Curriculum

English

Literacy is an essential part of our curriculum and forms the basis of our early learning approach. Our boys receive an exceptional British education centred upon an exemplary English-led Literacy curriculum. At Wetherby, we understand the importance of teaching key literacy skills effectively, as its effect on children's lives is unparalleled. Our teachers provide high-quality learning experiences that build a concrete understanding of core literary practices, foster a genuine love of writing and ensure our boys develop a passion for reading a variety of genres at an early age.
 
From Reception to Year 3, English lessons are broken into key subjects designed to develop the crucial skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Proficiency in these areas allows pupils to communicate effectively and express themselves creatively and imaginatively.

Literacy Lessons

English literacy lessons consist of the following: 

• Daily Reading Practice
• Phonics
• Creative Writing
• Comprehension
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Speaking & Listening

Our aim is to promote high standards of language and literacy and for all boys to be able to:

• Read easily, fluently and with good understanding;
• Read widely and often, for both pleasure and information;
• Build their vocabulary and understand grammatical and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language;
• Write clearly, imaginatively, accurately and coherently for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences;
• Use discussion to clearly explain their understanding and express their ideas; and
• Display competence and confidence in speaking and listening presentations.

Literacy Events

Throughout the year, boys are involved in activities such as World Book Day, Poetry Day, a spelling bee, visiting author workshops, national competitions for poetry and short stories, and educational visits.

Mathematics 

Mathematics teaches boys how to make sense of the world around them by developing their ability to calculate, reason and solve problems. Lessons are interactive, and our boys are introduced to the relationships and patterns in numbers and how to apply this knowledge to their day-to-day lives. As their knowledge and understanding grow, pupils learn to appreciate and apply mathematical concepts to a range of different contexts. 

The school's mathematics curriculum aims to: 

• Promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system at levels appropriate to individual boys; 
• Develop the ability to apply knowledge and solve problems in a range of contexts through decision-making and reasoning; 
• Develop and apply a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented; 
• Explore the features of shapes and space, and develop and apply measuring skills in a range of contexts;
• Promote an understanding of the importance of mathematics in everyday life; 
• Develop pupils’ ability to apply their knowledge with confidence to new concepts; 
• Encourage pupils to make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems; and 
• Develop pupils’ spoken mathematical language by using discussion to probe and remedy their misconceptions, helping them make a mathematical justification or argument. 

Mathematics lessons are delivered daily across all year groups. Lessons emphasise the four operations and number bonds, and boys are supported to carry out mental calculations and a range of problem-solving techniques. Our maths teachers are passionate about their roles and spend a great deal of time explaining each concept in a practical manner before transferring pupils' understanding to more formal applications. 

The Reception curriculum lays the foundation for future understanding by introducing various key concepts. In Year 1, subject material becomes more advanced, and boys become better acquainted with the formalities of a more traditional maths syllabus while employing practical learning opportunities in each term. As boys progress through the school, teaching emphasises the more formal aspects of mathematics, which are a requirement for entrance examinations.

Reasoning

Reasoning skills are viewed by many in the educational field as a meaningful indicator of innate intelligence, and assessment in this area is given significant importance in academic testing processes from 7+ level onwards. Our school is unique in its delivery of reasoning education: our exceptional curriculum cultivates the skills needed to effectively solve problems while encouraging boys to apply their newfound skills to contexts that they are familiar with, allowing their talents to shine through. 

While some academics would argue that it is ‘impossible to teach reasoning skills,’ at Wetherby, learners benefit from and enjoy being exposed to a range of non-verbal and verbal reasoning activities. We introduce concepts as early as possible to allow boys to gain familiarity with the process of tackling tasks. Our pupils achieve impressive rates of success in entrance examinations, which is a testament to the efficacy of our teaching approach. We believe that, when guided effectively, children can learn strategies to complete tasks while developing their capacity to think logically.

Reasoning Curriculum Content

Our curriculum places equal emphasis on non-verbal and verbal reasoning skills. The non-verbal aspect of the curriculum fosters the ability to identify patterns and sequences, and understand and analyse visual information. At our school, we aim to go beyond the teaching of simple fluency or vocabulary recognition. We deliver verbal reasoning lessons that develop boys’ capacity to understand and assimilate verbal information and think constructively about language. 

Our pupil-centred approach allows boys to learn at their own pace and increase their knowledge according to their current ability level. This in turn builds their self-confidence and nurtures their talents in public speaking and communication. 

