Academic Life
Academic life at Rendcomb is part of the adventure of growing up and exploring, questioning and discovering new ideas. Our broad and varied study programme enables an all-round education providing a seamless transition from Nursery and Junior School through to Senior School and GCSEs and A Levels. We stretch pupils academically across the board whilst offering a strong level of individual support through our tutorial and academic structures. Combined with our co-curricular and pastoral care, pupils are prepared for the adventure of life beyond school.
Sport, Music, Drama, the Arts, Outdoor Education, activities, mentoring, leadership and enrichment are important parts of our curriculum.
We continually address the changing workplace by strengthening and broadening our teaching to ensure our curriculum is broad, challenging and diverse.
Nursery and reception
For pupils in Nursery and Reception, the curriculum is based on the Government’s seven areas of learning. These are:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Communication and Language
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Pupils also undertake some fun French activities.
Year 1 and 2
When children join Year 1 and 2, they benefit from small class sizes and a generous teacher-pupil ratio. All children are treated as individuals within the group and are able to progress at a pace that suits their stage of development.
They are taught a broad range of subjects using the National Curriculum as a framework. Within this, the focus is upon encouraging and motivating children to learn in a creative and nurturing environment.
The curriculum is supplemented by the introduction of after-school activities and the access to specialist teachers in certain subjects such as Music, French and PE.
Year 3 to 6
The Junior School is located within the main College building. Facilities include a newly developed Science room, a well-stocked library, a continually updated computer suite and a purpose built Art and Design Technology studio.
Our classes are of a size which enables us to focus attention on each child as an individual. Our aim is to enable all pupils to find their niche and to develop to their full potential.
Pupils follow a balanced curriculum which includes:
- English
- French
- Computing
Mathematics- Music
- Games
- Science
- Drama
- Physical Education
- History
- Art
- Religious Education
- Geography
- German (Year 6)
- Design Technology
- Personal, Social and Health Education
In addition, pupils in Year 3 enjoy a timetabled Forest School session each week and pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 study Thinking and Reasoning Skills for one lesson each week.
year 7 to 9
Pupils in Years 7 to 9 follow a modern, broad and varied curriculum, including the full range of academic subjects and they are given the opportunity to explore these subjects before GCSE choices have to be made.
In Year 7 and Year 8, pupils study the subjects listed below and in Year 9, pupils will study the same range of subjects but with Science being separated into the 3 areas; Biology, Physics and Chemistry. Pupils will also be able to select two of our three languages on offer (French, German and Spanish) and may continue with these to GCSE:
- Art & Design
- Computing
- Design Technology
- Drama
- English Language
- English Literature
- French
- Games
- General Science
- Geography
- German
- History
- Mathematics
- Music
- Personal, Social & Health Education
- Physical Education
- Religious Studies
- Spanish
Year 10 and 11 - gcse and igcse
We understand the importance of making the right choices and at GCSE level (Key Stage 4), pupils are nurtured every step of the way. We undertake a thorough consultation with each pupil and hold an options event where students and parents have the opportunity to discuss choices with subject teachers and with the Deputy Head Academic.
In addition to a pupil’s GCSE/IGCSE subject lessons, they will also undertake non-examined weekly Careers lessons during their tutor period.
Pupils take up to 10 GCSEs/IGCSEs during the two year programme, including the following core subjects:
In addition to the core subjects, pupils can choose four more subjects of the following:
- Art
- Business Studies (BTEC Level 2)
- Computer Science
- Design Technology - Product Design
- Drama
- English as an Additional Language (EAL)
- French
- Further Mathematics
- Geography
- German
- History
- Music
- Physical Education
- Spanish
Public Examinations - GCSE, A Level and BTEC courses
Individual GCSE, A Level and BTEC examinations will incur additional costs. The cost of each examination varies; for an accurate cost, please contact Mr Cox, Deputy Head (Academic): deputyheadacademic@rendcombcollege.org.uk.
Sixth Form - A level and BTEC
Each student in Sixth Form is allocated a personal academic tutor, usually a member of staff responsible for teaching the student, to give guidance, support and monitor progress during their learning. This important personal tutor role also includes careers and Higher Education guidance.
All students start three, two year linear A Level/BTEC courses in Lower Sixth and continue with these subjects through to the exams at the end of Upper Sixth. In exceptional cases, students will study a fourth subject.
Pupils choose from the following subjects:
- Art
- Biology
- Business Studies (BTEC)
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Design & Technology
- Drama & Theatre Studies
- Economics
- English Literature
- French
- Further Mathematics
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Music
- Photography
- Physical Education (BTEC)
- Physics
- Psychology
- Spanish
In addition to the C3 programme students also have the option of 'Slim Block' in order to supplement their studies.
Slim Block
The ‘Slim Block’ provides curriculum time for additional support or challenge. Students can select one additional commitment in this block. In most cases these are available from October half term in Lower Sixth.
Resit classes: Students that have not secured a ‘4’ in Maths and English GCSEs will need to resit, and classes will be timetabled to support these students.
Maths Extra: Additional Maths lessons are available for students that may be taking Science subjects with significant maths elements and would benefit from additional maths.
Gold Arts Award: This qualification has two parts. Firstly, it requires students to develop their arts practice through research and experimentation and the creation of a portfolio. Secondly, students design, organise and deliver an arts event.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): This qualification requires students to choose a topic, plan, research and develop their idea. Most students choose to write a report of approximately 5,000 words on their chosen topic, but some decide to make an ‘artefact’ accompanied with a 1,000 word report.
Public Examinations - GCSE, A Level and BTEC courses
Individual GCSE, A Level and BTEC examinations will incur additional costs. The cost of each examination varies; for an accurate cost, please contact Mr Cox, Deputy Head (Academic): deputyheadacademic@rendcombcollege.org.uk.