The Knatchbull Baccalaureate (KnatchBacc)
Our students’ experience in school is built on four key pillars that make up the ‘The Knatchbull Baccalaureate’ (Knatch. Bacc.):
- Academic The timetable, the subjects, the lessons, the assessments, the exam outcomes… A rigorous academic curriculum, taught in creative and demanding ways, developing students’ metacognition, recognising and acknowledging that secure understanding of knowledge underpins higher order thinking, synthesis (within and across subjects) and analysis.
- Extra-Curricular Enrichment, Sport, Music, The Arts… Through a wide range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities which broaden students’ perspectives, knowledge, skills and talents; reinforcing that high quality outcomes in any field come as a result of commitment, targeted practice and teamwork, consequentially developing resilience, adaptability and learning through mistakes (albeit currently mitigated and frustrated by COVID19 restrictions.)
- Community Leadership, contribution – making a difference. Developing a sense (from experience) of how we gain from and how we can contribute to the communities in which we live, study and work. We can all make a contribution – leadership, fundraising, volunteering…
- Excel and extend Stretch and challenge – Looking to stretch and challenge ourselves in at least one area of the three curriculum strands above.
How do we implement this?
KS3
Students follow a broad curriculum that builds on Primary experience but prepares them for GCSE study ahead of them:
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English |
Mathematics |
Science |
Geography |
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History |
French or Spanish |
Art |
Computing |
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Drama |
Music |
Design & Technology |
Physical Education |
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Personal Development |
Religious Studies |
KS4
In Year 8 students choose their GCSE options for the next 3 years and this decision is appropriate for NKS students, who are keen to challenge themselves in subjects that they enjoy and that meet their needs for future development. In Year 9, students take preparatory type work for the ten GCSE subjects they will sit at the end of Year 11; this has proved a popular and effective way of building the necessary skills needed for GCSE study, and to lay the foundations (knowledge, skills and concepts) to support students aspiring to the highest grades. During this year they get a real sense of what it is like to be a scientist, an artist, a musician, etc. and they are able to spend time developing their individual strengths and passions. This also supports students maintaining breadth of study across their GCSE subjects.
Students customarily begin their GCSE courses in earnest at the start of Year 10, and ours is a strongly academic curriculum with all boys studying for the EBacc suite of subjects:
- English Language and English Literature
- Mathematics
- Science (Combined = 2 GCSEs)
- A Humanity
- A Language
Additionally, students select three from the following Option subjects:
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Art |
Computer Science |
Drama |
French |
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Geography |
History |
Music |
Physical Education |
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Product Design |
Religious Studies |
Spanish |
Triple Science |
We also pride ourselves on sporting, musical and theatrical achievements and students’ participation in our extra-curricular programme enriches and deepens their academic learning as well as developing responsible, active, aware and kind citizens, fully prepared for the world of further study and employment.
KS5
Post-16, all students take three (and sometimes four) A Levels alongside a stimulating programme of EPQs, Enrichment/sport and bespoke UCAS/Careers advice. Supervised Study allows for supported study periods and our Sixth Form team specialise in guiding our Year 12 and 13 students towards rewarding destinations, whether in academia or work.
Subjects offered:
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Art |
Biology |
Business Studies |
Chemistry |
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Classical Civilisation |
Computer Science |
Design Technology |
Drama |
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Economics |
English Language & Literature |
English Literature |
French |
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Further Mathematics |
Geography |
History |
Mathematics |
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Media Studies |
Music |
Physical Education |
Philosophy |
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Physics |
Politics |
Psychology |
Sociology |
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Spanish |
Extended Project Qualification |
Please see the “Sixth Form” section of the website for more detailed information about these courses as well as enrichment and extra-curricular information.
Below, you will find links to both our overall whole school Key Stage Curriculums and our individual subject Curriculum “Maps”. These are fluid documents, which remain under review given possible changes in circumstance bought about by COVID19 and any revisions by new Subject Leaders.
Curricula
| GCSE Options (2024-26 KS4 Curriculum under review) | A Level Options |