Full-Time Courses

Padworth aims to provide a well-balanced and broad based curriculum with a strong academic core. We provide a range of courses for students aged 13-19 appropriate for their age and aptitude. Whilst the College embraces much of the National Curriculum, our independent status enables us to tailor the teaching and learning to the needs of the students and thereby significantly enrich the learning experience.

Our curriculum aims:Padworth College Students
• To contribute effectively to the intellectual, physical and personal development of our students, according to their   age and ability range
• To prepare students for the next stage of education, training or employment and to provide the skills needed for life-long learning
• To provide continuity and progression
• To provide equality of access and opportunity for all students
• To meet the needs of those students for whom English is an additional language
• To support students with an effective PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) programme
• To prepare students for the world of work through effective Careers Advice


  • ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
    All GCSE and A Level students will be regularly assessed according to our internal scheme, which is outlined below.  International Study Centre (ISC) and University Access students are also regularly assessed, though the different nature of those courses demands slightly different procedures.

    Each half term, students will usually undertake three assessed pieces of work. Our aim is to use a wide range of assessment methods and make assessment an integral part of the learning process. Tests are used but they are by no means the only form of assessment adopted. Assessed presentations, oral and practical tasks, problem-solving tasks, structured essays and structured project assignments are all included in our programme, along with many other methods.  

    Each assessed task will be accompanied by a marking scheme that outlines how marks are awarded on the Padworth Scale. This is a five point scale and the information about its use will be shared with students.

    Students will receive interim grades at half term, representing an average of their assessment marks during that period. They will also receive a half term effort grade.

    Towards the end of each term, students will undertake a test based on previous work. Percentage marks will be included as part of the end of term report, along with a summary of progress made with all other assessed tasks.

    Further questions about the assessment and reporting process may be addressed to the Director of Studies at any time.
  • GCSE and IGCSE
    All students study the compulsory core subjects of English, Mathematics and Core Science with supporting courses and activities. Within this framework, students may choose up to five additional subjects from the following: Art & Design, Business and Communication Systems (ICT), English Literature, French, Geography, Graphic Design, History, Music and Spanish.

    A/S & A LEVEL
    The following subjects are currently on offer: Accountancy, Art (Fine Art and Photography), Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English Language & Literature, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Mathematics (Pure Maths, Mechanics and Statistics), Further Mathematics, Physics,  Psychology, Sociology and Spanish.

    Prospective students and parents may specifically request subjects that do not form part of our standard GCSE or A Level curriculum.  While it will not always be possible to meet such requests, some subjects can be offered as an optional extra.  Please ask for further details.

    UNIVERSITY ACCESS COURSE
    A one year course for students aged 17 plus who wish to study business related subjects at university (business, finance and/or law). This course is recognised by a number of our partner universities who accept it as an entry qualification in place of A Levels. The course content is tailored to the students' needs and offers elements such as GCSE Mathematics, English Language support, IT and study skills in addition to the subjects chosen for academic study.

    INTERNATIONAL STUDY CENTRE
    The International Study Centre offers a range of full-time English Language courses for all levels and ongoing support for international students studying GCSE and A Levels. For full details of the programme options, please refer to our website or prospectus. Students are prepared for IELTS examinations and IGCSE in English as a Second Language (for non native speakers).

    Extra Subjects
    Additional subjects can often be offered e.g. musical instrument lessons, additional languages. For these, and additional charge is made and details are available from the College Office.