The Years In Brief

The Governors are proud of the achievements of students at Brooke Weston, here's an easy to follow guide to some of the highlights of the educational stages they go through.

Firstly, Brooke Weston is a comprehensive school. This is reflected in its admissions policy and we are proud of the amount of value that is added to our students as they progress through the College.

Our pupils are in the top five per cent of all schools for value added performance at Key Stage 4. At Brooke Weston, boys and girls do equally as well, a statistic which goes against national trends. All our students achieve, irrespective of gender or background. The aim of the Governors is for this to continue.

Year 7

The students are quickly initiated into Brooke Weston life with a team-building, adventurous residential which is held at Fairthorne Manor. This proves an exciting and popular event in the school calendar.

Year 8

The tests at Key Stage 3 are the third in a series of national tests which began at primary school. They show not only how the students progress but reflect Brooke Weston's performance in comparison with other schools.

Year 9

In 2005 we brought the Key Stage 3 tests forward by one year. This has allowed us to increase the pace in Key Stage 3 and it gives our students more time to concentrate on Key Stage 4; an area in which our students excel. In Year 9 students complete a GNVQ in Information Technology giving all Brooke Weston students a national qualification equivalent to four GCSEs. At this stage many students will start studying for GCSE exams.

Year 10

This is the usual start of a two year programme towards students' Key Stage 4 exams (GCSEs).

Year 11

This is the last year of compulsory education and Key Stage 4 is completed by taking GCSEs. In 2004, 2005 and 2006 100% of students passed five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades A*–C. This is an outstanding achievement, both for the students and for the College as a whole.

Year 12

In Year 12 we always welcome applications from students outside the College to join our Sixth Form. We also expect and encourage all our students to stay on after GCSEs to study for further qualifications.

Brooke Weston offers a broad range of courses and opportunities to its Sixth Formers with the vast majority going on to higher education. The College offers A-level courses in 22 subjects as well as BTEC and other examinations. A new initiative, which has proved successful, was the introduction of Open University short courses which gave students an introduction to undergraduate level learning in a variety of subjects. Successful completion of these courses, funded by the College, is awarded with points that are recognised by Universities and Colleges. In addition A-level students often go on field trips and visits with French students undertaking a week's work experience in France.

Whatever options students choose to study, Year 12 is the start of their two year study programme with AS levels taken during this year which count towards the students' final results.

Year 13

This is the final year for students at Brooke Weston as they sit their A-levels and BTEC examinations. In both Years 11 and 13 the College generally organises a Prom and Ball for students to mark the end of their exams. These are very well attended and are a chance for students to enjoy themselves after all their hard work.