Teaching and Learning
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE OF THE SCHOOL
As a Church school, it is our intention to live as a Christian community and we believe this leads to our special ethos. The Gospel enables us to hold together the tensions of a disciplined school life and a caring attitude.
We worship in Year Groups with assemblies or form prayers each day, led by pupils, clergy and staff. We begin and end each term with Church or Cathedral Eucharists which the pupils attend on a rota system. All Areas contribute to the Christian education of the pupils, either through RE or across other subject areas.
We are a community of faith growing in love and loyalty to God and each other. We are an Anglican Foundation and this is reflected in the worship life of the school. The students and pupils have the opportunity to lead in worship.
The Revd David Dickinson, who is our school Chaplain, is part of our school outreach team. We are currently discussing a wider idea of Chaplaincy with other local clergy. The Bishop issues licenses to some staff and students in the sixth form to enable them to administer the elements of Holy Communion.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
a) Learning Support
Our Learning Support Department identifies, through contact with feeder primary schools, those learners who require support in lessons. This area provides for the support of those learners with additional needs through the delivery of a carefully structured curriculum, which helps them attain their full potential and make progress in literacy and numeracy.
Any learner with additional needs receives in-class support. Our learners’ performance in the half termly modular tests and core subject examinations and their performance in class during the year are used to set them in Year 8.
Statemented Learners
These learners are catered for in small teaching groups and are supported by a range of strategies including in-class support and withdrawal arrangements. We aim to differentiate work to enable full involvement across the curriculum. This is done in collaboration with all learning areas.
HEARING IMPAIRMENT
The School is resourced for the teaching of hearing impaired children. In conjunction with the Local Authority, the School has become a centre of excellence in this respect. The main aims of this resource provision are to allow young people with a hearing impairment to access a broad and balanced curriculum and achieve their full potential. It is expected that young people with a hearing impairment will gain self confidence and maturity leading to a high level of self esteem.
A young person with a hearing impairment can expect to find:-
• Inclusion in all aspects of school life
• A learning community which is sensitive and supportive to their needs.
• A specially adapted learning environment.
• High quality facilities that offer technical and specialist support
• A resident qualified teacher of the deaf
• A personalised learning programme that offers individual tuition, small group learning or in-class support appropriate to need
• A range of opportunities to allow each individual to develop their most effective communication style
• Opportunities to develop socially and have access to appropriate role models and peer groups
• Specially trained support assistants
• Established links with other agencies to ensure their needs are being met
• A willingness to enable a cohesive home:school partnership to develop
b) Whole School Organisation
High Ability Pupils
The Gifted and Talented strand of ‘Excellence in Cities’ was introduced in September 2001 and we cater for pupils of high ability via this scheme. We are currently involved in identifying pupils of exceptional ability through the use of data, recommendation and other indicators. Our aim is to gather the views of these pupils as to their educational provision and to match curriculum provision to their needs. We are providing a growing range of differentiated materials in various learning areas to provide enrichment and concentrating on using a value added scheme to further raise attainment throughout the school.
TEACHING METHODS
We use a wide variety of teaching methods in the delivery of the curriculum at St Wilfrid’s with individual members of staff having his or her unique teaching style. The use of audio/visual aids, CD Roms, interactive whiteboards, ICT and resource-based learning combine to support traditional teaching methods. The ICT Drop-in Centre and the Library Resource Centre encourage the use of research to complement the normal teaching resources used in the classroom. A Virtual Learning Environment is being developed for the use of staff, students and parents, which will be accessible at home.
TEACHING TIME
All students and pupils receive 26 hours and 20 minutes per week.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACROSS THE CURRICULUM
We aim to encourage every pupil and student to the wider application of ICT as a tool for learning and communicating throughout the whole curriculum. They encounter ICT in the teaching of their subjects through the use of videos, audio tapes, satellite data, CD-ROM, control technology and data logging, and are guided towards an understanding of the correct selection and appropriate use of computer software to help them with their schoolwork. ICT is embedded in teaching and learning throughout the curriculum.
All students have email addresses and access to our Virtual Learning Environment. There are 38 computers for pupils’ use in the Learning Resource Centre as well photocopying facilities. We also have broadband access to the Internet from all computers. All internet access is filtered to prevent students from accidentally accessing inappropriate sites. A comprehensive package of e-learning resources is available to support learners at all levels.
