Subjects

Programme for Years 7-8

The curriculum during these years revolves around three tiers, which ensures well-rounded development. Everyone takes English, maths, and science as their foundation. Beyond that, students explore subjects from the Outer Core and Carousel categories, allowing them to experiment with different disciplines before committing to any particular path.

Outer Core and Carousel subjects:

• Art and Design — building creative skills and visual thinking
• Classical Civilisation — myths, history, and culture of Ancient Greece and Rome
• Computer Science — Python programming, logical thinking, and problem-solving
• Digital Literacy — safe technology use and information handling
• History — exploring pivotal past events and their modern-day influence
• Global Perspectives — developing research, analysis, and cross-curricular connections
• Modern Foreign Language — any language through Pearson Edexcel’s flexible programme
• Wellbeing — a course on physical and emotional health

Moving Towards Specialisation

Year 9 brings structural changes. The unified science course splits into biology, chemistry, and physics, each studied separately to prepare for IGCSE-level work. English and Wellbeing remain compulsory. Maths follows two parallel tracks—Core and Extension—both covering identical topics, though Extension moves faster and incorporates more complex concepts. Students are placed according to their progress and results.

IGCSE Programme at Minerva’s Virtual Academy

Years 10-11 centre on IGCSE preparation. English, maths (foundation or higher tier), and one science—biology, chemistry, or physics—are mandatory. Beyond these, students choose from:

• Business — management, marketing, finance, and operations
• Economics — supply and demand, market structures, government’s role
• French, German, or Spanish
• Geography — climate, urbanisation, sustainable development
• History — pivotal events and their contemporary impact
• Computer Science — algorithms, programming, cybersecurity
• Global Citizenship — includes a compulsory local community project
• Classical Civilisation — religion, temples, Greek and Roman mythology
• Religious Studies — philosophical questions, ethics, religious thought
• Science Double Award — combined three-science course (counts as two GCSEs)
• Further Maths — advanced mathematics for those pursuing STEM fields

Some subjects carry special requirements. Art, Music, and Psychology can only be examined at British centres, meaning students must travel to the UK for May-June exams. Music additionally requires private instrumental tuition and approximately ABRSM Grade 5 by completion. Art and Music incur an extra £750 annual fee for individual coursework supervision.

Upper School

Entry to A Level requires at least five GCSEs graded 5 or above, including English and maths. Most A Level subjects expect a grade 6 in the corresponding GCSE, though exceptions exist. Available subjects include:

• Biology, Chemistry, Physics — with practical experiments
• Maths — pure mathematics, mechanics, and statistics
• English Literature — textual analysis across periods and genres
• History, Geography — advanced study with research skills
• Business, Economics — theory applied to real-world scenarios
• Computer Science — programming, systems architecture, data handling
• Psychology — research methods, ethics, contemporary issues
• French, Spanish — authentic texts and fluent speech
• Religious Studies — philosophy, ethics, religious thought (UK-based students only)

Students can also undertake an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)—independent research presented as a dissertation, investigation, performance, or art piece. Worth half an A Level, it’s studied only in Year 12 and costs an additional £1,250.