Subject & Qualifications
Art
To bring out the best at Thomas Knyvett College, we value Art and Design as an important part of the students’ broad and balanced curriculum. Art and Design provides students with opportunities to develop and extend skills and a chance to express their individual interests, thoughts and ideas. Year on year, our curriculum introduces students to a wide range of art and artists from different periods and cultures. There is a clear progression of skills, which build on prior learning, such as the use of tools and different techniques.
KS3
KS4
Business Studies
At TKC we develop engaging and aspirational business students who reflect the demands of a truly modern and evolving business environment. Learning business at TKC changes our students lives developing commercially minded and enterprising individuals, who are ethically respectful to the global community. Great learning in business ultimately supports students to achieve success in their chosen future pathways.
KS4
Catering
Our curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced to ensure that all pupils build secure knowledge and skills over time. It is ambitious for all learners, promoting deep understanding of core concepts while enabling pupils to apply their learning confidently and independently across subjects.
KS3
KS4
Computing
At TKC, our Computer Science curriculum is designed to empower students with essential digital competencies, enabling them to become confident, creative, and independent learners. We believe that great learning changes lives, and through the study of Computer Science, students gain a deep understanding of computational thinking and the responsible, effective use of technology.
Our ambition is to equip every learner with the technical skills, problem-solving strategies, and digital literacy they need to thrive in a dynamic and increasingly digital world. Students are encouraged to aspire to academic excellence, to progress confidently through a structured curriculum, and to achieve mastery in computational concepts while demonstrating respect for the social, ethical, and environmental implications of technology.
KS3
KS4
Dance
The Dance department is dedicated to delivering a challenging, engaging, and supportive education that helps students excel in performing, choreographing, and appreciating diverse dance styles. Performance skills are honed through intensive practical activities, accompanied by continuous and thorough feedback to ensure students consistently enhance their abilities. The Dance programme at Thomas Knyvett College offers a rich array of opportunities both within and beyond the curriculum, ensuring every student can fully immerse themselves in the art of dance.
KS4
Design Technology
We intend to inspire students to become independent thinkers through a practical learning. Students are encouraged to develop an attitude of co-operation and social responsibility as they produce a range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional outcomes. Practical knowledge is underpinned with engaging theoretical knowledge which is delivered by passionate experts in each specialist area.
We embrace both traditional and new technology promoting an educational culture which is scientific, practical, technological, and vocational. Our curriculum has been developed to provide “real life” experiences which are needed in our manufacturing and service industries. Our learning environment is stimulating, purposeful, safe, and positive and offers opportunities for students to explore and experiment without fear of failure.
KS3
KS4
Drama
To bring out the best in Drama, we aim to engage and enthuse students about theatre across all stages. Our intent is for all students to have the opportunity to participate in Drama, developing confidence, resilience and emotional intelligence. The Drama curriculum will enable students to devise creative and imaginative performance in collaboration with others, as well as explore texts, and different styles and genres of theatre.
The Drama Department believes that Great Learning changes Lives by inspiring students to aspire to their highest potential, achieve excellence, and progress both personally and academically. We foster a culture of respect where every student's creativity is valued. Our curriculum covers essential drama concepts and techniques, encouraging continuous growth through performance and feedback. By mastering key terms and skills, students gain a deep understanding of drama, preparing them for future success. All students are given the opportunity to perform inside and outside the classroom and it is the vision of Drama Department that all students are filled with self-belief and find a love of learning within Drama.
KS3
KS4
English
Our curriculum intends to approach the dual purpose of providing students with the opportunities for a rich and deep love of the study of English Language and Literature, whilst also equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications they need for the future. We believe that great learning changes life, and through this transformative experience, we aim to lead the school, and work with other faculties, in developing secure reading, writing, and speaking literacy skills. This ensures that students leave TKC with the ability to express themselves successfully and empathise with anyone they encounter in their futures, empowering them to thrive in life’s challenges and opportunities.
KS3
KS4
Geography
At TKC, we want geography students to understand and think more about the world, the challenges it faces and their place within it. We want Geographers to understand that great learning about the world changes lives. Geography students should gain a deep understanding of geographical processes, the impact of change and of people-environment interactions and the links between places and environments at different scales.
KS3
KS4
Health and Social Care
The Health and Social Care curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and support individuals across a range of care settings. It fosters an appreciation of the importance of equality, diversity, and rights in health and social care environments. Students will develop a deep understanding of human growth and development across the life stages and are encouraged to explore the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social needs of individuals. Through both theory and practical application, students learn how to provide effective care and support. Communication, empathy, and professionalism are central themes embedded throughout the course. Learners are introduced to relevant legislation, policies, and procedures to ensure they understand safe and ethical practice. The course prepares students for further education, training, or employment in the health and social care sector. Overall, the curriculum inspires students to become compassionate, informed, and responsible care professionals.
