SFG Curriculum
The aim of SFG curriculum is to deliver an education that focuses on deep academic knowledge; problem solving; leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; and personal health and well-being.
So our pupils can leave us having developed into young adults who are:
- Proficient in reading, writing, oracy and maths;
- Ambitious, adaptable, confident and self-disciplined lifelong learners;
- Thoughtful, knowledgeable and principled citizens.
SFG curriculum educates Gibberdians for the benefit of all humankind. As a result our pupils will not only face the world but change it.
Lower School
Year 7 and 8 curriculum comprises 5 x 55 minute lessons each day and 4 x 55 minute Prep each week, one of which is dedicated to enrichment.
Pupils study English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, French, Computing, Reading, PE, SMSC, Music, Art & DesignTechnology, PRE and Prep.
Pupils also have the opportunity to study Latin, British Sign Language and Statistics.
Art and Design Technology
Art and Design Technology are largely practical subjects where pupils develop their knowledge through hands-on activities. Food Technology, Wood Technology and Photography are offered as timetabled lessons as well as during Prep Enrichment sessions.
Classical Civilisations
Classical Civilisation focuses on the civilisations of Greece and Rome, and is a wide ranging subject involving the study of the history of the ancient world, the life of the people, the study of artefacts and archaeological sites.
Pupils with an interest in the Ancient World and its cultures throroughly enjoy this subject.
Computing
Our computing curriculum equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. It has deep links with mathematics, science, Art and Design Technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate at a level suitable for the future workplace. Through computing, we ensure pupils learn digital safety and be responsible computer users.
English
The English curriculum is driven by a strong focus on literary heritage texts, in addition to high quality modern novels, poems and drama texts. We also devote a large amount of curriculum time to reading, writing skills, grammar basics and oracy.
Geography
Pupils develop knowledge of locations, places, processes, environments and different scales. They are able to use a variety of geographical skills and techniques to investigate questions and issues.
History
Pupils study events, individuals and time. They learn to apply knowledge and understanding to interpret, analyse and evaluate historical sources and interpretations.
Languages
All pupils study a language (French or Spanish depending on year of entry). We also offer Latin and British Sign Language during Prep sessions.
All EAL pupils are given the opportunity to study their first language during Prep.
Oracy is a strong focus of language lessons, to develop our pupils’ confidence and social skills. There is a strong cross-curricular links between English, Drama and Languages. There is also strong links with History, English, Classical Civilisations and elements of SMSC and delivery of British Values.
Mathematics
Logic forms the backbone of the mathematics curriculum and a strong emphasis is placed on ratio and proportion, algebra, mental mathematics and problem solving. Although, we ensure that pupils are skilled in scientific calculator use, they are encouraged to use mental arithmetic strategies first.
Music
Music improves pupils’ confidence, communication skills and nurture their creativity.
In Music pupils develop staying in time, performing in groups (including singing), manipulating musical elements, and aural recognition of elements. They also study composing patterns/motifs, following set patterns and rhythmic accuracy. Pupils are also offered musical tuition and graded exams.
Physical Education
Health and wellbeing are essential to the development of young people.We use PE to create fit and healthy pupils. We offer a unique programme of sports to our pupils which enables them to specialize in an area they are passionate in.
All pupils are expected to gain a sports qualification by the end of their KS4 studies.
PRE (Philosophy, Religion and Ethics)
Pupils will learn how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture, and develop valuable skills that will help prepare them for future study. Philosophy involves critical thinking and reasoning. Ethics considers morality, deciding what actions are good or right and what are bad or wrong.
PRE is suitable for pupils of all faiths and none. Pupils will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious issues.
Pupils will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas, leadership and research skills.
Prep
Prep sessions are personalised for each pupil based on their skills, talents and progress. We have a range of support and extension programmes which are reviewed termly.
Prep includes Catch-up Classes, Extension Classes, Reading Support, Latin, British Sign Language, Homework and Enrichment.
PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Economic)
We develop pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.
We provide opportunities for our pupils to get involved in our community through taking part in charity work, voluntary work and other local events.
Reading
Our aim is to ensure that every child loves reading for pleasure. Pupils are expected to read widely and diversely; novels, poems, plays, modern texts, older works, English writers and foreign writers. Pupils are encouraged to broaden their horizons through listening to the music, looking at the art, thinking about the politics and the morality that give context to the literature they are exploring.
Science
A strong emphasis is placed on problem solving and investigatory techniques in Science which helps form a strong foundation of study for pupils going into Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. Hence, opportunities for pupils to complete practical work is incorporated into schemes of work.