Northwood College is an independent day school for girls, aged 3-18. It is an educational trust
Senior School
and the Head Mistress is a member of the Girls’ Schools Association. There are approximately
Lower School – Years 7, 8 and 9
820 girls in the College.
The curriculum in the first year includes English, two modern foreign languages chosen from French, German or Spanish,
1 The Curriculum at Northwood College
Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, Technology (including Design, Food,
Graphics and Textiles), Information Technology, Music, Drama, Physical Education (Athletics, Hockey, Netball, Rounders,
Swimming, Tennis and Gymnastics). Girls also follow a cross curricular course based on successful thinking dispositions.
Introduction During Year 7 for Mathematics, girls are divided into groups across the year according to ability and this happens for
Languages in Year 8, and Sciences in Year 9. They are taught in mixed ability classes in all other subjects. Latin is studied
Our curriculum is designed to get the girls excited about learning and to set them up for the future as well-rounded
from Year 8.
individuals. Our aim is to help every Northwood College girl realise her full academic potential and acquire a sense of
personal and social responsibility. We create opportunities for the girls to widen their awareness of the world around them Towards the end of Year 9, with staff advice, girls select the subjects they wish to study over the next two years in
with curriculum-related visits, events and partnerships. It can be anything from our Nursery girls going to the local shops preparation for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
to our senior girls visiting the First World War battlefields in Ypres.
Upper School – Years 10 and 11
Junior School
Compulsory GCSE subjects consist of English, English Literature, Mathematics, a modern foreign language, Biology,
Chemistry and Physics (as either Core and Additional Science or three separate Sciences) and girls may choose three or
Nursery
sometimes four subjects in addition.
The Early Years Centre provides a nursery education in a secure and caring
GCSE options include Art and Design, Classical Civilisation, Drama and Theatre Arts, French, Geography, German, Greek,
environment. The curriculum is based on the Foundation Stage, Early Learning
History, Home Economics, Information Technology, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Spanish and Textiles.
Goals: Personal, Social and Emotional Education, Communication, Language
Non-examined Religious Studies, Physical Education, Information and Communication Technology, Citizenship and Thinking
and Literacy, Mathematical Development, Physical Development, Knowledge
Skills complete the curriculum. All girls follow a detailed course in study skills and learn how to use study time effectively.
and Understanding of the World and Creative Development. The staff work
closely with each child and provide a structured individual programme, based
Sixth Form – Years 12 and 13
on regular and on-going assessment. Parents see the staff on a day-to-day basis
In the Sixth Form most students will study four or five subjects at AS Level in the first year and continue with three or four
and meet to discuss their progress at Open Evenings. Before and after school
of their subjects in the second year to gain the full A Level qualifications. An extra AS Level may occasionally be taken by
care is available from 8am and from 3pm-6pm.
some students in either their first or second year.
Reception, Years 1 and 2
The following subjects are currently offered at AS and A Level: Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry,
The curriculum is designed both to cover and also to extend beyond the Key Classical Civilisation, Critical Thinking, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Language and Literature, English
Stage 1 requirements of the National Curriculum. The foundations of number Literature, French, Geography, German, Graphic Design, History, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Latin,
work are laid in daily lessons using a number of schemes including the National Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Music Technology, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious
Numeracy Strategy. Girls acquire fluency in reading through the use of a range Studies, Spanish and Textiles.
of schemes and methods including a structured phonics scheme. In creative
All Sixth Form students also take
work, themes are chosen which may be topical, seasonal or stimulated by
part in an enrichment programme
current events and these are developed in Science, History, Geography, Art and
to further develop the key skills
Technology, Physical Education, Music and Religious Studies. Appropriate external visits are also arranged. All classes have
being acquired through their A
two computers and access to a suite of computers in the Junior School. Specialist Drama teaching is available to Years 1
Level studies. This will include ICT
and 2 and extra curricular group violin, piano, ‘cello or chess lessons are also available to girls in these year groups. Before
and a choice of other subjects.
and after school care is available from 8am and from 3pm-6pm.
Sixth Form Conferences, Work
Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
Experience, Careers and Higher
The curriculum is designed to cover and go beyond Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum. Subjects studied include
Education advice are also offered.
Mathematics, English, Drama, Science, French (Years 3-5), German/Spanish (Year 6), Latin (Years 4-6), Art,
Design Technology, Information Technology, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Music and all branches of Physical
Education. The girls have dedicated ICT lessons in the Junior ICT Suite. ICT skills are also encouraged in other areas of
the curriculum. All girls have music lessons with a specialist teacher as well as the opportunity to learn a large range of
instruments with visiting teachers. Girls participate in a programme of external visits to theatres, museums and sites of
scientific and historical interest to support classroom based work. All classrooms have an interactive white board.
Girls in years 4, 5 and 6 take part in residential trips and all girls follow a carefully planned programme of personal and
social development.
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