Welcome to Secondary

At Caroline Chisholm School, our Secondary Phase offers a dynamic and ambitious curriculum designed to build on the strong foundations established in Primary. Rooted in our belief that every student is capable of achieving strong academic success, we nurture not only knowledge and skills, but also the personal qualities of Kindness, Curiosity and Integrity, values our students embody with pride.

As an all-through school, we provide a seamless and supportive educational journey. Students benefit from cross-phase learning opportunities, while staff are able to track and support progress across all stages of development. This continuity enables students to feel secure, develop confidence, and build lasting friendships within a strong and inclusive community.

Our curriculum is enriched through a wide range of educational visits, inspirational speakers and extra-curricular opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that every student’s experience is engaging, motivating and memorable, making the most of every opportunity to inspire a love of learning.

Curriculum Overview

Students begin their Secondary journey in Year 7 with access to a broad and balanced curriculum, including subjects such as Design Technology, History, Performing Arts and Science. Our thriving Modern Foreign Languages department offers students the opportunity to study two languages from Year 7 through to GCSE, broadening their global awareness and future opportunities. When selecting their options for Year 10, students will continue to pursue a language alongside their studies, further developing their language proficiency and appreciation of different cultures.

At the heart of our curriculum is the High Performance Learning (HPL) approach. Students who begin their journey with our school in Year 7 are introduced to HPL as they enter Secondary Phase and quickly learn how this mindset supports success both in and beyond the classroom. Through HPL, students develop advanced thinking skills, learn to build on prior knowledge, generate ideas, and solve problems independently and collaboratively.

Across Key Stage 3, all students access a rich and varied curriculum that builds on their primary learning. At Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5, students are offered a wide range of academic and vocational pathways, enabling them to personalise their learning journey. This ensures they develop the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for future success in education, employment and beyond.

Enrichment and Personal Development

We place great importance on developing the whole student. A wide range of extra-curricular activities is available to all year groups, both during lunchtime and after school. From music and theatre to technology and sport, there is something for every interest, allowing students to explore talents, develop confidence and build meaningful relationships.

Through participation in these activities, alongside our wider educational programmes, students develop strong interpersonal skills and learn the value of teamwork, leadership and resilience.

Digital Learning

Our digital strategy places modern technology at the heart of learning, helping students develop the skills, confidence and digital literacy they will need for future study, careers and opportunities that may not yet exist. Every student in Years 7-11 has access to a WinBook device for use in school.

Since 2023, we have offered every new Year 7 family the opportunity to opt into our Digital Device Scheme. This provides a high-quality device with comprehensive insurance, available through a one-off payment or a 12-month payment plan, ensuring students have access to a personal device for learning both in school and at home.

Preparing for the Future

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every student leaves Caroline Chisholm School as a well-rounded young adult, fully equipped with the knowledge, skills and mindset to succeed in the next stage of their journey. Guided by our values of Kindness, Curiosity and Integrity, and our ethos of “Globally Minded • Future Ready”, we empower our students to embrace opportunities, think deeply, act with purpose and achieve their full potential within their communities and in an ever-changing global society.