The staff at Walton-le-Dale High School are committed to ensuring that our young people flourish to be the very best that they can be in all aspects of their lives. We will provide our students with a thirsty for knowledge, inspiring them to be life-long learners and to ‘learn for life’. Our wider personal development curriculum provision is founded upon key character virtues: ambition, respect, focus, civility, empathy and reflection. In fostering these virtues within our students, we believe that students will have the strength of character to succeed in all aspects of 21st century life. Our students will be nurtured and inspired to work hard, to be inquisitive and intellectually curious.
Our curriculum offering is underpinned by a series of interconnected golden threads; these threads are prevalent across all subject areas and they provide depth of learning as well as advanced personal development at Walton le Dale. We want our students to ASPIRE and to truly learn for life. The golden threads of our curriculum are: reading, careers opportunities, co-curricular opportunities and opportunities to enhance cultural capital.
We believe that, while knowledge is important, it is not the only aspect of education that we consider. Throughout all subjects and aspects of their school life we want our students to develop a set of skills, qualities and attitudes that will not only help them to succeed in their studies but help them to become responsible citizens and to be successful in all aspects of their future life. Our curriculum design will be underpinned by a sound and shared understanding of key core body of knowledge; in addition, students will be taught how to apply this knowledge within their different disciplines.
Throughout all subjects and aspects of their school life we want our students to develop a set of skills, qualities and attitudes that will not only help them to succeed in their studies but help them to become responsible citizens and to be successful in all aspects of their future life, as our motto states we are “Learning for Life”. We want our students to ASPIRE:
|
A |
Achieve |
To develop detailed knowledge of a range of subjects and topics |
To demonstrate understanding and apply knowledge |
To be resilient and use failure as a stepping stone to success |
To be digitally literate and use appropriate technology to communicate effectively |
To be able to read, write and speak well and communicate their ideas clearly |
|
S |
Self-Motivated |
To be determined to succeed |
To work independently and think for themselves |
To be consistently hard-working and stay with problems |
To have attendance and timekeeping that are excellent |
To reflect on their learning and plan their next steps |
|
P |
Positive |
To enjoy their learning |
To develop strong beliefs and principles |
To collaborate positively with others |
To show leadership in a range of situations |
|
|
I |
Imaginative |
To be creative, original and innovative in a range of situations |
To be thoughtful and consider issues carefully |
To be able to solve problems rationally and systematically |
To take risks when necessary to solve problems |
To be intelligently curious about the wider world |
|
R |
Respectful |
To show courtesy to everyone |
To be polite and use appropriate language when speaking and writing |
To be tolerant of the views of others |
To care for others, especially those less fortunate than themselves |
To allow everyone to hold an opinion, even if it differs from their own |
|
E |
Having Empathy |
To be sensitive and understanding when working with others |
To work well with other people in groups and teams |
To appreciate diversity, recognising the contribution of different communities |
To be highly inclusive, valuing each individual for themselves |
|
We are committed to a curriculum which allows our students choice through their education with us, and to open doors to new opportunities as they prepare to leave. In order to achieve this every student at Walton-le-Dale High School will:
- Study a broad and balanced curriculum.
- Study a rigorous academic curriculum.
- Have the opportunity to explore topics related to their Personal, Social and Health Education.
- Receive Sex and Relationship education.
- Have the opportunity to develop a range of skills in all subjects.
- Have the opportunity for work experience.
- Have the opportunity to participate in physical recreational activities.
- Have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities.
- Have the opportunity to participate in enrichment days.
- Have the opportunity to meet employers.
- Have the opportunity to visit colleges.
- Receive high quality careers advice.
- Have an individual mentor at KS4.
In practical term’s this means that:
- We have high aspirations of our young people.
- We are constantly reviewing our curriculum and provision of extra-curricular activities to ensure inclusion for all students.
Our Curriculum
The Curriculum Model
|
Subject |
Number of lessons per week |
||||
|
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
|
English |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
|
Mathematics |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
|
Science |
3 |
3 |
3 |
5 (Triple Science 7) |
5 (Triple Science 7) |
|
Modern Foreign Languages |
3 |
3 (Set 1 & 2 will study both French & German) |
2 (Set 1 & 2 will study both French & German) |
|
|
|
Geography |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
Religious Studies |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
History |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
Music |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Drama |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Art |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Computing |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 (Students studying Triple Science do not study Computing) |
2 (Students studying Triple Science do not study Computing) |
|
Physical Education |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Technology |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
PSHEE |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Option A |
|
|
|
3 |
3 |
|
Option B |
|
|
|
3 |
3 |
|
Option C |
|
|
|
3 |
3 |
Key Stage 3
In years 7 – 9 students are taught in mixed ability classes for the following subjects History, Geography, Religious Studies, Technology, Computing, Drama, Art, Music and PE.
Maths, English, Science and Modern Foreign Languages (French and & German) are taught within ability sets.
We place a strong emphasis on basic skills in literacy, numeracy and the use of Computing competences. However, we also know that to prepare students for their GCSE exams, and for later life, we need to develop other skills such as thinking, teamwork, problem solving, working independently and decision making. We want to ensure that our students develop those personal qualities, which provide firm foundations for their later life and will enable them to develop their self-esteem and creativity.
We want our students to be curious about the world in which we live and therefore our curriculum is broad and balanced to allow all students to study a wide range of subjects including the Arts, Humanities and Technologies alongside the core of English, Maths, Science and Physical Education so that they are able to make informed choices at the end of KS3.
Key Stage 4
All students study English Language and Literature, Maths and Science leading to GCSE qualifications. A significant proportion of students take three separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) within their core subject time. Those students who do not study triple science undertake a BTEC Tech Award qualification in Digital Information Technology (DIT). We believe that studying a Computing qualification provides students with many skills that can be utilised in further education but also in the world of work. All students participate in a core PE lesson each week.
Most students choose at least 1 GCSE option from Geography, French, German, History or Computer Science from the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of subjects and up to two further GCSE/BTEC options from either the EBacc subjects listed above and/or Art, Enterprise, Performing Arts, Food Preparation and Nutrition, Resistant Materials, Graphics, Psychology, Physical Education, Health & Social Care and Religious Studies.
Students are taught in ability classes for English, Maths and Science. All option subjects are taught in mixed ability classes.
At Walton-le-Dale High School we support the right of every student to access a rigorous academic curriculum at Key Stage 4 as defined by the EBacc. All students have the opportunity to complete the EBacc.
PSHEE & RSE
We want our students to become independent, confident, healthy and responsible members of society, as well as developing the “whole child” intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually.
Students will receive 1 period of PSHEE & RSE per week. The curriculum equips students with relevant and meaningful content, which is supported through a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. With an ever changing society, we aim to provide our students with a strong understanding of the diverse world around them and support them in playing a positive role in contributing to the school and the wider community.
“Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.”
Secretary of State
Should you wish to find out more about our curriculum, please contact Mrs R Long (Deputy Headteacher: Quality of Education) using the main school contact details.