Heritage Senior School

“People are naturally divided into those who read and think and those who do not read or think; the business of schools is to see that all their scholars shall belong to the former class.”

- Charlotte Mason, A Philosophy of Education

From September 2010 Heritage will be starting a Year 7 class and will grow each year through the GCSE level. The following introduces you to what Heritage Senior School can offer to your child:

Small class sizes

Small classes transform a child’s educational experience. In our Senior School we will ensure that classes never exceed 16 students, enabling us to tailor learning to the needs of each individual and make efficient use of the time at our disposal.

Preparation for life, and exams

Far too often, particularly at the secondary level, learning is seen as a means to an end – good exam results – rather than an end in itself. At Heritage we understand that good exam results are necessary for progression to Sixth Form and university. But we will never let the legitimate demands of our exam system obscure the central purpose of education: preparing young people for life.

A positive attitude to learning

Nurturing a positive attitude to learning is perhaps our single most important objective, and our educational methods are specifically tailored to achieve this. Far too many young people emerge from secondary school ‘switched off’ to learning. Children enter primary school full of curiosity and wonder. Our priority is to ensure they leave our Senior School inspired, confident and creatively engaged with ideas and the world around them. Such a person has the prospect of a rewarding ‘life of the mind’ as an adult as well as being ideally suited to face the challenges of the 21st century workplace.

Skills for life: self-education

Unlike the short-sighted ‘teaching to the test’ and ‘spoon feeding’ that is, tragically, so widespread, at Heritage we emphasise independent learning using books. Real learning – where knowledge is assimilated and internalised – can only ever occur when a student is actively engaged for himself or herself. Above all, this depends upon a student becoming a broad, independent reader. Such a person will not only derive pleasure from books in adult life. He or she will also develop the intellectual patience necessary to think carefully and explore creative solutions to problems.

Skills for life: confident communication

A particular classroom methodology features prominently at Heritage: narration. This involves re-telling what has just been read, after just a single reading. As any teacher knows, one learns best what one has had to explain to others. The ability to articulate point by point what has been read requires an alert and concentrated mind. Narration also leads naturally into discussion and debate about the key ideas presented, and it forms the basis for high quality essay writing. As this skill develops students not only internalise knowledge more effectively, they also become confident communicators of the spoken and written word.

Pastoral care

At Heritage we take the development of the whole person very seriously. Our teachers aspire to be strong role models and mentors, who have a concern for the total well-being of their students.

In years 7 – 9 there will be a core class teacher for each year group. The class teacher will deliver the majority of ‘book-based’ subjects and may be involved in other subjects according to his or her strengths. Specialists will be used in subjects like Maths and Science, Languages, PE and Art and Design.

Avoiding excessive departmentalisation encourages the habit of self-education using books. In addition, because our core teachers know the strengths and weaknesses of their students, they are able to take a leading role in pastoral care.

Personal, Social and Health Education plays an important role in pastoral care at Heritage, as do our regular assemblies which address broader issues of beliefs, values and character. Our Christian Ethos underpins our whole approach to pastoral care.

A broad and stimulating curriculum

The mind is like a body: it needs regular and good food to thrive. Our curriculum at the secondary level delivers ample ‘mind food’ across all subject areas.

We liken our curriculum to an ‘abundant feast’, recognising that each child will be drawn, depending upon his or her aptitudes and interests, to particular ‘foods’ laid out on the table. Some will be drawn to the humanities, others to the sciences and still others to more hands on subjects like Design Technology, Art & Design or Computer Studies. We are committed to delivering an ambitious curriculum that stretches, inspires and values the strengths of every child.

The following subjects will be covered in Years 7 – 9: Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Nature Study, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Physical Education, Latin, French, Music, Composer Study, Art, Picture Study, Design Technology, and Computer Studies.

In Years 10 and 11 (commencing in September 2012 or 2013), we will be utilising a mixture of GCSE and iGCSE courses in our exam programme. The following shows what we expect our exam programme to look like:

Core subjects

• Maths
• Biology *
• Chemistry *
• Physics *
• Combined Science *
• English Language
• English Literature
• History
• French

Optional subjects

• Geography
• Religious Studies
• Latin
• Music
• Art & Design
• Design Technology
• Computer Studies

Non-examined subjects

• Physical Education
• Personal, Social and Health Education
• Enrichment Programme

* Either Biology, Chemistry and Physics
OR Combined Science must be taken.

Throughout a student’s time at Heritage, he or she will participate in a stimulating Enrichment Programme, consisting of one-off sessions on topics of special interest and regular outings. Our Enrichment Programme is a way of celebrating learning for its own sake and making natural connections between life and learning.

Regular, high quality PE coaching will be delivered through Year 11. We will seek to create opportunities to participate in competitive sports such as tennis, swimming, athletics and orienteering. We will be exploring ways of delivering team sports for Heritage students through Heritage-sponsored after school clubs that are open to the wider community or in conjunction with existing community groups.