Year 9 (13 +)

Year 9 prepares students for taking GCSE studies in subsequent years.

We screen all students shortly after they arrive. This ensures each student's academic programme best suits his or her needs.

The academic week has 39 periods.

One of our aims is to keep students' options as open as possible. Students are grouped by ability only in mathematics and in their core foreign language, French or Spanish.

Most other subjects are taught in students' class groups. In addition, we:

• offer a range of activities in the Broader Curriculum;
• ensure that Information Communication Technology (ICT) extends across the curriculum;
• can arrange extra Music tuition;
• place particularly strong emphasis on International and Spiritual Citizenship; and
• provide learning support and English language support specialists.

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Information on the syllabus for Year 9 can be found in the departmental pages.

The Broader Curriculum

Afternoon activities vary during the year.  Students are encouraged to participate in all these afternoon sessions on a rotational basis.

Monday

International and Spiritual Citizenship: Students follow a programme of study to help develop the forming of their opinions and thoughts on ethical, environmental, religious and political issues.  The overarching theme is that they develop a sense of place, responsibility and an appreciation of others cultures and points of view so that they can contribute to the future of their community as an international citizen.

Tuesday/Friday

Sport is a major part of Gordonstoun life.  It not only develops the physical side of life but promotes teamwork, discipline, decision making and leadership skills.  In year 9 major games include rugby, hockey, tennis, cricket and athletics for boys and hockey, netball, tennis, cross country and athletics for girls.

Wednesday

Music practice, band practice, sport coaching rotation.

Thursday

Outdoor Activities programme:  students participate in a variety of outdoor programmes which include: Sailing, Mountain Biking, Climing, Kayaking, Orienteering, Bush Craft, Initiative and Leadership Skills.  In addition they follow a programme of expeditions and an overarching awareness of the importance of the outdoors in our modern society.

Saturday

Competitive sport or choice of recreational games. 

Sunday

A wide variety of activities are played across the year in Inter-House competitions.  

All Year 9 students also experience during the year:

• Two compulsory expeditions to the mountains, one in the autumn and one in the summer term
• Seamanship training for a six-day period
• Two House expedition weekends
• Competitive sport or choice of other games including badminton, squash, climbing, pool canoeing, swim training, football.

Information Communication Technology

ICT skills are taught across the curriculum, not just in ICT periods.

All students learn a level of basic proficiency that is built upon throughout their school career.

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Music

Music classes are classroom-based.

Students may also arrange, through the Director of Music, to have individual instrumental tuition.

For further information, please email burburys@gordonstoun.org.uk

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International and Spiritual Citizenship

This is fundamental to the Gordonstoun curriculum. Students learn about:

• cultural and spiritual awareness;
• communication;
• civics;
• personal health and the environment; and
• a range of practical skills.

The course fosters in students a desire to explore what it means to live as a citizen in changing times.  For further information, please email Mr Innes-Hill, Director of International and Spiritual Citizenship at inneshillp@gordonstoun.org.uk

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Learning support

We assess individual students with needs such as dyslexia or other learning difficulties.

In Year 9 we emphasise touch-typing and reading skills.

There may be an extra charge for specialist help for lessons that the School:

• has not recommended; or
• previously agreed with parents.

If your child requires learning support, please contact Mr Paul Sanderson, our Director of Curriculum, as early as possible in the application process to find out how we can help.

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English Language Support

We assess each student before and on arrival at School. Each will receive the appropriate degree of help and support from our English as an Additional Language (EAL) specialists.

For example, some students will require a little help and support while others may need full in-class assistance.

There may be an extra charge for EAL support for lessons that the School:

• has not recommended; or
• previously agreed with parents.

If your child requires English language support, please contact Mr Paul Sanderson, our Director of Curriculum, as early as possible in the application process to find out how we can help.

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