Curriculum

The timetable operates on a fortnightly cycle of 50 one-hour lessons. This provides a total teaching time of 25 hours per week. 

The subjects taught to the pupils and the numbers of lessons per fortnight are as follows:-

Year 7 (50) 

English 5, Mathematics 6, Science 6, Geography 3, History 3, Religious Education 2, French 3, Welsh 3, Music 2, Art 3, Technology 3, Physical Education 3, Personal and Social Education 2, Information Technology 2, Drama 2, Learning Skills 2. 

Year 8 (50) 

English 6, Mathematics 6, Science 6, Geography 2, History 2, Religious Education 2, French 3, Welsh 4, Music 2, Art 2, Technology 3, Physical Education 4, Personal and Social Education 2, Information Technology 2, Drama 2, Learning Skills 2.

Year 9 (50)

English 6, Mathematics 6, Science 6, Geography 3, History 3, Religious Education 2, French 4, Welsh 3, Music 2, Art 2, Technology 4, Physical Education 3, Personal and Social Education 2 (inc. Careers), Information Technology 2, Drama 2.

During the second term in Year 9, pupils make a choice of subjects for Years 10 and 11.  These choices follow consultation involving pupils, subject teachers, careers guidance teachers and personnel, Head of Year and parents.

Year 10 (50)

English (6), Maths (6), Science (10), Physical Education (2), PSE (2), Welsh (2), Religious Education (2) plus four options of five lessons each (one chosen from each column below).  Pupils following the Vocational Package (option lines 1 and 2) will take a course at Ystrad Mynach or Rhymney College. The courses on offer are Motor Vehicle, Construction, Hair and Beauty Therapy or Retail Studies.

Year 10

Year 11 (50)

English (6), Maths (6), Science (10), Physical Education (2), PSE (2), Welsh (2), Religious Education (2) plus four options of five lessons each (one chosen from each column below).  Pupils following the Vocational Package (option line 2 & Science) take a course at Ystrad Mynach or Rhymney College as per Year 10 and also follow an extra ICT course within school.

Years 12/13

The number of lessons allocated per subject is dependent upon the demands and requirements of the course. Most A and AS level courses will be 8 lessons per week. Pupils will select between 2-4 courses. All students following these courses must have a minimum of 4 GCSE passes grades A-C. (Some courses are delivered at other Caerphilly Basin Partnership Schools.) Vocational courses will be 12 lessons per fortnight.

Year 13

Students who have yet to gain 4 Grades A-C in their GCSE examinations will have the opportunity of studying Vocational courses at Level 2, that is equivalent to 4 grades A-C at GCSE.

The following subjects are being offered:

• Engineering
• Health & Social care
• Sport

Students following these courses will be expected to follow a GCSE level Course in English, Mathematics and ICT if they have yet to attain the minimum C grade at GCSE.

Consortium Options

In order to allow pupils at Bedwas maximum choice with their options in the 6th form, the Caerphilly Basin schools operate a consortium arrangement where all pupils can access courses at all 3 schools in the basin. All lessons will be taught Periods 1 and 2 or Periods 4 and 5. Pupils can then travel between schools at break times or lesson 3- all transport will be provided free of charge.