Curriculum

The lower school is made up of years 7 and 8. In their first two years at City, pupils study a full range of arts, humanities, languages, sciences and technological subjects. All forms have lessons in personal, social, health, citizenship and economic education (PSHCEE) and a wide and varied PE programme.

Subjects

• art
• biology
• chemistry
• computer science
• design and technology​
• drama
• English
• geography
• history
• Latin
• mathematics
• music
• PSHCEE
• physical education
• physics
• religion, philosophy and ethics (RPE)
• two modern foreign languages (from French, German, Chinese or Spanish)

Pupils in year 7 do not sit exams at the end of the year, but instead do a week-long independent learning project (ILP). They are also taken off timetable for five sessions throughout the year for year 7 challenges. These extend their research, thinking and presentation skills across the curriculum, as well as encouraging their creativity. Year 8 have a one-day ILP that continues to develop these important skills.

The senior school encompasses years 9, 10 and 11. Year 9 continue with the wide range of subjects they studied in years 7 and 8. Year 9 are given the opportunity to drop one subject (one of their languages, Latin or computer science) if they wish, allowing them the opportunity to begin to narrow their curriculum ahead of their GCSE studies in year 10.

In year 10 and 11, pupils follow a chosen programme of study for their GCSE courses. Most pupils take 10 GCSE examinations, studying a compulsory core of English, English literature, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, at least one modern foreign language and one humanities subject. A minority of pupils study 11 GCSEs if they choose GCSE PE, Greek or accelerated music.

All pupils follow a programme of Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCEE), which includes guidance on careers, and a full PE programme.

More information can be found here about our GCSE options.

 

GCSE Subjects

Compulsory Core

• English
• English literature
• mathematics

Sciences

• biology
• chemistry
• physics

Modern Foreign Languages

• French
• German
• Spanish
• Chinese

Humanities

• geography
• history
• religion, philosophy and ethics (RPE)

Additional Subjects

• art
• drama
• design and technology (product design)
• Latin
• music
• PE
• computer science
• Classical Greek with some lessons taking place outside curriculum time

At GCSE, classes in option subjects will be run according to demand and may not run if fewer than 10 pupils choose the subject.

Students start year 12 by studying four subjects. Some continue with four to the end of year 13 but most students will choose to specialise in three subjects for their A Level exams (or Pre-U in the case of Chinese and German). Further mathematics students sit A Level mathematics at the end of year 12 and take further mathematics and two other subjects for A Level at the end of year 13. The sixth form timetable is arranged to accommodate a wide variety of subject combinations, including a mix of arts and science subjects. Students can also opt to do an EPQ (extended project qualification) which is the equivalent of half an A Level, allowing them to choose a topic of interest to research independently.

To counterbalance the academic focus of A Level studies, general studies and community service allow students to pursue a wide range of interests. This is reinforced by an extensive range of extracurricular activities. There is a weekly tutorial programme run by tutors and outside experts, some of which is organised with the City of London School. This focuses on personal, social, health and citizenship education (PSHCEE), careers and higher education advice and guidance. Tutors also monitor the students’ overall academic progress, and provide support with university applications.

Our 2024-26 A level guide provides a full overview of the curriculum and is available here.

A Level Subjects

• art
• biology
• chemistry
• Chinese
• classical civilisation
• classics: Greek and/or Latin
• computer science
• design and technology
• drama and theatre studies
• economics
• English literature
• French
• geography
• German
• history (16th century)
• history (20th century)
• mathematics
• mathematics (further)
• music
• religious studies
• physics
• politics
• Spanish
• extended project qualification
• general studies
• GCSE Italian is available in year 12