Academic
At whatever stage pupils join us, the academic pathway Monkton offers is exceptional.
We begin with knowing the individual person: abilities, passions, challenges. Our tailored approach to each pupil enables us to draw the very best from every Monktonian academically.
Our dedicated, creative and passionate teachers inspire in our students a love for their subject and even more, a love of learning that becomes a life-long habit.
Monkton has an extraordinary ability to stretch and challenge in every faculty, sending pupils to top universities and courses both in the UK and internationally. But the numbers only tell part of the story. We believe in more for every pupil, helping everyone articulate and realise their ambitions.
Year 9
Breadth & exploration
The Year 9 programme is deliberately broad, to create opportunities for each pupil to be inspired by learning, discover their particular passions and to make informed choices about GCSE courses.
The core subjects of Maths, English and Science are supplemented by language options of French, Spanish, Mandarin and Latin. For Humanities we offer History, Geography, Theology Philosophy & Ethics (TPE), and creative subjects such as Art, Design, Music, Drama and practical PE
This breadth is further enhanced through our enrichment carousel, the sports options available in our main curriculum and our extensive range of clubs.
GCSE
understanding & growth
In Year 10 our pupils begin to specialise. We create as much flexibility as possible, with only Maths and English (Literature & Language) being compulsory. Beyond that we offer six options, empowering each pupil to tailor their studies to areas that match their aptitudes and interests.
Monkton teaches individual sciences, enabling our pupils to hone in on the specific subjects they want to pursue. Most of our pupils choose two from Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with some opting for all three and occasionally, just one, in discussion with our academic team. GCSEs in PE, Business and Computer Science are also available.
There is a broad choice of languages: French, Spanish, Mandarin and Latin and our Humanities faculty delivers Geography, History and Theology, Philosophy & Ethics (TPE), all taught with deep connection to issues relevant both personally and globally.
Music & Drama offer superb academic and creative scope for our performance artists.
In our extraordinary Art & Design faculty, the choice grows, adding Photography to the Art and Design already studied in Year 9. This only grows for Sixth Form where we offer an unmatched five different A Level courses.
For international students we offer English as an Additional Language (EAL) classes to replace the mainstream English curriculum where needed and our expert team work closely with each pupil to develop and deepen their English language skills, moving them into the mainstream English course when appropriate.
A-level
depth & mastery
Students typically choose three subjects which can be focused in one faculty or spread across several. We encourage the polymath as much as the single-minded specialist. Some students will pursue four subjects after discussion with our Deputy Head Academic (for this you will need to achieve an average GCSE grade of 7 or equivalent).
Alongside A Levels students can also choose to complete a stretch and challenge course to broaden their academic focus: an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), Global Perspectives course or, for EAL students, studying for the IELTS examination.
ACAdemic subjects EXAM ResultsWhere will Monkton take you
Academic Enrichment
| Tutoring Workshops |
One of the many advantages of the Monkton boarding ethos is the extended access to teaching staff. Most teachers are part of a house team, offering individual help during Prep sessions. Our bi-weekly workshops in each subject offer additional help with classwork or prep. Pupils can drop in to tackle one specific issue, or stay for an hour, working with a range of teachers. |
| Learning Beyond the Classroom |
| To deepen understanding and connect the classroom with the world beyond, we have a broad range of academic societies, bringing in subject-specific speakers, and faculties run bespoke activities and trips, from scientific or philosophy conferences, running sessions in our own observatory, field trips and more. |
| Trips |
| Each year there are opportunities to join residential trips, often combining two disciplines to enrich our pupils real world connection with the subjects they are studying. You might be exploring Spanish & Theology in Andalucia, Philosophy & Classics in Athens, getting up close to History in Berlin, doing practical Biology field work or visiting Geneva to explore Physics and Politics - and many more! |
| Easter Revision Course |
| Particularly for pupils in Year 11 & 13, but open to other year groups, our Easter Revision course offers structured revision, supported and taught by our superb teachers. |
