Teachers of English
- Miss F Ruffle (Curriculum Leader)
- Mr D Ryans (KS4 Coordinator)
- Miss L Mobbs (KS3 Coordinator)
- Ms T Hanrahan (KS5 English Language Coordinator)
- Misss S Renn (KS5 English Literature Coordinator)
- Mr P Bergin
- Mr D Kaye
- Miss H MacMillan
- Mrs A Clark
- Mr E Solaz
- Mrs A Herbertson
- Mr C Newman
- Mr S Rowan
- Miss I Turner
- Mrs B Donovan
Our Vision for English
Students at SJB study English because it defines our reality – from the way that we think, to the words that we speak, to the way that we write. Language enriches students’ minds with an understanding, respect and empathy for different voices from across time and cultures. By studying English, students will engage with the world outside of the classroom, become more confident in their self-expression, and develop an appreciation of language in all its forms.
Key Stage 4
Qualification: GCSE English Language
Exam Board: AQA
Exam: 100%
Exam Structure: 2 x 1 hour 45 minute exams sat at the end of Year 11
Link to specification:
GCSE English Language
Course Overview:
Students will study a range of fiction and non-fiction from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. They will critically engage with a wide range of ideas and analyse how they are communicated. Students will also develop their own writing skills of both fiction and non-fiction, writing for a range of different purposes and audiences.
Each English Language exam consists of a Reading Section and a Writing Section, both of which are weighted equally.
Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing
Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives
Qualification: GCSE English Literature
Exam Board: Edexcel
Exam: 100%
Exam Structure: 1 x 1 hour 45 minute exam and 1 x 2 hour 15 minute exams sat at the end of Year 11
Link to specification: GCSE English Literature
Course Overview:
Students will study the following core texts:
Romeo and Juliet by W. Shakespeare
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by R. L. Stevenson
An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley
Conflict – Poetry Anthology (Edexcel)
Paper 1: Shakespeare and An Inspector Calls
Paper 2: Jekyll and Hyde and Poetry
Teachers of Drama
- Miss E Clarke
- Mrs M Harper (Curriculum Leader)
- Mrs K S Phillips
Our Vision for Drama
Students at SJB study Drama to provide them with the ultimate opportunity to be creative. Through collaborative group work, students are encouraged out of their comfort zone and through creating and performing they are empowered to assert themselves, empathise, build confidence and gain life-long social skills.
Key Stage 4
Qualification: GCSE / BTEC (or delete if a non-examined subject)
Exam Board: AQA
Coursework/Practical exam: 60%
Exam: 40%
Exam Structure: 1 written exam in the summer of Year 11. 1 hour 45 minutes.
Link to specification:
GCSE Drama Specification Specification for first teaching in 2016
Course Overview:
Our GCSE Drama offers students the opportunity to explore drama as a practical art form in which ideas and meaning are communicated to an audience through choices of form, style and convention. Students will create, perform and respond to drama informed by their theoretical knowledge of drama and theatre. Students will be given the opportunity to explore drama as a practical art form in which ideas and meaning are communicated to an audience through choices of form, style and convention. Students will create, perform and respond to drama informed by their theoretical knowledge of drama and theatre (see unit breakdown below). For the practical units students choose to work as performers or designers (design students may choose lighting, sound, set, costume or puppets). Students will be given numerous opportunities to go on theatre trips and work with actors and theatre professionals in school.
Component 1 worth 40%:
- Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
- Study of one set play from a choice of six – we are doing Blood Brothers.
- Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers (including a trip to the theatre!)
Component 2 worth 40%:
- Process of creating devised drama
- Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer or designer) 20 marks
- Analysis and evaluation of own work (written coursework) 60 marks
Component 3 worth 20%:
- Performance of 2 extracts from a published play for an audience. No written coursework.
Teachers of Design and Technology
- Mrs N C Armstrong
- Mr T Birch
- Mrs C Cunningham
- Mr J Granville Hamshar
- Mr C Mander
- Miss D Muscat
- Mrs L Ray (Curriculum Leader)
Our Vision for Design and Technology
Students at SJB study Design and Technology to become individuals who are equipped with the skills, understanding and responsibility for shaping the world for future generations. Curiosity, creativity, adaptability, independence, and problem solving underpin everything we do.
Key Stage 4
Qualification: GCSE Design and Technology
Exam Board: AQA
NEA: 50%
Exam: 50%
Exam Structure: 1 x 2hr exam paper sat in the summer of Year 11
Link to specification: AQA GCSE Design and Technology (8552)
Course Overview:
Our GCSE Design and Technology specification sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake the iterative design process of exploring, creating and evaluating. The majority of the specification is delivered through the practical application of this knowledge and understanding.
The subject content has been split into three sections as follows:
Core technical principles:
- new and emerging technologies
- energy generation and storage
- developments in new materials
- systems approach to designing
- mechanical devices
- materials and their working properties
Specialist technical principles
- selection of materials or components
- forces and stresses
- ecological and social footprint
- sources and origins
- using and working with materials
- stock forms, types and sizes
- scales of production
- specialist techniques and processes
- surface treatments and finishes
Designing and making principles
- investigation, primary and secondary data
- environmental, social and economic challenge
- the work of others
- design strategies
- communication of design ideas
- prototype development
- selection of materials and components
- tolerances
- material management
- specialist tools and equipment
- specialist techniques and processes
Teachers of Computing
- Miss N Bailey
- Mr D Dodwell-Bennett (Curriculum Leader)
- Miss A Dwyer
Our Vision for Computing
Students at SJB who study Computing will have their eyes opened to a digital world that is changing every day. They will learn how to think logically, problem solve and build programs for real world situations. They will also develop their innovative and creative skills using digital editing tools. Computing will give them the opportunity to enter new and exciting careers in data science, artificial intelligence, engineering, and beyond.
Key Stage 4
Students will develop analytical and problem-solving skills, programming skills, and logical reasoning skills.
Qualification: GCSE
Exam Board: AQA
Exam: Paper 1 Computational skills and programming 50%
Exam: Paper 2 Computer science theory 50%
Exam Structure: Paper 1 is a 2 hour written exam, Paper 2 is 1 hour 45 minutes written exam, sat in the summer of Year 11
Link to specification:
AQA GCSE Computer Science
Course Overview:
- Fundamentals of algorithms
- Programming
- Fundamentals of data representation
- Computer systems
- Fundamentals of computer networks
- Cyber security
- Relational databases and structured query language (SQL)
- Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy
Teachers of Art & Design
- Miss A Kitching
- Mrs C D Setterfield (Curriculum Leader)
- Mrs L Kern
Our Vision for Art & Design
Students at SJB who study Art and Design embark on a journey of self-expression. Along the way there will be a variety of practical opportunities across a range of skill sets. Students explore, enjoy, unlock their creative potential and enhance their wellbeing. Art and Design prepares students for the creative industries and equips them with transferable skills for other pathways.
Key Stage 4
Qualification: GCSE
Exam Board: OCR
Portfolio: 60% Students develop their own theme from a set starting point and select their own choice of artists and designers to inspire and inform their work.
Externally Set Task: 40%
Externally Set Task Structure: Preparatory period commencing on or from 1 January (of Year 11).
Five themes each with a range of visual and written stimuli set by the exam board of which students select one as their starting point and own choice of artists to inspire and inform their work. The preparatory period concludes with 10 hours of supervised time where students produce a final outcome/s.
Link to specification:
GCSE – Art and Design (9-1) – J170-J176 (from 2016) – OCR
OCR GCSE (9-1) Art and Design J170-J176 specification – Version 1.4 (January 2020)
Course Overview:
x5 50 minute lesson a fortnight
Students explore and are encouraged to work with a range of materials and processes including, drawing, painting, printmaking, digital media and mix media among others.
The course is very much personalised to students’ strengths. Independence is strongly promoted as students develop their own ideas and work in response to the artists and designers that they have chosen to study.
Students follow a programme of study that exceeds the National Curriculum with the majority of subjects studied leading to certification at Level 2 (GCSE/BTEC etc). We strive to balance excellent academic outcomes with a broad, knowledge rich curriculum.
All students follow courses in the following throughout Year 10 and 11: English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education, Physical Education and PSHE/RSE. The vast majority of students also study either History or Geography and a Modern Foreign Language (Spanish, Italian or French), as well as two ‘Options’ from the subjects listed below. Around 90% of students achieve their EBacc.
A very small proportion of our cohort are invited to undertake our “Pathway 2 Offer” which enables them to focus on fewer examination subjects. This is very much a bespoke offer that changes annually to best meet the needs of the individuals and their learning needs. For example; where a GCSE in Geography or History is not appropriate, we offer a NCFE Level 2 qualification in Travel and Tourism; or where studying two academic ‘Options’ subjects is not appropriate we offer a bridge to the Duke of Edinburgh Award which provides a rich life skills curriculum; or where a student has significant literacy and/or numeracy needs their curriculum may include additional Maths and English; or where there is risk of a child not achieving GCSE pass in English Literature and/or Language we may enter them for Functional Skills English Level 1/2 in Year 10 and/or Year 11. The offer is always bespoke to the individual so as to ensure that we keep the curriculum as broad as possible for as long as possible whilst simultaneously meeting their needs and ensuring that every child flourishes and leaves SJB equipped for their next steps.
The ‘Options’ subjects available currently are as below:
GCSE qualifications
- Art
- Business Studies
- Computer Science
- Design and Technology with Resistant Materials
- Design and Technology with Graphics
- Drama
- Food Preparation & Nutrition
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Physical Education
BTEC qualifications
- Level 2 BTEC Creative Digital Media
- Level 2 BTEC Tech award in Enterprise (Business Studies)
Please note options subjects are revised annually and are subject to change.
Click on the links below for detailed subject information:
If you have any questions or require further information about our curriculum, please contact the Curriculum Lead who will be happy to help, or our Deputy Head, Miss A.Dwyer (a.dwyer@sjb.surrey.sch.uk)
Teachers of Media Studies
- Mr D Kaye
- Mr J Sharp (Joint Curriculum Leader)
- Mr C Wall (Joint Curriculum Leader)
Reasons to Study BTEC Media
The Level 3 Vocational BTEC Media Course is rooted in industry practice. You will develop your creative, technical, and organisational skills to prepare you for the workplace. You will evidence this through a series of units that will develop and test your independence skills.
Our Vision for Media Studies
The Media is powerful. It is persuasive in shaping the views of society. SJB students will learn to interrogate what has become so easily consumed in the media landscape. We aim to equip the students with essential 21st century skills and knowledge – media literacy, creativity, critical thinking, and employability.
Career Paths
- Media Production
- Film Production
- Journalism
- Presenting
- Editorial
- Marketing
- Advertising
- Teaching
- Copy writing
- Event management
Outline of Course
Qualification: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media Production
Exam Board: Pearson Btec
Coursework Structure: Students will complete 5 units of independent study over a 2-year course.
Unit 25: Sound Recording: research, plan and produce sound recordings
Unit 24: Sound Editing: research, plan and edit sound for a media product
Unit 39: Lighting Techniques: research, plan and produce lighting effects for media products
Unit 10: Film Fiction: analyse, plan and produce, and edit a short film
Unit 3: Digital Media Skills: respond to a set Pearson brief using all the skills developed to construct a complete media product.
Course Overview:The Level 3 Vocational Btec Media Course prepares students for the creative media industries; it focuses on the development of research, planning and practical skills necessary for the workplace. Students will develop and refine their technical and creative skills (lighting, camera, sound and editing). Their development will be evidenced through written reports, practical workshops, experimentation and through the construction of their own media products. Assessment will take place periodically by Pearson across the 2-year course of study.
The Level 3 Vocational Btec Media Course prepares students for the creative media industries; it focuses on the development of research, planning and practical skills necessary for the workplace. Students will develop and refine their technical and creative skills (lighting, camera, sound and editing). Their development will be evidenced through written reports, practical workshops, experimentation and through the construction of their own media products. Assessment will take place periodically by Pearson across the 2-year course of study.
Link to specification: BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Creative Media Production specification
The curriculum throughout KS3 is inline with the National Curriculum for all students. Information on each of the subjects studied through KS3 can be found below.
Click on the links below for detailed subject information.
We operate a two week timetable consisting of 60, 50 minute lessons. The balance of curriculum time for 24-25 is outlined below. For example English have seven 50 minute lessons per fortnight.
|
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
|
|
|
|
| English |
7 |
7 |
7 |
| Reading |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| Maths |
7 |
8 |
8 |
| Science |
6 |
7 |
7 |
| RE |
6 |
6 |
4 |
| MFL |
5 |
4 |
6 |
| Art |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Computing |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Drama |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| DT/Food |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Geography |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| History |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Music |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| PE |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| PSHE |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We offer French, Spanish, Italian and German as Modern Foreign Languages – from September 2024, all student will be assigned to one language on entry to the school and then continue to study this throughout the five years to GCSE.
Academic reports for KS3 students are sent home to parents three times a year. The timings of these reports vary for each year group, but are broadly once per term. More information on the the information assessment and monitoring can be found here. Students will receive one of four grades – Less than expected, Expected, Good or Exceptional – for each subject. Our aim is for all students to be at least “Expected” by the end of the academic year as this means that they are on track to achieve their targets at GCSE.
Departments define specifically what the “Expected” level is in their subject in their mastery assessment frameworks. Students will use these frameworks in lessons so that they know what level they are currently working at and what they can do to improve. The KS3 mastery assessment frameworks can be found on the subject pages by clicking the links above.
If you have any questions or require further information about our curriculum, please contact the Curriculum Lead who will be happy to help, or our Deputy Head, Miss A.Dwyer (a.dwyer@sjb.surrey.sch.uk).
Teachers of Science
- Miss M Ambridge
- Miss K Atherton
- Mrs V Barclay
- Miss V Bates
- Miss S Clark
- Miss L Cook (Curriculum Leader)
- Miss H Dare
- Mr L Evans
- Mrs A Fairclough
- Miss K Heeley
- Mr M Lenton
- Miss V J Sears
- Mrs E Temple
- Mr M Woodhams
- Mr S Young
Reasons to Study Chemistry
Aside from the huge range of career opportunities that studying chemistry opens up, you learn how to be objective, analytical, methodical, and in turn solve your own questions that you have about the world around you.
Our Vision for Chemistry
Students at SJB study Chemistry as it helps our understanding of the world around us. Everything we know about the universe, from how trees reproduce to what an atom is made up of, is the result of scientific research and experiment. Human progress throughout history has largely rested on advances in science. From our knowledge of gravity to cutting-edge medicines, students of Science have shaped our modern world. All of these advances can trace their origin back to individuals learning about science as students. That’s why it is in all our interests to promote Science as a subject at SJB; it ensures the next wave of progress in all of the fields that affect our daily lives.
Career Paths
Chemistry opens the doors to a huge range of degree courses and career paths including:
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Veterinary science
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Chemical engineering
- Forensics
- Civil Service
- Law (Patent and General)
- Industrial research
- Chemistry Teaching
- Science Journalism
View Subject Video
Outline of Course
Qualification: GCE Chemistry
Exam Board: OCR
Coursework: 0%
Exam: 100%
Exam Structure:
Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry Paper – 2hr 15mins
Synthesis and analytical techniques Paper – 2hr 15mins
Unified Chemistry Paper – 1hr 30mins
Link to specification: A Level Specification Chemistry A H432
Course Overview:
Module 1 – Development of practical skills in chemistry
- Practical skills assessed in a written examination
- Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement
Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry
- Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations
- Amount of substance
- Acid–base and redox reactions
- Electrons, bonding and structure
Module 3 – Periodic table and energy
- The periodic table and periodicity
- Group 2 and the halogens
- Qualitative analysis
- Enthalpy changes
- Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative)
Module 4 – Core organic chemistry
- Basic concepts
- Hydrocarbons
- Alcohols and haloalkanes
- Organic synthesis
- Analytical techniques (IR and MS)
Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements
- Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative)
- pH and buffers
- Enthalpy, entropy and free energy
- Redox and electrode potentials
- Transition elements
Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis
- Aromatic compounds
- Carbonyl compounds
- Carboxylic acids and esters
- Nitrogen compounds
- Polymers
- Organic synthesis
- Chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR)
