Academic
Academic success and the pursuit of excellence are key features of a Princethorpe education. We offer a broad range of subjects and a stimulating and well-resourced curriculum. We aim to foster a love of learning. Whilst Princethorpe is not an ‘academic hot house’, our passionate and enthusiastic teachers challenge and motivate our pupils to have the highest expectations.
The academic performance of the school continues to go from strength to strength. In public examinations our pupils excel: in 2022 at the top end 54% of all A-level, BTEC and Extended Project Qualification grades were A* or A and 95% of grades were A* to C; at GCSE 54% of grades were 9, 8 or 7 (A* or A) and 44% of pupils achieved eight or more 9, 8, 7 grades (A* or A).
When looking at the academic “value-added” we give to our pupils, these results compare with any school in the country – bright students achieve outstanding results and children who find their academic studies more challenging achieve results between a half and full grade better than could be expected.
We are of course delighted by these academic achievements, but we are equally proud of the qualities our students show as they leave the school to continue their education: kindness, respect and a strong sense of right and wrong.
In the last few years we have changed our timetable to increase teaching time to the core subjects in the Lower School and all subjects at A-level. We have also developed robust internal monitoring and tracking programmes which run along our assessment and reporting schedules to ensure pupils are aiming for, and achieving, their best academically. Our aim is to ensure we develop all our students so they become resilient and have the independent learning skills they will need for life after Princethorpe be it university or work.
For more in depth curriculum information please click on the attachments at the bottom of this page.
years 7, 8 and 9
Pupils in Years 7 to 9 follow a traditional programme, which draws on the best of and goes beyond the National Curriculum.
The subjects studied are English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Studies, Latin, History, Geography, Computer Science and Technology, Art, Modern Languages, Music, Drama, PE and Games. Personal, Social and Health Education are catered for within our REAL Programme.
In Year 8 pupils continue to study Spanish, with French also being introduced
For Year 9 pupils are given further choices: they continue to study one main language (French or Spanish) and choose two optional subjects from the following list: Art, Computer Science, Drama, French, Latin and Music. This options system allows pupils to play to their strengths and gives more time to their areas of interest. With the exception of languages, it is not a requirement to take an optional subject in Year 9 in order to take it at GCSE.
years 10 and 11
In Years 10 and 11 the curriculum needs to be broad and balanced, in order to keep as many doors open for subsequent choices to be made at A-level and then for degrees and careers.
Core GCSE subjects:
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English Language
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English Literature
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Mathematics (and Further Mathematics for some)
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Science - Pupils study either Double Award Science or the Triple Science option which leads to three separate Science qualifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
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Religious Studies
Pupils then choose three further options from the following option subjects:
- Art
- Art and Textiles
- Business Studies
- Computer Science
- Design and Technology: Resistant Materials
- Design and Technology:
Electronic systems, programmable components and mechanical devices - Drama
- Food Preparation and Nutrition
- French
- Geography
- History
- Latin
- Music
- Physical Education
- Psychology
- Spanish
- Sport (BTEC)
(In the interests of balance, only one Design and Technology subject may be chosen).
Learning Support can be available in place of one GCSE option if appropriate.
In addition all pupils continue with non-examined Games and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) through the REAL Programme.
LOWER AND UPPER SIXTH
Most Sixth Form students will take three subjects through to A-level as well as undertaking a Project Qualification (Level 3 Extended Project Qualification or Level 2 Higher Project Qualification). Students may take four subjects at A-level if it is felt to be in their best interests. There is also the opportunity to take an
AS Level in Core Mathematics for students who are not taking A-level Mathematics but would like to continue with
their Maths, perhaps to support other A-levels with considerable mathematical content. This would normally be in place of a Project Qualification. Help is given in choosing A-level subjects wisely, taking into account strengths and
preferences, sensible subject combinations and future degree choices and career choices.
Group sizes in the Sixth Form enable staff to give pupils a great deal of individual attention.
