Curriculum Overview - Sixth Form

Many of our key curriculum aims for Sixth Form are similar to the principles to be found lower down the school. These have however been adapted to take particular account of the learning needs and aspirations of Sixth Form students.

• Sixth Form students will follow an A Level or vocational pathway. Prospective Sixth Formers will be directed on the most appropriate pathway for them depending upon their GCSE results. Students will need to meet Chobham’s qualifying grade criteria for whatever pathway they choose to follow.
• All students who did not achieve a Grade 4 or higher in English or maths at GCSE required to continue studying an appropriate qualification. Achieving a level 2 qualification in both maths and English helps students to progress to further study, training and skilled employment. At Harris Academy Chobham, we ensure all 16 to 19 year olds who did not achieve a Grade 4 or higher in English or maths have the best chance of achieving this standard and get the necessary support to do so.
• Once having selected the most appropriate qualification pathway students will be supported in making the subject choices which are best suited to their talents and future ambitions. Even within the constraints of the narrower post 16 pathways, we ensure that students have a wide subject choice. A full list of the subjects available for post 16 study appears below.
• Students are supported in ensuring that their subject choices make for logical combinations and that, wherever possible, there is appropriate breadth to their curriculum.
• As well as the academic curriculum delivered through lessons the school is very aware of the value of PSHE, Citizenship and careers education. These form an integral part of our education through our half termly Innovation Days and through tutor time as well as in lessons whenever appropriate.
• Enrichment is an integral part of our curriculum on two days each week. Enrichment classes are a compulsory element of each student’s timetable and they give students an opportunity to extend their learning beyond the normal curriculum, increase their cultural capital and develop interests which will hopefully last a lifetime.
• The concept of the wider curriculum is embedded at Chobham. We believe that learning at school incorporates everything the students do between leaving home in the morning and returning in the evening. This includes the way the students build relationships, how they move around the school buildings and how they conduct themselves at breaks and lunchtimes.
• Homework forms part of every subject’s curriculum and we expect students to complete homework conscientiously. Each department has an hour of lesson study timetable for sixth form students.
• The effective and principled use of technology is built into our curriculum as a theme running across all lessons and other curriculum activities. We want Chobham students to be competent users of IT equipment and software who also understand the opportunities and potential perils presented by the internet and social media.
• Throughout the Chobham curriculum, we wish to encourage the development of key learning skills. Foremost among these are resilience, independent organization, problem-solving and inculcating a love of learning.
• Hopefully, this website will answer many of your questions on the Chobham curriculum.

However, if any questions remain, please address them in the first instance to i.bitlice@chobhamacademy.org.uk

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The moral dimension and citizenship

There is a strong moral dimension to the curriculum at Chobham.  We believe that there are beliefs and behaviors which our school should seek to inculcate and develop in our students in order that they may become active and happy citizens.  As such beliefs can often provoke discussion if not disagreement, it is important to us that all members of the Chobham community are clearly aware of what the Academy stands for and therefore able to express informed views on our practice if they so desire.

The values central to our world outlook at Chobham are based upon the aspiration that all of our students should become global citizens, content with their place in the world and successful in their families, friendships, careers and communities.  Foremost amongst the beliefs which support this ambition are:

• That all of our students learn to value democracy and the fundamental freedom of human expression
• That other core freedoms (for example in worship, relationships and political views) are equally respected
• That our students embrace, celebrate and will protect the diversity of local, national and international communities
• That our students will seek to always treat others as they would be treated themselves
• That our students always listen and seek to see other points of view
• That our students understand the threats to their natural environment and seek to challenge them

The enactment of our belief system is most visible in the relationships between students and staff across the school and the example given to students by staff.  Our sixth formers are also very aware of their responsibility in setting a moral example to younger students through their behaviour and the attitudes they display.

The Chobham curriculum has been designed to enable students to reflect on the themes outlined above.  Across all of our academic subjects, teachers will encourage students to reflect more widely on issues arising and their relevance to the world around us.  The curriculum has many opportunities for students to think, talk and write about topics which, as well as furthering their general education, have particular relevance to their local circumstances.

The moral dimension of our curriculum is further enhanced by those aspects of the curriculum which extend beyond academic lessons.  Each half term we have an Innovation Day which allows students to explore themes relating to morals and active citizenship in greater depth.  This includes activities which introduce students to aspects of our democratic system and also visitors from a range of faith backgrounds.  Through our daily tutorial structure, students are encouraged to learn about and reflect upon key issues in our society (such as crime, drugs and the use of social media).  They are then given the opportunity to discuss the moral dimensions of these issues and guided in developing their own views.  One day each week is spent discussing a current affairs topic in tutorial.  This assists students in developing their own perspectives on national and international issues.

Our weekly assemblies are also an important part of the Academy’s systems for developing the thinking and attitudes of our students.  Every student is involved in a house or year group assembly each week.  These assemblies discuss a moral theme for the week which is also addressed in tutor time.  At the end of every assembly, students are given time for prayer or silent reflection.

In combination, these systems and practices help us in developing Chobham students to develop into the active and thoughtful citizens we hope for them to become.  All of our curriculum content is constantly under review and will respond to new ideas, national and international events and changing student needs.

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16 to 19 study programme requirements

Literacy is at the heart of our sixth form curriculum. Literacy is embedded in our teaching and learning policies for all our A-level and vocational courses. Literacy commitments are reflected in lesson planning, display setting, homework and through personal and social development programmes to facilitate a passion for English.  

We offer, English at A-level, which covers a broad range of literature, including poetry, drama and prose. This develops our students' understanding and appreciation of English literature’s diversity and depth. Students who don’t yet have GCSE English Language follow a programme of study for English Language GCSE.

Our curriculum includes A-level Mathematics and GCSE Maths resits. Our Maths curriculum teaches a creative discipline that interlinks into all areas and allows us to understand and make sense of the world around us. KS5 Maths is a great challenge for our students, which includes students modelling real-life situations and drawing conclusions based on a variety of mathematical factors. Our GCSE Maths resit opportunity means all students can have a qualification which facilitates social mobility and life chance opportunities.

In terms of work experience, we invest heavily in ensuring our sixth form students have useful and enriching work experience opportunities. Sixth form students are given the choice to select from a range of industries on an online portal linked to their personal interests and ambitions(Unifrog).

We actively encourage all students to commit to additional widening participation programmes and track all engagement of applicants to these programmes. Recent application successes include: K+; Sutton Trust Pathways programmes; Cambridge Shadowing Scheme; LSE Thrive; EY Smart Futures; Ludus (Loughborough University); Target Oxbridge; STEM Smart and Team Up. Our dedicated scholars coordinator and careers advisor promotes these opportunities and signposts students.

We recognise the importance of nurturing all student aspirations and have adapted our careers pathway to ensure a more varied approach to post-18 pathways and a move away from a sole focus on university, with a wider focus on university pathways, school leaver programmes, apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships.

Student aspirations are tracked throughout Year 12 and those who wish to pursue a non-university pathway are offered tailored support to aid their application process for their chosen route. Sixth form values days allows our students to learn about the contemporary world around them and to think about and discuss issues of relevance to themselves and their generation.

The sixth form has a strong moral code based upon the overarching principle of treating others as you would have them treat you. We want all of our Sixth Formers to actively abide by this principle in their daily lives in and out of school, facilitating character building.

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Chobham Post 16 subjects

A Levels:

• Art 
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Drama and Theatre Studies
• Economics
• English Literature
• Film Studies 
• Geography
• Graphics Communication
• History
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology
• Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
• Sociology
• Spanish

CTEC – 3 A Level equivalent

• Business Studies
• Sport

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Chobham Academy Sixth Form entry criteria

A Levels Pathway

Choose three A-level subjects below

Five GCSE grades 9-6 with grade 5 in English language and mathematics.

It is possible to study economics, history, geography, psychology or sociology in Year 12 if the subject was not studied at GCSE. Enrolment on these courses will be at the discretion of the Academy.

All students are enrolled at the discretion of the leadership team and individual results will be discussed as part of the enrolment process on GCSE results day.

	English language	Mathematics	Other	Exam Board
Art & Design	5	5	6 in art & design GCSE or design related GCSE	Edexcel
Biology	*	*	*	OCR
Chemistry	*	*	*	AQA
Drama & Theatre Studies	6	5	A grade 6 in GCSE Drama.   If studying without GCSE drama, a grade 7 or above in English if studying without GCSE drama	Edexcel
Economics	6	6		Edexcel
English Literature	6	5	6 in English literature GCSE	Edexcel
Film Studies	6	5		Eduqas
Geography	6	6		OCR
Graphic Communication	5	5	6 in art & design GCSE or design related GCSE	Edexcel
History	6	5		Edexcel
Mathematics	5	8		OCR MEI B
Physics	*	*	*	AQA
Psychology	6	6		AQA
Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)	6	5		Eduqas
Sociology	6	5		AQA
Spanish	5	5	6 in Spanish GCSE or home language Spanish/Portuguese or other romance language	AQA

 

*A level science combination	Double science GCSE	Biology GCSE	Chemistry GCSE	Physics GCSE	Maths GCSE	English language GCSE
Single biology	7, 7	7	7	6	7	6
Single chemistry	7, 7	6	7	6	7	6
Single physics	7, 7	6	6	7	7	6
Biology & chemistry	8, 7	7	7	6	7	6
Chemistry & physics	8, 7	6	7	7	7	6
Biology & physics	8, 7	7	7	7	7	6
All three sciences	8, 8	7	7	7	7	6

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Vocational Pathway - entry criteria

Choose one of the four vocational qualifications below

Five GCSE grades 9-4

	English language	Mathematics	Other
Cambridge Technical Business Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080 guided learning hours)	4	4
Cambridge Technical Sport and Physical Activity Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080 glh)	4	4

Please note that courses are run at the discretion of the Academy and the Academy reserves the right to remove courses if there is not the demand.

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Full details of the curriculum can be found in the Subjects area of our website.