KS4 Curriculum

At Key Stage 4 (KS4), students begin a two-year programme that leads to GCSE qualifications. The GCSE curriculum has recently been updated to place greater emphasis on depth of understanding, extended writing, and final examinations, ensuring students are well prepared for further education, training, or employment. 

Alongside core subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science, students will study a carefully selected range of optional subjects that support both academic progress and personal development.

At Croxley Danes, students are placed onto one of four pathways (Pathway 1–4). These pathways are designed to place each child on an academic route where they can succeed and achieve their full potential. All pathways offer a balanced and broad curriculum, giving students appropriate choice while ensuring they maintain access to high-quality qualifications. This structured approach allows us to support individual strengths, interests and aspirations, while preparing students confidently for life beyond GCSEs.

The table below shows the grading structure of GCSEs, compared to the old A*-G system that many parents may be more familiar with: 

Grades 9-1 - 

The Curriculum at Key Stage 4

In Years 10 and 11 students have an element of choice which allows them to personalise their Key Stage 4 curriculum. There are, however, a number of subjects which are compulsory for every student – these are the core subjects and they make up approximately 60% of the timetable for each student. The remainder of each student’s timetable is composed of the four option subjects that they will choose to study.

The Key Stage 4 curriculum is outlined below. The school follows a two-week timetable cycle of 50 one-hour lessons.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum – 50 hours per fortnight

Most students will achieve nine GCSE qualifications at Key Stage 4. A small number of students will achieve eight GCSEs.

Compulsory subjects:

The table below gives summary information about the compulsory subjects at Key Stage 4 and the allocation of teaching time in hours per fortnight. 

Students will choose to study four option subjects from the selection below. Students' personalised pathway will determine the parameters within which they can choose subjects and these parameters will be outlined in their personalised options letter, being sent on the 6th February.

Modern Foreign Languages - French

Modern Foreign Languages - Spanish

Creative Arts - Art and Design

Creative Arts - Drama

Creative Arts - Music

Physical Education

Sport Science (Cambridge National - Vocational subject)

Humanities - Geography

Humanities - History

Humanities - Religious Studies

Technology - Food Preparation & Nutrition

Technology - Product Design

Technology - Textiles

Science - Separate Sciences

Science - Computer Science

Social Science - Business Studies 

Social Science - Psychology

The school recommends that students follow a broad and balanced curriculum at Key Stage 4. This would mean that students should choose subjects from four different curriculum areas, for example: one Modern Foreign Language, one Humanities subject, one Design subject and one Performing Arts/PE subject. For more information, please refer to our FAQs page.