Curriculum
Curriculum Overview
We are an enterprising school at the heart of the community, providing an outstanding education, enabling all staff and students to reach their potential.
Our curriculum vision is
- Academic excellence and a desire for lifelong learning
- Inspirational teaching and outstanding learning.
- Enrichment opportunities building leadership, independence and resilience.
- Develop well- rounded, confident and responsible citizens who make positive contributions to society
We raise aspirations by constructing our curriculum which enhances the learning of our girls and enables pathways into employment. Our curriculum offers breadth and is increasingly challenging yet inclusive. We ensure that our most vulnerable children have outcomes in line with all other students and have educational pathways which are planned and co-ordinated to maximise their life chances. We explore and embrace new technologies to refine and extend our learning.
More details on the curriculum in each of our subjects, are available via the menu on the right of this page.
Birmingham Curriculum Statement
Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum aims to provide a broad and balanced experience for all our students.
The curriculum is delivered through the taught curriculum and the enrichment curriculum. Learning happens in lessons, form-time, assemblies, games, educational visits, enrichment and enterprise days, school productions, and community work.
Our three year KS3 programme of study ensures that there is no narrowing of the curriculum. Students secure depth of knowledge and skills and are prepared for an inspirational and challenging KS4.
Throughout the curriculum, our students will have regular opportunities for learning beyond the classroom through enriching learning experiences and extra-curricular activities.
Our inclusive curriculum is personalised to the needs of our students, and regardless of ability, each student is supported but also challenged in their learning.
Assessment will be constructive and purposeful, implemented in a variety of ways in order to increase the value of feedback. Assessment will judge whether the learning has been mastered, to truly ensure that knowledge has been learned and knowledge is deepened in long term memory. Assessment will be undertaken through live conversations, questioning, low stakes testing, planned formal assessment and students will be taught how to judge their learning for themselves.
Our courses in Years 7 to 11 comply with the requirements of the National Curriculum. The curriculum is reviewed each year.
The School Timetable
The timetable for the school is based on a two-week cycle and comprises of a 25 period week with five periods per day, each period lasts 60 minutes. Lessons can be either single or double periods (usually sixth form lessons). On Wednesday each lesson is of 55 minutes duration.
Each morning begins with a 20 minute registration and form time or assembly.
Key Stage 3
Our provision follows a three year programme at KS3 that delivers the National Curriculum across the subject areas.
The Key Stage 3 Core curriculum: All students study English, Mathematics, Science, PE, RE and PSHE.
In addition in Year 7 all students are taught Design Technology, Art, Computing, French, Geography, History, PE, RE, Drama, Music and one of Arabic, Spanish or Urdu, as their additional language.
From Year 8 onwards, students study one language, selected from the two they take in Year 7.
Key Stage 4
The Key Stage 4 Core curriculum: All students will study English, Mathematics, Science (Separate or Combined Science GCSE), PE, RE and PSHE.
In addition to the core curriculum all students will choose up to four option subjects. We are pleased to be able to offer a wide range of Key Stage 4 courses and are confident that students can choose combinations of courses on which they are most able to succeed. We feel that students should follow a curriculum which suits their preferred way of working, interests, and ability and future aspirations.
Most students will study one core language from Arabic, French, Spanish or Urdu. In addition, most students choose to study either Geography or History. Students can opt for any combination of a further two subjects at KS4 from Art, Business, Computer Science, Design Technology, Drama, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Catering, Music, Sport Studies, or Triple Science.
At Bordesley Green we encourage most of our students to study the full range of English Baccalaureate subjects, so for most students their options consists of one language, one humanity subject (Geography or History) and two other subjects. Triple Science is an option subject: students can opt two take GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics plus a language, a humanity and one other option.
A small number of students (including some HRB students) follow a reduced curriculum which includes the core curriculum plus supported study and two or three option subjects, without a language and / or without a humanity subject (Geography or History). This supported pathwayis selected for students on the basis of need. A combination of appropriate alternative qualifications (for example ASDAN Personal Development Programmes) or additional tuition (for example literacy and reading support) are provided to meet the individual needs of students.
Students are supported through the options process for post 16 choices with a comprehensive IAG (information, advice and guidance) programme involving tutors, one to one conversations and an extensive offer of information sessions/meetings and events.
All students have four hours of statutory PE a fortnight. We encourage all students to participate in sport as part of a healthy lifestyle and developing self-discipline.
Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form)
We currently offer a wide range of courses at Bordesley Green Girls’ and are confident that students can choose combinations of courses on which they are most able to succeed. We feel that students should follow a curriculum which suits their preferred way of working, interests, and ability and future aspirations. For full details of the courses offered and pathways within the Sixth Form, please visit the ‘Sixth Form’ link on our website. Sixth Form students can follow any of 3 different pathways:
Students can enrol on 3 different pathways:
- Academic pathway programme of study over two years consisting of either:
- Three A-Levels (In some cases students will study 4 A Levels)
- Two A-Levels + one Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) or
- One A-Levels + two Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ)
- Vocational programme of study over two years consisting of either BTEC Extended Diploma or T Level
- Level 2 BTEC study over one year alongside retaking GCSE Mathematics and English.
We encourage students in Year 12 to do the Extended Project. We believe this to be excellent preparation for any student aspiring to study at a university. This is also accredited with UCAS points. An additional part of KS5 curriculum is Enrichment.
Part of KS5 curriculum is Enrichment. Some students participate in a rotation of a range of activities including sports, arts and design technology. Other students opt for a longer term project, for example Engineering, STEM or Debating.
Students are encouraged to do something to support the community, whether it be supporting the local community, volunteering in hospitals, working in local charity shops or mentoring within the school, for example as Mental Health Leads and Literacy leaders.
Sixth Form Curriculum
Legacy qualifications offered for final enrolment in September 2025 are shown with a *
New qualifications available for first enrolment from September 2026 are shown with a $
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Sixth Form Taught Curriculum – taught in five option blocks |
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Academic |
Vocational |
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A Levels
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GCSE:
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PHSE
All students are taught Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) which is delivered through a spiral curriculum from Year 7 to 13.
The themes covered within PSHE are:
- Healthy and safe
- Emotional Health
- Anti-Bullying
- Citizenship and British Values
- Values, diversity and equal opportunities
- Safeguarding
- Relationships and sex education (RSE)
Drop Down Days
Embedded Curriculum Themes
The careers curriculum is embedded throughout PSHE and other curriculum subjects.
BGGS is a Unicef Rights Respecting School. The themes of the UN convention on the rights of the child are embedded throughout PSHE and other curriculum subjects.
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