Life at 13+

The Third Form (Year 9) is a year of foundation building for the boys and girls who have come from a wide range of schools. Taught by subject-specialist teachers, pupils follow a broad academic curriculum to allow the pupils as wide a choice of GCSE or IGCSE options as possible. The curriculum includes:

Pupils are set half an hour’s Prep (homework) in three subjects every weekday evening. Prep is between 7.30 pm and 9.00 pm Monday to Friday, and is supervised by House staff. An hour’s Prep must be completed over the weekend. Day pupils may stay for Prep if they wish.

The Fourth and Fifth Form (Years 10 and 11) pupils follow courses leading to the award of normally ten or eleven GCSEs or IGCSEs. Subjects available at GCSE or IGCSE include:

The compulsory curriculum is made up of English, Mathematics, Religious Studies and either two or three of IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Most English sets sit IGCSE English Literature and IGCSE English Language. Pupils choose another three or four subjects in different option blocks that vary from year to year. All pupils normally study either Geography or History (or both) and at least one modern language. Pupils who have difficulties with English or Mathematics may be advised to choose only three optional subjects, to leave room in the timetable for extra study support. Pupils are set forty-five minutes’ Prep (homework) in two subjects every weekday evening. Prep is done under supervision in Houses between 7.30 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. Monday to Friday. An hour’s Prep must also be completed over the weekend.

Parents expect children to achieve their academic potential. At Downside our aim is that every pupil should achieve more than was originally anticipated. In order for this to happen, the highest levels of motivation are expected. Systems are in place to ensure that both pupils and staff perform to their utmost. In terms of the pupils, this involves the following: