We intend that every student should be an autonomous learner with a desire for and a love of learning, high self-  esteem, a confidence in their own identity and pride in their achievements. Where this is achieved we believe our students will go on to strive to achieve their full potential, whatever that may be in whatever areas.

To achieve this we offer all students a curriculum which is broad, balanced and differentiated. We believe that children achieve their best in a positive atmosphere where they are encouraged, valued, inspired and their individual strengths are recognised and developed so that they achieve their full potential. Our aim is to motivate students through building enthusiasm for their studies and encouraging them to gain independence in their learning. We equip them with the skills and conscientious attitudes which will enable them to succeed in life after school, both in higher education and at work.

We offer a range of teaching strategies and believe that this variety helps to meet the needs of students individual learning needs. Young people need to be increasingly adaptable, independent and confident. We aim to prepare our students for their future through the variety of their learning experiences at The Bishop of Winchester School.

On entry, students are grouped according to the level achieved in English, Mathematics and Science. The grouping for some subjects may be different to best meet the learning needs of individual students. Setting is continually reviewed to make sure that students are correctly placed and high expectations are maintained for all sets.

A personalised curriculum programme is in place for the majority of students. This will enable them to complete Key Stage Three in two years in some foundation subjects, instead of the usual three years, And this provided much greater flexibility for Key Stage Four. There are no non-examination groups in the school.

The Lower School

In Key Stage Three, all students study a broad curriculum consisting of the National Curriculum subjects. These are English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages, Design Technology, Art and Design, Music, Information Technology and Physical Education. Our students also study Religious Education, Drama, Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health Education.

The length of taught time is 25 hours which excludes time spent in registration, assembly or breaks. The taught time is organised into a 25 period week, each teaching period consists of one hour. Students complete some of their Key Stage Curriculum at the end of Year 8.

The Upper School

In Key Stage 4, students are expected to continue with a broad core of subjects, which includes, English, Mathematics, Science, a Design subject (Graphics, Catering, Product Design, Resistant Materials), Humanities (History, Geography, Religious Education), Creative Arts (Art & Design, Drama, Music), Physical Education and Information Technology.

Students can also elect to take a range of other subjects including, Business Studies, Media studies, Hair & Beauty, Health & Social Care, Child Development. We also have developed plans to introduce the new diplomas once they are available. All students will leave with an external qualification in information Technology and will continue to study Citizenship (including Personal, Social and Health Education).

All students will experience work-related and enterprise learning at both Key Stage Three and Four.