Our school week at Ark Pioneer is made up of 34 timetabled periods. This is broken down into 32 periods of lessons and 2 periods of enrichment for every pupil; each of these is 50 minutes in length. Enrichment takes place period 7 on Thursdays and Fridays.
In addition to this, pupils have 5 periods of tutor time through the week, each lasting 30 minutes. During this time, pupils study the Values and Character programme, which includes Citizenship development. Computing skills are built in across our subject offer, our Values & Character programme and individual pillar days and enhanced by our Digital Strategy, ensuring our pupils are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)
In Key Stage 3, the weighting of lessons for each subjects during a typical week is:
|
English - 6 |
PE - 2 |
|
Maths - 5 |
Art -2 |
|
Science - 4 |
Design & Technology - 1 |
|
History - 3 |
Music - 1 |
|
Geography - 3 |
Drama - 1 |
|
French - 3 |
Enrichment - 2 |
|
Religious Education - 1 |
Values & Character programme - 2.5 |
Chloe Harris
Coral Butler-Hardy
Sidonie Paterson
Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
In Year 10, pupils start their GCSEs. Pupils choose a mixture of 9-12 of the subjects below as part of the options process in Year 9. You can read about the choices available here.
In Key Stage 4, the weighting of lessons for each subjects during a typical week is:
|
Core Subjects |
Options Subjects |
|
English - 6 |
Art & Design – 3 |
|
Maths - 5 |
Computer Science – 3 |
|
Science - 7/6* |
Drama – 3 |
|
Personal Development |
French – 3 |
|
Core PE - 2 |
Geography – 4 |
|
Enrichment - 2 |
History – 4 |
|
Values & Character programme - 2.5 |
Music – 3 |
|
Physical Education – 3 |
|
|
Product Design – 3 |
|
|
Religious Education - 3 |
* Triple Scientists have 7 lessons of science
Rajiv Biswas
Year 11
We look forward to having our founding year group progress to year 11 in September 2023.
In year 11, pupils will be exposed to a grown up, sophisticated study of their chosen GCSE subjects as they complete their second year of Key Stage 4.
Our subject leads have planned backwards in every subject from university readiness. Our programme for year 11 in each subject ensures every pupil can be successful in GCSE and ready for choices post 16.
Sixth form
We are very much looking forward to our founding year group progress to year 12 in September 2024, which marks the official opening of Ark Pioneer Sixth Form.
We will offer A Level courses across a range of academic subjects, building on our provision in Key Stage 3 and 4. Our subject offer will encompass all Russell group ‘facilitating subjects’ as well as a range of other choices, including:
| Art & Design | Biology | Chemistry |
| Computer Science | Drama and Theatre Studies | Economics |
| English Literature | Mathematics | Further Mathematics |
| Geography | History | French |
| Music | Physical Education | Physics |
| Politics | Product Design | Psychology |
| Sociology | Religious studies |
We also intend to offer a number of rigorous level 3 qualifications as part of Ark's Professional Pathways Programme. These are successful across Ark's best Sixth Form centres and have been designed in close collaboration with partners from the commercial and public sectors and are complemented by a careers readiness programme, careers mentoring and business partnerships. Our offer is planned to include both:
- Business Professional Pathway
We also intend to offer a T Level qualification in science, building on our network success in Applied Science BTech professional pathway.
Read more about our Professional Pathways programme
Each A-Level subjects in Key Stage 5 will have 6 lessons per week. Most pupils will study 3 A Levels and some will study 4 (in particular, this will include those studying math and further maths).
Professional Pathways pupils will be taught a minimum of 15 lessons per week.
All remaining periods are allocated to independent study. Having study periods and two exclusive, designated study rooms is one privilege of being a sixth former at Ark Pioneer.
Year 12
Our year 12 programme will ensure strong foundations are built for A Level success.
Throughout year 12, we support every pupil in choosing the right university pathway, high level apprenticeship or career with confidence. Our Values and Character programme and Enrichment offer support every pupil's personal development daily and challenge all pupils to think deeply about their future choices.
Year 13
In year 13, pupils will have individual support and rigorous preparation to be successful in their final school-based examinations. In addition, they will have expert advice to prepare their UCAS application and develop confidence prior to initial university, apprenticeship or career interviews.