Key Stage 3
Pupils in Year 7 are mainly taught in mixed ability groups. Thereafter,there is increased setting of pupils so as to cater more fully for thedifferences in ability.

In Years 7, 8 and 9 pupils study the three core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science, plus the following foundation subjects: Design Technology, Information and Communication Technology, Art, History, Geography, French, Music, Physical Education, Drama, Religious Education and Citizenship.

HOMEWORK
To view information about homework at KS3 and the homework timetables for Years 7, 8 and 9, please click here.

EXAMINATIONS
Formal examinations take place in all subjects in Years 7 and 8 and also in Year 9 alongside the National Curriculum tests. This ensures that pupils are well prepared for the demands of the external examinations they take at the end of Key Stage 3 and when they begin GCSEs.

LITERACY AND NUMERACY
The school is fully aware of the importance of these core skills and so we build upon the work covered by primary schools. All subjects take responsibility for developing particular elements of pupils’ literacy and numeracy skills, and there is a whole school approach to such skills as spelling. Year 11 prefect mentors are trained to work with selected pupils in Year 7 to help improve their reading or numeracy skills during tutor time. Also, in Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils who need support with their literacy and numeracy skills are given additional lessons rather than following a second Modern Foreign Language.

CITIZENSHIP AND PERSONAL, SOCIAL & HEALTH EDUCATION (PSHE)
This subject area is a fundamental element of the way the school develops pupils’ personal qualities. Citizenship lessons take place throughout Years 7, 8 and 9 covering topics that deal with personal and moral issues as well as focusing on study skills and broader issues linked to democracy and the UK’s place in the global community. These lessons are supplemented by special events such as the visit of a theatre group to work for a day with Year 9 on sex and relationship issues and drugs education activities.

OPTIONS
During Year 9, a comprehensive tutorial and guidance programme, supported by Year 9 reports and an Open Evening make sure that pupils are well informed in order that they can make reasoned choices about the subjects they can study for GCSE. Although the National Curriculum requires pupils to study certain subjects, there is an increasing degree of choice to enable pupils to take courses appropriate to their abilities and interests.

Key Stage 4
All students study English, Mathematics, Science and a Physical Education course. They are also able to choose GCSE subjects from the following options: Art, Business Studies, Child Development, Drama Food Technology, French, Geography, Graphics, History, Music, Resistant Materials, Spanish, Textiles and a range of vocational courses: BTEC Business Studies, BTEC Performing Arts (Acting) and BTEC Sports Studies. Students also have an opportunity to choose an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) subject, although all students follow an entitlement ICT course. All students also participate in Cultural Studies which involves them studying GCSE short course Citizenship andGCSE shortcourse Religious Education which incorporates Personal, Social and Health Education.

Students are able to ‘personalise’ their curriculum at KS4 in order to follow subjects appropriate to their abilities, needs and interest. For example, some students might follow twelve or thirteen traditional GCSE subjects whereas some may choose a mixture of traditional GSCE subjects and some of the new vocational courses on offer. For one group of students who find traditional schooling a challenge, the school gives them an opportunity to study a vocational course - Hair and Beauty, Construction or Motor Vehicle Technology - at the Windsor Skill Centre run by an experienced vocational provider. Similarly, during the final term of Year 10 and Year 11 some students are given an opportunity to take part in extended work experience placements for one or two days a week.

HOMEWORK
To view information about homework at KS4 and the homework timetables for Years 10 and 11, please click here.

WORK EXPERIENCE AND CAREERS
In Year 10, all students spend time preparing for the work experience week in the Autumn Term of Year 11, when all our students go out to work placements and gain valuable vocational experience. The school provides comprehensive careers advice that was recognised by the presentation of an Endorsed Quality Award for Excellence in Careers Education and Guidance in 2003. This includes guidance to students in drawing up their CV’s as well as local employers providing advice on Health and Safety, Customer Relations and making the right impression at work. This is supplemented by the provision of five Enterprise Days run by the Education Business Partnership covering key work place skills such as financial management, problem solving and teamwork. Finally, all students have access to the Connexions Advisor (Careers Education Service) who visits the school each week throughout the year and is based in the Careers Library.

MONITORING PROGRESS
Students once again take formal school examinations in Years 10 and 11 to prepare them properly for their final GCSE examinations. This information is used alongside regular assessment grades generated by the school’s Academic Monitoring system to track student performance. Assessment information is sent home at regular intervals during Years 10 and 11, not just at report time, so that parents can support the school in keeping students on track, particularly with coursework.

PREPARING FOR POST 16 EDUCATION
During Year 11, students are provided with a comprehensive programme to help them make a decision about what to do after GCSEs. Those students, the vast majority, who want to join Charters Sixth Form, attend a sixth form evening when explanations and information are provided about the courses on offer. Following this evening, each student is interviewed by a senior member of staff, for as many times as necessary, to help them make the appropriate course choice for the sixth form. Finally, after the summer examinations, the school runs an Induction Week for students to sample the subjects on offer. Those students who are looking to move on from Charters to another college or work are given careers interviews and advice from the school’s Connexions (Careers Education Service) Advisor who is available in school.