Concord’s long record of examination success is built on a philosophy of close engagement between teachers and students, which includes small class sizes, optimum individual attention and very regular feedback and support.  Students are encouraged to participate actively in lessons and to question both the material they are given and the teachers who are delivering it.  An important component of the feedback system is regular testing which gives students, staff and parents detailed insight into progress at any given time of the academic year.  Performance in these tests is closely monitored by class teachers, Heads of Department and senior staff, and support mechanisms are put in place to support students who need extra help.

There are nine academic departments of varying sizes in the college; Mathematics, Science (including separate heads of Biology, Chemistry and Physics) Humanities (including separate heads of Economics, History and Geography), English, Modern Foreign Languages, Art, Music, Extended Project and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education).  The subject combinations offered at GCSE include a core compulsory timetable of Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, together with an options programme which allows students to follow tracks in Humanities subjects, Modern Foreign Languages or more technical subjects. At A level, the subject combinations offered are designed to allow students to follow university paths towards popular career fields such as Medicine, Law, Finance and Engineering, but which also allow considerable flexibility for those who want to commit to other fields.  The university application process gives students frequent advice and support and is overseen by a team of University Co-ordinators with considerable expertise in their different fields.  The superbly resourced college library is staffed by an exceptionally friendly and supportive team who are on hand to assist students with all academic and careers-related enquiries.

The college curriculum is reviewed regularly by senior staff in consultation with Heads of Department.  The college for the time being continues to enter students for the optional AS level examinations mainly on the grounds that many of our overseas students have no equivalent of GCSE examinations to support their university applications.  These examinations also provide useful support and guidance in the ensuing university application cycle.  Heads of Department have responsibility for choosing the examination boards which they believe most suit our students, including the option of iGSCE in some subjects.  Full details of these are available elsewhere on this site.