Our Senior Academic Offer

Curriculum Intent 

Our goal is for pupils to excel in various qualifications, demonstrating significant progress that paves the way for future opportunities. We aim to achieve a curriculum that both challenges and inspires our pupils, allowing them to think creatively. Our curriculum is designed to educate the whole child, developing character and providing our pupils with cultural capital, enabling them to be fully prepared for an ever-changing world. Our desire is to ensure that they leave Alton School as inquisitive, confident individuals, fully prepared for their next step in life.  

Year 7 – transition into Senior School 

Starting in Year 7, we firmly believe that pupils should have the freedom to explore their interests, identify their strengths, and discover their passions, all while receiving unwavering support and guidance from our dedicated team teachers and tutors. 

For pupils transitioning to Year 7 from our Lower School, they will already be familiar with many of our Senior teachers, as they will have been taught by them during their specialist subject lessons in Year 6. See here for more information about our Specialist Year 6 Programme. New pupils joining Year 7 will have the opportunity to meet their tutors and teachers before the academic year starts on taster and induction days.  

Years 7-9 (Key Stage 3) 

Key Stage 3 is an age of discovery, with pupils exploring new subjects and developing new academic interests and talents. It provides the strong foundations for a successful GCSE journey. 

Over the course of three years in Key Stage 3 pupils engage in a comprehensive and well-rounded offer that aligns with the national curriculum. Simultaneously, it offers opportunities for all pupils to expand their horizons, cultivating their intellectual curiosity. 

Throughout this journey, pupils continue to build their knowledge and develop their advanced skills of analysis, evaluation and creativity.  

Years 10-11 (Key Stage 4) 

As they transition into the GCSE years, pupils can choose from a range of options subjects that nurture their unique learning preferences. Simultaneously, they receive a solid grounding in essential core subjects, including English, Mathematics, and Science. Additionally, pupils participate in a weekly Religious Studies class, delving into a spectrum of ethical themes from various perspectives. 

Pupils choose an additional four subjects from:  

Geography
History
Religious Studies
French
Spanish
Latin
Art (Art and Design or Photography)
Music
Drama
Computer Science
Physical Education
Statistics 

Support for Learning  

We are committed to working with every child and recognise that as individuals they have different learning needs. Our teachers collaborate to address these needs, ensuring that they can access all aspects of the curriculum. 

There is dedicated support for pupils with SEND and we maintain clear communication with pupils, teachers and parents. Find out more about learning support here.  

Our teachers also hold regular revision sessions to support those preparing for their external public examinations. These are held at lunchtimes and after school at various times in the year.  

We also offer support for the development of academic skills, including organisation, revision techniques, source evaluation, homework management, and critical thinking. This support is provided at various stages throughout the academic year. 

We create an environment that challenges all pupils: 

  • by using open-ended questioning 
  • encouraging evaluation and creativity 
  • developing opportunities for independent learning 

Our aim is to add-value to every child and support them in achieving this.  

Supervised Prep – Monday-Friday until 6pm

Our supervised prep session runs every day after school until 6pm. 

It provides pupils with the opportunity to stay at school, supervised by a teacher; allowing pupils to complete their homework in a quiet and structured environment. We recommend that pupils and parents take advantage of this service.