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The curriculum at Loreto embraces the Loreto values of Freedom, Justice, Sincerity, Truth and Joy, transmitted through the school’s Christian ethos, in serving the needs of each individual. Within a framework of outstanding student support, we offer flexible, appropriately revised and frequently developed curriculum provision, sensitive to students’ needs and to National changes.
Loreto’s curriculum content embraces a breadth of learning experiences at all Key Stages; and, while including the full National Curriculum content, offers the widest range of optional subjects, and an outstanding programme of diverse activities within the Life Skills enrichment programme. Specialist status in Science and Mathematics allows yet further curriculum opportunities for stimulating and developing enquiring young minds.
Our curriculum delivery offers the development to full potential of each individual through teaching of the highest standard, provision of appropriate learning resources and flexible partnerships.
Assessment is embedded within teaching and learning of which it is a key part. Our whole school assessment system provides a framework within which learners can, with their teachers, discuss their achievements and aspirations and plan and progress towards their goals. Students at all Key Stages are involved in reviewing their progress towards ‘curricular’ and ‘quantitative’ targets with Form Tutors and pastoral coordinators in one-to-one consultations. -
Key Stages 3 and 4
All students follow a common curriculum up to the end of Year 9. The subjects taught in these years are: Religious Education, Art, Design Technology, English, French, Geography, History, ICT, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education and Science. A choice of German, Latin or Spanish is offered from Year 9. Students begin GCSE courses in Year 10. All take a common core of Religious Studies, English and English Literature, ICT, a Modern Foreign Language, Mathematics and Science (leading to 2 or 3 GCSE awards).
Every girl has also a choice of two or three further optional subjects. New subjects at this level are Business Studies, Classical Civilisation and Expressive Arts. There are general courses in Physical Education and in Life Skills, a curriculum enrichment area offering a range of school and community based activities.
Key Stage 5 - Sixth Form
Students are asked to choose four or five AS (Advanced Supplementary) courses from an extensive range of subjects. As well as the subjects mentioned above, new subjects are English Language, Government and Politics, Psychology, Sports Science, Sociology and Theatre Studies. Examinations at AS Level are taken at the end of Year 12. In Year 13, students choose to continue at least three of their AS subjects to A Level. Courses in Life Skills continue and develop during Years 12 and 13, and include certification in Young Leaders Awards; ECDL and FSMQ, as well as GCE courses in Critical Thinking, General Studies and Science for Public Understanding. There are also courses in General Religious Education for all Key Stage 5 students.
Booklets
There are separate booklets outlining the curriculum content as appropriate in Years 7, 8 and 9; Options for GCSE and courses in the Sixth Form.
Please note that the following links will open a PDF document in a separate window.
Please note: Year booklets will be available here shortly.
Homework
Students are given a homework timetable allocating homework to subjects in proportion with the appropriate balance of curriculum time for each subject. Details of homework timetables are included in the appropriate booklet for the year group.
Extra Curricular Activities
We are extremely proud of the rich programme of extra curricular activities that we are able to offer. There are many sporting clubs, for example - volleyball, badminton, trampolining and football. Loreto teams play at County and National level and are regularly Trafford champions in Cross-Country, Netball, Hockey and Athletics. We are holders of the National Schools Basketball title at both U16 and U19 and play at International level too.
There are numerous special interest clubs, for example - Languages, Drama, Mathematics, ICT, History, Geography, Dance and Classics. We run a branch of the British Association of Young Scientists and the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Our Choirs and Cantamus groups regularly participate in television recordings and are complemented by our Junior and Senior Orchestras, Brass and String Groups.
A debating competition and a poetry and drama competition are held each year. Students are actively involved in local and national Public Speaking competitions.
Our annual Charity Appeal raises large sums for a charity chosen by the girls who regularly fund raise for our sister school in Kolkata, India.
In the course of each year, educational visits are organised by many subjects as part of their curriculum. These include exchange visits to Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and the USA. In addition, groups of girls go to Lourdes as part of their parish or youth groups.
Careers Education and Guidance
Students are entitled to a planned and well-structured programme of careers education and guidance within their overall education. The School aims to develop self-awareness and an understanding of individual capacities. It aims to encourage the investigation of careers and opportunities in order to allow the students to implement their career plans. We offer a programme of lessons, guidance at important points of choice and a well-stocked careers library. Work experience for all Year 10 is organised at the beginning of the Summer Term. The school participates in the Connexions Programme.
Curriculum Complaints Procedure
The School has adopted a model process for Curriculum Complaints. Full details are available from the School.
