Welcome to Key Stage 4 at Gravesend Grammar School.
Moving into Key Stage 4 is an exciting moment whereby you are encouraged to take greater ownership of your education, continue to have that thirst for knowledge and new experiences whilst pursuing your passions further. To support you in realising your potential we aim to provide a broad and challenging curriculum coupled with a wide array of character building extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities. Your GCSE course is intended to act as a basis for entry into our sixth form, future university courses and finding meaningful future employment.
This is the first time you will take responsibility for your subject choices and make decisions that will influence the next stages of your education and your future career.
At Gravesend Grammar School the compulsory part of the curriculum comprises GCSE courses in English Language & Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, at least one Humanity (History and/or Geography) and a language. You will also be able to choose two other GCSE courses, one of which could be the other Humanity. Additionally, there is a nonâ€ÂÂexamined core programme, comprising of physical education, a broader course in politics and philosophy, PSHE, citizenship, and careers guidance.
Therefore, please think carefully about these decisions and choose options that play to your strengths, you will be inspired by and will enjoy. The booklet below will help you to make these decisions and provides a clear outline of our Key Stage 4 curriculum courses that include the aims of the course, examination requirements and further support we can provide you with.
One aim of the education we seek to provide at GGS is to provide you with the skills you require for life. The school believes that it is very important that you should continue to develop a variety of the skills and essential knowledge alongside the educational experiences that help to prepare you for the future. On a more practical level, experience has shown us that even where students do have ideas about future careers, these can change dramatically in the course of the next few years. The important thing is that career alternatives should be left open at this stage. You will now be embarking upon a more personalised curriculum whereby you will develop a timetable that interests, suits and challenges you as an individual!
We also offer a wide range of academic stretch and support classes, which take place after school and at lunchtimes. These allow students to ask questions in a smaller group setting and get academic support where needed. These are conducted by teachers aim to support students in achieving their potential. We also have a number of Student Mentors who are assigned to each academic subject. They are students in the Sixth Form who are currently studying the subject for A-Level. They work with younger students to provide support and challenge in an academic setting. This is monitored and organised by our Subject Leaders.
At Gravesend Grammar School, we believe that the development of the “Whole Student” is integral to a successful school career. We offer a myriad of opportunities outside of the classroom, ranging from sporting to artistic and from academic to adventurous. We encourage all students to take advantage of these opportunities, to gain a well-rounded education.
The provision below is current, but we are always open to new ideas from our student body.
At Gravesend Grammar School we strive to ensure that our students leave us as well rounded, creative, caring and accomplished young men.
To run in conjunction with their academic studies we have developed the “Milton Award” which recognises and demonstrates the high value we place on activities that extend beyond the requirements of the academic curriculum. The award recognises students who go beyond the curriculum and aim to make themselves the most accomplished student that they can be.