KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM
At Battle Abbey School we are proud of the academic rigour and breadth of the curriculum offered at Key Stage 3. Small class sizes and the opportunity for our highly skilled, dedicated and supportive teachers allow each student to make superb progress in what amounts to an individually tailored curriculum.
The overall balance of the curriculum allows each student to experience a wide range of subjects, developing many skills and a knowledge base suitable to tackle GCSEs and beyond. The subject areas, which will be studied throughout the whole of Key Stage 3, are English, Mathematics, Science, Music, Art, Drama, History, Geography, Religious Studies and Computing. In addition all students will study Modern Foreign Languages (French and Spanish). PE and Games are also important curriculum offerings with many opportunities to join in with school sports. Latin is also offered as an enrichment option for more able linguists.
Educating the ‘whole child’ is also embedded within both the core curriculum and extra-curricular clubs and societies. There is a PSHE programme and an awareness of issues surrounding careers and the world of work is provided even at this early stage. There is a flourishing range of clubs and societies available to Key Stage 3 students and all Year 7 and 9 pupils wil take part in a bonding experience day.
In summary, Key Stage 3 at Battle Abbey School is a challenging, rewarding and exciting experience that focuses on each child as an individual. As students reflect upon their time at the Abbey when they leave the Sixth Form it is often these formative years that they reminisce fondly about as they reap the rewards of the good foundations that these experiences have laid.
We try to provide a broad and balanced programme for our pupils to follow designed to ensure that each pupil has the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential.
All pupils study English, Maths & Science (leading to 2 GCSE’s – called “Combined Science”). In addition, they must choose 4 options from the following list:
- Art Fine Art
- Art Textiles
- Drama
- French
- Geography
- History
- Computer Science
- Latin (invitation only)
- Music
- Physical Education
- Religious Studies
- Spanish
Some students will also be invited to take the ‘Triple’ Science GCSE. This option is only available for able Scientists as a tenth GCSE. The option blocks will be published in advance of the Options Process. The options have been carefully calibrated to ensure students can pursue the correct route for their individual areas of interest.
We are always ready to consider the substitution of another subject if there is sufficient demand. Equally we can only guarantee that a course will run if sufficient numbers sign up. Although we always try to accommodate all options there will invariably be occasional clashes so we are not able to guarantee all first choices.
Discover more in our GCSE Curriculum book.
The A-Level programme at Battle Abbey provides students with an excellent foundation for higher education and future career paths. Typically undertaken in Years 12 and 13 (age 16-18), A-Levels offer students the opportunity to specialise in their chosen subjects. Our A-Level curriculum encompasses a broad range of disciplines, catering to students’ diverse interests and aspirations.
The subjects available for A-Level study at Battle Abbey include:
- Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- History
- Geography
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Economics
- Politics
- Arts and Languages
- Art and Design
- Music
- Drama
- Modern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish, German)
EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION (EPQ)
Battle Abbey School consistently secures excellent EPQ results with 85% of our 2025 cohort achieving A* and A grades with 100% securing A* – C. Universities tell us that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Level 3 is an excellent preparation for undergraduate study as it gives real evidence of independent, critical thinking. It is a stand-alone qualification, an extension from studies, which enthuses students by offering the opportunity for open debate and research on their own topic. Students from Year 12 can opt to take the EPQ, alongside their A Level studies and will be taught skills such as researching effectively or time management. It is essential that students work independently, but have a supervisor and subject mentors who assesses their progress. It focuses on:
- A solid and coherent grounding in a specialist topic
- An ability to undertake independent and self-directed learning
- The ability to think laterally, critically and creatively
- Problem solving
- Reflective learning
- Self-management
- The development, presentation and communication of information
- The delivery of a presentation to an audience
