The Ursuline Academy Ilford provides a learning environment that is challenging and supportive. The curriculum is designed to offer both breadth and depth. It enables the girls to leave the academy fully equipped for further study, work or a combination of both.

Curriculum Statement of Intent

Click here to see all the subjects we offer across all year groups.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, and 9)

All girls joining the academy in Year 7 have the opportunity to study Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Computing; Languages: French or Spanish, Technology: Design & Technology and Food & Nutrition; Humanities: History and Geography; Performing Arts: Drama, Music and Art; Physical Education and Personal Development (PSHE). Citizenship is delivered through Religious Education and PSHE.

All girls in Years 7, 8 and 9 are taught in mixed ability groups with the exception of Mathematics, which is taught in ability groups from Year 7. Apart from Mathematics, all the other subjects are taught in either tutor groups or smaller mixed ability groups of 24 students.

During Year 9, girls are taught GCSE Mathematics and Science as part of a three years course. These two subjects are taught in ability groups. In Year 9 the girls are guided into choice of subjects for their GCSE courses.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)

At present, all the girls studied the core subjects at Key Stage 4; English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Physical Education, PSHE, Religious Education and Science (Combined or the three separate sciences- Biology, Chemistry & Physics). The girls also choose three other subjects from the options of Art, Computing, Design and Technology, Drama, Food and Nutrition, French, Geography, Health and Social Care, History, Information Technology, Music, GCSE Physical Education and Spanish.

Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13)

Many of our girls will then seek to progress to the next level of studies within our Sixth Form. There are currently 20 Level 3 (A Level and Vocational) courses, please note these are subject to change, availability and demand. Alongside these courses the students extend their learning through Religious Education, PSHE, Fitness and a variety of Enrichment Activities. The A Level courses are Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English Literature,  Further Mathematics, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Mathematics, Philosophy and Ethics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology and Sport. The vocational courses are Applied Human Biology, Applied Psychology, Business and Health & Social Care.

Currently Year 12 and Year 13 students have 11 periods of teaching per two-week for each Level 3 subject.

Curriculum for 2023-2024

The Ursuline Academy operates a one-week timetable cycle of 30 x 50 minute lessons for Key Stages 3 & 4.

Key Stage 3	RE	Eng	Mat	Sci	Geo	His	Fre/Spa
Year 7	3	4	4	4	2	2	2
Year 8	3	4	3	3	2	2	2

 

KS3 (Continued)	Comp	Art	Drama	Music	PE	D&T	Food	PSHE	Total
Year 7	1	1	1	1	2	1	1	1	30
Year 8	1	1	1	1	2	1	1	1	30

 

Key Stage 4	RE	Eng	Mat	Sci	PE	Option 1	Option 2	Option 3	PSHE	Total
Year 10	3	5	4	6	2	3	3	3	1	30
Year 11	3	4	5	6	2	3	3	3	1	30

 

Key Stage 5

The Ursuline Academy operates a two-week timetable cycle of 60 x 50 minute lessons for Key Stage 5.

KS5	Option 1	Option 2	Option 3	Option 4	General RE	PSHE	Enrichment
Year 12	11	11	11	11	2	2	2
Year 13	11	11	11	11	2	2	2