Curriculum 

Courses

For more information on the courses we offer, click here

What is it like to learn at Burnside?

At Burnside, we are passionate about high quality teaching and learning.  Our relentless drive to improve the quality of our lessons has led to  improved progress and attainment for our students. 

Our GCSE results are rising year on year. Attainment is now above the national average and students make excellent progress. 

We have high expectations of all students and encourage them to rise to the challenge of our demanding and ambitious curriculum. 

We have established an ambitious and demanding curriculum which enables all students to succeed. The curriculum is broad, balanced and challenging at Key Stage 3 and this prepares students well for the demands of year 10 and 11.

Our REMARKable learning framework is at the heart of our lesson planning. In every lesson, students will recap prior knowledge to ensure they retain this over time. We prioritise high quality modelling as well as challenging and engaging lessons to ensure our students thrive.

We promote the importance of communication skills and teamwork and provide regular opportunities for discussion and collaboration with peers.  Choosing to learn at Burnside means you choose to achieve, to be inspired and to be the best you can be.

Exams

For A Levels you will sit mock exams at the end of year 12 in all subjects. In the case of vocational subjects this will be a mixture of internal and external assessments. You must pass any subject you wish to continue with into year 13. 

Mock results will be used, in conjunction with coursework and homework, in order for teachers to update progress data and establish predicted grades. These will also form the basis for intervention work with a member of the sixth form team. 

Where academic performance is not being met, a meeting with the student and their parents will be arranged.

Exams will take place during May and June. Students will be issued with an examination timetable to ensure that they are aware, in advance, of the dates, times and locations of their examinations. Students have the responsibility of checking the timetable carefully; any problems can be discussed in advance with the Examinations Manager. 

The school will pay the entry fees for any public examinations, provided attendance (above 97%) and commitment to study have been satisfactory. 

If a student withdraws from a subject, after an entry has been made, fails to complete coursework or fails to attend an examination, they will be required to pay the fees. 

If you have questions about exam administration, you should contact the Examinations Manager at:

l.craigen@burnsidecollege.org.uk