At BWS the curriculum is designed to be ambitious, coherent and inclusive, enabling all students to acquire the powerful knowledge, skills and dispositions they need to succeed academically and to participate fully in society. 

The BWS curriculum:

• provides a broad, balanced and knowledge-rich curriculum, giving students access to a wide range of academic subjects and experiences
• is carefully sequenced so that learning builds cumulatively over time, ensuring clear continuity and progression within and across year groups from Year 7 to Year 13
• sets high academic expectations for all students, enabling students to fulfil their potential and prepare successfully for GCSE and A-level examinations, as well as future study or employment
• promotes equality of opportunity through inclusive curriculum design
• develops strong literacy, numeracy and digital competence across the curriculum
• supports students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, fostering integrity, respect, responsibility, alongside an understanding of fundamental British values, Christian ethics, Britain’s place in the world, democracy and the legacy of the past
• develops students’ cultural capital, enabling them to engage confidently with ideas, knowledge and experiences beyond their own backgrounds
• encourages independence of thought, intellectual curiosity and a critical, approach to evaluating information
• promotes students’ personal development, including physical and mental health, relationships, well-being and preparation for adult life
• provides high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance throughout a student’s time at the school
• offers a rich range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities, recognising and celebrating achievement both within and beyond the classroom.

The curriculum is implemented through teaching approaches that engage, challenge and inspire students, enabling them to develop deep understanding, make meaningful connections and grow in intellectual confidence.

Learning by Key Stage

KS3: In years 7-9 students study a broad range of subjects. Mathematics, English and science form the backbone of the timetable, alongside humanities (geography, history and religious studies), modern foreign languages (German, Spanish and French), PSHRCE, creative subjects (art, design technology, drama, music) and computing. Boys also have two periods of PE and two periods of games per fortnight.

KS4: During year 9 students nominate two option choices to continue for GCSE alongside the core curriculum of English language and literature, mathematics, triple science (biology, chemistry, physics), religious studies and a modern foreign language. Almost all students complete ten GCSEs although modified timetables may be arranged for students with specific needs.

KS5: Most students chose three A-levels and one supplementary course of study. Each A-level choice has eight taught periods per fortnight, alongside allocated independent study time. The supplementary course of study has 4 periods per fortnight. Students who have achieved exceptional GCSE results, as defined by the 16-19 Admissions Policy, may elect to complete four A-levels, each with eight taught periods per fortnight plus periods allocated independent study time.

Curriculum Policy

A full copy of the BWS Curriculum Policy which specifies subject allocations, enrichment activities, modified timetables and more can be found on the policies page.