Empowering Minds: The Progressive Senior Curriculum at St Chris
St Chris stands as a beacon of progressive education, dedicated to nurturing independence, fostering creativity, and instilling tenacity in each student.
The hallmark of our Senior School is the excellence of individualised teaching—lessons that are not just informative but also inspiring, fun, and purposeful.
Years 7 to 9 (Key Stage 3) Curriculum
In Years 7 to 9, our curriculum is designed to offer a broad spectrum of subjects, laying a strong foundation for the transition from primary to secondary education. The focus is not only on academic growth but also on ensuring students feel at home, settled, and equipped with the skills for successful independent learning.
Curriculum Information Year 7
Curriculum Information Year 8
Curriculum Information Year 9
Years 10 and 11 (GCSE) Curriculum
Years 10 and 11 (IV and V Group) are an exciting step for pupils to hone in on their interests and their preferred academic choices. St Chris pupils are challenged, inspired and supported to undertake GCSE courses. There is an increased academic demand but also a deepening of understanding, providing the basis for the tep pupils will make from the end of Year 11 to the Sixth Form at St Chris.
Pupils follow a curriculum which leads to between eight and ten GCSE awards.
The core curriculum is compulsory for everyone and includes:
English Language and English Literature
Mathematics
Sciences - Biology, Chemistry and Physics (two or three GCSEs)
In addition to the core curriculum students also choose three subject options from a broad range of GCSE subject choices (and one BTEC Level 2 choice in place of one of your GCSE choices). Wherever possible it is sensible to aim for a balanced programme of study however St Chris does not require a pupil to choose courses to include all the main curriculum areas (languages, humanities, creative subjects and technology). It is possible, therefore, to select a combination of subjects tailored to individual strengths and needs.
In discussion with the academic team, there is also the possibility for students to take an additional fourth option as an after school session. We offer GCSE Astronomy or a Level 2 Certificate (equivalent to a GCSE) in Further Maths as additional after school options.
Independent Learning and Life Skills
Alongside GCSE Qualifications, students in Year 10 also study qualifications aimed at developing wider skills and expertise. All students complete either a Higher Project Qualification or an IGCSE (International GCSE) in Global Perspectives. Both qualifications give students increased ownership of their learning as they plan, run and complete projects of their choosing.
In Year 11 students develop wider life skills. A wide choice of qualifications such as first aid, mental health training, British Sign Language and Sports Leaders Awards are offered and all students complete at least one.
All students also take part in weekly PSHE lessons (personal, social, health and economic education) and weekly PE/Games lessons.
[child-name] will be eligible for entry at any of the below points:
Nursery
Half Monte in [entry-year]
Top Monte in [entry-year]
Children can join the Nursery from the term they turn 3. As part of our School, the St Chris Nursery operates during term-time and we have a range of different sessions available for families:
In the Junior School, we welcome new students throughout the year from the ages of 5 to 11 years old. The main entry points in the Junior School are Reception, Year 3 and Year 5 and our admissions process can be found below:
Students can join the Senior School from Years 7 to Year 10 (ages 11 to 15). The main entry points are Year 7 and Year 9. View our admissions process below:
Students can join the Sixth Form in Year 12 (ages 16-17) and applications are encouraged by November in the year previous to enrolment to ensure subject availability:
