Curriculum General Information

The curriculum at Queen Mary’s Grammar School

Throughout the School, we aim to provide the students with a broad and balanced curriculum. Our curriculum policy sets out the basic principles and framework:

Quality of Education Policy 2023
Curriculum Model

To find out more information about the curriculum the school is following, please contact Mr M. Lax, Deputy Head.

Key stage 3

All boys follow a diverse curriculum in Year 7 with lessons in English, Mathematics, Science, a Modern European Foreign Language (French or Spanish), Geography, History, ICT, Design Technology, ​Religion, Philosophy & Ethics (RPE), Art, PSHEE, Music and a generous allocation of time to PE, Games and Swimming. All students in Year 7 also learn Mandarin Chinese. In Year 8, the curriculum becomes more diverse with Biology, Chemistry and Physics replacing Science. Pupils will choose which language they wish to continue through to GCSE from the beginning of Year 8.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Topics
Key Stage 3 Extension Activity Booklet and Wider Reading List

Key Stage 4

At GCSE level, all pupils study English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, a Modern Foreign Language (Mandarin, Spanish or French), PSHEE, PE & Games and Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (RPE), as part of their core curriculum.

Students choose three option subjects alongside the compulsory curriculum from the following: Art, Design Technology, Business, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education, Psychology and Computer Science. All students must choose either Geography or History (or both). The best Mathematicians gain a qualification in Additional Mathematics in Year 11.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Topics
GCSE Options Booklet
Key Stage 4 Wider Reading Suggestions

Key Stage 5

The school offers a traditional academic curriculum to its mixed sixth form student body. Typically, all or nearly all, Year 11 students will continue into the sixth form where they are joined by approximately 100 students from other schools from across the midlands.

All students choose three options from the following choices: Art, Design Technology, Economics, Business, Spanish, French, German, Geography, History, Mandarin, Philosophy, Psychology, Computer Science, English Literature, English Language & Literature, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We are also able to offer a wider variety of subjects through our links with Mercian Multi-Academy Trust partners, including: Ancient History, Photography, Physical Education, ​Theatre Studies, Music, German and Politics

Students study PSHEE and RS as part of their core curriculum. Games afternoons also offer students the opportunity to represent the school in sporting fixtures against many local and regional schools, or to pursue their own sport or physical activity via a wide range of options. They will also be expected to follow another academic option, in addition to their A Level subjects. This may be Further Maths, the EPQ or a range of other courses, such as Gold Arts Award, CREST Award and others. We will also expect students to take on an element of mentoring or volunteering during their time in the sixth form. This may be within the School (such as a STEM ambassador working with younger students) or with a range of our local partners (such as a “Change Your Mind” mental health ambassador working in primary schools).

The final expectation is that students become involved with an extra-curricular activity in order to develop key employability skills, such as leadership, teamwork and organisation. This may be in the established activities (such as sport, drama, music, CCF or on an international trip) or they could run an activity that, as yet, doesn’t exist. The crucial aspect here is that we expect our sixth form students to become part of our School community. ​Another key role that our Sixth Form students play in the life of the School is in the Pupil Senior Leadership Team and the wider prefect system.

Key Stage 5 Curriculum Topics
A Level Booklet
A Level Academic Writing Style Guide
This table shows you how we meet the 16-19 study programme requirements.