Oundle School: Peterborough, UK

Departments

Art, Classics, Computing, Design, Engineering and Technology, Drama, Economics, Educational Support, English, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Psychology, Religious, Studies, Science. This top boarding school UK provides  a curriculum that is organised by learning rather than by assessment. The curriculum is sufficiently flexible to give all pupils the opportunity to excel. The curriculum is structured into two distinct but complementary and mutually reinforcing strands. Throughout the curriculum we wish to promote excellence and achievement. In the examined curriculum, we aim for efficiency in preparing our pupils for public examinations.

The main ethos of the curriculum is maintained from the First ( at age 11) and Second  Form(at age 12 ), though the Third Form ( at age 13) offers greater scope for choice. All pupils study a core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Latin, History, Geography, Religious Studies and Trivium. Trivium is a course based on ‘interestingness’, and topics vary from group to group. In addition to Latin, all pupils choose two languages. The choice is broadened to include Spanish and Chinese in addition to French, German and Greek. Furthermore, pupils opt for three subjects from Art, Computing, Design Technology, Drama, Music and Sports Science.

At the Mediæval universities, the Trivium of Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric was followed by the Quadrivium of Music, Geometry, Arithmetic and Astronomy. Trivium is a Third Form course studied by all pupils in groups of ten. The Quadrivium course involves optional, deeper study of four main topics or disciplines in the Lower Sixth.

This Best UK Boarding School provides a broad and challenging curriculum for all pupils in the Fourth and Fifth Forms also. The core curriculum is supplemented with the choice of five option subjects. The qualifications for all of the core subjects are IGCSEs, which are an international equivalent of GCSEs and recognised as such by universities and employers. The following subjects are taken by all pupils. All courses conclude with examinations at the end of the Fifth Form. All pupils are prepared for the IGCSE in English Language, Mathematics and Science. Some GCSE courses contain a coursework element. Coursework is independent work completed by pupils during the course which is submitted for formal assessment to the examination boards. Marks from coursework are combined with marks from examinations to form the overall grade.

Sixth Form Boarding School’s pupils follow a curriculum that is designed to stimulate the mind and equip them to think. The curriculum is sufficiently flexible to give all pupils the opportunity to excel. The examined and non-examined strands of the curriculum are complementary and mutually reinforcing.

All pupils at A Level and Pre-Uuniversity Courses are asked to make five choices within the structure of the curriculum. A minimum of three choices must be two-year courses.  It is usually expected that pupils will start the Sixth Form with four principal subjects and an extension option. The purpose of the fifth option is to offer pupils the possibility of support, enrichment and challenge tailored to each pupil’s needs or interests. This top boarding School UK offers the Pre-U in eleven subjects: Chemistry, English, German, History, History of Art, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Philosophy and Theology, Physics, Russian and Spanish.

Pupils may choose to continue with four or three principal subjects into the Upper Sixth Form. An indication of which course (if any) they may wish to drop can become a subject for discussion during the second half of the academic year of the Lower Sixth.  In the Upper Sixth all pupils attend weekly lectures given by eminent guests on a wide range of topics, followed by discussion periods in mixed groups.

The School believes that it is vitally important to encourage pupils to use their leisure time constructively. All pupils are expected to follow three strands in their co-curricular activities: leadership and adventure; service; and creative and cultural strands. At some stages these activities are compulsory; however it is generally the responsibility of the pupils, under the direction of their tutors, to commit themselves to a personal programme of participation that will enable them not only to meet the School’s expectations, but to develop their own interests and talents.

Boarding School Co -curricula Activities:

Adventure Awards, Combined Cadet Force, Charity, Community Action, Dance, Duke of Edingburh, Journalism, Mencap, Oundle Charity Ventures, Oscar Radio, Societies, The Elmington Range, Trips, Volunteers