A broad-based curriculum is on offer. All core subjects are taught in discreet lessons with specialist teachers. We utilise an integrated humanities curriculum (history, geography and RE), which is project-based and allows cross-curricular learning, problem solving, literacy and team working skills to develop better. Students have a discreet RE lesson taught by a specialist to ensure that all our students have the opportunity to explore the sacraments specifically and Christian teaching and practices generally.

A broad-based curriculum is on offer. Core subjects, including RE, are taught by specialists. The science curriculum currently includes BTEC science, which is a more applied option and will benefit a large number of our students better than GCSE. We provide a range of pathways at Key Stage 4 to ensure we meet the needs of all our students.

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum has a wide range of more applied options for students. The traditional academic options are still be available appropriately. BTEC options include Media, Health and Social Care, Performing Arts, Sport, as well as OCR nationals in ICT and Business.

At St. John Fisher we are committed to improving regularly our curriculum offer post-16 to reflect the needs of students and skills and knowledge needed in the 21st Century. Therefore, extended our applied options to give more diverse pathways for our students so they will achieve better and be able to move seamlessly to the next phase of their learning, training or employment.

In addition to our range of successful A Level courses, we will have extended our range of Advanced BTEC courses, including Public Services and Sport. Many BTEC courses will be offered at Level 2 (GCSE Level) and Level 3 (post-16) to ensure that students access the right courses at the appropriate level.

We aim to provide an excellent post-16 provision within the context of a Catholic school which serves the needs of young people and develops them personally and morally as well as academically. The vision of excellence for all is embedded throughout the post-16 curriculum, whatever the pathway.

Students of all ability achieve well in our school. There are many ways in which we celebrate our students’ achievements. Students gain Merits and Letters of Commendation. Three times a year we recognise students’ progress in Celebration Assemblies.

St John Fisher School, recently judged outstanding in all categories by a section 48 inspection team, is celebrating their largest sixth form cohort success in five years. As the numbers in the sixth form continue to rise, we have seen successes at the highest levels in both our traditional GCE A-Levels and our applied level 3 courses. This is despite the ever changing political climate this year which has made it even more challenging to reach the highest grades.

40% of students have attained grades A* - B and 66% A*-C, with all students finding places at higher education, apprenticeship or jobs with training. This is a credit to the hard work put in throughout the two years of study in the sixth form by staff and students alike supported by parents and families.

Particular successes include:

• Donjeta Haxhiu, achieving an A* in A2 sociology, who will be studying primary education at Canterbury Christ Church University in September.
• Shaib Ahmed, achieving an A* in philosophy of religion and ethics and an A in design technology, will be studying mechanical engineering at Kingston University in September.
• Casey Russell, achieving grades A, B, C, will be studying mechanical engineering at Exeter University in September.
• Mohammed Khoyer, achieving grades B, B, C and Distinction, will be studying law at Brunel University in September.

Following on from our outstanding section 48 report, the religious education department excelled with 60% of students gaining A*-B grades and 43% of students achieving A*-B in sociology. This level of success can also be seen in our applied subjects where 100% students achieved A*-B in performing arts and 73% gained A*-B in health and social care.

At AS-Level, Cameron Somers achieved grades AABB and Monica Reis achieved grades AAAB including achieving full marks in her English AS examination, the highest amount possible. They will both continue in year 13 next year as Deputy Head Boy and Head Girl respectively.