Curriculum

Art is an important and popular part of a rounded education at The Royal School. Pupils of all abilities are encouraged to work in a wide range of media including; drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking and sculpture. They are introduced to work from artists working in all periods and genres, as well as considering cultural influences from around the globe and the impact these may have on current practices in the creative fields. 

As pupils’ ability develops, they are introduced to more stretching and abstract concepts; including movement, expression and mood, building firm foundations for the creative challenges of GCSE and A Level Art, and at all times encouraging them to work with confidence and ambition. 

Computer Science is a key cross-curricular subject. Whether you are analysing data in Science, writing an essay in English or creating a financial model for Economics, computers play a vital role.

Here at The Royal School we embed Computer Science into our curriculum so that our pupils have the best grasp on how to use this technology safely and to maximum effect.

Lessons are a mixture of project work and assessed units, including online safety, programming and ethics. GCSE and A Level students further develop their understanding of computers and learn how to get ready for a job in the industry.

In The Royal School Drama department you’ll find creativity, confidence, imagination and an appreciation of professional performance! 

The Drama department is busy, popular and has been very successful in preparing students to study Drama at university or Drama School.  

We run an inclusive programme of productions each year that represent a wide range of styles and genres. The Upper School play gives our older performers the chance to tackle a challenging and exciting text. The Whole School production is for everyone, an inclusive casting approach gives everyone the chance to be in an outstanding play, it is usually a musical. The Lower School play is for our younger performers and takes place in the Summer Term. 

Design and Technology at The Royal School enables our pupils to be creative, imaginative and inspired. Under the guidance of experienced staff, pupils can produce work of an outstanding standard. The learning environment is dynamic, and students become confident to create innovative ideas, and develop the capability to bring their ideas to life.

At GCSE our curriculum is focused on graphics, CAD/CAM and resistant materials, culminating in excellent product design. Graphic skills are developed to help pupils better communicate their ideas, and CAD/CAM is an integral part of a pupil’s product design work. Our versatile, well-equipped CAD/CAM facility and workshop, offer pupils the opportunity to fully explore designing and manufacturing, while applying the principles of artistic creativity, science and engineering. Royal School pupils are able to push the boundaries of their projects, and staff thoroughly enjoy seeing what they can achieve in school and afterwards in various situations; including all aspects of design, architecture and engineering. 

In English lessons, pupils study fiction and non-fiction extracts to develop their reading and writing skills, all of which is brought to life through speaking and listening activities such as: discussions, debates and individual presentations.

As part of the GCSE English Language course, pupils will draw upon a range of texts as reading stimuli and engage with creative as well as relevant real life contexts.

The GCSE English Literature course takes a skills-based approach to the study of English Literature which is applicable across all the genres and texts that we study. The course offers excellent preparation for A level English Literature, as well as giving pupils a grounding in a range of literature which we hope will stay with them for life. The two key components to the GCSE are Shakespeare and the 19th Century novel and Modern Texts and Poetry. 

Geography is a varied and exciting course that allows pupils to develop a deep understanding of both the human and physical world around them and acquire transferable skills which will help future study in any discipline. Pupils will explore topics such as Weather and Climate Change, Glacial Landscapes and Processes and Changing CIties and then takes a holistic view of certain challenges the UK faces such as; pressure on our National Parks and developing sustainable transport. 

Lessons are interactive, varied and fun with the use of Chromebooks, virtual reality headsets and GIS to enhance learning and bring the subject to life.

Through the study of History pupils gain vital key skills such as: problem solving, analysis of evidence, empathy and teamwork. These skills are essential not only for History and other subjects in schools, but for any future career. 

Our lessons are taught in active and engaging ways to ensure that the learning process is fun and effective. The content and skills required for the examinations are covered in every lesson. We use not only textbooks, but podcasts, computer games and a wide variety of lectures and talks from historians and experts. 

Mathematical thinking is important both in the workplace and personal decision making. It provides the tools to understand other subjects such as science, engineering, computing and economics.  

At The Royal School, we want to develop fluent, resilient and independent-thinking mathematicians with the power to reason and use their learning in a variety of contexts. All pupils are given access to online learning platforms (Hegarty Maths and MEI Integral) to enhance the teaching that is delivered in the classroom. 

To enrich our curriculum, pupils in all year groups can participate in national Maths Challenges and have the opportunity to attend external Maths conferences. Those hoping to go on to study Mathematics at University receive specialist support to help them achieve this goal. 

French and Spanish are thriving world languages at the Royal School, with strong uptake figures and outstanding results.

Head of Department: Mrs Valerie Henbury-Demargne

• Students are encouraged to gain competence through confidence and enjoyment; we use a breadth of strategies and resources to support each individual to reach their potential.
• Our classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards, our department has its own suite of Chromebooks, and we use a variety of learning platforms to enhance and support in class learning and prep.
• Trips are also an integral part of the learning experience; and Year 12have the option of a work experience week in Aurillac.
• While younger years take part in the Young Scribe competition in French, the Sixth Form have an engaging programme of foreign language film evenings, and “Joutes Oratoires”, where A-level, IB and Pre-U students debate in French against other schools from the south London area.
• Lunchtime clubs add extra spice to our curriculum, with a Spanish conversation club, and a French cooking club doubling up as a GCSE conversation club.