Lessons are enhanced by a wide range of practical resources and formal materials to further reinforce instruction. Boys are assessed in reasoning through standardised NFER testing methods from the end of their Reception year onwards. Our small class sizes allow teachers to pay close attention to each boy’s ongoing performance during classwork and closely monitor his progress, enabling them to support or challenge him appropriately.

Science

Science has an immeasurable impact on our lives and is fascinating to explore. Our pupils are taught to appreciate the far-reaching applications of science and learn how scientific concepts can be utilised to explain the changes they observe in the world around them. Pupils are encouraged to use reasoning skills to hypothesise and predict possible outcomes. They participate in practical experiments to observe effects and analyse causes. We deliver the science curriculum in engaging, inspiring lessons and workshops that cover the essential aspects of scientific concepts, including processes and applications.

We aim to enable children to be bold in their scientific questioning by inspiring curiosity and supporting each pupil to have the confidence to ask 'why' and 'how'. By delivering a diverse and interactive science curriculum, pupils deepen their understanding of each topic by developing their investigative and problem-solving skills through a systematic, methodical and creative approach. Over time, our boys begin to appreciate the impact that science will have in the future on a personal, national and global level, and we encourage boys to recognise the power they have to influence the world around them positively.

Enrichment workshops complement lessons and give the boys a platform to develop their knowledge, discuss pertinent topics and continue building a passion for the subject. From the Reception stage to Year 3, the science curriculum comprises up-to-date material and focuses on practical and investigative work. By introducing children to a body of core, foundational concepts, we ensure pupils are able to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity regarding natural phenomena. 

Practical experiments are organised regularly, giving boys the opportunity to participate in immersive lessons that demonstrate theoretical concepts and allow boys to apply their reasoning skills. During fun, hands-on individual and group practical activities, boys are encouraged to form theories, observe processes and record changes independently and as a group. Science allows our pupils to explain the unknown in ways they never imagined. Our school is delighted to support our pupils' journey towards understanding by harnessing the mystery of the unknown and channelling it into effective educational experiences children can enjoy.

Learning for Life (PHSEE)

The school's 'Learning for Life' course, also known as Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHEE), is an essential element of the National Curriculum. The Learning for Life syllabus comprises four core themes – Health and Well-Being, Relationships, Digital Safety and Living in the Wider World, which includes economic well-being and career guidance – and is just one of the many building blocks we offer to prepare, develop and help our boys grow into caring, active and thoughtful citizens of a local community and a global village. 
 
The Learning for Life curriculum develops the knowledge, skills and attributes our boys need to be healthy, safe and prepared for life and work in modern Britain. Curriculum content is diverse and engaging, comprising informative units of work that give pupils a better understanding and appreciation of the world around them. 

We encourage boys to join one of Wetherby's many community-oriented groups and teams. For example, boys may join the Eco Warrior environment team or become charity ambassadors. Additionally, pupils who want to represent their classmates may do so by joining the School Council for a term. Increased involvement helps boys realise the importance of leading by example as children learn how to make a difference as part of a group and the steps involved in enacting change.
 
Our Learning for Life curriculum equips pupils with a sound understanding of risk. Boys gain the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions, which leads to the development of attributes such as resilience, good self-esteem and critical thinking. Pupils also develop risk-management and teamwork skills when fulfilling roles of responsibility.

Religious Education

The Religious Education (R.E.) curriculum encourages children to explore, discuss, accept and further their understanding of various faiths. As UK citizens and members of an ever-expanding global community, it is important that our boys learn about the religious beliefs of others, and how these beliefs inform our values. The R.E. curriculum teaches boys how belief systems may be reflected in cultures and traditions, and affect how we interact with one another. At Wetherby, R.E. contributes to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the boys and supports the cohesion of our diverse community by promoting mutual respect and tolerance in broader society.
 
In R.E. lessons, teachers sensitively cover challenging questions that our boys may have, including the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, our place in the world, the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong, and what it means to be human. Christianity is the largest religion in England, and the official religion is the Church of England; therefore, the curriculum aims to develop the boys’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity. We also explore other principal religions, religious traditions and worldviews that offer answers to the above questions, thus contributing to our boys’ personal development and well-being.
 
Throughout Key Stages 1 and 2, R.E. seeks to extend the boys’ understanding and knowledge of Christianity and the six major religions. The syllabus encourages the skills of research, questioning, analysis and respectful discussion, and challenges boys to evaluate their own knowledge. 

