School Curriculum

A course that's right for you.

The curriculum on offer at the Mary Webb School and Science College is one that reflects the needs of students, supporting them to become independent citizens when they move on from us.

The school curriculum is designed to ensure that all students:

Have access to the same broad range of challenging and motivating learning experiences.
Enjoy learning and come to see education as a life-long process.
Acquire the skills, knowledge and experiences which will enable them to develop a greater understanding of themselves and the society in which they live.

The new national curriculum for Key Stage 3 came into effect from September 2014. The curriculum we offer is in response to national statutory guidelines and local need. The statutory core for Key Stage 3 includes English, mathematics, science, art and design, computing, design and technology, French, Spanish, geography, history, music, religious education, physical education and citizenship through PSHCE (personal, social, health and citizenship education). In addition, in Year 7 all students spend time developing their literacy and from Year 8, students study drama. Nationally Key Stage 3 is in a period of transition: the new curriculum is designed to prepare students for the changes to Key Stage 4 that start from 2015 and we have worked hard to ensure that our courses meet the varying needs of students in each of Years 9, 8 and 7. Further details of how the changing curriculum impacts on your child can be found by downloading our document of the same name below.

At Key Stage 4 the statutory curriculum sees all students study English, mathematics, science, computer science, religious education, physical education and citizenship through PSHCE. Alongside these we offer a range of options for students to follow, all of which lead to accreditation. All students receive guidance and support when making their options to ensure that their curriculum is personalised, broad and balanced. We operate an equal opportunities policy when it comes to options. All students are eligible to take any four from the following areas: the arts (art and design, music, drama), design and technology (product design and construction), the humanities (geography and history) and a modern foreign language (French and Spanish). Most courses are GCSE except for BTEC construction and sport.  Some students opt to do Astronomy as an additional GCSE after-school.

The English Baccalaureate or “EBacc” is a suite of subjects that students are able to opt into at Key Stage 4. To be successful students need a C or more in the following: English, mathematics, core and additional science or any two separate sciences, geography or history and French or Spanish. Students who achieve the English Baccalaureate are able to demonstrate to future employers that they have a broad and balanced experience.

You can download details on all subjects taught at Key Stage 3 and 4: course-guides are available for all years detailing exactly what is being covered and when and the Options Booklet, to support curriculum choice at Key Stage 4, are available for download by clicking the links below. Materials to support students in their learning can be found on the subject pages on the Webb and purchased through the school shop. Further information can be found to support the courses we deliver at Key Stage 4 can be found on the relevant examination board websites, the links for which are below:

www.aqa.org.uk

For English language, English literature, mathematics, product design, food prep & nutrition, french, spanish, geography, music.

www.edexcel.com

For combined science, biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, computer science, history, religious studies (full course), BTEC sports and BTEC construction.

www.ocr.org.uk

For art and design.

www.wjec.co.uk

For drama.

 

 

In addition to lessons, a comprehensive schedule for registration supports the development of reading and numeracy and all students have at least one assembly a week for acts of collective reflection. Six days are allocated per year as “Curriculum Days”: on these days the timetable is suspended to support in depth work on particular themes such as post-16 opportunities, team-building, public speaking and raising self-esteem.

There is much in the press about the changes that are taking place in education. Although the basic structure of the curriculum will remain unchanged, expectations on what students need to study and the subjects that they do study will show variation. We will keep you updated with how and when these changes impact on students in different year groups.