Academic Study at Pangbourne means so much more than the narrow exam syllabus and being taught to jump through the hoops of an exam paper; it is the search for deeper understanding and nurturing the intellectual curiosity of our students. We want our students to leave Pangbourne having been inducted into systems of worthwhile knowledge that enable them to participate in and shape the national discourse.
Pangbourne therefore is first and foremost a place of learning. We place a premium on developing intellectual flexibility in our students; we want them to develop the schemata required to address and solve unseen problems; to be confident to listen to and debate ideas different from their own and not to be dragged down by dogma; to carry the thirst for enquiry through their adult lives.
Click here for our Academic Integrity Policy
Click here for the Pangbourne Reading Canon list
First steps (Years 7- 8)
Pupils arrive at Pangbourne from a range of schools and with different learning styles. In their first years with us, pupils experience the entire range of our curriculum. This helps them to find their passions and strengths, and allows our staff to learn about each pupils’ interests.
GCSE Ready (Year 9)
The focus for this important year is to settle our new joiners into the Pangbourne College community and to ensure all students are GCSE Ready. Through purposeful curriculum planning, a keen attention to student progress and extensive support from the Divisions (Houses), students are mentally, emotionally and academically prepared for the stimulating challenges ahead.
View our 'A Guide to Choosing GCSEs' booklet here
Marching on (Years 10-11)
In Year 10, pupils start to study their GCSE courses. We offer a large number of possibilities for subject combinations to ensure that Pangbournians can choose subjects that best fit their abilities and aspirations.
Pupils continue to study Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Science and then choose up to four option subjects. In addition to the examined subjects pupils also follow a Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship education course The benefits of our small class sizes are most evident in the GCSE years, where they give staff the time to prepare pupils for their first experience of public exams.
Individual & ambitious (Sixth Form)
Pangbournians learn most about themselves in the Sixth Form. A Levels require dedication and resilience, but are incredibly rewarding. Most pupils choose three Sixth Form subjects (A Levels or BTECs) along with an additional academic qualification such as an EPQ or Core Maths. Some will have mapped their career out, but many will use their Sixth Form years to figure out how their future will look with support from our Careers programme.
Our senior tutors support students through university admissions and we are proud that over 70% go on to study at their firm choice of university. In recent years, we have also helped pupils to apply for employment and specialist further education courses as well as apprenticeships.
View our 'A Guide to Choosing Subjects at Sixth Form' booklet here.
Subjects
Our thriving art department fosters pupils' creativity. In Years 7-9, pupils study a wide range of projects and learn about art and artists from around the world. Those who choose to continue their studies at GCSE level explore a range of different media including photography, print and drawing to complete their work.
At A Level, Sixth Formers can study Art, Craft and Design, and/or Photography.
Students go on trips to galleries and museums regularly, and artists visit Pangbourne to lead workshops and masterclasses.
In Year 9, pupils start their GCSE course with the topic of Cells. They are introduced to experimental work through the use of microscopes and carry out several core practicals. They learn about the bigger picture studying levels of organisation and learn more about animal and plant physiology. After this year they are able to study Biology either as a Combined Science GCSE or as a separate Biology GCSE.
A Level Biology covers a broad range of topics, in particular those related to health and disease. It includes practical work which leads to the Practical Endorsement - an additional practical qualification. Local fieldwork is undertaken as part of the course as well as visits to conferences and research centres.
Chemistry develops pupils’ logic and mathematical skills, and involves many exciting practical experiments. The topics at GCSE and A Level are similar, with A Level building on the base level understanding developed at GCSE. The subject is an essential requirement for certain university courses, and Pangbourne’s Chemistry department is dedicated to equipping pupils with the skill and knowledge necessary for the next steps in their education.
Pangbourne College wants pupils to have the key skills necessary to be successful in our rapidly changing world. They will leave us with knowledge on how computers, the internet and networks work, and know how to write computer programmes, create websites and use a range of software.
Pupils in years 7 to 9 enjoy a varied curriculum at Pangbourne. As well as learning the basics of how to stay safe on line they will learn about Computer Hardware and Software; the internet and types of network and how to problem solve using the principles of Computational Thinking. Through their time in Key Stage 3 they will learn how to program a Computer using at least two different languages, culminating in a project where they will build a fully functioning game. Other topics include binary numbers and Boolean logic.
Pupils may elect to continue their study at GCSE and A Level where they can expect to explore Computer Science in more depth which includes learning other programming languages. Outside development is encouraged and several pupils in year 10 have successfully built their own personal computers.
