Curriculum

All our pupils follow the core subjects of the National Curriculum from years 7 – 9: English, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education.

Pupils also study foundation subjects in: Art and Design, Citizenship, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Drama, French, Geography, History, Music, PSHE, Physical Education and SRE.

For more details about subject content, please view the department pages by navigating through the subject links on the right hand side of this page.

During Year 9, each pupil is supported in choosing a Key Stage 4 curriculum pathway which is most appropriate for their ability. Our pupils are carefully prepared for making their choice with appropriate advice and guidance from subject teachers and pastoral staff. 

It is important that all our pupils continue with a broad and balanced curriculum at Key Stage 4 and in designing the Key Stage 4 curriculum we aim to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and also provide an inclusive curriculum for our pupils.  All pupils will have the opportunity to study at least eight or more GCSE’s in Years 10 and 11.

All pupils will follow the core subjects of

• Religious Education
• English Language
• English Literature
• Mathematics
• Science (the science department offer two different qualifications tailored to meet individual pupil needs)
• Pupils study either Geography or History.
• French*

*a small proportion of students do not sit GCSE French. Some of these pupils already have a foreign Language GCSE and, instead, study GCSE Statistics. A small group of SEND pupils don’t study GCSE French and instead they have extra lessons for their core subjects.

Pupils also study non-examination courses in

• Physical Education
• PSHE/ Citizenship
• RSE
• Work Related Learning.

Key Stage 4 pupils also have the opportunity to choose from

• Art & Design
• Business Studies
• Citizenship Studies
• Computer Science
• Design & Technology
• Drama
• Economics
• Hospitality and Catering
• Music
• Music Technology
• Photography

We also provide an opportunity for pupils to study a GCSE in their home language.

For more details about subject content, please view the department pages by navigating through the subject links on the right hand side of this page.

St Gregory’s has a strong academic reputation at Key Stage 5. At St Gregory’s, our 16-19 study programmes are designed to provide our students with a structured and individualised learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their future career plans.

We have high expectations of all our students in terms of their commitment to their studies and their self-motivation. We match this with a high level of support including progress tracking, intervention, mentoring and supervised study sessions. A mixture of academic and vocational qualifications is offered. Sixth form course options are discussed at the Sixth Form Information evening and there is a comprehensive induction day where students have an opportunity to discuss entry requirements with departments.

The Advanced Level Pathway

St Gregory’s offers 18 A Level Courses.

• Art – Fine Art
• Biology
• Business Studies
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• English Literature
• Further Maths
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Media Studies
• Photography
• Physics
• Politics
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Sociology

Applied / Vocational Pathways / Technical Qualifications

• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in IT
• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Business
• OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Business
• NCFE Level 3 Applied General Certificate in Music Technology

Students can study the following options:

• Four A level courses
• Three A levels and one vocational course
• Two vocational courses and one A Level course

Further opportunities:

• Students who have not passed GCSE English and Maths (4+) will study the course again in the Sixth Form.
• All Year 12 students have the opportunity to undertake meaningful work experience.
• All Year 12 students have two hours of enrichment each fortnight
• All sixth form students study Core RE for one hour a week
• All sixth form students study non-examination courses in PSHE/Citizenship, RSE and work-related learning

Citizenship education is a planned, developmental programme of learning which actively promotes the fundamental British values. Citizenship education is delivered through the PSHE programme, assemblies, Religious Education and subject disciplines. The following themes are delivered.

• values of democracy
• the rules of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

For detailed subject content please view the PSHE subject page by navigating to the PSHE subject link on the right hand side of this page.

As a Catholic secondary school, St Gregory’s promotes values such as "mutual understanding and respect" and equality between girls and boys supporting ideals such as democracy, respect and tolerance for all races, cultures, faiths and beliefs. This is lived out in the programmes of School Assemblies, Tutor Time, Religious Education, Business Studies, English, Geography, History, Sociology, PSHE and Citizenship classes. The following British Values are covered in the curriculum.

• Democracy
• Rules of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Respect
• Tolerance

These values are also covered through our Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural provision to:

• enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
• encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
• enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
• further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
• encourage respect for other people; and
• encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

Across and throughout their time at the school pupils learn about the development of the political system of democratic government in the UK, including the roles of citizens, Parliament and the monarch. They are taught about voting and elections, the role of political parties and the freedoms and liberties enjoyed by the citizens of the U K such as free speech, free movement and free assembly and worship. Pupils are provided with the opportunity of becoming members of the School Council and Brent Youth Parliament.

