Programmes

Early Years and Primary School

The nursery and primary years follow the British Early Years Foundation Stage framework, where children develop seven key areas through play-based learning. These small groups benefit from high adult-to-child ratios, allowing activities to be tailored to each learner’s needs as they build communication skills, physical abilities, and social-emotional understanding alongside literacy, numeracy, world awareness, and creative expression.

Primary pupils from Years 1 to 6 follow a broad curriculum based on the national programme, with core subjects including English, mathematics, science, and physical education. Beyond these foundations, they explore additional disciplines:

• French
• Music
• Drama
• Art
• Design Technology
• History
• Geography
• Religious Studies
• Computing

Housed within the main college building, younger students access specialist facilities including the science laboratory, library, computer suite, and dedicated art studio.

Middle School

From Years 7 to 9, students experience a diverse programme covering all major academic areas before they select their GCSE subjects. Core disciplines—English language and literature, mathematics, science (which splits into biology, physics, and chemistry by Year 9), physical education, and religious studies—form the foundation while pupils simultaneously explore broader fields:

• Drama
• Music
• Art and Design
• Design Technology
• Computing
• History
• Geography
• French, German, and Spanish (two languages chosen in Year 9)

The school supports this transitional phase through consultations and special meetings where students and parents discuss options with teachers, ensuring informed choices about future specialization.

GCSE Programme

At GCSE level, Rendcomb College students typically take up to 10 examinations over two years. The compulsory subjects—mathematics, English language and literature, biology, chemistry, and physics—establish a solid academic foundation, while pupils select four additional courses from this range:

• Art
• Business Studies (BTEC Level 2)
• Computer Science
• Design Technology (Product Design)
• Drama
• English as an Additional Language (EAL)
• French
• Further Mathematics
• Geography
• German
• History
• Music
• Physical Education
• Spanish

Alongside their main studies, students attend weekly careers guidance sessions during individual meetings with their tutors.

Sixth Form at Rendcomb College

Each student receives a personal academic mentor who guides them through their studies and career planning. They typically choose three two-year A-Level or BTEC courses—occasionally four in exceptional circumstances—which they pursue until final examinations. The college offers 19 subject options, including traditional academic disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, English literature, and physical education, plus:

• Art
• Business Studies (BTEC)
• Computer Science
• Design Technology
• Drama and Theatre Studies
• Economics
• French
• Further Mathematics
• Geography
• History
• Music
• Photography
• Physical Education (BTEC)
• Psychology
• Spanish

Beyond the core timetable, Rendcomb College offers a Slim enrichment block for deeper study or targeted support. Students can resit GCSE mathematics and English, take additional mathematics lessons for science specialisms, earn the Gold Arts Award through portfolio creation and cultural event organization, or complete an EPQ—a 5,000-word independent research project on their chosen topic.