Boys are assessed in the following key areas:

• Chronological understanding of key events for each religion;
• Knowledge and understanding of festivals, places of worship, important men and women of faith, and the beliefs and practices of principal religions;
• Interpretation of parables;
• Enquiry; and
• Organisation and communication skills.

At Wetherby, we regard R.E. as being relevant to other subjects too. The knowledge gained in R.E. classes allows pupils to contextualise learnings relating to citizenship and Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education. Cross-curricular links are also made where appropriate, including in subjects such as Art and Computing.

French

Between Years 1 and 3, children learn French from a member of our specialist teaching team. Learning an additional language allows pupils to acquire advanced skills at an early age so that by the time they leave Wetherby, they have a solid linguistic structure upon which they can build.
 
At the introductory stage of the French curriculum, the language is taught orally through songs and games. To encourage engagement with the subject, these lessons focus on cultivating familiarity with the language through fun activities, which are administered by trained, patient and highly qualified teachers. By the time pupils reach Year 3, they are able to understand and respond to simple questions about the weather, their favourite food and drinks, sports, clothes and classroom equipment. Children are also able to give their opinions about their likes and dislikes.

During lessons, we encourage boys to communicate in French for the entirety of the session. Our immersive French classes lead to excellent results in assessments, and the provision of oral and written tests, exercises and role-play activities allows teachers to gain a clear understanding of pupils' progress. In Year 3, children are able to further their understanding of French culture and traditions by exchanging letters with students in France. 

Art

Art and design offer an excellent opportunity for boys to express themselves and explore their innate creativity. We encourage children to take full advantage of our diverse and vibrant curriculum while enjoying the freedom of using a variety of media and creative processes. The curriculum aims to challenge and broaden boys’ perception of art by exposing them to new ideas and alternative ways of thinking. We highly encourage creative thinking, as it enables our boys to delve into the never-ending, wonderful possibilities that the imagination has to offer.
 
Our boys are encouraged to take inspiration from the world around us, and they use a variety of materials and techniques to communicate their observations. Creative lessons aim to transform children into artists at a deeper level. Boys are supported by their teachers as they begin to understand the relationship between art and emotion, and how to depict this relationship through colours, lines, shapes and forms.
 
As part of the teaching of classical and contemporary art forms, we encourage boys to compare and contrast the work of others. Students learn by studying the lives and output of creative masters throughout history; this supports their understanding of different techniques and working methods. We believe that every child is wonderfully unique, and with this view in mind, our boys are encouraged to interpret the work of others through their own eyes. They gain confidence in their perspectives and in sharing their opinions, thoughts and ideas with their peers and teachers. 

Our school's art classes offer a welcoming and relaxing environment, which is fully equipped with a range of equipment, tools and resources. Between Reception and Year 1, pupils are supported and given the instruction needed to create work of the highest standard possible. We encourage them to share their creative achievements within the school, and their efforts are celebrated with awards, such as Artist of the Week, Wetherby Tate and Picture of the Month. External competitions and exhibitions also offer a valuable opportunity for boys to showcase their work in a professional context. We are proud to highlight the artistic talent at our school and lead our pupils to opportunities to fulfil their creativity potential.

Music

Music is a unique form of communication that enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development. It is also a universal language that can be understood and appreciated by all ages and cultures. At Wetherby, pupils engage in a wide variety of musical styles, gaining confidence and fulfilment through their experience of the subject. 

Our principal aim is to foster an enjoyment and love of aspects of music. We endeavour to meet this objective by encouraging participation in various opportunities and encouraging pupils to express their ideas, thoughts and feelings through composition and performance. By appraising music in their lessons, boys learn to reflect and share their opinions with others. They also develop an awareness of different musical styles, traditions and cultures throughout history and around the world. 

All pupils have weekly timetabled music lessons delivered by a specialist teacher. Lessons cover the areas of performing, composing, listening and appraising, and are often delivered through a cross-curricular approach that includes History, Science and Geography. The use of ICT in lessons also enhances the delivery and scope of the music curriculum. 

In addition to timetabled classes, boys may participate in individual instrumental lessons from Year 1. We offer guitar, piano and violin tuition led by expert teachers. Every term, the school holds an instrumental concert in St Matthew’s Church, giving boys an exciting opportunity to perform and share their talents with others in the community. An orchestra, consisting of the most experienced players in the school, rehearses weekly and has various performing opportunities throughout the year. Boys may also join one of three choirs or an additional singing group in Yeasr 2 and 3, all of which perform on several occasions throughout the year. 

We offer many opportunities for music enthusiasts to perform at events and practice their newfound skills. Children in Little Wetherby take part in Christmas and summer concerts and perform for their parents; Reception boys put on a nativity play and sing in Fathers’ Day and Mothers’ Day concerts; and all boys in Years 1, 2 and 3 perform in the Harvest Festival and the Christmas carol concert.

Drama

Drama is an integral part of our boys’ schooling, building confidence and a range of proficiencies across year groups. It is also used in a cross-curricular way to enhance learning in different subjects.

Timetabled Drama lessons cover key elements of the performing arts, including mime, the use of voice, and being expressive with one's face and body. Boys also enjoy games aimed at promoting trust and team building. 

Though formal Drama lessons begin in Year 2, we introduce learners to related skills in Reception. After only one term in the school, all Reception boys put on a nativity play that serves as an excellent opportunity for them to display their new skills. In addition, throughout the academic year, every class hosts an assembly for the rest of the school and their parents; these often include aspects of drama, allowing boys to apply their learnings in a practical setting. In the final term of Year 3, learners work hard to produce an outstanding play, complete with make-up, costumes, props, scenery and lighting. The play is performed at the Tabernacle theatre, offering valued experience in a professional space, and allows boys to conclude their Drama education at our school in a positive, motivating way. 

Computing

The boys at our school use technology as a learning tool across all aspects of the curriculum. Pupils attend well-supervised computing lessons once a week in which they are equipped with the skills to use digital technology effectively. Surface Go devices are used by pupils in Years 1, 2 and 3 as required during lessons. Laptops and iPads enhance schooling across the syllabus, and boys are encouraged to become independent learners. Every classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard, and 1:1 iPads are available to all Year 2 and Year 3 pupils.
 
Discrete computing lessons broadly follow the national computing curriculum objectives. A greater emphasis is placed on learning in a curriculum context as opposed to developing discrete computing and digital literacy skills for the sake of it. As a result, learners gain the ability to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. Lessons also focus on developing key skills that enable children to use information in an effective, discriminating way. Digital literacy skills are a major factor in boys' growth into confident, creative and independent learners.
 
ONLINE SAFETY RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Common Sense Media is an independent organisation that reviews a variety of digital and online content, in addition to offering e-safety guidance.
 
 http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
 
 UK Safer Internet information
 
 http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/
 
 The Vodafone Digital Parenting Magazine:
 
 Issue 9
 
 Vodafone Digital Parenting Resource Page
 
 CEOP also has a great website of information on E-Safety for both parents and children:
 
 https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/How-can-CEOP-help-me-YP/
 
 https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
 
 Think U Know website from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
 
 http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
 
 Government Guidance:
 
 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/indecent-images-of-children-…
 
 https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk/
 
 ONLINE SAFETY RESOURCES FOR PUPILS:

 http://www.childnet.com/young-people
 
 http://www.safetynetkids.org.uk/
 
 https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/young-people
 
 https://www.bbc.com/ownit

Sport

Sport is an integral part of every boy’s life at Wetherby. Strength of character and self-discipline are cultivated on the games field, and these traits will stay with the boys throughout their lives. By participating in an enriching and wide-ranging sports programme, our boys gain a valuable skillset that will assist them in accepting victory modestly and defeat generously, while fostering their physical, mental and social well-being.
 
The school's physical education (P.E.) curriculum aims to develop key characteristics that will continue to benefit our boys throughout life. Participation in individual and group activities builds self-confidence and teaches children to behave appropriately in various situations. Boys can take part in a range of sports and physical activities that take place in a safe and supportive environment, which promotes teamwork and enjoyment, and in which effort, success and hard work are celebrated. Among the sports boys can select from are football, tag-rugby, cricket, hockey, swimming, gymnastics and dodgeball.
 
Each week, the Reception boys have gym and games lessons, while children in Years 1-3 also have swimming sessions. In addition to weekly P.E. lessons, each term is filled with various sporting fixtures against other schools. All boys in Years 2 and 3 will participate in at least one match per term.

Not only is P.E. vital to the national curriculum, but it also crucially supports the development of a healthy, happy life. Guided and supported by experienced coaches and sports teachers, boys acquire the technical skills, enthusiasm, understanding and positive attitudes that are synonymous with Wetherby School. Additionally, our young athletes are encouraged to develop proficiencies in various fun activities, providing an excellent headstart in their future sporting endeavours. We strongly believe that, by participating in physical pursuits in a fun, enjoyable environment, boys will develop an excitement to continue being active in school and beyond.