A-level Option Choices:
- Art
- Art and Textiles
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Business Studies (BTEC)
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Core Mathematics
- Design and Technology
- Drama and Theatre Studies
- Economics
- English Language and Literature
- English Literature
- French
- Geography
- History
- Latin
- Law
- Mathematics
- Further Mathematics
- Music
- Music Performance (BTEC)
- Photography
- Physical Education
- Sport (BTEC)
- Physics
- Politics
- Psychology
- Religious Studies (Philosophy and Ethics)
- Sociology
- Spanish
provision for exceptionally able pupils
The da Vinci Programme
At Princethorpe College we aspire to the Renaissance ideal that all people should endeavour to develop their capacities as fully as possible, to enjoy broad interests, profound knowledge and wide ranging accomplishments. Whilst we may be born with certain predispositions, we are completely able to change and develop skills as much as we wish to and when a student demonstrates three interlocking traits - ability, task commitment and creativity - they will achieve high level performance.
We recognise that young people can only perform at a high level if they are given opportunities to do so and this growth mindset is an integral part of teaching and learning at Princethorpe College. It is a mindset that encourages students to become independent, robust and enquiring; it embeds a culture of challenge, aspiration and dedication throughout the school. All departments provide tasks that offer pupils the opportunity to demonstrate their ability, task commitment and creativity embedded in the day-to-day delivery of the curriculum. These expose learners to complex resources, challenging questions and high-level thinking skills within their class grouping. When a pupil performs at da Vinci
level they are awarded one of the da Vinci merit. These merits are logged on a data base and this allows us to
carefully monitor high performance across all subjects and year groups.
Those pupils who consistently perform
at da Vinci level are celebrated and offered further opportunities for stretch and challenge (such as invitations to guest lectures, Level 2 and 3 Project Qualifications). The top 10% of pupils with the highest number of da Vinci merits in each year group are awarded da Vinci badges and are invited to participate in the annual da Vinci Badge winners' trip. The one student who achieves the most da Vinci merits in an academic year and who most embodies the Renaissance ideal is awarded the da Vinci Shield at the College’s annual Prize Giving.
at da Vinci level are celebrated and offered further opportunities for stretch and challenge (such as invitations to guest lectures, Level 2 and 3 Project Qualifications). The top 10% of pupils with the highest number of da Vinci merits in each year group are awarded da Vinci badges and are invited to participate in the annual da Vinci Badge winners' trip. The one student who achieves the most da Vinci merits in an academic year and who most embodies the Renaissance ideal is awarded the da Vinci Shield at the College’s annual Prize Giving.
The Elite Sports Programme (ESP) and numerous opportunities in every subject across all years - as well as a wide range of co-curricular activities - allow pupils who demonstrate these three traits to further develop their prowess in their areas of interest. The College magazine, The Pinnacle, celebrates outstanding work produced by the pupils of the Foundation and is a showcase for our Renaissance ideal.
Project Qualifications
The College offers project opportunities to Academic Scholars in Year 8, and to identified high performing pupils in Year 9 and the Extended project Qualification to all students in the Lower Sixth. A Project Qualification is a recognised qualification following the Edexcel Course, comprising an individual research project rather than an exam. Project outcomes can be in the form of a dissertation, investigation, artefact or performance. Upon completion, students of the Level 2 (Year 9) and Level 3 (Sixth Form) qualifications are also required to give a short presentation on their research to teachers and a group of fellow pupils and take questions at the end. Pupils are assigned a mentor who provides advice and guidance as required and with whom they meet regularly for direct teaching, instruction and assessment, or other structured learning such as directed assignments or supported individual study. Pupils also meet regularly with the librarian and other pupils to be taught the necessary research and independent learning skills needed to undertake such a project. Pupils’ own private study is an additional commitment to these guided learning hours. Extended Projects are welcomed by many universities, and admissions tutors may well use them in differentiating between applicants for offer making.
The Level 1 and 2 Projects are delivered after school as a co-curricular activity. The Level 3 Extended Project is worth the equivalent of half an A-level and is delivered as part of the Sixth Form programme.