Curriculum
Years 7-11
Our Curriculum
At John Taylor Free School, we want every student to leave with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed in whatever path they choose next.
From Year 7 to Year 11, students follow a broad and ambitious curriculum that encourages curiosity, develops independence and provides opportunities to discover new interests and talents. As students progress through the school, learning builds on prior knowledge, helping them deepen their understanding and achieve their potential across a wide range of subjects.
Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all students can access and engage with the curriculum, while also preparing them for life beyond the classroom. Through inclusive teaching, reasonable adjustments and targeted support, we work to remove barriers to learning and help every student achieve their potential. Alongside academic achievement, students develop important skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork and resilience.
You can explore each faculty below to learn more about the subjects we offer, view curriculum documents and access Key Stage 4 revision resources.
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.
Select a year group below to view curriculum time allocation 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 Faculty
Every subject plays an important role in your child’s education. Our faculty pages provide an overview of what students learn, how knowledge and skills develop over time, and the opportunities available within each subject area.
Select a faculty below to explore curriculum information, subject guides, revision resources and faculty team details.
Learning Environment
