Curriculum
Years 7-11
Our Curriculum
The curriculum at John Taylor Free School is structured to ensure continuity, challenge and progression throughout a student’s time from Years 7 to 11. Learning builds from a broad foundation in Key Stage 3 to a more specialised and focused curriculum at Key Stage 4.
Students study a wide range of subjects that support academic achievement, personal development and preparation for future pathways. Throughout Years 7 to 11, the curriculum is designed to promote curiosity, resilience and independence, enabling students to develop the knowledge and skills needed for success beyond school.
You can explore our curriculum below, organised by subject area. Curriculum information is available across Years 7 to 11, helping parents and students understand how learning develops over time.
Key Curriculum Documents
Our curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad, balanced and ambitious education from Years 7 to 11. The documents below provide additional information about curriculum pathways, subject choices and life at John Taylor Free School.
Curriculum Time Allocation
Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum throughout their time at John Taylor Free School. Lessons are typically 50 minutes long, with some subjects taught in double lessons where appropriate. The information below provides an overview of the number of lessons allocated to each subject across a two‑week timetable cycle.
Year 7 students are taught in mixed-ability groups across all subjects.
| Subject | Lessons per Fortnight |
|---|---|
| English | 9 |
| Mathematics | 9 |
| Science | 8 |
| Art | 4 |
| French | 4 |
| Geography | 4 |
| History | 4 |
| PE | 4 |
| Design Technology | 3 |
| Music | 3 |
| Computing | 2 |
| Drama | 2 |
| PSHE | 2 |
| Religious Studies | 2 |
Year 8 students continue to study a broad curriculum and are taught in mixed-ability groups, with the exception of Mathematics.
| Subject | Lessons per Fortnight |
|---|---|
| English | 9 |
| Mathematics | 9 |
| Science | 8 |
| Design Technology | 4 |
| French | 4 |
| Geography | 4 |
| History | 4 |
| PE | 4 |
| Art | 3 |
| Music | 3 |
| Computing | 2 |
| Drama | 2 |
| PSHE | 2 |
| Religious Studies | 2 |
Year 9 students continue to study a broad range of subjects while preparing for Key Stage 4 pathways.
| Subject | Lessons per Fortnight |
|---|---|
| English | 8 |
| Mathematics | 8 |
| Science | 8 |
| Art | 4 |
| Design Technology | 4 |
| Spanish | 4 |
| Geography | 4 |
| History | 4 |
| PE | 4 |
| Religious Studies | 4 |
| Computing | 2 |
| Drama | 2 |
| Music | 2 |
| PSHE | 2 |
At Key Stage 4, students study a combination of core and optional subjects. Lesson allocations are shown below as a guide and may vary depending on individual programmes of study.
| Subject | Lessons per Fortnight |
|---|---|
| English | 10 |
| Mathematics | 10 |
| Science | 10 |
| PE | 4 |
| PSHE | 2 |
| Geography or History Pathway | 6 |
| Modern Foreign Language Pathway | 6 |
| Option Subject 1 | 6 |
| Option Subject 2 | 6 |
To learn more about our school, please view our prospectus:
Curriculum by Subject
Select a subject area below to explore the curriculum from Years 7 to 11. Subject curriculum documents outline the knowledge, skills and concepts students develop as they progress through the school.
humanities
modern foreign languages
computing and business
School Facilities
