FAQs Y7

HOW MANY FORMS ARE THERE IN YEAR 7?

6 forms with 32 students in each form in Year 7.

ARE THERE SUBJECTS WHICH ARE SET ACCORDING TO ABILITY?

Not in Year 7 – Maths is set from Year 8 onwards and Science from Year 9.

WHAT SUBJECTS ARE STUDIED IN YEAR 7?

Maths, English, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Physical Education, Drama, Music, Food, Textiles, Design Technology, Art, Computer Science, French OR German, Latin, Skills for Life.

KS4 GCSE OPTIONS

When students reach KS4 they will study 10 GCSE subjects, in addition to compulsory core subjects they will have several optional choices to make in Year 9. 

All students will choose at least one language (French, Latin, German), at least one humanities subject (History or Geography).

If they opt for the three discrete science GCSEs, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, they will also choose one optional subject.

Where GCSE Combined Science Trilogy is studied (all three sciences awarded as two GCSE grades) they will choose two more optional subjects.

The above is correct for academic year 2023-24 but is open to change.

WHAT TIME DOES SCHOOL START AND END?

8.15am to 3pm

HOW MANY PERIODS ARE THERE IN THE WEEK AND PER DAY?

There are 5 hours a day, making 25 hours a week. We have a two week timetable to allow us to deliver a broad curriculum

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR LUNCH?

Some students bring a packed lunch but you can also purchase a wide variety of food from the canteen

HOW MUCH HOMEWORK IS SET EACH DAY?

Usually 3 subjects per day; teachers set this via Microsoft Teams

IS THERE HOMEWORK CLUB?

Yes, Tuesday to Thursday 3pm to 4.30pm in Room 10 

MY CHILD HAS SPECIAL NEEDS – HOW WOULD CSGS SUPPORT THEM?

There is an team comprising of the SENCO, Student Welfare officer, Teaching Assistants and a full time School Counsellor. They have a dedicated base, the Student Support Hub, where the students receive a variety of support. In lesson assistance is another key part of the support available to the students.  

HOW DOES CSGS SUPPORT STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING?

The school has trained staff mental health 1st aiders and student mental health ambassadors and also promotes mindfulness. The students produce a Wellbeing newsletter three times a year, which offers lots if advice and ideas.  Students are also able to talk to the Student Welfare Officer and the School Counsellor. In 2022 we were awarded the Wellbeing Award for Schools.

HOW DOES CSGS SUPPORT TRANSITION FROM YEAR 6 TO YEAR 7?

There is an Induction Evening for parents and students and an Induction Day for students at the end of Year 6. During the school holiday, students are asked to complete some work to help their transition into Year 7. Right at the beginning of the year there is a team building day to help everyone to get to know each other and their form tutor and a range of activities continues into the first half term.

WHAT ARE THE KEY CHARACTER TRAITS WHICH CSGS TRIES TO DEVELOP?

Mr Walker says he wants ‘our character to be as distinctive as our purple blazers’ and we have identified a key set of character traits which we all try to promote. These are intellectual curiosity, resilience, gratitude, courage, responsibility, compassion and commitment.

DOES CSGS HAVE A LIBRARY?

Yes – it is known as the Reading Room. It has been recently refurbished and is open to students at break and lunchtime. It is a very nice place to just sit and read.

HOW DO MERITS AND REWARDS WORK AT CSGS?

Merits are awarded for outstanding work but also for displaying the key characteristics of the school. These are recorded and sent home via the SIMS information system. There are also two significant award ceremonies each year with many prizes given out.

HOW DOES THE SCHOOL TAKE THE VIEWS OF STUDENTS INTO ACCOUNT?

The school runs Pupil Voice meetings each full term. The House System is used to do this so that all pupils have an opportunity to contribute. The Senior House Captains support the process in assemblies, form time and with reviewing the responses. Pupils can also e-mail tlc@csgrammar.com with any issues that they wish to discuss at anytime. Electronic questionnaires are used and the results are shared with the Senior Leadership Team. Feedback is then given so all. 

WHAT SPORTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AT CSGS?

The School has a very broad sport and exercise offer for all pupils.  During curriculum time, students experience different activities every 4 to 6 lessons, which allows for greater variety. 

The House competitions also allow the pupils to participate in the mainstream sports but also disability sports such as Boccia and Sitting Volleyball and international sports such as Pétanque on our own purpose built boulodrome.

Our four focus extra-curricular sports and activities are Cricket, Dance, Netball and Rugby.  We also compete at Athletics, Badminton, Cross Country, Rounders, Swimming and Table Tennis when opportunities arise. 

WHAT TRIPS COULD MY CHILD TAKE PART IN DURING YEARS 7 AND 8?

There are day trips to places such as Canterbury, France and Lullingstone and there is a 5 day trip to Switzerland trip at the end of Year 7. From Year 8 there are many other trips in different subject areas but also the possibility to go to Spain with a water sports holiday and to Germany for the Christmas Markets and also to be a part of the school skiing trip.

WHAT EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO MY CHILD?

There are a wide variety of extra- curricular activities available. We have in excess of 130 clubs scheduled across all year groups with more to follow. In addition, the highly regarded dance show offers many opportunities to all pupils, do the school musical, concerts and drama evenings. The school also runs many sports teams during the week and weekends to a high level across all age groups. The school is also one of the biggest centres for  the Duke of Edinburgh Award in London.