Choosing a Curricular Pathway
The curriculum at Thomas Gainsborough School is broad, balanced and engaging. Your child will follow one of the four pathways through Year 7 and experience stretch and challenge through the subjects they study. Each pathway offers excellent progression through not only Year 7 but beyond, through Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 and there will be the opportunity to select a different pathway as your child moves in to Year 8 should you wish to. Your child’s primary school will be well placed to advise you on your child’s strengths and which pathway may be most engaging; we will also advise you and discuss the opportunities that each pathway provides for personalising your child’s learning. However, the choice will be yours.
The curriculum at Thomas Gainsborough School is broad, ambitious and inclusive. As outlined at our Open Evening in September, our Year 7 Curriculum has four distinct pathways for you to consider. Your child will follow one of the four pathways through Year 7 and experience stretch and challenge through the subjects they study.
“I think the pathways are a great idea. I discussed it with my family a lot and I am happy with my choice” Daniel, Year 7, Peyton House
Each pathway offers excellent progression through Year 7 and then beyond, through Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.
Consider what your child enjoys and the skills that would like to develop for the future. We will also advise you and discuss the opportunities that each pathway provides for personalising your child’s learning. Your child’s curricular pathway will be a key topic at the family meeting.
The four curriculum pathways are each designed to meet the needs of all ability levels.
Our Access, Arts, Grammar and STEM pathways are outlined in the following pages.
All have at their core a thorough grounding in English, mathematics, science, music, art, drama, history, geography, technology, physical education and personal, social and health education.
Arts has a greater focus on developing creativity, experimentation and creative thinking. This is reflected through a higher proportion of lessons in the visual and performing arts across years 7, 8 and 9 and more opportunities to experience and get involved in creative and arts-based projects and experiences.
Grammar focuses more on the traditional (EBacc) subjects through greater allocation to Geography, History and Languages as well as the opportunity to study Classics.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) has a greater emphasis on Science and Technology related specialisms.
As a fully comprehensive school, serving the needs of our community, we are proud to offer a broad, inclusive and highly ambitious curriculum for all students.
More Information about Lessons in Each Pathway
Alongside a rigorous and creative core of subjects, students can also personalise part of their fortnightly timetable. Irrespective of their background or ability, students and families are able to choose a pathway which reflects their developing talents and interests.
Each of the three pathways, Arts, Grammar and STEM has a core of 27 lessons a fortnight comprising of:
English
Maths
Science
History
Geography
Technology, Food & Computing
Religion, Philosophy & Ethics
Physical Education
Music
Drama
Art
Personal, Social & Health Education
Languages (French, German or Spanish)
The other 3 lessons each fortnight are tailored as follows:
In the Arts pathway, over three years, students have additional drama, arts, music and dance lessons. In Year 10 it is expected that students from the Arts pathway will study at least one art subject, as well as 3 other subjects.
In the Grammar pathway, each year, students have a lesson in classical civilisations and Latin, and study a second modern foreign language. In Year 10 it is expected that students from the Grammar pathway will study at least one language from Latin, French, German or Spanish.
In the STEM pathway, over three years, students will have more time studying science, computing, design and technology. In Year 10 it is expected that students from the STEM pathway will study at least one technology based subject, as well as 3 other subjects.
Our range of subjects to choose from in Year 10 is extensive and students can choose 4 subjects to study in addition to maths, English and science. Whichever pathway students choose for Years 7, 8 & 9 they are still able to choose from the full range of subjects in Years 10 and 11.
Full information about our range of options in Year 10 please see our website at www.tgschool.net/ks4-options
To help families make this decision about pathways, we meet with you between March and June to answer questions and discuss the reasons for your choice.
Every pathway provides students with the full range of opportunities and curriculum content to prepare for future success, including at Sixth Form, university, apprenticeships, work, and life as a responsible citizen.
Access Curriculum
Our Access Curriculum provides a wealth of social, emotional and literacy support. It is an experience which will develop a child’s access to the wider curriculum. We will seek the advice of primary schools as to the suitability of this curriculum for specific students and will meet with parents to discuss this further. Places in this pathway are only recommended in discussion with primary schools and families.