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What Students Study
Key Stage 3: Years 7 to 9
During Years 7, 8, and 9, all students at Chertsey High School follow a broad and balanced programme of study that goes beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum. This three-year foundation ensures every student develops knowledge and skills across a wide range of disciplines before they make their pathway choices.
All students in Key Stage 3 study English, Mathematics, Sciences, History, Geography, Citizenship, Religious Studies, Modern Foreign Languages, IT, Music, Drama, Art, Design Technology, and Physical Education.
Across all subjects in Key Stage 3, the school embeds Global 10: a structured programme that develops students' awareness of global issues, international perspectives, and their responsibilities as citizens of a global community. Global 10 is not a separate subject; it is woven into the sequencing of every department's curriculum, ensuring that students connect their learning to the wider world throughout their time at Chertsey High School.
In the final half term of Year 9, students complete their Key Stage 3 programme and begin their GCSE pathways. This transition is carefully managed. Every student receives a one-to-one interview with a senior member of staff, detailed written guidance through the school's Pathways booklet, and the opportunity to attend a dedicated Year 9 Parents and Options Evening. The school is committed to ensuring that every student and their family have the information needed to make confident, well-informed choices.
Key Stage 4: Year 9 (Final Half Term) to Year 11
Key Stage 4 at Chertsey High School is structured around a core curriculum that all students follow, complemented by four option subjects chosen to suit each student's strengths, interests, and aspirations.
The core curriculum comprises GCSE English Language and English Literature, GCSE Mathematics, and GCSE Separate Sciences in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. All students also continue PSHE including Relationships and Sex Education and Citizenship, and Physical Education, both of which are non-examined.
From the options curriculum, all students study either History or Geography as a compulsory choice, alongside three further subjects. The school offers four structured pathways to accommodate the full range of student needs and ambitions.
Pathway 1 is for students following a fully academic route, with all four option choices taken as GCSE qualifications. Pathway 2 combines GCSE and Level 2 vocational qualifications, suited to students who wish to keep a broad range of future options open. Pathway 3 is designed for students who are best served by a vocational route, offering a greater focus on coursework and project-based assessment. Pathway 4 provides additional structure and support for identified students, incorporating the King's Trust Achieve Award alongside core and option subjects.
GCSE Option Subjects
The following GCSE qualifications are available in the options curriculum: Art and Design: Fine Art, Art and Design: Photography, Business Studies, Citizenship Studies, Computer Science, Design Technology: 3D Design, Design Technology: Textile Design, Drama, French, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, and Spanish. Note that Fine Art, Photography, 3D Design, and Textile Design cannot be studied in combination; students select one of these four.
Level 2 Vocational Qualifications
The school offers four Level 2 vocational qualifications as alternatives to GCSEs: BTEC Health and Social Care, Cambridge Nationals in Enterprise and Marketing, Cambridge Nationals in Sport Studies, and the Eduqas Vocational Award in Hospitality and Catering. These qualifications are assessed through a combination of coursework, practical tasks, and written examinations. They carry the same value as GCSEs and are well regarded by colleges, training providers, and employers. Students who achieve Level 2 vocational qualifications progress successfully to further education and employment across a wide range of sectors.
For students in the highest Mathematics set, the Edexcel Level 2 Extended Mathematics Certificate is available as an additional qualification studied outside of normal curriculum time. This provides stretch beyond GCSE and supports the transition to A Level Mathematics.
Full details of every course, including assessment structures and employability skills, are available in the school's Pathways Booklet, which is shared with all Year 9 families each December.
