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Hampton Court House is a place of magic, wonder and inspiration, where the children are at the heart of everything we do. As Headmaster, I am unashamedly and unapologetically idealistic about the power of education to transform young people, and HCH is the perfect environment for this to happen. Walking through the gates at HCH transports our children to a special place where they can thrive and flourish, where they are respected and valued as independent and autonomous individuals, and where they are known and deeply cared for by every member of staff. Our children are empowered, enabled, and treasured.
Our ethos and vision focuses on sparking creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking through an exciting and progressive curriculum. It is facilitated by passionate subject specialists who have chosen to teach not only because they love their subject and are lifelong learners in themselves, but also because they wish to share this knowledge with young people. As well as being a place that buzzes with scholarship and academic enquiry, we also celebrate experiential learning and all of the so-called ‘soft-skills’ learned through the performing and expressive arts, sport, and activities where our children can be challenged outside of their comfort zone, celebrated for their intrinsic passions and skills, and where they can learn so much about who they are and what makes them tick. Most importantly, however, HCH prioritises the mental health and wellbeing of each and every member of our community; pastoral care is the golden thread that runs through everything we do. Our children are nourished and nurtured as we help them navigate their way through developing their sense of self. Our guiding principles are kindness, respect and compassion for others and this is reflected in our ‘inner curriculum’ based on empathy, emotional literacy, and emotional intelligence. We want our children to be happy, confident, and understand themselves, but also to understand and care for those around them. It is this combination that will help them make the world a better place.
There are so many other attributes that make HCH such a special school, whether that is our French immersion programme and focus on languages, ballet provision, informal dress code, late Sixth Form start, or how all staff are referred to by their first name. Our beautiful buildings and garden provide our students with the physical space to run, play, imagine and enjoy the freedom and other wondrous aspects of being young. HCH is unique and distinct, and we are proud to be so because we know how motivating, inspiring and nurturing this is for the young people in our care and how it helps them achieve their highest potential.
Why study Art?
Whether you dream of becoming a fashion designer, a film director, an architect, a CG animator, a children's book illustrator or an exhibiting artist; GCSE art is the perfect ‘first step' towards your goal. Our students leave us embracing risk taking, pushing boundaries, making ingenious connections, enjoying collaboration, and developing an organic approach to art practice which feeds their natural curiosity and opens their minds to what the professional possibilities are in the Arts and creative industries.
Chinese is one of the most ancient languages which is still used on a daily basis. It is fascinating to learn this unique language and the rich culture that comes with it. The other driver of this language's attractiveness is China's status as a rising global superpower. China has opened itself to the world, encouraging foreign investment and economic co-operation. As such, there is a huge demand for people who can bridge the gap between this new growing China and the wider world.
Chinese at GCSE allows students to develop their ability to communicate with Chinese native speakers in both speech and writing. Students will study across a variety of contexts relevant to their age and interests and will also develop a greater awareness of the culture of Chinese-speaking communities and countries. It also gives the students a solid basis from which to progress to A level or employment.
The CNED programme is tailored to native French speakers or extremely confident French speakers. The purpose is to learn French as a first language, rather than a foreign one. The programme will cover the study of poetry, literature, historical periods and art movements in order to build up an understanding as well as knowledge of the French speaking culture. The students are assessed at the end of each individual unit.
In Year 10 and 11, the emphasis will be put on expressing views and organising arguments in order to write essays.
The skills acquired on the CNED programme enables your child to (re)join a French speaking school, should this be your choice at a later date. The CNED programme is also a fantastic way to prepare for French A Level.
The subject of computing is incredibly exciting. It touches our lives from the cars we drive, to the movies we watch, to the ways businesses and governments deal with us. Understanding computing is a necessary skill set for an educated person in the 21st century.
Whether you want to be a scientist, an engineer or the next Mark Zuckerberg, studying computing will provide you with valuable knowledge.
