Bradfield’s curriculum in the Junior School (Fourth, Shell and Fifth Forms) is designed to give pupils a wide experience of subjects and skills they may wish to pursue in future years.  Whilst it recognises that breadth of study is important at this stage, the curriculum is organised to stress a number of priorities the College believes to be important. 

These aims can be summarised as follows:

•           to provide a curriculum suitable for pupils at all levels of the Bradfield ability range;

•           to provide a curriculum to stretch and motivate the most able;

•           to promote the learning of languages both ancient and modern;

•           to promote the learning of the sciences.

The most significant difference in the teaching of the most able occurs in the first year at the College where the top forty pupils in the year group are withdrawn from History, Geography and Religious Studies and taught in three parallel Divisions.  Here, one or two teachers will guide the pupils through a course designed specifically for them, covering historical, philosophical, political and economic concerns.  Writing weekly essays and being involved in stimulating discussion and research, pupils emerge from the course extremely well-prepared for the more prescriptive challenges of the GCSE courses.

Those pupils who are not in these groups are provided with stimulating teaching across the curriculum; all attain the highest standards of which they are capable whilst developing a love of learning for its own sake. Regular prep is set in order that pupils begin to develop the capacity for independent learning. Pupils are thus well-prepared for their chosen GCSE courses.

All pupils are encouraged to study ancient and modern languages, either ab initio or continuing the study begun in previous schools.  The majority of the Bradfield intake will follow at least two of these languages on to GCSE and many will continue their study in the Sixth Form.

All pupils take GCSE courses in the core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science, and most take an additional four of their own choice. There is scope for the most able and highly motivated to take fast track courses in some subjects, completing GCSE in the Shell and moving on to more advanced courses in the Fifth Form. Those for whom a reduced number of GCSE courses is more appropriate may be offered support and study skills lessons. ICT and PSHE lessons are provided for all, although not necessarily examined at GCSE level.

All pupils throughout the College follow our lecture-based enrichment programme: the Athena Programme.  Outside-speakers, many of whom are Old Bradfieldians, give lectures on a diverse and stimulating range of topics: from politics to potential careers, from sporting prowess to exotic adventures, and more.