Academic Aims *To ensure that all pupils fulfil their academic potential
*To instil in our pupils a love of learning, and a spirit of inquiry
*To develop in our pupils intellectual confidence and clarity of thought
*To help our pupils to achieve the best possible qualifications
*To balance breadth and coherence with depth and rigour
*To develop in our pupils a sense of responsibility for the wider community.
Throughout our curriculum we encourage a spirit of open enquiry, creativity in argument, independence of mind and ambition for quality. All our students are expected to be committed to these academic aims, and to work with their teachers with enthusiasm and commitment to ensure success.
Curriculum SummaryThere are 26 subjects available at A Level and 24 at GCSE. In addition to the mainstream subjects, English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Languages and Humanities, the choice also includes traditional subjects such as Latin and Greek together with more modern subjects including Information Technology, Computing as well as Creative and Critical Thinking. We also follow the IGSCE for Science as we believe this is more academically rigorous and better preparation for further study in the Sixth Form. In the Sixth Form, the
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered alongside
A Levels. Throughout the School, all pupils undertake a programme of Games and Life Skills which, although not examined, develops their skills and knowledge over time.
The following represents the curriculum in operation in the Senior School for 2011-2012.
First and Second Years:
Throughout the First and Second Years, the curriculum is very broad, balanced and challenging, providing all pupils with the opportunity to develop their aptitudes and abilities to the full. Options are therefore kept to a minimum and involve only additional language studies. In the First Year pupils benefit from studying Creative and Critical Thinking as well as Latin which enhances their ability to develop their independent learning, powers of analysis and thinking skills in addition to linguistic and grammatical skills.
All pupils take:
Art, Creative and Critical Thinking (1st Year), Drama, English, Food Tech, French, Geography, History, Information Technology, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Science, Technology.
In the Second Year, the pupils choose an additional language from German, Greek or Spanish or pursue a course in Language Awareness all of which develop their linguistic capabilities.
Third Year:
This year provides a preparation for GCSE particularly in science where pupils embark on the IGCSE Science course. In addition pupils start to focus on their areas of interest and choose subjects from Art, Classical Civilisation, Drama, Food Technology, Latin, Music and Technology whilst continuing with the core curriculum.
Fourth and Fifth Years:
Options for GCSE are decided during the Third Year, and the curriculum in the Fourth and Fifth years is dedicated to success at GCSE. All pupils continue to study: English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Religious Education, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). All pupils take at least ten subjects at GCSE including at least one Modern Foreign Language whilst English includes both Language and Literature and counts as two GCSEs.
Our flexible option scheme allows pupils to choose four subjects from the following list:
Art, Business & Economics, Classical Civilisation, Drama, Food Technology, French, Geography, German, Graphic Products, Greek, History, Information Technology, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, Systems and Control.
The Sixth Form:
Brentwood School offers two alternatives to its Sixth Form students. They can either take the traditional A Levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Both A level and IB provide academically rigorous and stimulating programmes of study from which students can develop their skills and knowledge to progress to the very best universities to study the most competitive and challenging courses. Guidance is offered to students and their parents to determine which of these alternatives best meets the student's individual needs.
A Levels at Brentwood
Those pupils in the Lower Sixth studying AS Levels will take four subjects reducing to three A2 subjects in the Upper Sixth. Whilst A level provides a specialised level of study, the majority of pupils will also take a Supplementary Studies course along with Games and Life Skills. These courses provide a range of options including; Italian, Sports Leadership and Cooking for University. A small number of pupils will undertake additional AS and A2 courses.
The subjects currently available are:
Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Studies, Economics, English, French, Further Mathematics, Geography, German, Graphic Products, Greek History, Information Technology, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy & Ethics, Physical Education, Physics, Political Studies, Product Design, Psychology, Spanish and Theatre Studies.
The International Baccalaureate at Brentwood
Brentwood School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) alongside A Levels.
The IB, uniquely, has a coherent vision which fosters internationalism, academic rigour (both breadth and depth), social responsibility, independent, flexible thinking and personal development.
a) Coherence: IB pupils follow a balanced programme of study which combines languages, science, mathematics and the humanities as well having the opportunity to study a creative subject.
b) Internationalism: all subjects must include an international element, and both students and teachers find themselves to be part of a world-wide academic community.
c) Academic rigour: there has been no grade inflation since the first examinations were taken in 1970, and universities respect the qualification. While the requirement for six subjects provides breadth, the study of three of those at a more demanding (Higher) level plus the writing of a 4000-word dissertation promotes depth.
d) Social responsibility: all students are required to do 50 hours of community service as part of the creativity, action and service (CAS) programme.
e) Independent, flexible thinking: the assessment of the IB gives examiners the freedom and confidence to reward originality and creativity by mark-schemes which are not unduly prescriptive. The Extended Essay is guided by teachers, but written independently and provides a wonderful opportunity to engage in detailed, original research.
f) Personal development: promoted through the demands for oral presentations in the Theory of Knowledge, Science and English courses, as well as through CAS.
Brentwood's ambitious programme offers an unusually wide range of subjects, namely:
English A1 (for native speakers), German A2 (for bilingual students), German B, French B, Spanish B, (for those studying a second or third language) Italian and Spanish ab initio (for beginners), History, Philosophy, Psychology, Economics, Business and Management, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Mathematical Studies, Music, Visual Arts. For full details, please consult our Diploma booklet, which can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here.
