KS4 Options Booklet 2026-2028 - Flipbook - Page 14
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Upper School Curriculum: Core Subjects
This booklet contains information that is specific to each course offered as part of the KS4 curriculum at
Robert May9s School.
Students will be required to study a broad and 8rigorous9 curriculum. Most subjects are assessed 100% by
examination at the end of the course. Some subjects have an element of 8non-examined assessment9, up to
a maximum of 60%. The grades available for the courses are 1-9. These grades are approximately
equivalent to 8old9 GCSE Grades G-A* as follows:
2016
onwards
Grades
1
2
3
Up to
2015
G/F
E
D
4
5
C/B
6
7
9
8
A
A*
The benchmark for what constitutes a 8strong9 pass in these subjects will be a Grade 5
Grade 9 is an exceptional performance grade. Since the summer of 2019 all subjects have been awarded
Grades 1-9 instead of G-A* with Grade 8/9 being the equivalent of A* and a notional A** for exceptional
performance.
Any student not attaining the equivalent of at least Grade 4 or higher in English or Mathematics must
continue to study the subject until they are 18 irrespective of other courses or career paths that they may
be following. Therefore, passing English Language, English Literature and Mathematics at a minimum of
Grade 4 is a priority for everyone in the year group. Consequently, at RMS students will receive 4 lessons
of Mathematics and 5 English lessons each week in Year 10, and 5 lessons of Mathematics and 4 lessons of
English in Year 11.
Compulsory, Non-Examined Core Subjects:
In order to educate students about mental and physical wellbeing, to allow them to develop vital aspects
of their character, as well as to set them up for future careers, a number of lessons each week are
dedicated to Physical Education (PE) and Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economics Education
(PSHCEE). This is taught through daily RMP sessions and weekly Personal Development Lessons (PDL).
These subjects are not examined at any point but form an important part of the overall curriculum and
school ethos.
Physical Education (PE) – 1 Double Lesson Each Week
To promote physical well-being and balance the academic demands of Key Stage 4, all Year 10 and 11
students participate in a non-examined recreational PE programme. Students are given the opportunity to
take part in a number of activities from our extensive range, which includes everything from traditional
team sports like Basketball, Football and Netball, to some of the less traditional alternatives such as
Ultimate Frisbee and Dodgeball. As well as providing opportunities in the individual activities such as
Trampolining, Cross Country and Athletics.
Students are expected to follow two activities in greater depth. It is often possible to make visits to local
sports centres to sample activities such as fitness training, swimming and ice-skating. Students are
encouraged to join local clubs to pursue their sporting interests in preparation for their post-school life
and to develop their skills to the highest level through both club and school competition in an extensive
extra-curricular programme.
