Wilmslow High School

Our curriculum for Years 7, 8 and 9 is broad and balanced during which students develop their Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS). Our curriculum teams offer learning programmes that meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and ensure that students of all abilities are provided with challenging opportunities to maximise their potential.

The curriculum is organised into four main areas of learning.

In Year 7 most students are taught in mixed ability groups with the exception of Mathematics (where students are banded from the start of Year 7).

Students in Year 7 will study either German or French. The opportunity to study a second foreign language is offered from Year 7 beyond the core day.

The Design and Technology programme ensures that all students gain experience in Design and Technology multi-media areas and workshops and Food and Textile Technology rooms. Students develop skills in a discrete ICT lesson in Years 7 and 8 which are then applied across the curriculum with each subject area taking responsibility for developing further specific skills. Students are assessed centrally for their ICT capability.

From Year 8 students are increasingly grouped according to ability. Within each subject we identify the appropriate level of work for each individual student and make every effort to ensure that a student reaches as high a level of attainment as he or she can achieve.

During the Summer Term of Year 9 students' attainment at the end of Key Stage 3 in all National Curriculum subjects is recorded by teacher assessments. These are determined by combining the results from standardised coursework style assignments completed throughout Key Stage 3 with performance in each of year examinations. In addition, students are also offered the opportunity to take a number of externally examined qualifications, such as, Functional Skills in English and the GCSE (short course) in Religious Studies.

Students are provided with advice and guidance on how to improve in all their subjects. Some students require further learning support for a range of individual needs, literacy, numeracy and ICT skills as appropriate and their curriculum may be personalised accordingly.

We always aim to develop a student's talents in order to achieve excellence, for example, music is encouraged and enhanced by external peripatetic instrumental teachers who come to the school to teach singing, strings, woodwind, brass, drums, piano and guitar.

Our extensive educational visits and extra curricular programme supplements and supports students' studies and encourages them to fulfil their potential and talents. Students are informed each half term of the Sports 'Xtra', Arts 'Xtra' and other 'Xtra' activities available to them.

If any student has difficulty with any aspect of life at school we take action quickly to discover the reason and try to remedy the problem. All staff are keen to ensure the curriculum is engaging, stimulating and challenging with agreed targets achievable for students in a supportive and caring atmosphere

Curriculum Digests - Key Stage 3

The Curriculum Digests for Years 7 - 9 are organised so that the information on each subject responds to the following key questions:

• What are we aiming to achieve?
• What is the programme of learning?
• How can homework support this learning?
• What resources can support this learning?
• What extra opportunities to learn are there?
• How are students grouped?
• How do we assess progress?
• What websites do we recommend?

Parents of students new to the school receive a printed copy of the relevant Curriculum Digest during the induction period.

Parents of students moving into Year 8 or Year 9 who have easy access to the internet are asked to download the Curriculum Digest relevant to them by clicking on the link below. However, if you would prefer to receive a printed copy please contact Mrs Bazley, the Headteacher's Personal Assistant, and she will arrange to send one in the post.

Year 07 | Year 08 | Year 09

Target audience: Year 9 students and their parents, guardians or carers

Who to contact initially: Mrs Curl (Administrator of Year 10 Course Choices process)

Email: hcurl@wilmslowhigh.cheshire.sch.uk

Useful documents:

Please use the links in this section of the website to find documents and resources to support you through the KS4 Course Choice Process:

Letter to Parents / Students explaining information in the Final Choices Form - 27th February 2013

Blank copy of Final Choices Form - 1st March 2013

Powerpoint presentation to parents - Key Stage 4 Course Choice Process - overview and key information - 22nd January 2013

Powerpoint presentation to Year 9 students - What do you need to do this term in the KS4 Course Choice Process - assemblies during week beginning 14th January 2013

Letter to parents - What do you need to do next week in the KS4 Course Choice Process - issued 18th January 2013

KS4 Courses Booklet for 2013 - 2013

KS4 Courses - Initial Choices Form - issued 18th January 2013

Powerpoint Presentation to Year 9 students - Introducing the Key Stage 4 Course Choice Process - used during PHSCE Day 1 - 13th November 2012

