Curriculum Statement 2019-20
The Wren School delivers an innovative curriculum, in line with the National Curriculum, which:
- Encourages the development of knowledge and cross-curricular understanding through an approach to learning which both inspires and challenges students;
- Develops a depth of understanding through a range of Wren skills and daily reflection times;
- Prepares students for ‘life’ as a global citizen through Dynamic Days that complement the PSHE programme and contribute to the development of the whole child;
- Promotes what it means to be a responsible adult and ensures students have a broad range of ‘life’ skills;
- Nurtures each child to ensure students aim high and become successful members of the community.
In developing a knowledge-rich curriculum that includes the skills and attitudes that contribute to success, we ensure that there is an emphasis on:
- understanding how children learn;
- developing higher order learning skills;
- fostering a love of reading; and
- challenging students to think about why they are learning as well as what they are learning.
The school is structured around a two-year key stage 3 and an enriched three-year key stage 4, followed by a key stage 5 (sixth form) curriculum offer (from September 2020). Students sit nationally-recognised assessments and gain nationally-recognised qualifications at the end of key stages 4 and 5. Students for whom it is appropriate are encouraged to study EBacc subjects at GCSE.
Key Stage 3
Our key stage 3 curriculum bridges the gap between primary and secondary school through a focus on developing core skills plus wider knowledge and understanding derived from a thematic curriculum linking ten subject areas: English, mathematics, science, PE, humanities, technology & art, modern foreign languages (Spanish and/or French), performing arts (drama & music), computing and wellbeing, as well as ‘reflection’ time’.
Our school day is structured to support this curriculum by enabling a mixture of double and single lessons in response to the differing learning needs of each subject.
Key Stage 4
The key stage 4 curriculum meets the needs of our students by incorporating the opportunity for both academic and vocational study. We aim to give each student the chance to succeed by offering an appropriate range of qualifications including options that enable study towards the English Baccalaureate. However, for some students, a continued focus on core skills (and consequent reduction in optional subjects) is more important. The key stage 4 programme of study commences in year 9, with all students beginning GCSE courses in the core subjects of English (language and literature), mathematics and double science. For the optional GCSE subjects that we offer, students undertake ‘taster’ GCSE modules in order to help them make their choices. By the end of year 9, each student formally selects optional GCSE subjects to study in years 10 and 11 to supplement the core GCSE subjects. Some students follow a vocational course as an alternative to one or more GCSE subjects. It is our aim that all students will participate in one week of work experience or community service by the end of year 10 and, for a limited number of students, this opportunity may be extended into year 11 in lieu of one or more option subjects.
Core Subjects, e.g. Year 10 2020 -2021 (subject to annual review)
- English Language and English Literature
- Double Science
Option Subjects on Offer, e.g. Year 10 2019-2020 (subject to annual review)
In total, each student chooses four option subjects. We strongly encourage students to select a minimum of one of the options below, although many chose more than this.
- Computer Science
In addition, students can choose from:
- Achieve (a double option focused on developing life skills)
- Art and Design
- Business Studies
- Creative iMedia
- Design and Technology
- 3D Design
- Film Studies
- Hospitality and Catering
- Music – GCSE or BTEC Music Technology
- Philosophy and Ethics
- Physical Education – GCSE or Cambridge National
Subjects in green are GCSE equivalencies, therefore they are vocational courses.
Key stage 5 – Sixth form
The Wren School will be welcoming its first sixth form group in 2020 when students in year 12 are admitted. Year 13 will open in September 2021. The Wren School will have an open access sixth form, i.e. transfer from year 11 to sixth form will be based on attitude to learning and further study rather than solely academic ability.
The key stage 5 curriculum will incorporate the opportunity for both academic and vocational study, offering both BTEC and A Level courses. Our students will be guided towards increased personal and academic independence through our extra-curricular programme. Our dedicated sixth form team will ensure that students leave The Wren School sixth form confident and prepared for their futures at university, as apprentices or within the workplace.
Further details of the courses offered at key stage 5 are available in the sixth form prospectus.
Download a PDF version of The Wren School’s curriculum statement here: Wren School Curriculum Statement 2019-20