Upper School

Mr. A Marsh - Head of Year 11

Mr. N Burke - Head of Year 10

Years 10 and 11 are the years during which students study for their GCSE Level Examinations - public exams that are taken at the end of Year 11. These years represent a period of academic and social development that is key in the maturation of students as they begin to make more defined choices leading to a more specified study at Sixth-Form and Higher Education (HE) levels.

Increasingly, older boys play a more prominent role in the functioning of the school and boys from these year groups will play a more public role in sports, drama, music and CCF. We actively encourage boys to take part in these extra-curricular activities, and I believe that a healthy investment in all aspects of school life will bring about better application and results.

What's New?

One major change from the Lower School is that students no longer have their lessons in Form Groups, but are taught in groups according to the options they take at the end of Year 9.

Form Groups still exist in the Upper School, and are still important within a boy's life at the school. Indeed, boys' Form Tutors remains their first point-of-contact should problems arise.

Curriculum and Homework

In addition to the core subjects (English, Maths and Sciences) and a number of compulsory studies, Upper School students study a number of other, non-examinable subjects such as Careers and Citizenship. Lessons in these areas complement the academic curriculum and provide valuable life and social skills.
Homework changes slightly in its format and there is, for the first time, coursework in most subjects which will contribute to a student's final GCSE Level Grades. Time Management becomes important as coursework becomes a responsibility in addition to routine homework. As boys study different combinations of subjects it is up to each individual to plan and manage his home time accordingly.