Our Curriculum
At Streatham & Clapham High School we offer much more than a standard academic education, with curiosity and creativity at the heart of our curriculum. We teach our girls to be fearless learners through self-reliance, resourcefulness and collaboration. They embrace risk taking, develop resilience and grow in confidence in order to excel in a volatile and fast changing world.
Year 7
When girls join our School in Year 7, we ensure they have a broad foundation of 17 subjects. While some subjects will be familiar, there will be others that girls will be studying for the very first time. In addition to English, Mathematics and Science, our girls explore the three branches of the humanities: Geography, History, and Philosophy, Religion & Ethics, alongside Art, Design Technology & Engineering, Music, Drama and Computer Science. Year 7 girls study two modern foreign languages, French and Mandarin, as well as Latin & Classics. Girls also participate in timetabled sport and PE lessons and enjoy a host of co-curricular and enrichment activities. They take part in a timetabled curriculum activity, Kinza, every two weeks. This is an enrichment afternoon where girls choose from a broad range of activities including circus skills, jewellery making, bouldering and cycling. Throughout their time at the School, girls follow an enlightened programme of Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education (PSHCE), along with a comprehensive ‘Futures and Aspirations’ programme to inspire them in their future careers.
Years 8 and 9
During these years, girls begin to make their first independent academic choices. In Year 8, girls continue studying Latin & Classics and choose two other languages from the following options: French, Mandarin and Spanish. Year 8 is designed to lay the foundations for making confident choices for GCSE options. In Year 9, their scientific education specialises with distinct courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In certain subjects, such as the sciences, Mathematics and English, the girls begin to follow the core GCSE syllabus from Year 9. The girls are encouraged to keep an open mind about their future choices, and we offer them many opportunities to discover which concepts and topics ignite their intellectual curiosity and creativity. Form Tutors, Heads of Year, Heads of Department and the other academic staff offer an extensive programme of one-to-one guidance and group events to support the girls and their families during the girls’ transition to GCSEs.
Years 10 and 11
In addition to continuing with English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, the girls select four additional subjects for their GCSE studies; we recommend that they choose a language and a humanity subject as part of these options. Girls may also choose to complete a Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) which involves researching a topic of their choice, creating a 2000-word report or artefact and delivering a presentation. Girls continue to enjoy an active and well-balanced programme through compulsory sport and co-curricular and supra-curricular enrichment. Opportunities to network with alumnae, ongoing careers education, work experience, PSHCE, A Level taster lessons and an array of co-curricular activities stimulate the girls’ personal growth.
Core subjects at (I)GCSE level (studied by all pupils): English Language, English Literature and Mathematics.
Science Options: Triple Science (three GCSEs) covering Biology, Chemistry, Physics; and Trilogy Science (two GCSEs), which is the study of the three scientific areas, with examinations in each but equating to two GCSEs.
In addition to the core subjects and Science option, you have a choice of four optional subjects to select. Subjects include Art & Design: Fine Art, Classical Civilisation, Classical Greek, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Drama, Engineering, French, Geography, History, Latin, Mandarin, Music, Philosophy Religion & Ethics (PRE), Physical Education and Spanish.
Sixth Form
Our Sixth Form students’ bespoke programmes of academic and co-curricular study encourage their curiosity, insight and knowledge, as well as developing the skills needed to prepare them to thrive in life beyond school. We currently offer 26 A Level subjects plus the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which is an independent project in any topic equivalent to half an A Level. We also offer the HSK Chinese Proficiency Language Training, as well as the GDST LEAD programme and volunteering and work experience opportunities, many of which take place during our Kinza co-curricular afternoons. We know and value our students as individuals, nurturing their potential, challenging them to be ambitious, and encouraging them to pursue further studies and life opportunities. Supported by the Director of Sixth Form, Heads of Year, Head of Futures and Aspirations, and form tutors, our students pursue personalised pathways, echoing our ethos of ‘family, not factory’.
Each student benefits from one-to-one time with specialists, including dedicated support from in-house subject, universities and careers experts; smaller class sizes, allowing for personalised attention from subject teachers; and bespoke programmes that provide hands-on preparation for the outside world and a bright future. As part of the GDST network, our students also benefit from a wealth of expertise, facilities and enrichment opportunities, such as the GDST CareerStart Programme, the Shared Alumnae Network, the GDST Leadership and Enterprise Diploma with the London School of Economics, and diverse scholarships, prizes and competitions.
A Level Options
When choosing their A Level subjects, students must consider what they will enjoy studying in depth for two years, as well as where their strengths lie. In Year 11, we provide a wealth of information and opportunity to learn about, discuss and refine these choices and students in our Sixth Form really do love their learning as a result. All students start Year 12 studying either three or (in a small number of cases) four A Level subjects. Everyone also takes part in Sixth Form Enrichment, which includes PSHE and EPQ teaching and guidance, but also comprises MOOCs, competitions, lectures, volunteering, work experience and workshops. Students are expected to achieve a grade 7 in the GCSE subjects they wish to continue at A Level, and expected to achieve at least six grade 7s in their GCSEs to continue in the Sixth Form at SCHS. Subjects include: Fine Art; Biology; Business Studies; Chemistry; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classical Greek; Computer Science; Drama and Theatre; Design Technology: Product Design; Economics; English Literature; Extended Project Qualification (EPQ); French; Geography; Government and Politics; History; Latin; Mathematics; Further Mathematics; Music; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Philosophy, Religion & Ethics (PRE); Sociology; and Spanish.
