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Curriculum Overview
INTRODUCTION
At Woolmer Hill we aim to provide a broad, balanced, relevant and stimulating curriculum which is designed to meet ever-changing needs in a technological world. We strive to provide a learning experience that is suited to a student's individual needs. Students will meet pace and challenge in lessons, aimed at helping them reach their full potential. Through this learning experience students become increasingly confident and independent learners.
THE CURRICULUM
The curriculum comprises the wide range of taught subjects (the Arts, Humanities, Languages, PE, Computing, English, Mathematics, Science and Technology) and the wide range of “co-curricular” and “out of hours learning” activities that are available. During years 7, 8 and 9 all students follow a broad and balanced curriculum to develop skills and knowledge in all curriculum areas. Students choose their GCSE options in Year 9 and embark on these courses in Year 10, as a continuation of the work studied in Key Stage 3.
At Woolmer Hill we also include a very positive climate of relationships, attitudes and behaviour that are established in our school community. We encourage our young people to be “Proud to belong ... Proud to achieve”.
At Key Stage 4 our Curriculum is further enhanced by the Waverley Federation ‘Special Option’ programme which allows us to offer a range of courses to our students of a more specialised and vocational nature. For example courses currently include Construction, Hair and Beauty Therapy, Child Care, plus others.
SMSC and British Values
SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Education) and British Values are themes that run throughout our whole curriculum. We have an extensive assembly programme which enables us to reinforce our values, as well as address current and relevant issues.
MONITORING PROGRESS
Students’ progress is monitored termly. All students receive an Aspirational Target Grade and parents are informed of their child’s achievements each term. Consultation evenings allow regular communication to take place between home and school. Regular monitoring by teachers, tutors and Year Leaders takes place to ensure that students are properly supported in order to achieve their targets.
Key Stage 3: Years 7, 8 and 9
OVERVIEW
In Years 7, 8 and 9 students are taught: English, Mathematics, Science, Design Technology, Computing, French/Spanish, Geography, History, Religious Education, Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education and Identity.
ORGANISATION
During Key Stage 3, students are initially taught in mixed ability tutor groups for Maths, English and Science and they are taught in mixed-ability groups for non-core subjects throughout KS3.
Students, alongside their parents, make their own choice between French and Spanish before they arrive at Woolmer Hill in Year 7. They then start Year 7 studying their chosen language for 4 hours per fortnight. This continues throughout KS3.
This broadly-based curriculum enables each student to enhance his or her own particular strengths and interests and develop many transferable skills which will help them become life-long learners.
Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11
OVERVIEW
In Years 10 and 11 all students are required to continue studying English, Mathematics and Science.
Currently Science is a Combined Science course leading to a double award (two GCSEs) for most students. Triple Science is available for more able scientists, resulting in single Physics, Chemistry and Biology GCSEs.
At KS4 there are four further choices available to students, the choice currently being made from:
- Arts and PE: Drama, Music, Art and Design, PE;
- Design and Technology: Design Technology, Textiles and Hospitality & Catering;
- Modern Foreign Languages: French and Spanish;
- Humanities: Geography, History, Sociology and RE;
- Computing and Enterprise: Computer Science, Business Studies, Digital IT (BTEC) and Economics;
- Vocational: Special Options through the increased Flexibility Programme. This includes a range of vocational options provided through the Waverley Federation (see below).
In addition to these GCSE courses, there are non-exam courses for all students in PE and all students study Identity
For these GCSE courses, students are taught in groups of between 25 and 30. In English, Mathematics and Science students are taught in ability sets. We have a larger number of students in the higher ability sets and a lower number in lower ability groups. Great care is taken to ensure that the combination of subjects chosen is balanced and appropriate to the individual student’s interest, ability and career plans. Detailed descriptions of all current courses for Years 10 and 11 are available in a separate Options Booklet, disseminated at the Spring term of Year 9.
The KS4 options process is a 'guided' process and all students are placed into a recommended pathway, and receive 1:1 advice about their choices.
There is a useful website for GCSE revision work for some subjects, please click here to view.
SPECIAL OPTIONS
For some students a vocational option at KS4 is appropriate and we have several Special Options available. These courses are provided through the Waverley Federation in partnership with a variety of local further education providers including Godalming and Guildford Colleges. The exact course offer changes from year to year depending on options available and student preferences, but the regular offer includes subjects as diverse as Child Care and Construction. Details of each year's offer are provided through the normal options process each year.
Enrichment Activities
To extend the curriculum opportunities further, we have a wide range of extra-curricular activities.These activities are published termly and include details of all of the activities and clubs that take place after school or at lunchtime. We also have an activities week in July of each year when Years 8 and 9 take part in a wide range of activities. During this week Year 7 go on camp to experience a range of outdoor activities.
Other activities to enrich the curriculum take place at various points throughout the year, for example; visits to Art galleries, museums and theatres; Forensic Science activities, Sport activities, amongst others.
