Seniors

As the girls enter the Senior School, we build on their earlier learning to encourage creativity, intellectual curiosity and independence.

Our broad academic timetable and specialist teachers provide St Nicholas’ girls with the opportunity to study additional subjects such as Latin, Mandarin and Classical Civilisation. St Nicholas’ has a very strong tradition of encouraging and developing pupils’ creativity to help them excel in design subjects, for example art, food technology and textiles, and in the performing arts.

At GCSE, our curriculum provides opportunities for girls to study examinations in the core subjects of English, mathematics, and the three separate sciences, as well as in modern foreign languages, humanities and physical education.

Throughout their time in the Senior Department each girl is provided with a school device to boost the outstanding teaching and learning already in place in the classroom. Our intent is to maximise the learning experience by combining all the benefits of modern technology alongside the more traditional methods of learning, such as classroom discussions, writing and practical work.

To support our girls, we offer a fantastic co-curricular programme and a wide range of enrichment, from school sports, music and school plays to specialist pastoral care and learning support.

At St Nicholas’ School we believe that every girl should be given the opportunity to excel across a full range of subjects, whatever her ability.

Years 7 to 9 Curriculum
(Key Stage 3)

At St Nicholas’ we appreciate how important a smooth transition into Senior School is and we spend a lot of time aiding this, with Year 7 teambuilding events and trips throughout the year. These help to ensure that the girls are provided with plenty of time to get to know each other, form friendships and bond through activities and their experiences.

In Year 7 pupils start learning Latin and the three sciences are studied separately. Pupils take half-yearly courses in Food Preparation and Nutrition and Textiles as part of Design Technology.

In Year 8, after appropriate reflection and consultation, pupils either continue with Latin, follow a course in Classical Civilisation or take extra English. In addition, they will continue with Mandarin and Spanish or extra French and Curriculum Support.

In Year 9, pupils are able to choose to continue a combination of two foreign languages. Extra English, Extra French and Curriculum Support are offered as before. Pupils begin their GCSE courses for maths and the three separate sciences.

Throughout Years 7, 8 and 9 we give pupils a wide range of experiences designed to help them make informed decisions about their GCSE options. The curriculum provides continuity, enabling pupils to develop their knowledge from the previous Key Stage. Part way through Year 9, pupils are asked to think seriously about which subjects they would like to study to GCSE level and asked to make their GCSE Option choices.

Year 7, 8 and 9 Curriculum Booklets

Our 'Making the Transition into Senior School' Booklet contains information about many of the main features of the Senior School and explains how we support girls making the transition from Year 6 into Year 7.

Our Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 Curriculum Booklets provide an overview of life in each particular year group.

Our Year 9 Options Booklet provides information on the Core Subjects and Options that are open to them.

First page of the PDF file: Senior_Transition_Booklet_2022-23

First page of the PDF file: Y7_Curriculum_Booklet_2023-24

First page of the PDF file: Y8_Curriculum_Booklet_2023-24

First page of the PDF file: Y9_Curriculum_Booklet_2023-24

First page of the PDF file: Y9_Options_Booklet_2023-24_v10

Years 10 and 11 Curriculum
(Key Stage 4)

In Years 10 and 11, the majority of pupils study the following core subjects:

English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Statistics (Higher Tier pupils only)
Functional Skills in Mathematics (Foundation Tier pupils only)
A Modern Foreign Language (French, Mandarin or Spanish)
Triple Science / Combined Science

They then choose another three subjects from the options available:

Additional Mathematics
Art
Business Studies
Classical Civilisation
Computer Science
Drama
Extra English and Curriculum Support
French
Food Preparation and Nutrition
Functional Skills in English
Geography
History
Latin
Mandarin
Music
Physical Education
Spanish
Textile Design

Year 10 and 11 Curriculum Booklets

Our Year 10 and Year 11 Curriculum Booklets provide an overview of each year group.

