OUR SECONDARY PROGRAMME
From ages 11-16, our pupils enter secondary, which culminates in the GCSE examinations.
Our aims in secondary: Responsibility, Resourcefulness and Reflection.
RESPONSIBILITY
In Secondary, pupils become responsible for their own learning as independent learners. They are taught to be fully responsible for their actions and behaviour, and learn to become responsible for effecting positive change in their school community; in the local community; and in the global community.
RESOURCEFULNESS
Pupils become creative problem-solvers, committed to taking risks in their thinking and in their projects. We focus on becoming resilient, flexible and how to remain optimistic.
REFLECTION
Pupils develop the skill of daily self-reflection in order to improve their performance, their attitudes and their relationships.
Class size has a maximum of 14 pupils per class. We only have one secondary class per year.
One-to-one welfare is essential. We have an effective mentoring system where each pupil has regular meetings with the same trusted mentor.
We prepare our young adults for success at the UK GCSE examinations, while still maintaining a focus on the arts, physical education and personal development.
CHALLENGING, IN-DEPTH LEARNING FOR 11-16 YEAR OLDS.
COMMUNITY
Fostering social commitment through charity work, taking part in Model United Nations conferences in Madrid, and other inspiring projects.
BALANCE
We create a balance between academic and creative subjects for pupils and ensure personal development is at the centre of every subject.
DEEP THINKING
An emphasis on researching, thinking deeply and presenting confidently in a range of different environments.
NABSS Inspection Report, 14th March 2016
“Accurate use of English is encouraged by teachers, and pupils show impressive levels.”
“The standard of written work produced is high and there is an obvious desire to do well.”
“Preparing my GCSEs at The Olive Tree makes me feel very privileged.
I feel I am being prepared for my exams in the most stimulating and exciting way possible.
These are my best school years, emotionally, academically and creatively.”
Raphaelle, Year 11
The British curriculum focuses on providing pupils with breadth and depth.
| YEARS 7, 8 & 9: ALL PUPILS STUDY | YEARS 10 & 11 (GCSE): ALL PUPILS STUDY | PUPILS MAY CHOOSE FROM THESE SUBJECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Mathematics (GCSE) | Music (GCSE) or Grade 5 Music Theory (equivalent to a GCSE) |
| English Language | English Language (GCSE) | French (GCSE) |
| English Literature | English Literature (GCSE) | Drama (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts examinations) |
| General Science (including Biology, Chemistry & Physics) | Science (including Biology, Chemistry and Physics) (GCSE) | Piano (Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music examinations) |
| History | Spanish (GCSE) | |
| Geography | Sociology or History (GCSE) | |
| Music and Choir | P.E. (non-exam) | |
| P.E. | ||
| Art & Design Technology | ||
| Spanish & Catalan (for those pupils who have fluency in Spanish) | ||
| Citizenship & Global Studies | ||
| Personal, Social & Health Education |
ENRICHMENT
Our Enrichment programme offers non-examined courses and experiences.| ALL PUPILS TAKE PART IN | PUPILS MAY CHOOSE FROM |
|---|---|
| One Shakespeare production in our theatre per year | Model United Nations participation, Madrid |
| Personal Challenge Week | Private music lessons in violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, saxophone, piano, drums & ABRSM examinations |
| Two concerts per year including classical and modern songs | Orchestra & concerts |
| Science Week | Film Studies |
| Shakespeare Festival Week | Musical Theatre productions |
| A residential trip to the Pyrenees / the sites of the Spanish Civil War/ London | Local theatre trips |
| Inspiring Speaker visits to school | Art & ceramics activities |
| A weekly afternoon of Enrichment including visits to places of historical and cultural interest in the community; orienteering and forest survival skills | LAMDA acting examinations |
| A term of sailing | Hiking Club- mountains and coastline |
| Language exchange programme | |
| Football | |
| Taekwondo | |
| Padel (indoor short tennis) | |
| Hockey |
Inspiring Speakers
Some of recent speakers in secondary include:
- Leigh Oviatt, UK Prison Officer – Life in Prisons
- Pilar Flores, Argentinian Architect – The Work of an Architect
- Beatriz Lopez, Spanish Charity Worker – The LGBT Refugee Community in Barcelona
- Suzan Taher, Hungarian Chef & Food Blogger – Careers in the Food Industry
- Nicole Andrus, U.S. Winemaker – How Wine is Made
- Silvia Casellas, Spanish Chemist – The Work of a Pharmaceutical Chemist
- Joakim Pyyry, Finnish Physicist – A Physicist in the World of Medicine
- Charlotte Birch, U.K. Marathon Runner – The Joy and Pain of Running a Marathon
- Charlotte Causton, U.K. Biologist – A Biologist in The Galapagos Islands
- Claire Davies, U.K. Creative Director & Relief Worker UNWRA Switzerland – Helping the United Nations Works & Relief Agency
- Nigel Gittins, U.K. Entrepreneur – How to Become an Entrepreneur
- Simon Guillebaud, U.S. Charity founder of ‘Great Lakes, Outreach’ in Burundi – Burundi, The Hungriest Place on Earth
- Sonia Tarrida, Spanish Veterinary Surgeon – Electromagnetic Waves in Modern Medicine
- Will Shank, U.S. Art Historian – Cracking the Secret Code of ‘Las Meninas’ by Velazquez
- Theresa Brookes, U.K. Teacher – Travelling Across the Five Continents
- Ivana Perisic, U.K. Teacher – “I Was a Bosnian War Refugee.”
- Alison Johnson, Australian Marine Conservation Society – The Great Barrier Reef in Crisis
- Paul Bou-Habib, Swedish Philosopher – What is Free Will? Do I Really Have It?
- Annelie Shade, U.S. Fitness Trainer – The SuperTeen: Fitness in the Teenage Years
- Susana Preston, Spanish Art Historian & Museum Curator – Sitges in Prehistory & History
- Maisha Ortoll, Spanish Journalist – Wrongly Accused: A Grave Miscarriage of Justice
- Will Shank, US. Art Historian – Salvador Dalí & The Persistence of Memory
- Frederik Veger, Cattle-Farming Expert – A Cattle Farm in Paraguay
- Will Shank, US. Art Historian & Restorer – Salvador Dalí, His Life & Work
- Grant Mabe, UK Taekwondo Master – Self-Defence Techniques for Teenagers
- Lulu Melotte, Teacher, Actress & Traveller – Travels in the Third World
