Curriculum Overview

At Queen Margaret’s girls are able to study a wide range of subjects to GCSE, AS and A2 levels. The following summaries give an outline syllabus for each subject and how it develops as girls progress through the school.

The following terminology is used throughout (with the exception of games):

Lower School – Years I, II and III (National Curriculum Years 7, 8 and 9

GCSE Years – Years IV and V (National Curriculum Years 10 and 11)

Sixth Form – LVI and UVI (National Curriculum Years 12 and 13)

In the Lower School girls follow a broad curriculum, which becomes more focused in Year III as they are guided to a balanced range of subjects for GCSE study. Departments do not confine themselves to the content of the National Curriculum but tailor their courses to the needs and abilities of the girls in ways that will stimulate, challenge and excite young minds.

In Years I and II girls also participate in a range of activities during the last hour of the school day.

During the GCSE years twenty-one subjects are offered. All girls study English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science (either the double award course or the three separate sciences) and a modern foreign language. In addition most girls opt to study four other subjects. Once girls have made their GCSE selections, the timetable is developed around their chosen subjects.

In the Sixth Form twenty-five subjects are offered to AS and A2 level. Guided by their tutors girls select A level subjects and once again a timetable is built around their choices. At AS level most girls opt to study four or five subjects reducing to three or four at A2 level.

ICT skills are taught in dedicated lessons at all levels and further developed as appropriate in individual academic subjects. Similarly, PSHE and careers lessons are incorporated into the girls’ timetables.

Sport is seen as an essential part of school life and so, in addition to the academic subjects, girls in all years have some form of timetabled physical activity on most days.

The curriculum summaries produced by the departments are not intended to be comprehensive but merely to provide an indication of the subject matter studied at each stage. For each subject offered at examination level (GCSE, AS and A2) there is a quick link to the relevant examination board. Further details regarding any subject can be obtained by contacting the relevant Head of Department at the school.