First page of the PDF file: Y10_Curriculum_Booklet_2023-24

First page of the PDF file: Y11_Curriculum_Booklet_2023-24

Art

Art lessons are held in the superb, purpose-built art centre. The building incorporates an art studio with IT facilities; a textiles room with computerised sewing machines and a “wet room” for fabric printing; a design technology suite and a pottery room with kiln.

The Department provides a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable creative experiences for pupils of all abilities. All pupils are given the opportunity to develop a wide appreciation for arts and crafts of other cultures, as well as their own, and an understanding of their meaning and significance in the context in which they were created.

As they progress through the school, pupils will acquire a breadth of experience and knowledge of artists, styles, working methods and media including drawing and painting, printing, collage, papier mâché, plaster and pottery.

Gifted pupils are challenged and inspired to build upon their natural talent and all pupils are encouraged to enjoy their art and to become confident in their ability to express themselves creatively.

Links are made with other departments wherever appropriate and practical. The Art Department actively encourages cross-curricular activities such as museum and gallery visits.

Music

Music is an important part of school life for the pupils at St Nicholas’. Specialist music staff and visiting peripatetic teachers deliver a comprehensive curriculum across the Senior School.

There are opportunities for pupils to learn all of the main orchestral instruments as well as piano, singing and drums. The Music Department consists of a main teaching classroom, which includes a suite of PC’s with Sibelius 7 software.

There are also seven instrumental teaching rooms, four of which are located in the Lodge. Within the Lodge, one room is used as a drum studio, equipped with both electric and acoustic kits. The school also have three harps (including one full sized pedal harp and two folk harps) for harp pupils to use for practice and lessons

Drama

Drama and Music performance at St Nicholas’ benefits from the exceptional new combined School Hall and Performing Arts Centre which serves as both concert space and theatre. Excellent views of the stage are provided from the raked seating on the lower and upper floors.

All girls up to Year 9 participate in two lessons of drama per week and are given the opportunity to specialise at GCSE level in Year 10 and 11. Senior girls are encouraged to audition for the spring term Senior Production. In addition, all girls compete in the inter-house Drama Competition, maintaining and building on an atmosphere of inclusion. Drama Workshops are also offered as a popular after school activity at St Nicholas’ for Years 7 – 10.

Girls are invited to study many different aspects of drama and the performing arts, including stage makeup, masks and lighting as well as acting and dance drama. Drama is a truly varied and exciting subject at St Nicholas’.

Sport

The school is very proud of the facilities available. Our attractive outdoor environment lends itself naturally to a variety of sporting activities. The floodlit Multi Use Games Area and tennis courts are used all year round for multiple sports including hockey, tennis, netball and football.

The purpose-built Sports Hall not only allows the girls to participate in activities such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, indoor hockey, gymnastics and dance but also ensures that the girls will always have a clean dry area to work in, even when the weather is harsh. The Sports Hall is fully equipped with computers, video cameras and interactive whiteboard to enable pupils to see themselves in action and learn from analysing their performance.

Girls benefit from working in small teaching groups with specialist staff and top quality equipment. There is strong emphasis not only refining and developing their own individual skills but also on teamwork. The girls are also taught to use a variety of strategies when faced with challenges.

The broad and balanced curriculum provides the girls with the opportunity to participate in activities which include cricket, netball, hockey, athletics, tennis, rounders, gymnastic, dance, cross-country running, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton and occasional health-related fitness activities such as yoga. In addition to team practices, after school activities offer such things as martial arts and running club. Additional professional coaches are employed to extend the curriculum.

There are a number of school teams, which compete in local, district and county and national competitions. Individual pupils are encouraged to attend selection trials which will lead to district, county and even national honours.

Years 7 to 9 Curriculum (Key Stage 3)

Year 7, 8 and 9 Curriculum Booklets

Years 10 and 11 Curriculum (Key Stage 4)

Year 10 and 11 Curriculum Booklets

Years 7 to 9 Curriculum
(Key Stage 3)

Years 10 and 11 Curriculum
(Key Stage 4)