Letter to parents - Helping Year 9 students prepare for Key Stage 4 and beyond - issued 7th December 2012

Useful weblinks:

The following website will provide you with further information about some of the courses available to Wilmslow High School students during Years 10 and 11:

http://changingeducation.co.uk/

The following websites will provide you with further information about arrange of qualification pathways available to students in Cheshire East at the age of 16 and beyond:

http://www.wayahead-cheshireeast.co.uk/

http://www.macclesfield.ac.uk/school-leavers/default.aspx

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

The government has created a new organization, the National Careers Service, to provide information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. Although primarily designed to serve the needs of adults and young people over the age of 16 there are tools and sources of information that you may find helpful:

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

In addition, the National Careers Service does offer a range of confidential and impartial advice, supported by qualified careers advisers, for young people:

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/aboutus/contactus/Pages/youngperson.aspx

Our commitment to a broad and balanced curriculum continues into Years 10 and 11. Students have the opportunity, however, to optimise their talents and select courses that reflect their specialisms and interests.

During Year 9 we work with parents and students to select a personalised programme for each student in Years 10 and 11. We regard this process as very important as students respond well to a more individualized, challenging and engaging curriculum that enables them to achieve of their best. For more details on the Key Stage 4 course choice process click here to take you to the section on How do we provide students with information, advice and guidance about course choices and careers?

As a 'high performing school' we gained a second specialism in 'applied learning' from September 2009. Aimed across the age and ability range the greatest impact has been at Key Stage 4 offering additional courses to students.

The majority of the courses lead to public examinations, mostly at GCSE level. A few may be certificated by the examination boards for shorter modules of work. Full details of the curriculum are provided in the 'Year 10 courses booklet' (click here to download the current edition), which is made available in the Spring Term.

The number of GCSE subjects taken varies from one student to another although the majority currently take 9 full GCSEs.

All our courses, in Key Stage 4 are grouped under Curriculum Organisers. The link of the courses between these Organisers, the Core Courses all students have to study at Key Stage 4 and the Individual Programme Courses is shown below.

Through our membership of the Cheshire East 14-19 Partnership North we are also able to offer a range of more specialised and personalised programmes to individual students.

All students develop an understanding of the work related curriculum in areas of the curriculum and during work experience over a week in the summer term in Year 10. Increasingly students are involved in business enterprise activities through both the PHSCE and Xtra Programmes.

Curriculum Digests - Key Stage 4

For students in Key Stage 4 the Curriculum Digests take on a different name and format.

Titled Year 10 Courses and published every spring for students in Year 9 these booklets contain the following information, advice and guidance:

Helping your child prepare for KS4 and beyond

• How to make good choices - key messages for students
• Connexions Service - providing Careers Information and Advice
• KS4 Course Choice Timetable
• Guidance and support - a note for parents
• Parents & Carers - ex.1 - preparing for the future
• Parents & Carers - ex.2 - getting support
• Parents & Carers - ex.3 - tips on how to help your child choose
• Parents & Carers - ex.4 - money matters

Qualifications

In addition, each Key Stage 4 course has a section outlining:

• Introduction to the course - what examination specification will be followed?
• Course description - what knowledge and skills will students be learning?
• Assessment - what tasks will the students have to do to achieve the qualification?
• Homework - what commitment will students have to make outside of lessons?
• What websites do we recommend?

Please click here to download the current edition of the Year 10 Courses booklet: Year 10

The Sixth Form at Wilmslow High School offers an academic rather than vocational curriculum.

This pathway through further education suits over 60% of students in Year 11 and attracts a significant number of students from other schools in the local area.

Our curriculum is designed to enable students to choose a programme of study reflecting their individual interests and aspirations. We offer an extensive range of Advanced Level courses; most students study four AS subjects in Year 12 and then choose to pursue three of these at A2 Level.

In addition to A-Levels, we also offer the BTEC National Diploma in Sport, with other vocational courses coming online shortly.

