Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all pupils, catering well for a diverse range
of needs and promoting high levels of aspiration, in-line with our school’s vision.
Our curriculum brings learning to life and excites pupils’ imagination and curiosity. At The
Wordsley School, our curriculum is constructed to ensure that it not only raises pupils’
aspirations and broaden their horizons, but it also develops the whole pupil intellectually,
emotionally, spiritually, socially, physically and responsibly. We strive to ensure that every
pupil leaves our school with the confidence, aspiration and ability to be the best they can be.
The school values we hold dear
Large parts of our school’s curriculum are designed to promote our five school values, which are:
Resilience
We respond well to change and are keen to improve
Integrity
We are honest and have strong moral principles
Respect
We have an appreciation and awareness of others
Curiosity
We have enquiring minds and are keen to learn
Kindness
We are friendly and considerate of each other
Meeting the needs of all our pupils
Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all our pupils. This is achieved by building
on the following principles:
- Challenge and enjoyment: pupils enjoy their learning and find it challenging, engaging and motivating. The curriculum encourages high aspirations and ambitions for all.
- Developing the whole pupil, including the knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes necessary to contribute positively to a changing society, to live fulfilled and successful lives.
- It is broad and balanced allowing pupils to learn through a variety of experiences.
- It is flexible and responsive to the needs of all our pupils and has clear progression in subject knowledge and skills across both key stages.
- It is sustainable: it has an awareness, as far as possible, of the future and the likely skills required by our pupils to be well rounded citizens.
- It makes meaningful links between areas of knowledge across the curriculum and major current issues, enabling pupils to develop cultural capital regardless of their individual context.
- It enables all pupils to access the best of what has been said and thought.
Curriculum progression
he curriculum is designed in a progression model, ensuring that pupils have relevant prior knowledge before progressing to new content, building effective schema. Much thought has gone into the curriculum sequencing within and across subjects, including consideration of the key conceptual frameworks and addressing common misconceptions.
Key Stage 3
During Key Stage 3, pupils study a wide range of subjects with specialist subject teachers in
purpose built accommodation and suites of rooms. This gives every youngster a good base
from which to undertake public examination work or assessment in Key Stage 4. The
subjects that form the Key Stage 3 curriculum are:
▪ Mathematics
▪ English
▪ Science
▪ History
▪ Geography
▪ RE
▪ Computing
▪ Design Technology
▪ Spanish
▪ Art
▪ PE
▪ Music
▪ Business Studies (Year 9 only)
▪ RSCE
In Year 7, pupils who are identified with appropriate SEND join a Key Skills group that is
predominately taught by SEND specialist teachers; the majority of lessons being taught in
the SEND learning base. Other pupils’ needs are met as appropriate either with TA support
or as part of differentiated lessons led by teaching staff.
Key Stage 4
The vast majority of pupils follow courses which lead to GCSE qualifications. A very small
number study vocational qualifications and only where the school deems they are
appropriate.
Pupils with an identified SEND need have specialist pathways discussed and provided that
are appropriate for their needs and aspirations.
Where necessary, TAs support pupils in lessons and teaching staff appropriately
differentiate lessons to address the needs of all pupils.
Pupils are monitored throughout Years 10 and 11 with a particular emphasis on supporting
and challenging them to achieve or exceed their target grades.
Every student studies:
▪ Mathematics
▪ English Language and Literature
▪ Science
▪ RE
▪ Citizenship, RSCE and Digital Literacy
▪ PE
Options Subjects include:
▪ Geography
▪ History
▪ Business Studies
▪ Music
▪ Design Technology – Food, Graphics, Resistant Materials and Textiles
▪ Spanish
▪ Art
▪ PE
▪ Computer Science
▪ COPE
▪ RE
▪ Drama
▪ Creative iMedia
Work Experience and Opportunities
We provide a range of other opportunities for pupils as part of our school life:
▪ House Senior positions – Year 9
▪ Prefects and Senior Prefects – Year 11
▪ House Captains – Year 11
▪ Head Prefects – Year 11
▪ School Council
▪ Duke of Edinburgh Scheme
▪ Leadership Awards
▪ Macmillan Coffee Mornings
▪ Comic Relief and Children in Need
▪ COPE Charity events
▪ University Access Project for Year 9 pupils
▪ House activities such as Tug of War, Musical Chairs, Pancake Races and Easter Egg Hunt
