Course Oversight

At Wildern our aim is to offer all students access to a broad, balanced, relevant and challenging curriculum, which prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

The curriculum enables our students to:

• Develop their knowledge, skills and understanding
• Appreciate human achievement
• Gain understanding of social, economic and political issues
• Be aware of the spiritual and aesthetic dimensions of life
• Develop attitudes, values and beliefs that are reasoned and acceptable within society
• Develop independence of learning fostering skills and attributes for lifelong learning
• Be aware of their own health and safety and to appreciate the benefits and risks of the choices they make
• Prepare for life in Modern Britain. Our curriculum promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and those without faiths.

We are committed to giving students opportunities to achieve and experience success; establish sound constructive relationships; to develop a sense of responsibility for their actions and to share a concern for their own environment and the for world as a whole.

Organisation of the Curriculum 

The School Curriculum is organised into a number of subject areas and each of these has its own leader directly responsible to the Headteacher for the delivery of the curriculum.

• Years 7 & 8 (KS3)
• Years 9, 10 & 11 (KS4)

The School operates a two week, fifty period timetable with a focused tutor time programme which  incorporates literacy, current affairs ‘Wow of the week’ and voting voice activities.

Depending on the numbers in each Year Group, students are organised into three or four parallel populations. Generally, Mathematics and Science will set students based on ability whereas all other subjects are broad banded or mixed ability. 

KS3

In Year 7 and 8, we aim to give all students a broad education in a wide variety of subjects. In Year 7 and Year 8 students study the following subjects:

The Core Subjects

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Physical Education
• RE
• Moral & Social Studies (MSS) 

Foundation Subjects

• Art
• Computing
• Design Technology/ Food Technology
• Drama
• Dance
• French or Spanish
• Geography
• History
• Music

This curriculum provides greater breadth than the National curriculum requires, although a significant amount of time is devoted to the core subjects.

 In Year 7, some students are members of the Apollo group and have additional time to develop their skills in literacy. This means that they spend less time in Humanities and Language lessons. For some students this programme continues into year 8. 

All students follow a moral & Social Studies (MSS) course course throughout Years 7 and 8. This includes aspects of Citizenship, Health Education including Drugs and Sex Education and Careers Education and Guidance. During Year 8 the course includes specific modules which relate to the selection of option subjects for Key Stage 4 (KS4). 

September 2021 – the number of lessons per fortnight in each subject at KS3:

KS4

At KS4, students still maintain the focus on the core subjects - English, Mathematics, Science P.E. and Moral & Social Studies (MSS) alongside either ICT or an MFL, History or Geography as well as selecting 2 other foundation subjects.

Each year information about the Key Stage 4 courses is published in the Spring term, followed by a thorough programme of advice and guidance so that students and their parents/carers can make well informed choices.

The model shown represents the curriculum for year 9 students. The year 10 & 11 curriculum is, however, very similar.

All students will have the opportunity to gain GCSE qualifications in English, English Literature and Mathematics.

In Science, students work towards either dual certification in Combined Science or triple certification in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Again students and their parents are advised as to the course which will best suit each individual’s abilities and aspirations.

All students have two hours of PE and three hours of our Moral & Social Studies (MSS) course which incorporates Religious Education and aspects of Citizenship, Health Education including Drugs and Sex Education and Careers Education and Guidance. These subjects are not examined.

For option C and D, students can choose from a wide range of choices which creates their broad and balanced timetable.

Currently students in Year 9 have selected from the following subjects:-

• Art (Fine Art or Photography)
• Business Studies 
• Computer Science
• Dance
• Design Technology (including Textiles)
• Drama
• French
• Food Technology 
• German
• Music
• Media GCSE
• PE (GCSE or BTEC Sport)
• Religious Studies
• Spanish

Subjects which are available in each option block may vary from year to year.

This programme means that students are likely to gain 9 or 10 GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.

The curriculum model is reviewed annually by the Senior Leadership Team and Governors during the Autumn Term. 

Students follow a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum which will prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

Click here for a  more detailed overview of our curriculum.