The Learning Resource Centre is open from 8.30 am – 4.15 pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30 am – 2.30 pm on Friday and is available for sixth form study throughout the day. The LRC is situated adjacent to the Hall close to the entrance to the school.
The LRC has a library with a wide selection of books and periodicals to enhance and support the curriculum. There is also a comprehensive choice of books and magazines for reading for pleasure.
There is a computer section in the LRC available for sixth form use with a broad selection of software packages for researching purposes.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP
“All education is vocational, vocational for living”.
Newsome.
Teaching is not just about getting children through examinations. It’s about helping them make the most of themselves in the widest sense, as they develop into independent young people with a wide range of adult roles. They should also come to understand that there is a valid Christian response to these issues which bears examination.
Clearly, everything that happens in a school can influence pupils’ personal and social development. Attitudes and behaviour across the curriculum, in the playground, as well as in the classrooms, are important.
Social skills and self esteem can only evolve with experience and practice. Therefore, in our programme of Themed days, staff try to provide pupils with opportunities to identify with situations within which decision making actually happens.
The days will promote the skills needed for pupils to become informed citizens and allow them to develop skills of communication, enquiry and also to develop skills of participation and responsible action. Citizenship will encourage pupils to play a helpful part in the life of their schools, neighbourhoods, communities and the wider world. It also teaches them to reflect on the issues of the day and to take an informed part in discussions.
Sex Education is continuous throughout pupils’ schooling, and is taught within the broader framework of Personal, Social and Health education. This ensures that self esteem in the context of sexual decision making is clearly related to control and self esteem in other areas of young people’s lives.
An important part of the sex education programme is to give accurate knowledge and information about human reproduction, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases based on appropriate and up to date resources.
We accept that young people have sexual knowledge of their own even if they do not have the sexual experience and we therefore see the importance of providing them with an atmosphere where they may comfortably clarify, discuss and challenge ideas and beliefs with their peers. The goal is to “marry” the experience and advice of adults with the needs of young people growing up in a world of changing possibilities and values.
In all this work there has to be careful consideration of the wider value systems of the Christian Church and of the Law. A range of moral views and choices needs exploration so that young people may appreciate that there is a real choice not to be sexually active. We know that young people learn much about the sexual aspects of human relationships within their homes and in school our organised programme should complement that more informal learning. All our work places sexual relationships clearly in context with the other human relationships like friendship, marriage, parenthood and other family relationships.
Legislation gives parents the right to withdraw their children from any or all parts of a school’s programme of Sex Education other than those elements which are required by the National Curriculum Science Orders.
CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE
Careers Education and Guidance is delivered discretely within PSHE and also through a cross curricular approach wherever practical. All staff are responsible for its delivery.
We provide a guidance service for each individual so that every student may make suitable decisions at times appropriate to himself/herself concerning the steps to be taken pre- and post-16. We aim to develop a positive attitude to the acquisition of a range of skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to adult life. The school endeavours to provide a smooth transition for the student into employment, training or Further and Higher Education.
Connexions has well established links with us, playing an important and integral part in the provision of Careers Guidance.
Students can visit the Careers section of the Learning Resource Centre and obtain information in different formats which include books, pamphlets, videos and Kudos computerised interactive programs.
Work Experience
During the Spring term ALL Year 10 students have the opportunity to complete two weeks work experience in a job of his or her choice.
Enterprise Education
All students in the school now benefit from at least two days per year group of direct Enterprise Education through the school’s Theme Day Programme. Many of these days provide activities involving a range of external advisers and business professionals, benefiting both the students and the school in establishing and continuing links with a range of local business organisations.
Our links with Industry have been further enhanced through our Specialist Schools Sponsors.
We also have close links with British Aerospace.
OUT OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
The Expressive and Performing Arts Team at St Wilfrid’s work closely with English/PE learning areas to provide many opportunities through extra-curricular activities in the Arts to complement classroom teaching. Two of our most exciting ventures this year have been participating in the Woodard School’s Symphony Hall Concert in Birmingham in November, 2007 and a two night residential to see RSC productions of ‘Taming of the Shrew’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in July, 2008. Professional artists are also invited to visit the school with expert workshops on stage make up application and lighting design techniques. Additionally, we participate in the Bolton Book Award and have had famous children’s authors working with pupils including Joe Craig and Nigel Hinton – unforgettable hands-on experiences which the students thoroughly enjoy.
