Our positive learning environment provides a stable setting on which students can rely. Well-structured lessons encourage the contribution of ideas and respect for the views of others, whilst weekly ‘Triple-E’ allows students to explore concepts purely focused on inspiration, enjoyment, curiosity and discovery across the curriculum.
At East Barnet School, we aim to give students an inspiring and engaging experience. Our curriculum is broad, balanced, ambitious, inclusive and relevant for the 21st century.
We encourage, support and develop students to become life-long independent learners, whose emotional health and wellbeing, along with their academic and intellectual potential, will flourish. We develop the whole person by building their character with strong leadership skills, values and instilling our culture of “I want to learn” and “do the right thing”. Students develop values like community, respect, kindness, professionalism, integrity and resilience so they can make a positive contribution to our local and global community.
Students study a bespoke Key Stage 3 programme which works alongside the National Curriculum so they can develop a full understanding of both core and foundation subjects before choosing their GCSEs when they are better informed and more mature to narrow their focus.
All students study Expressive Arts, Design and Technology and a minimum of one language alongside our core subjects. As a growth mindset school and through stretch and challenge and careful sequencing and mapping of the curriculum, we build on previous skills and knowledge and are able to inspire all students and develop their resilience.
We provide opportunities for students to extend their learning outside of the formal curriculum, including enrichment activities such as, Sports Leaders, Drama, Art, Design and Technology and Orchestra clubs. Through our assemblies, PSHEE and Triple E curriculum we equip students with the skills and knowledge that allow them to make positive choices and contributions to society through teaching subjects like Sex and Relationship Education, Citizenship, Human Rights and Government and Democracy.
To ensure breadth and balance in the curriculum at GCSE and to meet the requirements of the EBacc, students will typically be required to study a Modern Foreign Language and a Humanities subject. We also encourage our students to take one of the many Expressive Arts, Design and Technology, Social Sciences or Computing courses on offer.
At A-Level, students have many challenging subjects to choose from including Design Engineering, Fashion and Textiles, Politics, Photography and Cambridge Technical level Business courses. Through educational research and Continuing Professional Development staff are continually improving in many areas such as their lesson delivery and behaviour management.
Students successfully transition and achieve well at each Key Stage. At the end of Key Stage 3 a high percentage of students make good or better than expected progress.
Our GCSE results showcased 56% of our students entered made Level 5 or above progress in Maths and English compared to a national average of 43%. Additionally, all EBacc subjects made a positive Progress 8 score. Our Key Stage 4 students on average achieved an Attainment 8 score of 50.96 compared to a national average of 46.5, whilst 73.5% of all grades awarded were level 9 to 4 and 24% of all grades awarded were level 9 to 7. 95% of our students stay in education for at least two terms after Key Stage 4.
At A-Level, students’ achievements are in the top 10% of schools nationally (ALPS 2) and the best state school in the Borough of Barnet for progress at A-Level. Through our vast offer we demonstrate the majority of our students taking part in our enrichment offer including extra-curricular activities, concerts, school shows, trips and visits. All of our Sixth Form students take part in our leadership programme and a large proportion of all our Key Stage 3 and 4 students participate as well. Through kindness and positivity students are happy to come to school which was evident from a recent student survey. Our students are polite, kind, charming and confident leaders when they leave our care.
Students are taught at different Key Stages as they progress through school. Year 7 – 9 is referred to as Key Stage 3, Year 10 – 11 is Key Stage 4, and Year 12 – 13 is Key Stage 5. As students progress through these stages, they are given more choice over the subjects they would like to study.
Education in Years 7, 8 and 9 is often referred to as Key Stage 3 or KS3. These are the first subjects students study whilst in secondary school and gives a good basis for choosing GCSE subjects in Year 9.
Students are not able to choose their subjects at Key Stage 3 and must study National Curriculum subjects: Art; Computing; Design and Technology (D&T); Drama; English; Geography; History; Mathematics; Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) (French, German, Spanish); Music; Physical Education (PE); Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHEE) and Citizenship; Religious Education (RE); Science.
We are very clear about what our students are expected to learn in every subject, not only during each Key Stage or academic year, but each term. These booklets contain subject overviews, explain key topics, and suggest extended learning.
Education in Years 10 and 11 is often referred to as Key Stage 4 or KS4. At this stage, students are given an element of choice over the subjects they wish to study, alongside some compulsory subjects.
All students will follow courses in English, Mathematics, Science and Physical Education (PE). They will also study Personal, Social, Health and Economics Education (PSHEE) including RE & Citizenship, and will experience Computing across a variety of subjects. Students will be presented with pathways and discuss their choices with staff to ensure they are the best options for the future aspirations.
We are very clear about what our students are expected to learn in every subject, not only during each Key Stage or academic year, but each term. These booklets contain subject overviews, explain key topics, and suggest extended learning.
Education in Years 12 and 13 is often referred to as Key Stage 5 or KS5. There are no compulsory subjects in Sixth Form; students are free to choose the subjects they wish to study.
For A-Level, the curriculum is organised into five curriculum blocks and students must choose courses within this framework (one subject from each block). Appropriately qualified students should choose four subjects. In exceptional circumstances, appropriately qualified students will be given the opportunity to study five. Students who have only just met the entrance criteria may be allowed to choose three subjects.
We are very clear about what our students are expected to learn in every subject, not only during each Key Stage or academic year, but each term. These booklets contain subject overviews, explain key topics, and suggest extended learning.
Enrichment at East Barnet School is designed to support the existing curriculum by providing a wide range of opportunities that enrich, enhance and extend (Triple E) the educational experience of our students within timetabled lessons, clubs and trips.
The purpose of Enrichment is to:
My children received an all-round education and the very best results. They were taught not just the facts, but the things that matter in life; care for others, honesty and integrity. They made friends and had fun – as a parent I could not have asked for anything more.
Thank you for your interest in the curriculum at East Barnet School. We work hard to ensure our topics are inclusive and diverse to reflect the EBS community and the society in which we live. If you have any questions about our teaching and learning, or you would like to apply to one of the most progressive and popular schools in Barnet, then please do use the buttons below to get in touch.