Curriculum
"The school provides a very successful traditional academic curriculum. It also encourages pupils to excel in creative disciplines such as art, dance, drama and music."
Ofsted
Our Academic Curriculum
At Dartford Grammar School for Girls, our academic curriculum is challenging, exciting and designed specifically for our highly motivated and able students.
Key Stage 3: Years 7 and 8
At Key Stage 3, students study core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science, including Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and foundation and additional subjects (Art & Design, Computer Science, Dance, Design & Technology, Drama, Languages, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education and Religious Studies). Additionally, Sex and Relationships Education and Citizenship Education are at the heart of our Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) programme throughout the school. Our students follow the Key Stage 3 curriculum in Years 7 and 8. Please also see the separate sections for each year group.
Key Stage 4: Years 9, 10 and 11
At Key Stage 4, our students’ curriculum consists of core, extended core and a very wide range of optional subjects, leading to GCSE qualifications in the four entitlement areas (the Arts, Design and Technology, the Humanities and Modern Foreign Languages). Our students follow the Key Stage 4 curriculum in Years 9, 10 and 11. Please also see the separate sections for each year group.
Core Subjects
The core curriculum consists of English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, at least one Modern Foreign Language.
Non-Examined Extended Core
Our Key Stage 4 students all follow a comprehensive, timetabled PSHE programme (including units of work on Citizenship, Sex and Relationships and Careers Education) and enjoy two hours of Physical Education every week. Ethics is taught once a week in Year 9 and once a fortnight in Years 10 and 11. In addition to this, students in Year 9 have one Global Society lesson a fortnight which looks at events taking place in the world in present day, and makes links between History, Geography and Economics.
Optional subjects
At the end of Year 8, our students choose three additional subjects from a very wide selection. Please CLICK HERE for our latest Options Booklet, which includes details of all subjects studied at Key Stage 4.
Challenge at Key Stage 4
Our challenging, academic curriculum is specifically designed to meet the needs and match the interests of all of our students. All students study at least one Modern Foreign Language, the vast majority of our students study three Sciences and most students study 2 Humanities subjects. We also provide a number of exciting opportunities to specifically challenge our exceptionally able students. For example, our most able mathematicians prepare for A level and undergraduate learning by studying GCSE Further Mathematics alongside GCSE Mathematics.
A Personal and Academic Sixth Form
Our academic Sixth Form curriculum prepares students for higher education (including study at Oxbridge and other world class universities) and high quality employment. We offer more than 20 A Level subjects plus an enhanced curriculum. click here for further information about our Sixth Form. Please also see the separate sections for each year group.