In Music, inspirational choral work is a regular feature of the performing life of St Wilfrid’s with our beautiful Christmas Carol Service always a highlight. In Dance recently, we helped to showcase the talents of our family of schools’ primary students; and a thriving Art Club exhibited successfully at our end of term Artfest. We are scheduled to perform our whole school musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’, in February, 2009 and eager modern musicians recently contributed to a well received ‘Rock Fest’ concert at King George’s Hall in Blackburn. Whether you’re a performer, a visual artist, or someone interested in being an effective back stage crew hand, there will be something for you to get involved in at St Wilfrid’s and you’ll feel a valued member of the team.
A ‘Readathon’ raised over £2000 for children’s charities in its first year (1997), and is now established as an annual event in the school’s busy calendar of events.
The Young Engineers and Technology clubs continue to flourish, whilst the Science Area is engaged in a number of external competitions.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH SCHEME
From the age of fourteen (Year 10), young people can enrol to join the Award and progress through the three levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold.
We have many pupils who join and train, in their own time, to participate to gain this ‘extra’ qualification. Pupils must fulfil the requirements of each of the four sections of the Scheme; Service, Skill, Physical Challenge and Expedition. The activities encourage cooperation, responsibility, self-reliance, personal achievement and perseverance embodied within a spiritual, personal and social development. St Wilfrid’s is proud to say that at last years presentation ceremony we had more pupils receiving awards than in any other Blackburn school! As we have our own highly skilled, experienced and qualified leaders you can rest assured that participants are in safe hands.
The opportunity is for all and challenge is the essence of the concept. The Expedition programme exemplifies this with planning, preparing and completing a journey with a specifically outlined purpose.
Practice and Assessment journeys are generally undertaken in areas like Trough of Bowland and Derbyshire area for Bronze and Silver Awards. The more adventurous Gold Expeditions tend to take place in mountainous regions, like Snowdonia in Wales and the Ben Nevis region of Scotland. Five of our students successfully completed their Gold expedition this summer and will be meeting the Duke himself in spring to receive their awards. Prospective employers and Universities look favourably on this award as it shows a level of commitment. It is also a lot of fun!
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Support throughout the school for personalised learning is greatly enhanced by the role of our Outdoor Education Instructor. He leads and instructs our outdoor education programme (including the Duke of Edinburgh award) and works alongside our Achievement Coordinators in offering a variety of experiences to enhance motivation across the key stages.
SCHOOL EXCHANGES AND VISITS
Over the last twenty years, we have forged valuable links with Europe, as part of our aim of promoting European Awareness. Our German partner school is in Pegnitz, Bavaria. The link between St Wilfrid’s and Gymnasium Pegnitz has been highly successful, with pupil exchange visits taking place each year. Such partnerships can lead to other important contacts in Europe. Sixth Form students also have the opportunity to carry out Work Experience in Germany. We have a Cultural Visit to France in the Spring - a very successful five days at Easter in Southern Normandy taking in the sights and culture of the area. Our European contacts are beneficial not only to the language learning of the pupils, but also to their cultural awareness and social development.
HOUSE SYSTEM
There are five houses within the school: EXETER, LINCOLN, TRURO, OXFORD and RIPON, all named after Anglican Cathedrals. Pupils are allocated to a house by form and then encouraged to play an active role in representing their house throughout the year. The Sixth Form has a vital role to play in creating a busy and highly varied programme of house competitions. They are enthusiastically supported by staff who value the great contribution that these extra commitments make to the development of the whole child.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT
A brief summary cannot mention all the quizzes, clubs, house activities and sporting tours which are held annually, or discuss in depth the charitable fund raising and voluntary work schemes which enable us to show our Christian faith in action in very practical ways. Suffice it to say, whatever a student’s interest, she or he is sure to find a like-minded group of friends and a warm welcome in one or other of our School’s clubs and societies. We have a commitment to strengthening our extra-curricular activity provision and we are continually looking to establish further links with the community.