In Year 7 onwards, all pupils study French and Spanish. Pupils at our Prep School have a more formal introduction to French, however new joiners are offered a catch-up club in the first term of Year 7. Spanish is a beginner course in Year 7.

While they can choose between French and Spanish as an option for KS4, and we like to encourage all pupils to select a language at GCSE if they can; we are always delighted that some pupils opt to carry on with both, making them dual linguists at GCSE.

The school is an examination centre for GCSE and A Level Mandarin Chinese for native Chinese students.

Where next? It is our great joy when our single and dual A Level linguists choose to go on to do degree courses in Languages, or pursue a Higher Education course in another subject with a Language option alongside it.

Music is a fantastic option, which has cross-curricular links with many other subjects. Music lessons provide pupils with a wealth of musical knowledge through the study of set works, pupils spend time composing their own music, as well as developing their performing skills.

Numerous opportunities exist for musicians to perform, from informal Lunchtime Concerts, to larger offsite events in places like St. Paul’s Cathedral.  There are department choirs/ensembles and the Music Department also encourages pupils to form their own ensembles or bands.  A team of highly experienced visiting staff offer lessons in all major instruments and singing.

The Royal School has excellent facilities and grounds that can accommodate many sports depending on the season including an international standard Lacrosse pitch, rugby, football and cricket pitches, tennis and netball courts, sports hall with viewing gallery, and a fitness gym. 

Each pupil has a games afternoon in which they train or compete against other schools. The main sports for girls are: Netball, Lacrosse, Tennis, Athletics and Cricket/Rounders. The main sports for boys are: Football, Rugby, Basketball, Tennis, Athletics and Cricket. (Rugby is contact but played in Seven format which reduces the contact and is more of a running game.) In addition to games afternoons pupils have one other lesson which covers Gymnastics, Badminton, health related fitness and outdoor adventurous activities. Older age groups have opportunities to go offsite and use local facilities such as The Haslemere Leisure Centre for swimming. 

At GCSE pupils improve their knowledge and performance in a range of practical activities and will have a chance to learn about the principles and practices which lead to good performance. The course helps develop confidence, self-esteem and sense of team spirit!

At The Royal School, the focus in GCSE and A Level Photography is to nurture every pupil's creativity. This is achieved by enabling all pupils to explore and interpret a wide range of themes, concepts and ideas, so as to be able to form opinions, and engage with a range of discourses. In doing so this deepens their independent and creative understanding of their social, cultural and personal experiences. 

The Photography department provides a broad range of learning experiences from using traditional media, through to digital and interactive based projects.  The department has a range of DSLR, film and studio equipment, as well as providing opportunities to encompass mixed media and animation within independent projects. This ensures that each student has the opportunity to express their own individual thoughts and opinions, in as many creative and independent ways as possible. Enrichment opportunities are provided to deepen historical and contextual understanding, through visits to local galleries and The Tate Modern, with local field trips playing an important role to improve technical and visual skills. Additionally, residential visits have included Barcelona, to not only broaden a student's photographic experience, but to give them a deeper insight and understanding of different cultures. 

Pupils are encouraged to look at life and its issues from several different viewpoints, learn to recognize the value of diverse opinions and argue maturely for their own choices.  We start by tackling Ultimate Questions within Philosophy and begin to develop discursive, informed, debating skills. We study several World Religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam, examining faith practices and building tolerance for the different life choices made by people of differing faith understanding.  We explore how faith and no faith can impact the way in which people interact with our world and people around them, considering ethical issues such as Stewarding the Environment and the Sanctity of Life. 

At The Royal School all students study for the Religious Studies GCSE from Year 9 with a view to sitting the Public Examination in Year 10. Having the opportunity to sit a GCSE one year early brings many benefits. Students gain a tangible understanding of the amount of work, study commitment and revision required to achieve their potential. 

The Royal School Science department aims to inspire our pupils to become the top Scientists of tomorrow. Teaching a vibrant and varied curriculum to enable all pupils to achieve their best. 

Science is an exciting subject looking at the way the Universe and everything in it behaves.  It develops problem-solving and analysis skills, and looks at many fascinating phenomena. As science constantly advances, it becomes more important that pupils are scientifically literate and able to assess the validity of claims made by businesses and politicians in an analytical and critical manner using their knowledge of science methodology and theories. 

Pupils study the main three branches of science.  In Biology, they learn about living organisms and the environments they live in.  In Chemistry, pupils look at the elements and compounds that make up our world and how they interact with each other in chemical reactions.  In Physics, pupils will look at the fundamentals behind how the world works, including forces, electricity, energy and waves. Pupils also study the concepts behind how science works and its application to everyday life as a thread throughout all the topics covered. 

Textiles is a fun and highly creative subject spanning all areas of art and design. The course develops confidence in creative thinking, which enables pupils to expand their ideas and techniques to produce a wonderful variety of exciting and original final outcomes. The subject provides opportunities to explore the practical development of ideas and the use of Textiles in a highly stimulating atmosphere. Pupils follow a specialist approach, which focuses on Fashion and Costume, Printed and Dyed, Constructed, Stitched and Embellished, Digital and Installed Textiles. They learn new skills such as batik, print methods and build upon other techniques of stitched and constructed fabrics such as felt making, appliqué, quilting, hand and machine embroidery. The course is designed to develop pupils’ individual creative strengths.

At GCSE and A Level external visits to exhibitions and fashion events, together with connections from the fashion industry, give students a first-hand experience.