At AGS, we are committed to offering a rich, ambitious curriculum and a broad all-round education which empowers every student to unlock their best possible future. The acquisition of academic knowledge and skills lies at the heart of a broader curriculum designed to develop the whole person, incorporating our Personal Development and pastoral DHB strands. Every member of our diverse learning community, including students with SEND, disadvantaged students and students from a range of cultural backgrounds, enjoys full access to our inclusive offering.

At AGS, we believe that every child can succeed. Underpinning the AGS Curriculum at every key stage is the Engaged AGS Learner. We teach students how to learn through a rigorous set of skills, which educational research shows to equip each child with advanced cognitive skills that they will need for lifelong success. Our students aim high and take responsibility for their learning; they are taught to collaborate, show curiosity, be creative and resourceful;  they learn to link ideas and break down problems; they are encouraged to take risks, persevere and practice; they are reflective listeners and welcome feedback.

At AGS, all students experience a rich and ambitious three-year key stage 3 curriculum, based closely on the National Curriculum. The offer is deep and broad, with no narrowing. This is a traditional curriculum that sets our students up for a great future, thanks to its blend of variety, knowledge, skills and engagement.

The options process for our two year key stage 4 is such that no student can make a choice that rules out any possible future career. Each student studies a core of PSHE, maths, double English, triple science, a modern foreign language, and a humanities subject (geography/history/philosophy, religion & ethics). There are a range of options to complement this strong core, including a breadth of creative subjects that includes drama, music, art, design technology, computing, food & nutrition, business and physical education.

This leads on to the AGS Sixth Form where there is unrivalled flexibility and free choice from 25 subjects. We welcome students from other schools to join our AGS community and, indeed, external students are in the majority. For more information, please see the ‘Sixth Form Curriculum’ page. 

At every stage, we take the long view that the acquisition and strengthening of learning habits will set a student up for the rest of their lives. The effective delivery of knowledge and the preparation for examination success sits alongside our focus on the development of personal attributes such as politeness and empathy, inclusivity and respect, honesty and kindness, and being community-minded: in essence a ‘Decent Human Being’. 

For further information please contact Mrs Helena Tingle, Assistant Principal (Quality of Education) h.tingle@alcestergs.com