Through our Religious Education and Citizenship programmes, pupils are taught how citizens work together to improve communities. This is put into practice when they are involved in the school’s house system and they are provided with opportunities to become active citizens by fundraising for house charities that are local, national and international.

Assemblies aim to teach our pupils to have belief in freedom, and a tolerance of others. In the Religious Education programme, pupils study other faiths and learn empathy, tolerance and understanding of people from different faith backgrounds.

Interwoven throughout the whole taught Curriculum and the school’s pastoral programme, pupils are expected to accept personal and social responsibility, respecting and upholding the school rules and the rule of law. In our school community we encourage our students to show a responsibility to each other and adults in the way they behave in school and on their way to and from school.

The list below describes the understanding and knowledge expected of our pupils as a result St Gregory’s promoting fundamental British values.

• an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
• an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety;
• an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence;
• an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;
• an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour;
• an understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.

We are a diverse multi-ethnic school and we encourage respect for religious, cultural and moral values. The school promotes equal opportunities for all and systems are in place that counter racism, sexism and all other forms of discrimination whenever they occur.

The school also provides additional opportunities to achieve outside of school to enrich the educational experiences of its pupils. For example, in Year 8 there are visits to the Jewish Memorial Museum and in Year 10 participation in Holocaust day. Many of our pupils are also engaged in local community events such as fund raising for local charities and also in the fields of sports, music and the arts.

We hold a very successful International Evening every year which encourage all pupils, staff and students to participate and celebrate the diverse ethnic identities in our school and local community.

The School ensures that all pupils receive an outstanding Catholic education which provides them with deep experiences of life according to Catholic teaching and traditions. The school community lives out its mission statement “Pro Deo – For God, the best and the Greatest” in all its activities.

Spiritual

Prayer and worship are central to the daily life of our school, through class prayer, assemblies and staff prayer. The Gospel call to justice and service is made explicit in assemblies, RE lessons and across the Curriculum. Students are given considerable time to be reflective about their own religious beliefs that inform their perspectives on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values, evidenced in the study of Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu faiths through KS3, KS4 and KS5.

In both the RE and PSHE programmes, students study other faiths and learn about empathy, tolerance and understanding of people from different faith backgrounds.

Students display a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them. They have the opportunity to produce a faith journey every year to analyse how events and milestones have affected their faith. Students are encouraged to write and share their own prayers in Form time throughout the year.

Moral

Students recognise the difference between right and wrong and readily apply this to their own lives. Moral education permeates the entire curriculum and is mapped in departmental schemes of work. As a result students are taught about the difference between right and wrong in all lessons. Students are encouraged to act out their lives in accordance with the Gospel values and are encouraged to forgive those who have done something wrong. Assemblies also provide an opportunity for students to reflect upon moral and ethical issues and to understand how their behaviour and actions have consequences.

Social

In this ethnically diverse school students mix very well. It is usual for them to have friends from different cultural backgrounds. The students throughout the school have demonstrated that they are willing to participate in helping others through their charity work. Students belong to ‘houses’ and each house has its own charity, which fundraise throughout the year but particularly during the season of Lent.

The school invites outside speakers in to address students from years 7 – 13; this allows them to learn about local, national and international issues from people from a wide social economic spectrum. In the Sixth form volunteering is a particular strength with many students participating in events for St Luke’s Hospice Kenton, St Vincent De Paul Ealing Soup Kitchen, and HCPT Children’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes and Challenge activities. British values are taught as part of the PSHE and Citizenship Programme and are also delivered in Humanities subjects.

Cultural                         

Students understand and appreciate the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their heritage and that of others. They understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain. Students are interested in exploring and improving their understanding of and show respect for different faiths and cultures. They understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity. This is shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups.

Students from Year 7 – 13 are presented with a wide range of opportunities to appreciate a wide range of cultural issues that have shaped their own heritage. There are events in the school calendar that allow our pupils the opportunity to appreciate the contribution that their own and other cultures have made to Britain, such as Black History Month, Holocaust Memorial Day, Sports Award Evening and Prize Night. Pupils are given a plethora of opportunities to participate in wide extra-curricular activities that provide cultural developments.

Students come from a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds and these influences are visibly displayed at our very popular annual International Evening held in July where many of our students participate in cuisine, dance and music.

Students know about Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values and in continuing to develop Britain.