We prefer to describe our curriculum as a “thought-full” curriculum, since we seek to develop thinking skills and habits of excellence to nurture life-long learners. Within a secure environment, we are able to provide personal challenge: within a stimulating environment we are able to provide for enjoyment in learning. Both elements are the foundations for academic success.

The Curriculum

Our curriculum is both broad based and increasingly personalised. We are committed to meeting the needs of each individual through high quality teaching and learning, assessment both of and for learning, monitoring and tracking student progress.

Thinker’s Toolkit

Working with Exeter University, a university with an excellent reputation in education and curriculum development, we are enriching our curriculum to be “thought-full”. Putting the learner at the heart of our curriculum we are developing a common and visual language of Thinking Tools and embedding habits of excellence in our work. Habits such as acting with persistence, creating, imagining and innovating are the foundations of life-long learning and personal achievement.

The Rochester Grammar School is now recognised by Exeter University as one of the few Advanced Thinking Schools in the country and is pioneering the use of a cognitive approach to education and student learning.

Years 7 – 11

Students start the Rochester Grammar School with a compressed two year Key Stage 3. During this time students are supported in their transition to a secondary school curriculum with the support of specialist teachers.

During Year 8 students will consider their pathways for Key Stage 4 and with the help of their teachers will be guided through the options and acceleration process to choose the best subjects and levels of assessment for them. This includes GCSE and AS courses depending on the subject. All students are expected to take a language.

Some students will have the opportunity to accelerate beyond what is normally expected of a Key Stage 4 student in the Core subjects of English & Mathematics. Those accelerated in English will take their English GCSE qualifications in Year 10 and AS English Literature and Language at the end of Year 11. Accelerated Mathematicians complete GCSE Maths, Statistics and Further Mathematics.*

* Please note that student options and pathways are subject to change.

Student Progress & Assessment

On entering the school in yr. 7 all students will be given a target grade for each subject based on prior attainment in English and Mathematics at the end of KS2. At KS3 regular assessments will occur based on assessment criteria which, where appropriate, is based on GCSE standard. The grade your daughter receives will then be weighted to compensate for the academic year in which she is in. This system is designed to allow your daughter’s progress through KS3 to be accurately measured. If your daughter is making progress in line with what we would expect, based on her prior attainment, she will be receiving assessment grades at a similar level to her target grade. Progress will be reported to parents twice annually.

When your daughter enters KS4 in year 9 all assessment carried out will be to GCSE standard. There might, therefore, be a time in year 9 when the grades your daughter receives seem below those that she was achieving in KS3. As your daughter progresses in her subjects your daughter will work towards achieving at and beyond her target grade. Progress will be reported to parents twice annually.

Into the Sixth Form

Students are supported by individual interviews, group discussions and interactions with their teachers to help them choose the right Sixth Form pathway for them and we seek to make the transition to Sixth Form as seamless as possible.

Both A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) are offered as academic pathways to students. Both pathways offer an outstanding choice of subjects for students to choose from and tailor their curriculum to best fit their future aspirations. In addition to the outstanding curriculum offer students are supported through a dedicated Sixth Form team, study area and recreational facilities.

Almost all our students decide to apply for University and consistently gain places in the most prestigious institutions both in the UK and around the world.