Key Stage 4 Information (Years 10, 11)

Curriculum

As outlined in depth on the curriculum page and in our curriculum plan linked below, we have built a curriculum that allows our students in Key Stage Four to continue to build on their love for learning as well as on their foundational knowledge and skills so that they are able to reach their potential. During Year 9, students exercise their choice over elements of their Key Stage Four curriculum which is developed around a broad offer of GCSE courses.

The core GCSE Curriculum consists of English Language and English Literature, Mathematics, and Science. All students study Combined Science with some studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate Science subjects.

To maintain breadth and balance in the curriculum and to enable students to develop their individual strengths, everyone is expected to study a range of subjects. Most study History or Geography and a Modern Foreign Language (French and/or Spanish) to enable students the opportunity to achieve the English Baccalaureate. In addition, our flexible options programme encourages students to follow courses from a wide range of different curriculum areas including Art, Business, Child Development, Computing, Dance, Drama, Food Preparation & Nutrition (Food Tech), Computing, Media Studies, Music, PE, Philosophy and Ethics (REP), Design Technology (Product Design &Timbers), Photography and Sociology.

At Key Stage 4, students undertake a Personal Development course (PD). This continues from the course followed at Key Stage 3 and includes Relationship and Sex Education and Careers Education, Information Advice and Guidance as well as Religion, Ethics and Philosophy (REP). REP is compulsory for all students and follows the Hertfordshire approved SACRE curriculum, developing key skills and knowledge. In addition, all students follow a Physical Education programme.

Assessment and Reporting of Progress

In Year 10, students will receive a report card each term (three per annum) Every report card will contain the Most Likely Outcome (MLO) grade and Attitude To Learning (ATL) for each subject as well as subject-specific praise and progress comments. In addition to this, the Target Grade for each subject will also be given; this is generated with guidance from the Fischer Family Trust (FFT). This organisation helps us to set aspirational targets for students based on their prior attainment at KS2. In the Summer Term of Year 10, the final report card will also include an exam result as well as a form tutor comment.

In Year 11, students will also receive three report cards. One in the Autumn Term prior to their mocks followed by another early in the Spring Term which will include a mock exam result. A third and final report will be sent in the Summer Term before the exam period begins which will include a comment from the form tutor. Each report card will contain MLO, ATL and their Target Grade. As in year 10, your child will be awarded an Attitude to Learning level as outlined below.

Attitude to Learning Levels

We have high expectations of all students at STAGS and we expect most students will receive a ‘3’ for ‘Meeting STAGS Expectations’. Over the course of the year some students may demonstrate that they have exceeded these expectations and will be awarded a level 4. For exemplary attitude, students will receive a level 5 and this will be rewarded as per our behaviour policy.

KS4 Reporting - Key Dates for 2025-2026

Assessment and Feedback at STAGS

Each curriculum area determines the nature of the subject assessments based on the Examination Specification requirements and progress through the Learning Journeys. Details of the full GCSE course for each subject are available on our school website. Each student can expect the following:

Subject specific feedback
Student response to marking using Purple Progress Pens
Regular record of learning checks - to maintain high expectations and to provide feedback on the presentation fundamentals
A variety of additional forms of feedback are deployed during all learning, whether at school or at home and includes, but is not limited to: peer, self, live, verbal, digital and whole class feedback

If you have any queries about your child’s progress within a subject, please do not hesitate to contact their subject teacher in the first instance.

Year 10 Home Learning Timetable 2025-2026 Year 11 Home Learning Timetable 2025-2026

Empowering and Upskilling Parents -Revision Key Stage 4 Parents

Curriculum Plan 2025-2026