Our reputation for academic excellence is based on a varied and challenging curriculum, delivered by inspirational and supportive teachers.
Our curriculum allows pupils to discover their passions and pursue their interests, leading them to further study at some of the world’s leading universities.
Year 9 to Year 11
In Year 9, pupils have the opportunity to sample a wide variety of subjects including two modern foreign languages, design & technology, and drama, before choosing specialist subjects for GCSE. All subjects are taught in dedicated teaching spaces which allows for their specialisation.
Each area of the academic curriculum is the responsibility of the Head of Department who, along with the Academic Deputy, plans and manages the teaching of their subject. Examination courses are chosen by the Head of Department to best challenge St Peter’s pupils and these are under continual review.
Lessons for Life
To complement the academic curriculum, all pupils attend Lessons for Life each week, a bespoke programme which goes beyond the statutory PSHE provision to develop positive mental health and wellbeing.
Tutoring
All pupils are supported by a tutor and we have significantly increased the time available for tutoring with fewer pupils per tutor and more time for one-to-one discussions. Tutors focus on a pupil’s individual needs, with a focus on personal development and the importance of skills for life as highlighted by the World Economic Forum
Pupils also work with staff in a variety of departments through initiatives such as Exploration Week for Year 12 pupils, in addition to formal teaching, to prepare them for life beyond school.
Academic Visits and Trips
In addition to our extensive programme of co-curricular trips and activities, academic visits are organised throughout the year. This might include cultural trips and exchanges, including language trips to Spain and Germany, politics tours of Washington DC, English trips to the theatre, and geography field trips to the Yorkshire coast.
We also welcome a number of guest speakers throughout the year to deliver lectures and talks to our pupils to enhance their studies.
The Alcuin Library
Our Library at St Peter’s 13-18 is named after Alcuin, the Northumbrian scholar who worked under Charlemagne and taught at St Peter's School in AD750.
Staffed by a full-time chartered Librarian, the library is open six days a week and carries a stock of approximately 14,000 items in a huge variety of media including an audiobook and ebook app.
All pupils are taught how to use the library and access the Library Catalogue online, enabling them to request, reserve and renew items.
Pupil involvement in the Library is also encouraged. There is a Library Committee which is reformed annually, comprising of two pupil representatives from each House and a member of the teaching staff.
Sixth Form pupils receive separate inductions, are entitled to borrow a greater number of resources, and can request items via The British Library for their studies.