Beyond these opportunities, we are diversifying our curriculum by piloting a range of curriculum enhancement opportunities known as "Learn Xtra." These include the Extended Project Qualification and AQA Baccalaureate, together with AS levels designed to give more 'breath' to the curriculum, such as General Studies and Critical Thinking.

We are very conscious of our responsibility to prepare the students, either for further study in Further or Higher Education, or for the world of work. In this respect teaching in the Sixth Form is mindful of the need to develop students' independent learning skills and will therefore increasingly place responsibility for time management on the students themselves.

Over 90% of students continue their education beyond 18 and there is a structured and successful Higher Education programme, including guidance on the UCAS process, which ensures they make the best possible choices. Students moving to employment or apprenticeships at 18 are equally well supported. Some students choose to have a 'gap year' before going on into Higher Education.

Curriculum Digests - Sixth Form

Further details of all courses on offer, together with the entry requirements and methods of assessment can be found in the Sixth Form Prospectus. Please click here to download the current edition: Prospectus

Please note that the availability of courses depends on staffing levels and student demand.

There is a wide range of activities, which provide opportunities to enrich the curriculum. All students are made aware of the opportunities available and encouraged to take part, enabling them to develop their interests, talents and levels of responsibility. Examples of these activities include:

Arts Xtra

• Participation focus - please click here (Arts X-tra) to download the current programme of activities
• Performance focus - Senior Drama Production - 'The Crucible' - November 2011
• Performance focus - Whole School Drama Production - 'Oliver' - February 2012
• Music: Various Bands /Orchestra /Choirs

Charity and Community Events

• House charities
• Sixth Form Fashion Show
• Christmas Market
• Christmas Coffee and Carols
• Comic/Sport Relief
• House Visits to Alton Towers
• The Wilmslow Show

Competitions - internal

• Harris Cup for inter-house competition
• The pound challenge
• Battle of the Bands
• X Factor
• Year 9 Public Speaking Competition

Competitions - local and national

• UKMT Maths Challenge
• Magistrates Mock Trial Competition
• Bar Mock Trial Competition
• Young Enterprise

Educational Visits

• Residentials and Whole School Educational Visits - please click here to download the current information letter and click here for the table of dates for the current academic year
• Subject-organised day visits - information published for individual visits
• Evening performance visits - information published for individual visits

Sixth Form Enrichment

• Please click here to download the Sixth Form Enrichment Booklet

Sports Xtra

• Participation focus - please click here (Sports X-tra) to download the current programme of activities
• Performance focus - please click here (Fixtures) to link to school fixtures list
• Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme - Bronze, Silver and Gold

Student Leadership

• School Officers - Head Boy and Girl, Deputy
• School Council
• Sixth Form Management Committee
• Eco-Group
• Sports Ambassadors
• Arts Ambassadors
• Subject Ambassadors
• Pastoral Networkers

Xtra Xtra

Please click here (X-tra X-tra) to download the current programme of activities

• Learning and Resource Centre activities
• Homework Club
• ICT Club
• Geography Club
• Science Club

All students receive the following three strands of careers education and guidance:

• the PHSCE curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to succeed in the world of work through a range of activities related to economic well-being
• advice and guidance about qualification pathways and specific subject demands is provided by the Student Services and Curriculum Teams at each of the key transition ages of 14, 16 and 18
• general careers advice and specific guidance on progression routes is provided by the school's assigned Connexions Service Careers Adviser

PHSCE Curriculum - the skills agenda

The Careers Coordinator works within the Applied Learning Team, organising PHSCE activities to further students' knowledge of how to access careers information and opportunities.

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS) are integral to the KS3 curriculum and help students make links between classroom skills and the wider world. In Years 7 and 9 students complete careers modules within PHSCE.

Through Years 10 and 11 students use their PLTS, working towards BTEC Level 2 in Work Skills as part of the PHSCE curriculum.

In Year 12 students are guided in their career planning and management application to Higher Education and complete a careers day, attending a range of seminars presented by volunteers.

PHSCE Curriculum - experience of the workplace

During the summer term of Year 10 each student gains a work placement either through the Connexions Service or self-placement, allowing them to gain a better knowledge of expectations and skills needed for the world of work.

In the sixth form students often find that further work experience placements add context to their academic studies and assist them in their application for Higher Education courses, apprenticeships or other future pathways.

Excellent links exist with the community and local businesses. Volunteers are frequently used during PHSCE activities to assist students in their exploration of future careers.

Information, advice and guidance about qualification pathways

For full details of the programmes provided for each year group please see the relevant Curriculum Digest, KS4 Courses Booklet and the Sixth Form Prospectus and click on the links below:

• Year 9 focus - Key Stage 4 options
• Year 10 focus - Work Experience for Year 10 students in 2010
• Year 11 focus - What educational pathways are available for young people post-16?
• Year 12 focus - alternative post-18 pathways
• Year 13 focus - Post Sixth-Form Choices Presentation 2011

Students are encouraged to use the excellent range of careers information and guidance materials available in the LRC to research information related to their specific interests and aspirations.

Information, advice and guidance - the role of Connexions Careers staff

Funding for the Connexions advice and guidance service has been cut both nationally and locally. As a result, although we still have Dr A Rowe based in school several days a week it is no longer possible for students and parents to directly book careers guidance interviews.

Students in Years 11, 12 and 13 who are about the leave Wilmslow High School and in need of greater support in securing a suitable education, employment or training route will be automatically booked in for interviews.

Other students may either request a formal Connexions careers interview through their Head of House or Head of Sixth Form or attend the lunchtime drop-in sessions that are held at lunchtimes on Tuesday and Wednesday in the careers area of the Learning Resource Centre.

Outside school the Connexions Advisers are based at Macclesfield Connexions Centre.

Macclesfield Connexions Centre is closing 31st December however until then it is open as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 12.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Thursday 12.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Telephone Number: 01625 412420

The Learning Support Team aims to ensure that all students who have special educational needs have access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum, helping students make every effort to meet these aims by working in conjunction with all curriculum teams using different and varied teaching and learning strategies to enhance their self esteem and reach their full potential.

The team works within the framework of the Revised Code of Practice 2002, liaising and in partnership with parents, curriculum teams and relevant outside agencies, such as Educational Welfare and Health and Social Services.

The team is made up of various support staff which include specialist teachers for students with Hearing Impairment, Specific Learning Difficulties and Autism, Higher Level Teaching Assistants, Specialist Teaching Assistants, Curriculum Specialist Teaching Assistants and ASD Support Assistants.

Students are, wherever possible, educated alongside their peers in the mainstream classroom, sometimes with the support of a Learning Support Assistant. This is facilitated by the differentiation of teaching methods and resources for students with a range of learning and social difficulties such as dyspraxia; dyscalculia; emotional / behavioural difficulties (including ADHD); Autistic Spectrum Disorders; English as a second language; sensory impairments; communication and language difficulties and other specific learning difficulties.

Students' progress is closely monitored and the team works with parents and teachers to provide support in the classroom where possible. Some students are withdrawn from some mainstream lessons to follow Individual Personalised lessons and where required, input from various outside agencies such as Speech and Language Therapy. They may also be withdrawn for group programmes covering social development skills.

Parents are fully involved in the identification, assessment and delivery of SEN provision within Wilmslow High School. Parents wanting advice are invited to contact the Curriculum Team Leader of Learning Support at the school.

Although Wilmslow High School is avowedly secular in its status and the management of its day-to-day operations, we believe that education should be values driven.

As stated in Headteacher's introduction to this school website: "Our school community is based on the values and attitudes of mutual respect and that all people are of equal worth."

These values form the guiding principle to the planning and implementation of our entire curriculum and in how we work together on a daily basis.

Religious, Moral and Ethical Education

The exploration of, and reflection upon, personal beliefs and those of others both in school and elsewhere in the world is perhaps most extensive in the Key Stage 3 Curriculum, where students experience the full breadth of the National Curriculum and RE Locally Agreed Syllabus. The Religious Studies course is inclusive and sets out to address issues such as ignorance and prejudice.

The 6 major world faiths are studied so that students understand the beliefs of others. A multi-faith approach is adopted and inspirational leaders are studied that cut across the barriers of geography, race, colour and creed. The majority of Year 9 students take the GCSE short course.

