Grouping arrangements for learning (Years 7 - 11)

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 (KS3), which is Years 7 and 8 at Cheam High School, students are divided into two equivalent bands, K and Q.

Throughout Year 7, students are taught in mixed ability sets*, with the exception of the A sets. The A sets have additional support for students who require it. 

*After Christmas, Year 7 students will continue to be taught in mixed ability sets, with the exception of Maths. In order to set in Maths, the school will use information gathered from students' SATs results, CAT test results and class performance during the autumn term, to place students in the most appropriate set for their academic progress.

At present, Year 8 students are taught in sets. Each of the two bands, K and Q, is divided into six teaching sets for the core subjects of English, Mathematics and associated subjects. Students are taught in the same classes for English, French, History, Geography and Technology.  For Science, Art, Drama, Music, IT and Life, students are taught in Mathematics sets.  PE/Games are taught in their bands and grouped as appropriate by the PE department.

There is a top and second set (set 1+2) in each band, with three middle sets, as well as an additional support set, which benefits from additional learning support in all classroom lessons.

Teaching sets with the same number in each of the bands are broadly equivalent e.g. K1 is equivalent to Q1. 

Students are allocated to core subjects sets according to information gathered from primary schools and from any tests or assessments which they may have taken prior to joining the school. It is possible, and likely, that students will be in different sets for different core subjects e.g. it is possible for a child to be in set 1 for English and a middle set for Mathematics.

The settings of students are reviewed during the year and students are moved at the discretion of the English or Mathematics Curriculum Leader.

 

Key Stage 4

In the Upper School (Years 9, 10 & 11) students are also divided into two equivalent bands, with equal numbers of students in each, for the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and Languages, which are set within each band. Option subjects are taught across the year group. PE/Games is taught in (usually) single sex groups across the half band.  Students choose their options for KS4 during Year 8. Guidance on the options available is given through a 13+ Evening, a subject evening, options booklet and work within LIFE lessons on careers.

Set changes for all year groups in core subjects can be made at any time and are decided by Core Curriculum Leaders in consultation with subject teachers.