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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you follow the National Curriculum?
Although there is no requirement for us to do so, we do broadly follow the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3. We study a three year Key Stage 3. We review our curriculum regularly and adapt what we teach occasionally to respond to students needs and current affairs.
What subjects do students study at Key Stage 3?
At Key Stage 3 students study the following subjects – English, Maths, Science, RE, Geography, History, French or Spanish, Music, Drama, Computing, Design and Technology, Art, P.E. and Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE).
When are students assessed?
In year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students are assessed twice a year, with a mid year and end of year assessment.
In year 11 students have two sets of pre public exams ahead of their final GCSE exams in the summer.
Students are assessed three times in year 12, before two sets of pre public exams in year 13. Public exams occur in May and June of year 11 and 13.
What languages are students taught at Trinity?
Students are taught French or Spanish at Trinity. The vast majority of students study a language throughout years 7, 8 and 9 with a small number of students given extra support in English during this time.
Parents' and students' preferences are surveyed on arrival in year 7.
Are students set for subjects at Trinity School?
At Key Stage 3 students are grouped carefully in all subjects using all the information available to us. The majority of subjects are delivered in mixed attainment groups with specific support given to the highest performers.
It is our intention that students would study the same material as each other and as such, differences in setting matter less. Importantly, all students cover the same core curriculum and sit the same assessments.
A small number of students in Key Stage 3 will be offered focussed support in Key Stage 3 through a small group. These students may have an adapted curriculum to allow for strong progress in core subjects particularly.
How are students taught at the start of year 7?
When students first arrive, they are taught in their tutor groups for the first few weeks of term.
After some baseline assessments and the opportunity to meet the students, we place them in teaching groups.
Students are each in three groups; a tutor group, which remains the same throughout their time at Trinity, a group for maths and a group for English.
Students' maths groups are the same group they are taught geography, history and languages in. All other subjects are taught in students' English group.
How are students assessed at Key Stage 3?
Students are assessed on the content they have learnt at Trinity up until that point. Therefore, assessments at the end of year 7 cover work from the entire year and assessments in year 8 may include material covered from the previous year.
Standardised scores are reported in year 7 and 8 where 100 reflects the year group average score. This follows closely from the SATs reporting system used in Key Stage 2.
How do you support students at school?
All students are allocated a tutor group, and the tutor is the first port of call for all support.
We also have Raising Standards Leaders, Heads of Year and pastoral leaders to provide an additional support as and when needed. They deal with both academic and pastoral matters. We also have a number of specialists such as a school counsellor.
What enrichment opportunities are there for students at Trinity School?
There are currently over 60 clubs running offering a wide variety of experiences to enrich our students’ learning. More information can be found in our Co-Curricular area:
Why is Trinity School a Christian school?
Trinity School was established as a result of a group of local churchgoers coming together and making an application to the Department for Education to set up a Free School in Sevenoaks. The school is unique in its ecumenical religious character and supported by 30 local church of many different denominations. This ethos is appreciated by the whole community, both practising Christian and others.
What is the school’s ethos?
The ethos of the school is based on Christian characteristics and values and can be seen in action through the Trinity Way. The Trinity Way otherwise known as TELLS stands for: Truth, Excellence, Love, Leadership and Service. These values permeate everything we do, both in and out of the classroom.
Do you have a chaplain or minister?
We have a chaplain at Trinity school who forms an important link between the supporting churches and the school. The chaplain plays an integral role overseeing our Service programme in the local community.
It goes without saying that they offer another strand of pastoral support to both students and staff alike.
Do all students study RE?
Yes, RE is part of our core curriculum at KS3 and KS4, with all students at Trinity taking GCSE RE in year 11.
