Key Stage 3 & 4

Woodeaton Manor School delivers a broad, balanced, stimulating and challenging curriculum to all of its pupils with a range of opportunities for them to gain accreditation from Key Stage 3. 

The curriculum at Woodeaton Manor School supports the aims and values of the school by:

• Promoting all aspects of pupils’ education to help them achieve their full potential with no limits placed on their development
• Continually seeks to increase achievement in academic and personal (social and emotional) development
• Developing the knowledge, skills, ideas and understanding that pupils need to become fulfilled, responsible adults
• Recognising that the self-esteem of pupils is critical – all achievements need to be acknowledged and recorded
• Encouraging pupils to try at all times to improve on their previous best
• Embedding into a learning environment in which all pupils are happy, feel valued, learn effectively and co-operate with each other

Our curriculum meets the statutory requirements of the Secondary Curriculum (2007) through providing pupils with experiences through:

• Subject lessons
• Classroom topics
• Activities outside the classroom
• Values promoted by the school and its community
• A 24-hour curriculum (where appropriate)

Our Curriculum – The Specifics

The curriculum can be described as all the learning experiences, formal and informal that Woodeaton Manor provides for pupils. The over-riding purpose is to give pupils an education that is intrinsically worthwhile, prepares them for their life beyond school and lays the foundation for life-long learning. In meeting these aims, Woodeaton reconciles them with the requirements of the National Curriculum, Religious Education and the statutory aspects of assessment, but also the range of extra-curricular activities that our school organises in order to enrich the experience of the pupils. We aim to teach our pupils how to grow into positive, responsible people, who can work and co-operate with others whilst developing knowledge and skills in order to achieve their potential.

Our taught curriculum is delivered through a weekly timetable with each day divided into 5 periods of 50 minutes, as outlined in Our School, School Day.

Classes are small, typically consisting of eight pupils. Classes are organised based on learning styles and approaches, diagnosis and academic achievement.

Across Key Stages 3 and 4, the School maintains a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, while developing pupils’ skills and knowledge with a full range of National Curriculum subject areas.  These subjects are frequently brought together through cross curricular dimensions, reinforcing and enhancing learning in relevant and meaningful ways. More detailed information about our curriculum can be found under the Curriculum section of our website.
 

Years 7, 8 and 9 (Key Stage 3)

All pupils in Years 7 and 8 follow a broad and balanced curriculum which lays the foundation for further learning in Key Stage 3 and beyond.

In Key Stage 3, all pupils follow the National Curriculum which is further enhanced by frequent opportunities for pupils to participate in exciting enrichment activities and, where possible, the 24-hour Woodeaton curriculum.

All pupils study:

Pupils in Years 7/8, in the main, stay with their form tutor for two years to gain the sense of stability and understanding of the ‘Woodeaton Way’ (What can I do to make life better for myself and everyone around me?) but experience creative arts and design technology outside of the classroom.

Woodeaton develops good connections with previous primary schools, with staff visiting pupils in their previous settings before joining.

Regular liaison between subject teachers ensures that the transition and progression in their subjects is smooth.

In addition to the taught curriculum, pupils have plentiful opportunities to take part in specific learning activities organised throughout the school year such as field trips, extra-curricular activities and residentials. ICT in Years 7/8 is taught throughout the year within other subjects using a cross-curricular approach.

Years 9, 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4)

The curriculum in Key Stage 4 follows the core subjects of English, Maths, Science, PE, and PSHCE supplemented with three option choices that meets the individual needs of students. In 2014/2015 the current curriculum offer includes:

Detailed below are the courses we currently deliver. We believe this is an exciting, ever-increasing offer that provides Woodeaton pupils with an excellent choice of subjects to take forward to higher education or employment.

Woodeaton Manor continually looks to improve and strengthen the delivery of the curriculum and now almost exclusively offers GCSE accredited based courses. The curriculum structure meets the statutory requirements for KS4 entitlement (July 14 – The National Curriculum Framework document).

• Option 1 – Geography, ASDAN Humanities
• Option 2 – Art and Design, PE, Arts Award
• Option 3 – Food Technology, French, Arts Award, BTEC Enterprise
• Option 4 – Duke of Edinburgh, BTEC Hair and Beauty

Please see our KS4 Options booklet 2020-21 for further information. 

Pupils are given free choice over their options in consultation with their parents/carers but guidance is given to ensure that courses are appropriate and that their curriculum remains broad and balanced.

During Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), all pupils engage Work-Related Learning across the curriculum, as well as following a programme of Careers Education Guidance.

How will my child choose subjects to study in years 10 and 11?

During the transition period for KS3 to KS4, pupils and their parents/carers are given comprehensive information and guidance about individual choices to be made about precisely which combination of subjects to study. Parents/carers are asked to play a key role, in partnership with staff, to help the pupils make the best decisions.

Subject teachers and form tutors are involved in a program of guidance for pupils and will be happy to discuss any queries with parents/carers individually.