Curriculum 

Headteacher ~ Mr J Gargan

Vision and Rationale

The Westgate School equips young people for life in an ever-changing world, by challenging and nurturing each individual, in and out of the classroom, to achieve their personal best. This drives our vision for curriculum provision and delivery.

We educate, inspire, and support our local community. We are guided by our strong moral compass to deliver an inclusive curriculum which is broad and balanced and provides all children with opportunities to thrive in and outside of the classroom.

Our curriculum is the vehicle to:

• Allow our students to become confident, resilient individuals, who aspire to excellence and who enjoy their learning.
• Guide our students to make outstanding progress so that they attain high-quality qualifications.
• Nurture and develop the passions, interest and aspirations of young people.
• Prepare our young people to become responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society including their local community, multi-cultural Britain and the wider international world.
• Equip our young people to make informed choices, so they may access the appropriate support for their individual learning needs.

Our curriculum intent is underpinned by our ethos ‘#equippedforlife’.

The Westgate School’s curriculum inspires and challenges all learners whilst preparing them for future. The school’s aim is to develop a coherent and challenging knowledge rich curriculum that builds on students’ experiences in the primary phase so that our students make a positive impact in the world they live.

At The Westgate School, it is expected that the curriculum will:

• Fulfil statutory requirements.
• Ensure continuity and progression within the school and between phases of education; whatever their starting point.
• Meet the needs of students of all abilities and provide challenge for all.
• Enable students to make exceptional progress to achieve their personal best.
• Afford opportunities for all students to develop a high level of literacy and numeracy required for success in the wider curriculum and in adult life.
• Lead to qualifications for students – regardless of background – that are of valued by employers and for entry to Higher Education.
• Remove barriers so that disadvantaged students when compared to their peers achieve well.
• Prepare students to make informed and appropriate choices for their future career pathways.
• Provide teaching and learning opportunities relating to careers and labour markets in subjects across the curriculum.
• Provide equal opportunities for all students to access a full range of learning experiences which fosters a love of learning and a sense of curiosity beyond statutory guidelines.
• Expand students' perspectives through a range of spiritual, moral, social, and cultural opportunities to promote their sense of moral and social responsibility.
• Foster confident young people who are willing to challenge themselves outside their comfort zone, take risks and live fulfilling lives.
• Develop a strength of character and resilience that will help pupils to make positive life choices to overcome challenges they may encounter in life.
• Ensure that all students can thrive and develop as healthy, positive citizens who understand how to stay safe.

Curriculum Implementation

The Westgate School takes great pleasure in supporting the journey students undertake at secondary school from Year 7, who then adapt and rise to the challenges of GCSEs, before transitioning to pursue their future aspirations in our Sixth Form by specialising in academic disciplines.

In addition to academic study, we also want our students to develop their character through our ever-evolving Personal Development Curriculum (PDC). All year groups benefit from a Personal Development programme which encompasses PSHE, RSE, Citizenship, CEAIG, delivered through both timetabled lessons and drop down days. Students also experience assemblies on topics designed to educate and keep our students safe. By participating in a range of extra-curricular experiences in the arts, sport and culture that is complemented with student leadership opportunities, our students are supported to become rounded and balanced young people who make a positive contribution to their community and beyond.

From Year 7 to Year 11, each student is taught for 30 hours during a normal school week. In the Sixth Form, students have 18 timetabled academic lessons per week, supplemented by a co-curriculum of 5 Citizenship lessons a fortnight and 7 independent study sessions a fortnight. To develop academic independence, Sixth Form students are allocated self-study periods and can also participate on the EPQ.

Students are taught in set or mixed ability groups. Extra help is provided where appropriate to those who need it, including those whose first language is other than English and for students with special education or learning needs. Some students are withdrawn for additional tuition from some subjects.

Year 7 and Year 8 

The whole school curriculum encompasses a wide range of subjects including English; Mathematics; Science; Computing and Technology; Religious Education; Languages; Geography; History; Performing Arts; Physical Education and Personal Development.

Year 9, Year 10, and Year 11

Academic subjects transition to GCSE in Year 9. This element of our curriculum has a strong focus on offering students a wide range of qualifications – including GCSE and vocational studies – tailored for the needs of our students. 

In Year 9, all students will study the full range of national curriculum subjects at an appropriate and tailored level in addition to exploring their chosen subjects through real-life experiences.

We offer over twenty different subject qualifications as well as the additional option to study home languages.

All pupils must study:

The Sixth Form 

The sixth form at The Westgate School offers a wide selection of traditional A levels and BTEC courses at Level 3.

Curriculum Impact

At The Westgate School, we review the impact of our curriculum on an ongoing basis via analysis and evaluation of GCSE, A level and BTEC data. Further analysis of our in-school data and of student attitude to learning takes place in each year group to support in reviewing the impact of the school curriculum. Our governing body measures the impact of the curriculum by considering levels of progress, student destinations, student engagement, and pulse check feedback from all stakeholders.

We recognise that the impact of the curriculum is wider than solely academic results. The impact of the curriculum may also be seen through participation in extra-curricular and supra-curricular activities, events, trips, the DofE scheme and student leadership opportunities. We will use our pulse checks and analysis of students’ successes in these areas to further review the impact of the curriculum and to influence change so that we continue to provide an outstanding education for our students.

Learn more about what subjects are available to you: Westgate Subjects

Further information

For further information about any part of our curriculum, please contact Mr Emanuel (Assistant Head Teacher) via secretary@westgate.slough.sch.uk