Bespoke curriculum

The development was announced following a review of Sixth Form curricula, undertaken at both KEHS and KES during the Autumn Term of 2024. This review comprised a consultation involving pupils, parents and staff, as well as feasibility studies into different options for the schools’ Sixth Forms.  

It was clear from the surveys that parents and pupils at both schools were primarily looking for an academically successful Sixth Form which prepared pupils for university through high quality teaching and the promotion of independent thinking and learning. They also talked about support, from staff who knew and understood each child as an individual and who supported them to achieve their potential. The Sixth Form experience should also balance academic success with co-curricular activities, wellbeing and enrichment.    

There was near unanimous support across the KEHS community for the current curriculum, with some ideas for additional subjects and learning opportunities that could be introduced. 

While A Levels will be the examined component of the Sixth Form, pupils at both KEHS and KES will also be able to access a wide bespoke curriculum from September 2025, which will retain our strengths in developing critical thinking and acts of service, as has been part of the schools’ stories for generations.  

There will be many opportunities to find out more about the broad range of A Level subjects that will be on offer in the coming weeks. The A Level subjects currently available to KEHS pupils will continue to be offered, and there will almost certainly be some additional options in response to the feedback received. We will be proud to offer an even greater breadth of subjects in the Sixth Form than we do currently, at a time when many other schools are shrinking their offer.  

The wider curriculum will embed the essential skills which pupils will need for life: a broad perspective, cultural, digital and financial literacy, healthy living and effective learning habits. It will be balanced with study periods and the flexibility for each pupil to have a choice in what is taken through to examination. In sum, we will be combining the depth of A Levels  with the holistic vision of the IB Diploma, from a position of great strength.   

Current Year 11s wishing to explore joining KEHS for Sixth Form in September 2025 are warmly invited to our Sixth Form Open Evening, taking place on Tuesday 3 December. 

As we look to an exciting future, King Edward VI High School for Girls and King Edward’s School will remain two distinct schools, with a shared ambition- to offer the very best education to their pupils, creating a life-long love of learning in a stimulating and supportive environment.  

22 October 2024