At Woldgate School we believe strongly that our children need to be known and cared for as individuals, with their individual talents recognised and celebrated. Consequently, allowing pupils to choose a curriculum that suits their interests and needs is a key part of that ethos.
Even so, there are aspects of the curriculum that we believe are essential to a broad and holistic education. We support participation in History and Geography on the basis that, no matter what a child goes on to do in adult life, some knowledge about the world they live in – its history and people – is fundamentally important. We also believe that learning to speak a foreign language is a key life experience: not only for the way that it illuminates our own language but also for the way it breaks cultural and geographical barriers and allows pupils to perceive a wider community beyond the United Kingdom. All things being equal, these experiences ought to be offered and promoted to all children and that all pupils should have the opportunity to study them.
Just as knowledge of language and humanities should be a core educational value, we believe that providing the opportunity to practice and work toward quality performance in sport and the arts, and to engage directly with technology through business and innovation (be it through software or manipulating physical materials) should be non-negotiable.
Details of our curriculum subjects and content can be found on our Trust’s site: Secondary Curriculum | Wonder Learning Partnership (wlp.education)
Our curriculum is:
- Is based upon what we consider to be the best that has been thought, said and done
- Widens the reference points of our pupils
- Is explicit about the knowledge pupils need to know to succeed
- Is sequenced to ensure the best possible progress for our pupils
- Ensures pupils have remembered what they have been taught
- Is assessed to ensure the whole curriculum has been learnt
- Carefully considers prior progress and gaps in knowledge.
- Develops our pupils into creative, analytical and original thinkers
All department areas have a clear curriculum map that outlines what pupils are studying, when they are studying and – most crucially – why they are studying it.
Our curriculum embraces four distinct option areas:
Core Options
The timeless beauty of the spoken and written word; an insight into our culture, history and language. An endless world of scientific discovery to develop our understanding of the matter, forces, and life around us; to innovate and explore the beauty of nature and understand our own technological advancements as society. The elegance, logic and purity of mathematics. These subjects are the very foundation of an exceptional curriculum and are part of our statutory offer prescribed by government.
World Options
Those subjects that broaden our understanding of the world; its culture, faiths, land, people, language and history. They play a pivotal and varied role in our lives; broadening our understanding, communication skills and allowing us to understand different societies, cultures and nations. They provide us with a greater insight into the world, helping us to better understand both the past and the future and fostering a sense of empathy necessary to relate and work together as one cohesive society.
Technical Options
Those subjects in an increasingly technological society that allow our pupils to become more than simply passive users but to be creative, to innovative and build – to help shape our future society. From computer science to sustainable energies, robotics to aeronautics, and medical technology to intelligent building design – technical disciples offer a huge range of specialisations.
Performance Options
The expression of our culture, emotion, ideas, and love of the arts. Through subjects that inspire, help us to create and express meaning and personal emotion through technical knowledge and skill. The arts not only enrich our lives, communities and culture but they are vital to a child’s education. For example, exposure to art education promotes self-directed learning and sharpens critical and creative skills. Equally, the skilful execution of sporting performance is the outward sign of dedication, practice, and resilience.