Bradfield School prepares pupils to thrive in a world that is technologically advanced, dynamic, and diverse. Success is not solely defined by academic results. We shape pupils into compassionate, resilient leaders who are organised, proactive, and ready to make a positive impact. 

Bradfield has a rich history of offering a truly broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum for all.  The values of our community underpin our approach to the holistic development of our students.  Our approach incorporates opportunities for academic, creative and personal development and success.  Staff are mindful of individual starting points, backgrounds and needs, supporting and stretching all students appropriately to allow them to flourish and prosper.   

Our curriculum is planned in a logical order, building knowledge in clear steps over time, increasing in scale and complexity.   Learning incorporates frequent revision and retrieval to enable students to know and remember more in the long term, supporting academic success.   

Whilst most learning takes place in the classroom, we capitalise on all aspects of school life for the development of students.  This focusses on the LORIC values of Leadership, Organisation, Resilience, Initiative and Communication.  Our tutor programme, extra-curricular activities and variety of opportunities for leadership complement and support the work of the subject based curriculum, whilst developing students’ interpersonal skills.  Assemblies are integrated into the tutor programme and are used as a vehicle for further learning, covering wider aspects of teaching and learning, pastoral themes, community values, wider current affairs and rewards.  We believe that truly successful students develop their academic, creative and interpersonal skills. 

Everything we do is designed to ensure our students develop the knowledge, skills and values needed for personal success and to make a positive contribution to the wider world. 

Curriculum Structure

Key Stage 3 (Y7-Y9, age 11-14)

Year groups are split into two bands in key stage 3. Students are mostly taught as a form group in Y7 and then in different mixed ability groups in Y8 and Y9.  Design Technology is taught in smaller group sizes throughout key stage 3 to ensure health and safety regulations are met.  PE is taught in gender groups.  Mathematics is taught by ability from Y7 and Science is set by ability from Y8 onwards.

Students will be taught French through modern foreign languages lessons.  This is then an optional subject at GCSE.

Design Technology lessons incorporate a range of DT elements (including Food) in key stage 3 on a rotation to enable students to experience each subject discipline.  The different elements are then available as optional subjects at GCSE.

^{The profile of student timetables at key stage 3 can be seen in greater detail in the document at the bottom of the page.}

Key stage 4 (Y10-11) age 14-16

All students study the core subjects of English (literature and language), Mathematics, RE and Science at GCSE.  All students are given the opportunity to study individual sciences.  All students have core Personal Development and PE lessons each week.

Students choose three optional subjects, one compulsory choice from Geography, History or French, plus two others.

^{Please see the document below for a detailed list of GCSE courses on offer and the profile of student timetables at key stage 4.}