Curriculum Overview
The Curriculum at Slough and Eton School
At Slough and Eton, we work towards a simple mantra; Work Hard, Be Nice, No Excuses. This embodies what we expect of staff and students on a daily basis.
In the same way that Jesus related to people from all backgrounds, beliefs and lifestyles, Slough and Eton is a Church of England community, which is inclusive and seeks to treat all people as Jesus did. We will always promote the central message that all are valuable and should be enabled to live life in all its fullness. We aim to develop students’ skills linked to the school characteristics of Communication, Honesty, Respect, Initiative, Success and Tolerance.
Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all students receive a broad and balanced education, grounded in the National Curriculum, that prepares them for the opportunities and responsibilities they will experience in later life. We believe that the key knowledge and concepts delivered in our school produces well-rounded individuals who will fit into modern, multi-cultural Britain. All lessons make maximum use of time, are challenging and engaging for all students. Disadvantage will not be a barrier to a student’s success. Students will also have access to opportunities beyond the taught curriculum to further enrich and deepen their curiosity for learning.
We aim to produce inquisitive, resilient learners who value their education and make the most of the opportunities on offer to them as they move through the different Key Stages. By reflecting on what they have been taught and experiencing stimulating lessons, we enable students to broaden their outlook on their future prospects, feel empowered and confident in achieving their potential, which leads them towards ambitious yet appropriate career pathways.
Our curriculum design reflects the demographic of the school in terms of both our ratio of boys to girls (two thirds boys), our high EAL cohort (70%) and high proportion of SEND students (16%), as well as being in a selective authority with four grammar schools within easy reach. We have nearly twice the number of boys than girls in the school and an EAL cohort of 70+%. This is reflected in approaches to planning and delivery of lessons.
Curriculum Implementation
The curriculum that we follow at Slough and Eton focuses on building key knowledge and understanding across a wide range of engaging topics, which form the foundation for the students’ development as learners. We ensure that students have sufficient time to embed knowledge in each subject and then frequently re-visit learning to develop memory. High quality lessons taught by teachers with a deep knowledge of their subject is the ultimate key to ensuring all students achieve the best possible outcomes across a wide range of subjects. Assessment will take many forms and will be different in each subject area. Standard written assessments play less of a role in practical subjects such as Drama and Music. We use a range of summative and formative assessment techniques built into the curriculum to identify needs for intervention, stretch and challenge among students who require it. Our approach to teaching and learning lends itself to this development and there is a consistency of approach in all lessons. We use the following teaching and learning framework.
To ensure consistency across curriculum areas, all lessons start with a ‘Do Now’ task, focussing the learners on the lesson content. ‘Do Now’ tasks are used to either review or revisit prior learning or pose questions about the learning about to take place. This is used to support students with prior learning or set them up for new content. Oracy plays a key role in lessons, providing the opportunity to discuss key concepts and knowledge to further strengthen the students’ understanding through a consistent approach across the school. Key vocabulary also forms an integral part of the curriculum and we strive to ensure that our students are exposed to these words with regularity and to a depth of understanding that aids their progress. Staff are acutely aware that our students need to improve their understanding of Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary if they are going to achieve the best outcomes.
We follow a three year Key Stage 3, allowing the students to flourish in as many subjects as possible and leave options open for their decisions at Key Stage 4. When they specialise, we guide students to the most suitable courses for their abilities and interests, ensuring their choices are broad and balanced. We promote vocational subjects and where appropriate will tailor the curriculum to the needs of each individual. At Key Stage 5, we offer four pathways, ensuring that the route each student matches their individual needs.
If you would like additional information about our curriculum in general terms please contact:
Mr Thatcher, Deputy Headteacher - stt@slougheton.com
Specific details can be found in the relevant subject area's page.