Students in Years 7 to 9 follow a broad curriculum which over the three years covers: English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages (French & Spanish), History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art & Design (Fine Art, Graphics & Textiles), Food Preparation & Nutrition, Music, Computer Science, Physical Education, Dance, Drama and Personal, Social, Health, Economic Education (PSHE).

All students follow GCSE courses in: English, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology (or Combined Science). Students choose three additional GCSE subjects from: Art & Design (Fine Art, Textile Design and 3-Dimension Design), Dance, Food Preparation & Nutrition, Drama, Geography, History, Computer Science, Music, Religious Studies, Physical Education, Psychology, French and Spanish.  In addition, there is a general programme involving Physical Education, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE), non-exam Religious Studies and private study time.

A wide range of Advanced Level subjects are available in the Sixth Form. Sixth Form students choose at three subjects from the following:

Art & Design (Fine Art & Textiles), Drama, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Dance, Food Science and Nutrition, English Literature, French, Geography, History, Mathematics & Further Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Philosophy & Ethics, Sociology and Spanish.

Further details are published in the Sixth Form Subject Guide. Please visit the Sixth Form website page for more information about the Sixth Form. 

Independent Study makes an important contribution to a student’s learning. To ensure that maximum benefit is gained from the setting of independent study, there needs to be a partnership between the students, the teaching staff and parents.

We also use Satchel: One to support the independent study process.

The time spent on independent study will vary at different times of the year and in different subjects across all year groups.

Going Further Opportunities are opportunities to go beyond the curriculum. Our staff have created tasks that enable students to further explore the concepts and ideas raised within the classroom for each subject and topic.

All students have these opportunities signposted to them and are therefore able to delve more deeply into each of their subjects in their own time. We have provided these opportunities to cultivate deep thinking across all key stages.

For instance, in Year 8 Science, they can, as part of their Heating and Cooling topic, find a picture of the International Space Station and annotate it in order to describe the temperatures that the ISS must deal with and how the station is designed to meet these demands.

If you are considering applying to Oxford or Cambridge in the future, Year 10 is an ideal time to start building the knowledge, skills and experiences that will support a competitive application. Successful Oxbridge candidates demonstrate not only outstanding academic achievement, but also a genuine passion for learning, intellectual curiosity and a willingness to explore their interests beyond the classroom.

At Ribston, students can begin developing these foundations through strong GCSE study habits, participation in Going Further opportunities and engagement with the Ribston Ambition Pathway. As they progress into Sixth Form, students can further enhance their profile through the Ribston Baccalaureate and our Academic Excellence Programme Pathway.

For more information on how students can prepare for Oxford and Cambridge applications throughout their Ribston journey, the following guide provides practical advice, suggested activities and a clear roadmap to help students make the most of the opportunities available to them: Ribston Guide: Oxbridge Preparation (from Year 10).

We are proud of our ambitious curriculum here at Ribston. We have deliberately mapped our subjects across seven years to build deep and extensive disciplinary knowledge. When students are unable to attend school due to adverse weather events or public health emergencies, they are expected to follow their normal school timetable at home. The curriculum will be delivered remotely wherever possible, although some adaptations to some subjects may be needed, particularly in subjects with large practical elements such as PE.

Our principles of using inclusive teaching strategies will continue and will be integrated into the new method of delivery. Wherever possible, pupils will have access to live lessons through Microsoft Teams and work will also be uploaded to our homework platform, Satchel One.

The school holds weekly assemblies, which students attend. This is an important part of the daily life of the school.