At Pangbourne College Core Skills is taken by pupils in Years 7, 8, and 9. The focus of Core Skills is in developing supplementary skills that will assist pupils in learning and in making the best use of their time. Throughout the year we focus on being effective independent learners, time management, developing productive habits, research skills and forward planning. Pupils in Year 10 have the opportunity to undertake a research project of their choice with the aim of producing a review and presentation giving them a taste of academic research.
Pupils at Pangbourne are able to make full use of our DT workshop with an ICT suite and woodworking, metalworking and plastics manufacturing facilities. They learn through practical work and develop both creative and problem-solving skills.
At GCSE, pupils focus on product design using Textiles or Resistant Materials. In the Sixth Form, a BTECl in Art and Design is offered with a focus on product design.
Outside their lessons, pupils are able to attend weekly DT and STEM activities. We also run a classic car club during which pupils help to rebuild and renovate our classic car.
We also offer Arkwright Scholarships at GCSE level for those looking to go into engineering and manufacturing careers, or take related courses at a higher level
In Drama, pupils develop their communication skills, creativity and teamwork to create imaginative performances. As part of our fantastic provision, we have our own Theatre Technician and scripts available for student use. Each year the Drama Department puts on an annual production in Drake Hall.
Pupils can take Drama at both GCSE and A Level, as well as Trinity College London Drama exams at grade levels 1-8. Trips to theatres on a regular basis inspire enthusiasm, and previously Pangbourne has been involved in the Shakespeare Schools Festival and the National Theatre’s Connections Festival.
Pangbourne delivers Economics and Business in a modern, topical way, drawing on current affairs. Business is offered both at GCSE and A Level, and Economics can be taken at A Level. Regular trips to places such as the Amazon fulfillment centre and the Coca-Cola factory provide real-world context.
English at Pangbourne develops literary and communication skills whilst encouraging the enjoyment of literature from various eras. Year 7-9 follows a vibrant curriculum of Shakespeare, novels and poetry whilst fostering writing skills. All pupils then take the IGCSE in both English Language and English Literature. Those who continue studying Literature at A Level engage in debate and analysis of various great works.
Extracurricular activities include book clubs, creative writing and a journalism society, as well as trips to theatres and visits from professional writers who run workshops.
This course will develop the skills and knowledge needed to bring an idea to market and develop an effective business. In addition to the content related to enterprise development, the course will also encourage a number of skills which will be useful regardless of your future career choices, such as an understanding of personal finance and the ability to present to an audience. Some of the units will involve working with existing enterprises.
This course will be effective preparation for Business courses at university, especially those which involve enterprise or marketing. It is also an attractive option for those who might be considering an apprenticeship. This is an especially useful course if you already have an idea for a business you would like to start, as it will help you understand what is needed to turn your idea into reality.
Pupils develop their understanding of the world in terms of human factors and the physical environment. Year 7 and 8 follow a similar course to that of Common Entrance candidates inline with their peers in other schools. They do not sit the CE exams though which gives room in the summer months of Year 8 for fun projects outside and enquiry-based learning.
Year 9 starts with a global citizens course exploring the key skills and terminology of a globalised geography curriculum and this then leads into the start of the GCSE (AQA) course in the January of Year 9. They cover two GCSE topics (ecosystems and Resource Management) before moving into Year 10.
The GCSE continues in Year 10 as students continue to develop their understanding of a broad range of topics and undertake fieldwork both on the Pangbourne campus and offsite before sitting a Human, Physical and Skills paper in the summer of Year 11.
One of the most popular choices at A Level, further geographical skills are fostered and a number of field trips and lectures are attended to apply learning and enrich learning. We cover the Cambridge International specification which is examined at the end of Upper Sixth.
Pangbourne’s History Department subscribes to three key philosophies in its mission to foster a lifelong love of history: subject enjoyment, effective and varied teaching, and excellent exam results.
Year 7 and 8 follow Common Entrance syllabus, studying Medieval England and the Tudor and Stuart dynasties respectively. At GCSE, students study the consequences of WWI, the outbreak of WWII, Tsardom in Russia and British history over an 800 year period. A Level offers a more in-depth look at Nazism and the development of English democracy.
The History Society offers a variety of activities for students particularly interested in History to get involved with. Lectures are offered by teachers and visiting speakers, and Sixth Formers engage in debates.
In Years 7-9, pupils explore a broad mathematical curriculum to act as a foundation of knowledge. In Year 10 and 11, students prepare for and sit their IGCSE, and those who are high-achieving in the subject are offered the opportunity to sit the AQA Level 2 certificate in Further Maths as an additional qualification.
A Level Mathematics is a very popular subject in the Sixth Form. Core Mathematics in Sixth Form offers pupils a Level 3 qualification equivalent to AS, and Further Mathematics is also available at this higher level for those with a particular interest in the subject. Those looking to study Mathematics and related subjects at either Oxford or Cambridge are given support for their entrance papers.
