Science

 

Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Combined

 

The science department consists of 12 staff and 5 technicians. We have access to a class set of laptops with wireless Internet connection, data logging equipment and a wide variety of equipment that is used in practical lessons. We run two science clubs and offer a wide variety of lectures, courses and trips through the year.

Students in year 7 complete a programme of CASE lessons that are designed to develop students "thinking skills". The lessons are designed to challenge students' current ideas in Science and present them with problems to solve in small groups that require the development of new strategies.
Throughout their time at Therfield, students are offered a great deal of support from their teachers through revision sessions and booster classes. They are also encouraged to purchase revision guides to complement the textbooks that they are given by the school.
 

PE & Sport

KS3

All students in Key Stage 3 have two hours compulsory PE, which incorporates a wide range of activities, in order to give a broad experience in games, aesthetics and athletic activities. All students in Year 7 will complete the SLUK Young Sports Leader Award course, introducing and enabling them to practice their leadership skills.

Curriculum activities taught throughout Key Stage 3 include: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Dance, Fitness, Football, Gym, Hockey, Lacrosse, Netball, Rounders, Rugby, Tennis, Volleyball and YSLA.

KS4

All students continue with two hours of compulsory PE, following the GCSE PE specification. In Year 11, students target differing pathways; Edexcel Full Course GCSE PE, Edexcel Short Course GCSE PE, or an additional accredited qualification related to the Health and Fitness Industry. As additional options students can opt to follow the Edexcel BTEC First Certificate in Sport or BTEC First Diploma in Sport.

The Curriculum activities covered at Key Stage 4 mirror those taught in Key Stage 3, with students being offered “Pathway Options” to specialise in areas of their choice.

KS5

In the Sixth Form students can specialise in the AQA AS/A2 Physical Education A-Level, or via the Edexcel BTEC Vocational Courses of Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sport, Development and Coaching (equivalent to 1 A-Level) or the Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport Development, Coaching and Fitness (equivalent to 3 A-levels). Students also are offered an opportunity to progress their leadership qualifications to include the SLUK CSLA (level 2 award in Sports Leadership) or SLUK HSLA (level 3 award in Sports Leadership).

There is an extensive range of out of school hours activities which include clubs, fixtures and competitions organised by our PE & Sport Faculty staff, staff outside of the faculty, and Sixth Form Students. These take place before school, during lunchtimes, after school and on occasions, at weekends. In addition to the Inter-House competitions that occur every half term and the Whole School Sports Day held annually at the end of National School Sports Week; the school enters teams in local, regional and national competitions. Trophies won are currently on display in the main reception area of the school. A student-devised School Sports Colours system recognises and rewards students’ participation and commitment to sporting and physical activity; allowing the Student Voice to contribute to the development of the PE & Sport Faculty.

Recent students success include representation at higher level of competition for Surrey Schools, and at County and National representation level; in sports such as rugby, badminton, athletics, football, netball and hockey, along with representation in other activity areas of board sailing, fencing and flat water kayaking.

Music

Therfield enjoys a thriving and active Music department. We have a large number of instrumental lessons taking place each week, as a result of our highly successful Year 7 Band Scheme and teaching input from Surrey Arts. Students and staff are regularly involved in concerts, recitals, festivals, and other performances and events in school and in the wider community. In 2007, the department relocated into new, state-of-the-art accommodation.

 

Modern Foreign Languages

 

Welcome to the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages at Therfield School.

Who are we? We are a team of experienced teachers who are all University Language graduates with Batchelor of Arts degrees in French and/or German. Amongst our other interests and degree subjects we have Italian, Spanish and Linguistics. The team have all spent time living in both France and Germany and are passionate about the opportunities the knowledge of a foreign language can offer students. We are committed to a 'Languages for All' philosophy. We equally recognise that every student needs to access the learning of a language at their own pace to achieve their full potential and enjoy the experience.

Our Trips and Exchanges
The Faculty runs several exciting trips and exchanges. This year, we have offered to our students in Year 7/8 the ‘European Experience’ trip which visits Strasbourg in France but also crosses the border into Germany. Our KS4 and KS5 linguists have been offered the chance to take part in the German exchange to Munich and a French language trip to Paris.

