Looking beyond SATs

Looking beyond SATs…

In September 2011 we introduced the Rose Hill Westonbirt Diploma at our school. This came out of our belief that SATs at age 11 are fundamentally flawed – they do not truly reflect the broad and balanced curriculum which we offer, they no longer cover science or any practical work and only single levels are awarded to pupils.

We have, instead, decided to become one of the few schools pioneering a qualification of our own, the Rose Hill Westonbirt Diploma, which I strongly believe will lead to more rounded individuals being prepared for life beyond school. IAPS South West region is keen to expand and pilot individual schools having their own Diploma and I am sure that, in time, many 11+ Prep Schools will embrace this concept.

Essentially the Rose Hill Westonbirt Diploma is an internally assessed award, presented to all children at the end of Year 6 at Prize Giving to recognise and celebrate their achievements across 6 key areas of learning:-

•     Core Academic: English, Maths and Science
•     Humanities: History, Geography and RE
•     Creative Arts: DT and Art
•     Performing Arts: Music and Drama
•     Sport and Outdoor Activities
•     Life Skills: First Aid, Life Saving, Cookery, Spanish, ICT etc

As well as teachers delivering the course, volunteers will become involved in a number of practical activities, such as debating and this qualification underpins our belief that all children learn in a variety of different ways, and become ‘switched on’ by different stimuli. A Forest School programme is a great example of this, where children can be inspired in creative writing, art, science or numeracy by undertaking their lessons in our outdoor woodland classroom.

The Diploma will not affect our Entrance and Scholarship Programme for Grammar and Independent Schools – but it will form a major part of a personal, transferable profile that all children will take with them to future schools. Elements of the course will also assist in the preparation for 11+ and entrance programmes to the school of their choice, which remains the most important goal of preparatory education.

I see the Rose Hill Westonbirt Diploma as a very positive step forward in providing a varied and balanced curriculum, which will certainly enrich our educational offering. The children here are already very excited about the Diploma and I know it will prove to be a huge success.

Neil Shaw, Headmaster
Rose Hill Westonbirt School

www.rhwestonbirt.co.uk