Curriculum
Lower School Curriculum 
In the lower school (Years 8 and 9), Canons provides breadth and balance according to the national curriculum to enable pupils to go forward from their middle school studies.
All pupils follow a core curriculum in Year 8, as shown below. In Year 8, pupils follow a GCSE ICT course gaining information and communication technology skills to support their learning throughout school, and achieve 2 GCSEs at the end of Year 9.
Pupils are taught in tutor groups, which are of an average size of 25, except for some technology subjects, where groups may be smaller. We believe that the maintenance of these relatively small teaching groups is a vital element in meeting the needs of each individual pupil, whatever their ability or stage of development.
All Year 8 classes have access to a high level of additional help in the classroom and occasionally pupils will be withdrawn for individual support.
All subjects set homework according to a timetable and each pupil is expected to have an average of one hour and 15 minutes per day. We ask parents to support pupils in being able to complete their homework by checking that it has been done and signing their student planner, which the tutor will then check in school. In addition to the regular timetable, pupils have the opportunity to have specialist lessons on a musical instrument. We have also introduced Italian into the Languages curriculum, to open a pathway for pupils into our vocational links with Sorrento and Naples in Year 10 - 12.
The quality of teaching and learning that goes on in each lesson is of fundamental importance at Canons. We are constantly striving to ensure that each learning experience that pupils have begins on time and is well resourced, and that the full number of school days provides comprehensive teaching and learning opportunities.
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As necessary, specific lessons are inserted to cover P.S.H.C.E. - Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education, as well as covering aspects within other subjects.
Upper School Curriculum
Pupils in Years 10 and 11 study the following subjects:
Hours Per Week
English | 3 | Includes Language and Literature |
Mathematics | 3 | Able pupils may take GCSE early |
Integrated Science (double) | 5 | Dual certification at GCSE |
Integrated Humanities | 3.5 | History, Geography, Sociology, Religion and Politics |
Physical Education | 1 | A wide range of activities offered |
As necessary, specific lessons are inserted to cover P.S.H.C.E. - Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education, as well as covering aspects within other subjects.
A Technology Subject is Chosen from:
Graphics | 2.5 | A wide range, taught by |
Resistant Materials | 2.5 | specialist teachers, in well |
Food | 2.5 | equipped rooms |
Textiles | 2.5 | |
Engineering | 5.0 | This is a double option and means that only 2 subjects are chosen from the table below |
Other Subjects - Three Chosen from:
Art and Design | 2.5 | |
Business Studies | 2.5 | Care is taken to provide each |
Drama | 2.5 | pupil with a balanced choice, |
French | 2.5 | suited to their individual |
Geography | 2.5 | talents and future ambitions |
History | 2.5 | |
Music | 2.5 | |
ICT AS (Advanced) | 2.5 | |
Physical Education | 2.5 | |
Religious Education | 2.5 | |
Spanish | 2.5 |
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ICT (Information and Communications Technology)
Most pupils achieve a double GCSE in the lower school. In the upper school it is possible for able students to go on to AS level.
Support
Some pupils needing support in learning or in language development may take a support or Life Skills course as an alternative to one or two subjects from the Other Subjects table.