Our Language Clubs and Heritage Languages
We offer a summer Spanish Club at lunchtime focussing on essential vocabulary for travel, offering the students support to learn in a relaxed and motivating environment. This is open to all students, whatever their ability. Students who speak another language at home are encouraged to sit additional qualifications in these languages: there is a wide range of qualifications available at both GCSE and A level. 

Mathematics

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Our aims:
• We aim to develop the ability of students to read, write and communicate mathematics, ensuring equal opportunities for all.
• We aim to provide courses which are challenging and to develop students’ understanding of mathematical concepts.
• We aim to create a positive attitude to mathematics and develop confidence in written, oral and practical skills.
• We aim to ensure that students apply their mathematical skills to problems in a variety of situations, are able to present solutions to their problems and interpret their results.
• We aim to ensure that students see the relevance of mathematics and the part it plays in the world around them.
• We aim to show students the suitability and adaptability of their mathematical knowledge to other subjects, to prepare students for their exams and the world of work.

Humanities

Geography, History, RE, Citizenship, Politics and Philosophy
The Humanities Faculty is committed to achieving a number of aims - both academic and social. We endeavour to achieve the following aims and also making the subjects within the Faculty fun for the pupils to study. The aims of the Humanities faculty follow closely those of the School as a whole, emphasising as they do the value and worth of each individual pupil and the right of all pupils equally to a broad and balanced education. We aim to provide ‘The best for all’.

 The Faculty therefore aims to:-

· Give each pupil equal access to the content and skills of Citizenship, Geography, History, Religious studies, Philosophy and Politics as curriculum areas within the school.
· Develop the specific talents of each pupil within the Humanities subjects, so encouraging each pupil to achieve to the best of his/her own ability.
· Provide each pupil with a knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live, developing their appreciation of historical and political events, the importance of sustainability, different cultures, religions and ways of life.
· Encourage and develop pupils’ skills of mutual co-operation and respect for others.
· Allow students the opportunity to make informed decisions about social, moral and political issues within the School curriculum.
· Develop each pupil’s awareness of their own role and value within the local, national and international environment so as to encourage them to make a positive and responsible contribution to modern society.

In addition to these fundamental aims, the Humanities Faculty also sets out to work co-operatively with other subjects within the School to develop various cross-curricular themes and initiatives. 

English

 

 

What makes English special at Therfield?
We are a team of ten experienced teachers (our newest member of the faculty has been teaching 4 years!) who love literature and language and spending time helping the students discover their talents in the subject. Many students continue their studies into Key Stage 5, and we run very popular and successful courses in English Literature, English Language and Media Studies.

All pupils study English at Key Stage 3. They develop their skills in reading, writing, and speaking and listening through following a varied programme of study. All pupils are expected to read widely and have a lesson for private reading once every two weeks. Pupils study a range of texts, from Shakespeare and modern poetry, fiction and non-fiction and have opportunities to write creatively.

English is constantly changing and we embrace technology and the internet to help prepare students for the real world literacy they will need to grasp in the constantly changing world of social networking and blogging, the functional skills students will need are embedded into the curriculum and all year 9 students sit a Functional Skills exam in Year 9.

Creative and Performing Arts

 

Art, Drama, and Music are grouped together to comprise the Faculty of Creative and Performing Arts.

At Therfield, we believe that these subjects are a vital part of our cultural heritage and form an essential part of the whole school curriculum. Students are encouraged to develop transferable skills that help them to contribute to, and interpret, the society in which they live. In addition to each department’s own contributions to the curricular and extra-curricular life of the school and community, they collaborate annually to mount a whole school musical production this in many ways is very enjoyable as well as beneficial.

 

 



Business, Social Sciences and Vocational Technology

The Business, Social Sciences and Vocational Technology Faculty (BSSVT) is fully committed to the school's duty statement and to the establishment of the highest quality teaching and learning. The Faculty attributes a facilitative approach to enable students to achieve their best within their chosen subjects.

The Faculty believes that every student, regardless of ability, ethnic background, age, gender, sexuality and religious belief should have the opportunity to study the social, political, economic and environmental issues that face the UK today.

We strongly believe that the Faculty’s subjects provide students with both skills and knowledge that will aid them in achieving greatness throughout their lives. By encouraging students to develop intellectual, critical and vocational skills, students will be fully equipped to be active citizens in modern UK society.



Welcome To Therfield!

 

We are glad that you chose to come and have a look around.

As you walk through the school this Blog will describe a bit about each department of the shcool for you.