Computing is an incredibly innovative subject. Creating high-quality computing solutions is a highly desirable skill, and computing supports creative work in many other fields. The best solutions in computing exhibit high levels of elegance and beauty. Having a computing GCSE will provide you with a foundation of knowledge, problem solving and logical thinking that will serve as a competitive advantage in your further education and career, in whatever field you choose
Why study Drama?
Drama is about creativity and self-expression, cooperation, personal stories and life experiences, finding commonality with others, confronting and changing the way people think about the world and
considering your own beliefs and actions. The skills learnt in this course go beyond a textbook as students develop a greater understanding of themselves, empathy, confidence and discipline that will serve them throughout their lives. Plus, it's so much fun.
Students who take GCSE drama develop a toolkit of useable and transferable skills that they can take into their future experiences
English Language is essential for communicating with others in school and in the wider world. It is also fundamental to learning outcomes in all curriculum subjects. In studying English at International GCSE, students continue to develop skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing that they need to participate in society and employment. The International GCSE is not only vital but it is also an engaging course which allows students to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others confidently and effectively
English Literature is as varied as it is inspirational. The Edexcel International GCSE Literature reflects the experiences of people from many countries and times and contributes to our sense of cultural identity. The International GCSE helps students learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama, gaining access to the pleasure and world of knowledge that reading offers. Looking at the patterns, structures, origins and conventions of English also helps students understand how language works. This is a good all-rounder of a course!
The French GCSE programme is built to help students develop an insight into French and the culture of French speaking countries. It will allow the students to develop an understanding of the language and will deepen their understanding of English too. It is a good stepping stone towards fluency in French and will prepare the students towards A level and higher education. France is also Britain's nearest neighbour and Paris is only two and half hours away from London! The relationship between the two countries is as ancient as the history of Europe and the course will allow you to have access to this.
French is also spoken all over the world by over 115 million people and will be an asset for students towards their future career and personal development.
Candidates learn about the culture of countries where French is spoken and will be able to communicate with young people in these countries. French is studied in relation to everyday activities, personal and social life, the world around us, the world of work and the international world.
Candidates learn the skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
We live in a time of rapid change. It is an exciting and challenging period in history, and there is increasing pressure on countries to develop quickly. Decisions we make now will dramatically affect our future. Problems such as global warming, destruction of our reefs and forests, loss of important plants and animals, pollution, increasing poverty, unemployment, ill health and nutritional problems are some of the well-known results of inappropriate development.
The course aims to address such questions and to facilitate the pupil's understanding of the Earth. It examines how places and countries differ, how natural and human environments work, as well as examining the connections between places, resources, people and development. Geography examines why some places develop and are good places to live, and why other places do not develop, or, in some cases, are worse today than they were in the past.
Not only does History provide us with a record of our past, it also provides us with a road map for the future.
History influences every aspect of human society; it provides us with a collective memory; it gives us a sense of connection to place, time and community. A person without an understanding of History is essentially blind not just to the beliefs and culture of their own country but also to those of other nations. In this globalised and increasingly unstable world, lessons from the past can help equip us for a new and uncertain future, surely a fundamental part of any child's education.
History at GCSE provides students with the opportunity to develop a broad and detailed understanding of modern history.
GCSE Latin introduces you to our shared Western heritage. The course is a unique guide to understanding the cultural and social aspects of the ancient world that are still relevant in our own time. It does so by exploring the literature of ancient Rome through readings of and discussions about the most influential writers of the time. Latin provides a solid foundation for the development of our own language, while providing a good background for the acquisition of other languages. A systematic and analytical language, learning Latin helps students become more observant, precise and logical. The GCSE Latin course is rigorous, but highly enriching.
Latin at GCSE level is typically taken by pupils who have attained a good pass at 13+ and have a keen interest in language and linguistics; it is particularly valuable in combination with French or Spanish (both direct descendants of Latin), and provides an essential basis for those seeking to expand, improve and refine their English vocabulary and stylistic skills. In addition, pupils will encounter for the first time a number of well-known Roman authors in the original Latin. This is a work-intensive course, but the intellectual and academic rewards are considerable. This is an essential building block for those wishing to continue Latin at A level.
During the course of your study of Mathematics, however long that may be (GCSE, A level, perhaps even a degree), you will be given opportunities to develop many skills. Some of these are specifically related to mathematics, and some have relevance outside it. Those skills that can be used in other contexts - such as the ability to solve problems, communicate well, learn quickly, organise your time – are called transferable skills.
Although it may seem a long way off, chances are that one day, degree in hand, you will be looking for a job. Your transferable skills will be of particular interest to potential employers, who will not just be concerned with your performance in your subject, but in the overall contribution you can make to their organisation. If you can convince an employer that you can work well within a team, solve problems, organise, innovate, adapt, and so forth, you will outshine your competitors in the job market.
GCSE music involves written, analytical, practical and social/personal skills such as:
- independent learning: having to be disciplined about practising on their instrument or voice
- team working: particularly if they're involved in weekly groups or ensembles, concerts and performances
- performance and presentation skills which are useful for any job/career
- listening: this is highly developed in musicians and it is an important part of the course
- analytical and essay-writing skills
- confidence and self-esteem: which has a knock-on effect in all areas of life and learning
- creativity and self-expression: helping young people to think differently and harness the power of their imagination
Composing Music:
- Students must learn how to develop musical ideas, including extending and manipulating musical themes and compose music that is musically convincing through two compositions.
- One must be in response to an externally set brief (Composition 1) and the other a free composition (Composition 2).
- The combined duration of the compositions must be a minimum of three minutes.
Students who embark on the GCSE music programme should have a minimum of grade three on one instrument and be preparing for higher grades.
Studying Photography for a GCSE is a highly respected ‘creative qualification' that can help you to move towards a creative career. Photography plays many roles in our society from advertising and promotion to fashion, sports, documentary and film. Photography has the power to inspire many people. An inspiration that could lead to a change for the better
Psychology is the science of behaviour and mental processes. The brain and neuropsychology features throughout and the GCSE specification has a focus on mental health, which encourages greater awareness in young people and therefore reduces stigma and discrimination. There is strong emphasis on the importance of practical work and ‘doing psychology', including research studies, and therefore mathematics features heavily in the quantitive analysis.
Psychology is a fascinating and life-enriching subject, which can prepare you for a wide range of career options, such as counselling, nursing and medicine, as well as other careers which require an element of psychological understanding, such as teaching, advertising, media, personnel management and finance.
This course is recommended for those students wishing to take a particular science at A Level.
Students work towards three individual GCSEs in the three sciences, reflecting the appropriate level of study of physics, chemistry and comprehensive subject content and an assessment of investigative skills so that pupils develop a natural interest in practical science and how it can be applied in the real world.
Furthermore, the GCSE courses provide a sound foundation for progression to A levels in the sciences.
This is the most commonly taken science GCSE course and so is recommended for most students. Students study the three sciences and are awarded two GCSEs at the end of the two years.
A large proportion of the subject content and required practicals in the specification are also in the GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics separate science courses. This means that we can transfer students to the separate sciences easily, should there be a need.
The Combined Science award is assessed through six examinations taken at the end of Year 11. There are two papers for each science and each paper is 1 hour and 15 minutes long.
The course provides clear, detailed and comprehensive subject content of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There is a distinct emphasis on working scientifically and practical work. Students build their investigative skills so that they develop a natural interest in practical science and how it can be applied in the real world. Furthermore, the GCSE course provides a sound foundation for progression to A level science specifications.
The language is studied in relation to everyday activities, personal and social life, the world around us, the world of work and the international world. Students develop the skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, building a broader vocabulary and gaining an understanding of grammar rules and usage.
There are also trips to Spain designed to complement the students' class work. Spanish has become a popular GCSE subject and many students at HCH continue to study the subject at A Level.
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