When young learners join our secondary school, they become part of a warm and thriving community filled with ways to make friends, learn, work together, and have fun.
Every student at Royal Russell is part of a tight-knit community within our wider school. Together, learners work hard to earn points for their classes, engage in friendly inter-school competition, and bond with their fellow members.
From sports and chemistry to chess and technology, students will also find a wide range of clubs where they can meet classmates who share their interests. Common rooms and assemblies are another way we create a strong sense of community, connecting learners through various themes, projects, and guest talks. Plus, we encourage students to show their own initiative through our student council, school newspaper, and more.
• School Teaching hours – I-V: 08.30 – 15.30
Royal Russell secondary school is the British curriculum pathway that revolves around you and your family. A broad curriculum in Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3) sets learners up for success in their future studies, and a selection of over 25 IGCSEs and Assured courses at Key Stage 4 are delivered by specialist teachers in our small class sizes.
The curriculum at Royal Russell School provides opportunities for all pupils to excel in their learning.
Throughout Years 7 – 9, pupils follow the Key Stage 3 curriculum and experience a wide range of subjects and lessons. Our small class sizes enable our teachers to capture the interest of every pupil and extend their subject understanding with discussion, research and projects.
We run courses and assemblies for all our pupils on maximising their potential and effective study and revision skills.
Pupils in Year 9 are asked to state their preferences about which courses they wish to study in Years 10 and 11 for GCSE or IGCSE examinations. This is an important phase in every pupil’s education as they begin the process of specialising in certain subject areas.
English Language and Literature, Mathematics, all three Sciences and a Modern Foreign Language form the seven core subjects studied at GCSE.
Pupils will add three more subjects of their own choice from a broad range. The main thing to consider is that pupils should elect to study subjects that they enjoy and believe they will be successful at. We do not expect pupils at this stage to have a definite idea of the direction they wish to progress in their studies in our Sixth Form, and as such, our curriculum is broad and balanced.
When considering subjects, pupils should consider what they will be studying in those lessons, and also how this fits in with co-curricular activities. We want to ensure that pupils continue to develop their skills outside the classroom, whilst being mindful of not taking on too much.
English Language
Mathematics
Science
French
German
PE / Games
Computer Science
History
Art and Design
Drama
Music
Theology and Philosophy
Food Preparation and Nutrition
RSHE
English Language
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Psyhics
French, Spanish or German
RSHE (non-examinated)
Careers (non-examinated)
PE/Games (non-examinated)
Business Studies
Computer Science
Design and Technology
Drama
English as an Additional
Language
Geography
History
Media Studies
Music
Physical Education
Theory and Philosophy
At Royal Russell we offer a broad range of subjects at GCSE, to be taken in Year 11 or, in some cases, Year 9 or 10.
Choosing subjects to take to GCSE can be a thought-provoking and sometimes daunting and difficult process. Selecting the subjects a student will study at GCSE does entail some tough decisions, so subject teachers, House Tutors, Heads of Department and Housemasters and Housemistresses are all available to talk parents and students through this process.
Ultimately, these courses will equip students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in GCSE examinations in Year 11, and will form the foundation of their further studies in our Sixth Form in Years 12 and 13.
The opportunity to choose is an exciting one, and we will encourage and support our students every step of the way through this important phase of their studies to make the right personal choices.
Students will take the following seven compulsory GCSE subjects:
• English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Modern Foreign Language (MFL).
• These are compulsory subjects, although the exact GCSE or IGCSE course selected will vary according to the students’ levels of attainment.
• Students will also follow non-examined courses in Personal, Social and Health Education, Careers and Physical Education/Games.
Students must choose either French, Spanish or German as their choice of MFL. German is available only to those who have previously studied it for at least one year. Students may choose a second language as part of their additional subjects.
For those students whose first language is not English will instead study English as an Additional Language, or the Curriculum Assistance Programme.
| December | Read the GCSE Options Booklet, student reports, and think about choice of subjects for study. |
| January | Attend the GCSE Awareness Evening. |
| February | Attend the Parents’ Evening – an opportunity to discuss options with teaching staff. |
| February | Complete the ‘Options Form’ which will be sent out in February. |
| June | Options groups are put together – this may require a discussion with a small number of students whose preferences cannot be easily accommodated within the timetable. |
| September | Begin the study of GCSE courses for examinations in the summer 2 years later. |
Pupils will give consideration to their possible choices in their Careers lessons. Our Head of Careers, will be pleased to advise you regarding the career opportunities associated with your choice of GCSE subject.
Whilst this stage in a pupil’s school career can seem daunting, it is a stepping stone towards more critical and focused decisions later on. Selecting the subjects a pupil will study at GCSE does entail some tough decisions, so subject teachers, House Tutors, Heads of Department and Housemasters and Housemistresses are all available to talk parents and pupils through this process.
Ultimately, these courses will equip pupils with the skills and knowledge to succeed in GCSE examinations in Year 11, and will form the foundation of their further studies in our Sixth Form in Years 12 and 13. The opportunity to choose is an exciting one, and we will support our pupils every step of the way through this important phase of their studies.
