Senior
Curriculum

Combining the traditional with the progressive

We provide a broad, balanced and flexible curriculum, which takes account of government National Curriculum requirements but goes beyond. In a blend of traditional and progressive, we teach Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate sciences from Year 7, and Latin throughout the school – while also offering Learning to Learn in Year 7, and Dance and Physical Education at GCSE. 

Key Stage 3 – Years 7, 8 and 9
In Year 7, the first year of Key Stage 3, all pupils study a common course: English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, two modern foreign languages (from a choice of French, Spanish or German), Latin, Geography, History, Religious Studies, ICT, Art and Design, Design and Technology (Textiles), Food and Nutrition, Music, Drama, Physical Education (including swimming), Personal Social Health and Economic Education (PSHEE), and Cognito.

Subject departments set regular assessment tasks throughout the academic year. School exams, in the majority of subjects, take place in the middle of the Summer Term. You receive the results in two interim reports and one full academic and pastoral report during each academic year. Your child’s form tutor monitors her progress, along with her Head of Year and the subject Heads of Department. 

Key Stage 4 – Years 10 and 11
At Key Stage 4, pupils study a combination of compulsory and optional subjects for their GCSE exams. The compulsory subjects are: English Language and English Literature; Maths; Biology, Chemistry and Physics (most pupils study all three sciences, but can opt for just two); at least one modern foreign language (from a choice of French, Spanish or German); Physical Education. They also follow a tutorial programme of PSHEE and General Religious Studies, which are not examined.

Most pupils take ten exam subjects in total at GCSE. If they take Biology, Chemistry and Physics, they need to choose three optional subjects. If they take only two sciences, they need to choose four optional subjects.

Some pupils can take an additional subject outside the timetable if agreed with teachers during the options process. These subjects include Classical Greek, Further Maths, Mandarin and Italian.

Explore our GCSE Options Booklet

Optional Subjects at GCSE

Art and Design Business Classical Civilisation Computer Science
Dance Design and Technology (Textiles) Drama French
Food Nutrition & Health Geography German Graphic Communication
History Latin Music Physical Education
Religious Studies Spanish    


 

 

 

 

 

Find out about our Sixth Form Curriculum

Senior School Headlines

Teamwork and Adventure at Barton Hall

20 Jun 2025: On Monday 9th June, Year 8 set off for Barton Hall near Torquay in Devon for our Team Building residential. After a long but chatty coach journey, EHS had...

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From Textbooks to Treasures at the British Museum

20 Jun 2025: This week, a group of Year 10 students studying Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation travelled to London to visit the British Museum. Hot drinks and breakfast...

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Year 7 Map Masters Take on the Malvern Hills!

20 Jun 2025: Year 7 geographers braved all the elements this week as they took to the top of Jubilee Hill to practise their map skills in real life. Using OS maps to navigate,...

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EHS Students Explore Careers in Tech at KPMG

13 Jun 2025: On the 4th and 5th of June, five Year 10 students stepped into the heart of Birmingham’s business district to attend KPMG’s Girls in Technology conference,...

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