Our curriculum is inspiring, challenging and flexible. It provides all pupils with an opportunity to pursue their interests and achieve their goals. We are committed to ensuring that every pupil makes the best possible progress. Before pupils start at Fitzalan, we create individual profiles for them, using information from their primary schools. The Year 7 pupils are grouped according to their abilities and progress is reviewed each term. Intervention strategies are employed quickly to help any pupils making insufficient progress. More able pupils are placed in an express set, where they receive extension work and study Latin as an additional subject. All other groups in Key Stage 3 have tailored literacy teaching through the Read, Write, Inc. programme and through the Rainbow Reading programme. Pupils with special educational needs and those with English as an additional language receive specialist support in class to ensure that they can access the curriculum fully and achieve their best. Our ‘free choice’ options process ensures that all pupils have the best possible opportunity to achieve excellent grades in the core subjects of maths, science and English, and we work with all Year 9, and Year 11 pupils and parents to provide thorough guidance to help pupils make appropriate choices. Our curriculum offers an exceptional choice of bespoke, individual and enriching learning options and pupils identify clear targets for improvement through a structured mentoring programme. SIXTH FORM:Fitzalan’s Sixth Form courses are designed to attract existing pupils to stay on and new ones to join us for post-16 education. We have a thriving Sixth Form that operates in partnership with other local schools. Pupils are offered a wide variety of academic and vocational AS, A2 (A Level) and BTEC courses, as well as the Welsh Baccalaureate. Sixth Form staff offer excellent teaching, pastoral support and guidance for higher education. The step-up scheme prepares pupils for university application, and the most able take part in our Oxbridge preparation programme. Our Sixth Form pupils are positive role models for younger pupils in the school. They demonstrate maturity and compassion, with many actively involved in voluntary work and charity fundraising initiatives. The Sixth Form facilities are newly refurbished, purpose built and incorporate an independent study area, common room and ICT study area