The School Curriculum
The school aims to provide a broad and balanced curriculum and strives to develop each individual to the limits of potential – valuing talents and responding to specific needs.
St Martha’s has a mixed ability entry. All girls entering St Martha’s take an entrance test. Each cohort is then tested through National Testing – Midyis (Year 7), Yellis (Year 10) and Alis (Year 12). Our curriculum reflects the needs of the range of abilities.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7 – 9)
Year 7
All students study the same subject:
Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Design Technology (Textiles), Drama, PHSE, French or Spanish, Geography, History, Home Economics, Music, Life Skills and Physical Education,
All girls participate in a Team-Building Day at the beginning of the School year
Year 8
Pupils continue working as in Year 7, and start studying Classics and Latin. Setting may take place in Year 8, but this is dependent on the nature of the cohort.
Year 9
Pupils continue working as in Year 8, but with an awareness that they choose their GCSE option subjects during the year. Procedures for this are carefully monitored by the Housemistresses and Tutors. Setting is possible in all core subjects.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 – 11)
Most pupils study a maximum of 10 GCSE subjects. In Years 10 and 11 there is a core curriculum of:-
Religious Studies, English Language, English Literature, French or Spanish, Maths, and the Triple/Double Science award. Girls are set according to ability in all the core subjects.
In addition to the core subjects girls choose between the following options:
Art, Business Studies Classical Civilisation, DIDA (Diploma in Digital Applications), Drama, Geography, History, Music, Latin, and Physical Education.
Throughout Year 10 girls are prepared for their period of work experience which takes place towards the end of the summer term.
All the girls receive careers guidance (including a Revision Skills Day in Year 11) which continues until Year 13. We are full members of ISCO which provide a full support network of guest speakers, testing, follow up interviews and online resources and support. All girls join the ISCO scheme.
Key Stage 5 (Years 12 + 13)
In Year 12, girls choose four subjects at AS. Subjects include the more traditional choices such as English Literature, History or one of the Sciences to Economics, Media Studies and Psychology, recent additions to the Sixth Form curriculum.
In Year 13 they will normally drop one of their subjects and follow three subjects to A2 level. Girls also complete their university application under the guidance of their Tutors and the Director of Studies.
The Sixth Form academic curriculum is reviewed annually in October.
In addition to their academic curriculum the girls follow a programme of General Religious Education, PSHE and Life Skills.
There is also a programme of enrichment. Activities this year include the Leith Cookery Diploma, First Aid and Aerobics.
All girls also attend a retreat every year as part of their spiritual and moral development.
The Curriculum is reviewed annually.