Pangbourne takes part in national Maths Challenge papers each year, and has recently seen pupils achieve some of the best scores in these events and be invited to take part in the follow-on rounds and Kangaroo competitions. Euler Society and Abelian Group are also offered in the Sixth Form as part of the High Potential Achiever Programme.
Additional support is available four days a week
Media Studies is available to pupils as a Level 3 BTEC and provides an introduction to the media industry. Pupils explore a range of sectors including websites, digital games and print advertising, and develop skills including filming, editing and media text analysis.
Pangbourne strives to make the study of language purposeful and enjoyable. Pupils engage in interactive lessons, studying cultural differences as well as increasing their proficiency in using and understanding language.
Pupils study French from Year 7. The most able or those who have previously studied German or Spanish are able to study German or Spanish in addition to French from Year 8. Continuing to study a language at GCSE is encouraged, and going on to further study it at A Level brings a deeper understanding on various topics, including literature and film.
Pangbourne’s Music Department is based in the £2m award-winning Harding Communications Centre. We aim to nurture talent and give all pupils the opportunity to develop musical skills.
Years 7-9 attend curriculum lessons, and many continue studying Music at GCSE level. Sixth Formers can study Music A Level. Instrumental tuition is also available.
We offer numerous opportunities to join music ensembles, including our Marching Band which plays a key role in our parades. We hold a range of concerts, masterclasses and workshops, and are represented at the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral in the presence of the Royal Family
Physical Education (PE) at Pangbourne caters for pupils with a wide range of abilities and experience, and aims to make exercise enjoyable and rewarding. At GCSE and A Level, the syllabus is split between theory and practical, and pupils develop their understanding of a healthy lifestyle whilst improving their performance in a range of activities.
Level 3 Sport BTEC is available in the Sixth-Form as an A Level equivalent. This has proved a popular and successful addition to our curriculum. Pupils can study either a one A Level equivalent or a two A Level equivalent. The BTEC course follows some similar topics as the A Level, but differs where pupils will have vocational topics, such as delivering coaching sessions to local primary schools, or taking part in analysis of sports performance.
Lectures and visits to Sports Science institutions, and guest speakers from a variety of sports and health industries offer accessible insights into the practical application of pupils’ knowledge.
Physics is studied in Year 7 and 8 as part of a combined science course: ‘Dunbar Science’. This focuses on developing key practical skills through core topics: Forces & Motion, Sound & Light, Electricity & Magnetism, Energy & Space, Motion & Pressure. Pupils begin the GCSE course in Year 9 and choose to take either the Separate or Combined Science course at the start of Year 10. At Sixth Form, a hands-on practical approach continues throughout the delivery of the A level course.
Politics is an A Level subject only, that focuses on the systems of government and politics in both the UK and USA. Alongside this, the course examines the political theories of liberalism, socialism, conservatism and feminism. The course encourages critical thinking, evaluative analysis of the modern world, whilst trying to develop an understanding of how western democracies work, or don’t. Finally, the course seeks to widen the political views of the pupils allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the situations of others.
The Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) Programme at Pangbourne develops pupils' understanding of the College’s ethos and Flag Values, whilst developing their mutual respect for one another and learning to take responsibility for their well being. Pupils have PSHCE periods as part of their weekly schedule, and they are encouraged to get involved in community initiatives and engage with College visitors to become better citizens.
A Level Psychology offers pupils the opportunity to study a range of topics to do with the human mind. They apply scientific methodology to every area of study in the subject, and identify important findings.
To further students’ knowledge, frequent lectures are arranged. In the past, we have been fortunate to have Guy Sutton host a ‘brain day workshop’ with our Psychology students which they found highly inspirational.
Religious Studies (RS) at Pangbourne encourages a positive attitude towards spiritual beliefs and increases awareness of religion’s significance in society. Pupils question and reflect in a positive atmosphere, beginning in Year 7 with an introduction to the concept of religion. At GCSE pupils tackle ethical questions, and A Level provides the opportunity to delve deeper into both religion and ethics.
Trips and workshops are arranged as part of the High Potential Achiever programme to enrich understanding including critical thinking exercises and a lecture on church architecture, and a number of students go on to read Theology or Philosophy and Ethics at university.
Sociology is the study of human society. On the course you are asked to look at your own personal experiences and of those around you to be able to understand, connect and develop an understanding of why individuals behave the way that they do. We want you to be curious and to be willing to look at the world through a critical lens. You are expected to question behaviour, habits and customs that we have come to see as ‘natural’ around us. During class, we take ‘normal’, taken-for-granted assumptions about life and turn them upside down, looking for meaning and viewing them from a different perspective. No prior knowledge of Sociology is required.