In Years 10 and 11, Religious Education is included in the PHSCE programme.

Additionally all areas of the curriculum contribute to encourage students to think about their our values and attitudes, for example, drama related to real life issues of abuse, discrimination and prejudice, Holocaust related studies in history, ethical and moral responsibility are tackled through world issues such as the environment in geography.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the Religious Education element of the curriculum, including assemblies and should contact the relevant Head of House in the first instance school to discuss the matter.

Social and Moral Development - personal well-being - Sex and Relationships Education

All students receive the following two strands of sex and relationships education:

• National Curriculum science teaches the biology of human growth and reproduction, and provides education about HIV and AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases.
• the PHSCE curriculum builds on this to consider and discuss broader emotional, moral and social issues, develop appropriate values and understand the skills needed to build caring relationships.

Sex Education at Wilmslow High School aims to:

• provide students with knowledge about the biological aspects of sexual intercourse reproduction and human growth (science)
• provide students with facts in an objective and balanced manner
• provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed, reasoned and responsible decisions.
• help students understand the responsibilities of family life and parenthood
• make students aware of the physical and emotional aspects of relationships within a clear moral framework
• encourage students to consider moral values before making personal decisions and to show respect for themselves and others

A wide range of topics, some of which may be considered sensitive, are covered according to the age and maturity of the students. They include:

• Personal Relationships
• Family Life
• Parenthood
• Gender Differences
• Contraception
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases, including HIV and AIDS

The school's sex education programme aims to complement and support the role of parents in helping young people achieve responsible adulthood. Parents having concerns about their child's participation in these lessons should contact the school.

Social and moral development - personal well-being - Drugs Education

All students receive the following two strands of drugs education:

• National Curriculum science explores how health and body functions can be affected by drugs (including alcohol, tobacco, volatile substances and medicines)
• the PHSCE curriculum builds on this to consider the personal well-being and citizenship dimension to drugs education

In response to specific individual needs, it may be necessary to provide some students with a more personalised drugs education programme. This is likely to involve a range of specialist external agencies.

Social, moral and cultural development

Citizenship Education and Community Engagement

Education at Wilmslow High School is a partnership between the school and its local and wider community.

PHSCE Days, the Fashion Show and 'IDentity Week' illustrate the links forged with local organisations, businesses and community groups when an extensive range of activities takes place with students, teachers and external providers working in partnership. This approach provides young people with opportunities to work alongside adults to tackle real issues and situations and gain enjoyable experiences in new areas of learning.

Through the House structure students nominate different charities to be supported each year. Recent activities have included raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Seashell Trust, Sports Relief and Comic Relief to name just a few.

Students are encouraged to play an active role in the local community. Each year students host a 'Coffee and Carols' event for local elderly residents. Sixth Form students also participate in community service, helping, for example, in primary schools and care homes for the elderly. The school has a long tradition of links with local Arts groups and recently for example, Year 10 produced a display for 'Hoopers' in Wilmslow and currently a display at Handforth railway station. The school has hosted and been involved in the Wilmslow Show since 2000 and this is a most enjoyable annual event bringing together many community groups from Wilmslow and beyond: 2011 marked the Centenary of this event.

Strong sporting links with sports clubs have helped students gain local, regional and national success in a full range of sports in recent years. BTEC students work extensively with the David Lewis Centre and with primary school children both at our partner primary schools and during many sports festivals as part of their course to develop depth and quality for further success in the future. The Sportsmark first achieved in 2003 and recognised again in 2006 and Sports Specialist Schools status achieved in July 2003 and re-designated in March 2008 are indicative of the school's commitment to sport and the community. Indeed although specialism has been reintegrated under the coalition government Wilmslow High School remains fully committed to sport and the arts for the benefit of students.

The Headteacher and other staff as appropriate, attend the Wilmslow Business Group to ensure the school and town are working together for the community of the school and Wilmslow as a whole.

The school is constantly looking to new initiatives and ways to improve our links with the community. If you would like to work with or sponsor the school in enhancing facilities and opportunities for our students please contact the school.