KS4
Year 10 Health and Social Care
Year 11 Health and Social Care
History
At Thomas Knyvett College, the history curriculum is designed to guide students from Year 7 through Year 11 in developing a deep, chronological understanding of both British and global history, while embedding the values of kindness, opportunity, and belonging. Beginning in Year 7, students explore diverse civilisations and early British history, cultivating empathy and a sense of belonging alongside foundational historical skills such as source analysis, interpretation, and argumentation. In Year 8, pupils deepen their understanding of transformative social, political, and economic developments in early modern and modern Britain, situating these within global contexts and examining the consequences of power, conflict, and change, while recognising the opportunity to learn from the past. Year 9 extends this enquiry to twentieth-century events, including the rise of dictatorships, world wars, and social reform movements, encouraging critical reflection, empathy, and the practice of kindness through understanding diverse experiences. In Years 10 and 11, students consolidate their knowledge and refine their disciplinary skills in preparation for GCSE assessments, engaging with complex historical concepts, evaluating differing interpretations, and constructing balanced, evidence-based arguments. Across all years, the curriculum nurtures intellectual curiosity, independent thinking, and civic awareness, providing students with the opportunity to develop empathy, respect, and a strong sense of belonging, equipping them to succeed academically and to make informed, thoughtful contributions in their wider lives, proving that great learning truly changes lives.
KS3
KS4
Mathematics
To bring out the best, we will provide all students with a creative and ambitious Mathematics curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which encourages curiosity and prepares them well for everyday life and future employment.
The mathematics faculty will:
- Challenge and support learners at all levels, giving them skills and confidence to tackle a diverse range of problems.
- Develop students’ mathematical and creative problem-solving abilities.
- Create opportunities for students to experience the satisfaction of solving problems, develop essential life skills, and appreciate the fundamental role mathematics plays in understanding the world.
KS3
KS4
Modern Foreign Language (MFL)
The MFL Department is dedicated to promoting an environment where ‘great learning changes lives’ by giving all students the opportunity to open doors to other cultures and feel that they belong through an enjoyable experience of learning new languages.
We aim to produce confident, capable and articulate linguists, who will have the knowledge, understanding and skills to progress onto the next stage of their education. We encourage high aspirations, kindness, resilience and independence, in order to maximise the opportunities students are given to progress.
The curriculum we offer provides students with a range of enrichment opportunities to help them become responsible citizens who can make a positive contribution to society.
KS3
KS4
Music
Students engage in a broad and ambitious music curriculum that enables all to develop as musicians through the study of various traditions, styles and genres from a range of musical cultures. Students develop respect for music, musicians, and each other in their exploration of the subject. All students have access to music through the formal curriculum in lessons; the extra-curricular programme of activities in social time; instrumental and vocal tuition; and engagement in the musical opportunities, events, concerts and productions, both within college and in the wider community. Students make musical progress in the areas of Performing (playing and singing); Composing (including improvisation); Listening to, analysing and appraising their work and that of others. Students develop technical skills through performing on instruments and by singing, constructive skills by performing music composed by others and by composing their own music, and develop skills to perform stylistically, adding dynamics and articulation to their performances to make these expressive. Every student is encouraged to aspire to the next level phase of their musical learning and follow their chosen progression route in the study of music, enabling great musical learning to change lives.
KS3
KS4
PSHE
The PSHE curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values to thrive as confident, responsible, and respectful individuals. It promotes well-being, celebrates diversity, and fosters empathy, enabling students to build positive relationships and understand different perspectives.
Through life skills education, careers guidance, and exploration of societal issues, the curriculum prepares students for adulthood, helping them make informed decisions and contribute positively to their communities and the wider world.
KS3
KS4
Physical Education (PE)
We offer a broad and varied curriculum which develops the holistic child beyond physical skill replication, this ensures that great learning changes lives. We aim to develop inter-personal transferable skills such as teamwork, resilience, communication and social skills. These skills will help students achieve in PE and beyond, equipping each child with the necessary tools to make a positive contribution to society. Delivering high quality first teaching across a wide variety of sports and activities will provide opportunities for student to make informed choices, develop an interest and experience enjoyment resulting in them leading a healthy active lifestyle.
KS3
KS4
Religious Studies
Our Religious Studies curriculum from Year 7 to Year 9 is designed in line with the KS3 national curriculum to engage, challenge, and inspire students by developing their knowledge and understanding of a range of world religions, beliefs, and ethical issues. Students explore key faiths such as Judaism, Christianity, Dharmic religions, and Sikhi, examining beliefs, practices, values, and sacred texts, while also addressing contemporary moral and societal issues such as equality and extremism. The curriculum fosters understanding of diverse perspectives, encourages kindness in interpersonal and community contexts, and nurtures a sense of belonging within the classroom and wider society. Through critical thinking, respectful debate, reflection on “big questions,” and the use of subject-specific terminology, students build skills in reasoning, evaluation, and empathy, preparing them for continued study at GCSE and equipping them with the insight and ethical awareness to navigate a complex and diverse world.
KS3
KS4
Science
To bring out the best, the Science Faculty will develop students understanding of science and the world around them. Our intent is for students to engage in the subject as much as we do, through a carefully planned curriculum, modelling and high-quality teaching. We want our students to challenge ideas, collect evidence and draw conclusions to embed these necessary lifelong skills.
KS3
KS4
Sports Science
The Cambridge National Sports Science curriculum aums to provide students with a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum that develops practical and theoretical knowledge in sport science, preparing learners for further education or careers in the sport and health sectors whilst promoting independence and confidence through coursework and applied learning. It also encourages critical thinking and problem solving in real-world sport and exercise contexts. Students will understand the principles of training and how they affect skill performance, learn how to reduce the risk of sports injuries and respond to common medical conditions and also gain knowledge of sports nutrition and how diet impacts performance recovery. The intent of our Sport Science curriculum is to inspire and equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand and apply scientific principles in sport and physical activity. By combining academic rigour with practical application, students gain a holistic view of sport science that supports both personal development and professional aspirations.