environment of Arunwood. Topic blocks include:
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