The College is committed through its Mission Statement to a broad and balanced curriculum at each key stage that meets with current legislative requirements and the personalised needs of students.
Key Stage Three
Each student in this key stage (Years 7, 8 and 9) follows a course in each of the National Curriculum subjects in Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Language, Design and Technology, History, Geography, PE, Art, Music, Futures Education. In Year 9 students begin Careers Education and continue ICT. A taster course in German as a second Foreign Language will be offered to some students.
Key Stage Four
Students in their upper secondary years [Years 10 and 11] have the opportunity to introduce some choice in their curriculum leading to GCSE examinations at 16 years of age. All students are required to follow a compulsory core of subjects including Religious Studies, English [English with English Literature for some], Mathematics, Science (separate sciences or dual award), PE/Games, PSHE / Citizenship, Careers and ICT. Option subjects include History, Geography, Art, PE (GCSE), Sports Leader Award Level 1, Music (GCSE), D&T, Engineering and Modern Foreign Languages [German and French]. Most students take GCSE examinations in between eight and eleven subjects over the course of two years. A small group of students will undertake a more vocationally orientated curriculum involved some work-based training for one day a week as well as vocational GCSE course [Engineering].
Post-16 Education
Students in Year 12 now study for up to four Advanced Subsidiary subjects (excluding General Studies) with modular exams at the end of the year. An externally assessed course in Key Skills ICT is also followed in Year 12 together with courses in general RE, PSHE/Citizenship and leisure pursuits.
Some students in Year 12 will follow courses in vocational advanced levels [AVCE] in subjects such as Business Studies, Information Technology or more practical/ training courses leading to NVQ level one and two qualifications. All Y12 AS/AVCE students will follow an AS course in ‘Public Understanding of Science’ from September 2005.
Subjects offered at AS/AVCE level include English, Mathematics (both statistics and mechanics), French, German, Religious Studies, Geography, History, Art, Music, Design, Engineering, Psychology, PE, BTEC National Certificate in Sport, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Government and Politics, Business Studies.
For students wishing to progress into Year 13 the number of subjects will normally be reduced to three in preparation for taking the Advanced level examinations [A2] at the end of the second year.
In order to enter courses for AS/A2 subjects in Years 12/13 students will be expected to gain at least five good GCSE examinations at grade C or better. Some subject teachers strongly recommend gaining at least a B grade at GCSE. Transfer from Y12 to Y13 is dependent on good AS outcomes.
All Sixth Form students are given advice about higher education opportunities.
The College is part of a consortium of post-16 providers within the City which includes Notre Dame, Eggbuckland Community College, Devonport High Schools for Girls and Boys. This serves to enhance the choice and opportunities offered to our sixth form students in that they can travel between schools to study one subject either not available at St. Boniface’s or that might clash with other choices. Transport is provided by the College at times when TLP courses are timetabled.
All details on Sixth Form courses can be obtained by contacting the Sixth Form PA- Mrs Cox.