Whole School Curriculum - KS4
The 2025-2026 academic year marks our first-ever cohort of students in year 9. During the current academic year, we have hosted several events for pupils in year 9 and their parents to consider which key stage 4 options they wish to select.
Our curriculum aims during Key Stage 4 (KS4) are to continue develop ambitious, resilient, confident and compassionate learners in preparation for their adult life who will be positive members of the community. Our curriculum will continue to promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of all of our students.
Our whole school curriculum intent can be viewed on the subject area curriculum frameworks available below.
Students at The Kingsbrook School follow a two-year Key Stage 3 GCSE curriculum starting in September of each academic year.
Curriculum Structure
At Kingsbrook, we operate a two-week timetable cycle which is viewable to parents on The Arbor App. There are five one-hour teaching periods each day and, therefore, fifty periods in total per fortnight. A significant proportion of the teaching time at key stage four is devoted to the core subjects of English and Maths. This is to support students in developing high standards of literacy and numeracy which will underpin their access to the broader curriculum and therefore form a basis for wider learning and high achievement.
Core Subjects
| Course | Exam Board |
| GCSE English Language | AQA (Specification: 8700) |
| GCSE English Literature | AQA (Specification: 8702) |
| GCSE Maths | Edexcel (Specification: 1MA1) |
| GCSE Science (Combined - Double Award) | AQA (Specification: 8464) |
In years 10 and 11, pupils will also continue to participate in core PE lessons and personal, social and health education (PSHE), religious education, citizenship and relationships and sex education (RSE) will continue to be predominantly delivered through our bespoke weekly one-hour Enquiry lessons.
Timetable Allocation
| Core Subjects |
Years 10 & 11
Number of periods per fortnight (Note: 1 period = 1 hour) |
| English | 8 |
| Maths | 7 |
| Science | 9 |
| Physical Education | 4 |
| Enquiry | 2 |
Optional Subjects
Pupils will select four of the following optional subjects.
| Course | Exam Board |
| Art | AQA (Specification: 8202) |
| Business Studies | Edexcel (Specification: 1BS0) |
| Computer Science | OCR (Specification: J277) |
| Drama | OCR (Specification: J316) |
| DT - 3D Product Design | AQA (Specification: 8552) |
| Food Preparation & Nutrition | AQA (Specification: 8585) |
| French | Edexcel (Specification: 1FR1) |
| Geography | AQA (Specification: 8035) |
| History |
Edexcel (Specification: 1H10) |
| Health & Social Care |
Pearson (Specification: BTEC Tech Award L1/2) |
| Music | AQA (Specification: 8271) |
| Separate Sciences (Triple Science) | AQA (Specification: Chemistry - 8462, Biology - 8461, Physics - 8463) |
| Spanish | Edexcel (Specification: 1SP1) |
| Sports Science |
OCR - Cambridge National (Specification: J828) |
| Textiles |
AQA (Specification: 8204) |
Timetable Allocation
Each option course is allocated 5 lessons of curriculum teaching hours per two-week timetable cycle.
GCSE Options
For further information about our GCSE options, including key dates for this academic year, please visit our GCSE OPTIONS PAGE - CLICK HERE.
Further information about the courses offered (including learning outcomes and assessment structures) can be found in our KS4 Options Booklet - CLICK HERE.
Curriculum Frameworks & Journeys
Click on the subjects below to review the curriculum content taught in each subject throughout Key Stage 3 & Key Stage 4.
Curriculum-Gallery (ID 1155)
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Art
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Computing
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Drama
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English
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Enquiry incl. PSHE & RSE
Enquiry incl. PSHE & RSE
All statutory duties for PSHE, citizenship, and relationships education are delivered in
Enquiry lessons.
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Geography
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History
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Mathematics
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Modern Languages
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Music
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Physical Education
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Science
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Technology - Textiles & Food
Technology - Textiles & Food
