“Going to school at SFC is hard work but also fun!“
Current Student
Mr Dan Carr, Assistant Head (Academic)
Mr Carr started his career teaching Modern Languages at a co-ed school, before moving into the independent sector where his has spent many years working in girls’ only schools. He has vast experience supporting students both academically and pastorally. In 2016 he was appointed Head of Sixth Form at St. Francis’, and more recently took on the role of Assistant Head (Academic). His passion is holistic pupil development and the role which extra-curricular activities play in this. He has coached rugby and badminton, led many DofE expeditions, and has led school trips across a range of countries and continents as diverse as Mongolia, Tanzania and Costa Rica. He’s seen the unique benefits these opportunities bring to young people. He is a sports fanatic, both watching and playing several sports, and at the weekend can often be found refereeing rugby union matches all over Hertfordshire.
These first years provide the introduction to the Senior School. The students are offered a broad, balanced curriculum based on the National Curriculum but with opportunities for further study in several areas. Small classes ensure each student receives individual attention.
The following subjects are studied in the first three years. Please click on the links for more information on each subject:
Students have formal assessments at the end of each unit of work, together with more formal end-of-year examinations. This is complemented in class by the ongoing use of formative assessment. Students are allocated homework according to the published homework timetable. Parents receive formal written reports once a year. They are also invited to attend parents’ evening once a year, as well as receiving academic tracking grades regularly throughout the year. Students’ progress is closely monitored by subject staff and Form Tutors.
During Year 9, GCSE subjects are chosen, after careful consultation between members of staff, students, and parents. As a student-centred school, we make the choice of subjects as flexible as possible. Most students will study nine subjects, of which only three are compulsory:
- Mathematics
- English Language
- At least one Science subject
Not constrained by ‘blocks’ of subject choices, St. Francis’ students are free to select subjects for which they have a genuine passion and talent.
In addition, all students will complete the highly regarded Higher Project Qualification, which is equivalent to half a GCSE. This qualification has been designed to stretch and challenge GCSE students, especially those aspiring to one day study at university, by developing important academic skills required at higher education. Students develop essential skills such as:
- Referencing
- Essay writing
- Creating a bibliography
- Creating a presentation
- Researching and deploying secondary and primary sources
Students are expected to plan, research, and develop the argument of their chosen question themselves, with support from a teacher who will act as a mentor. This will be built into students’ timetables from September 2024.
Having made GCSE choices, students focus on their subjects. However, this is not a narrow curriculum as most will study nine subjects at GCSE level. We aim to ensure that students have a broad and balanced programme of study without specialising too narrowly ahead of A Levels.
The core subjects taken by all students are:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- A minimum of one science
- Games (non-examination)
- Personal Development (non-examination)
- HPQ (Higher Project Qualification)
In addition to the above, students will have chosen 6 subjects from the following list:
Students have formal assessments at the end of each unit of work, together with more formal end-of-year examinations. GCSE Mock examinations take place at the start of the Spring Term of Year 11.
In class, teachers prioritise ongoing use of formative assessment to enhance student progress. Students are allocated homework according to the published homework timetable. Parents receive formal written reports once a year. They are also invited to attend Parents’ Evening once a year, (twice in Year 11) as well as receiving academic tracking grades regularly throughout the year.
Students’ progress is closely monitored by subject staff and Form Tutors.
The GCSE programme is tailored to suit the needs of our students for whom English is an additional language.
We believe it is important that all students feel personally responsible for their own learning. Every half-term, students receive an attainment grade and an effort grade in each subject and spend time with their Form Tutors talking about their academic progress. This gives them the opportunity for an open dialogue about their aspirations, which underpins all target setting. By tracking their own progress in this way, students can focus on particular areas for improvement, and see their efforts convert into higher levels of attainment in the longer term. It also gives a valuable opportunity to raise any concerns with their form tutor, and areas where they would benefit from further personalised support.
Zoe Coles, Head of Careers
Our aim at St. Francis’ is to provide high quality careers education and guidance that prepares our students for the workplace. We support them to achieve the self-development and career management skills they need to find careers that are engaging and rewarding and fulfil their dreams for the future.
How do we achieve this?
- Students have half a term of Personal Development lessons on Careers every academic year. Please click here to view the Futures Programme for Years 7 – 11 showing the main topics covered for each year group in these lessons. All students in the Senior School take the Morrisby Interest questionnaire. This suggests possible careers based on their interests and provides students with a great deal of up-to-date and impartial information on these careers.
- Students have a one-to-one careers guidance interview with the Head of Careers during the year. She is also available in a drop-in capacity during a lunchtime in the Pastoral Hub.
- A Careers Convention is run every year which allows students in Years 9 and above to sign up to activities and network with a very wide range of employers and employees. Over 70 alumni and parents support these events.
- The Aspirations Programme is the chance for students to have a professional mentor, self-directed visits and projects, work shadowing, and work experience. This enables students to stand out from the crowd when applying for competitive vocational courses. It runs through Year 11 to the Christmas of Year 13.
- Work experience takes place for Year 12 students during Five Star Week. Year 11 students are strongly advised to undertake work experience or work shadowing after their GCSE’s have finished. Many gain an offer of work experience after the Careers Convention. Year 7 students are involved in ‘take your daughter to work day’
- Useful career websites and opportunities are advertised through the Deputy Head’s Bulletin (students) and the Head’s Bulletin (parents).
- Through the curriculum – subject teachers emphasise the relevance of their subject and the skills it provides wherever possible during their lessons. Students are expected to develop their soft skills in College leadership positions and through teamwork. Visiting speakers and visits develop the real-world applications of the curriculum.
