Senior School
Curriculum
The curriculum at Leehurst Swan is designed to provide a broad and balanced education, enabling pupils to achieve the highest level of success.
Years 7 – 9 (Key Stage 3)
All pupils follow the same course consisting of Art, Design Technology, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, ICT, Mathematics, Music, PE, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and RS. In addition the pupils follow a course in Personal, Social and Health Education. Each class also has a form period with their form tutor. A second modern foreign language is introduced in Year 8.
Years 10 – 11 (Key Stage 4)
Pupils normally pursue studies in ten GCSE examination subjects. The core subjects are English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry, History or Geography and a modern foreign language. To supplement the core curriculum pupils may choose from a variety of subjects including Art, Photography, Design Technology, Music, PE and Drama. In addition each pupil studies a short course in ICT and RS to GCSE level.
The school offers a varied programme of sporting and other extra-curricular activities. There is a playing field on site in addition to another field in the Cathedral Close. Competitive sports include hockey, football, rugby, cricket, athletics, tennis, netball and swimming.
The pupils also take part in choirs, orchestras, art and drama clubs, competitive public speaking and drama productions. Opportunities for studying musical instruments are provided by visiting peripatetic teachers.
PE and Personal, Social and Health Education are provided for all and there is a substantial careers programme, including work experience and individual tutorial guidance.
Learning Support
Learning Support at Leehurst Swan reflects the school’s Christian, caring and family ethos, and is an integral part of the whole school. Learning support is driven by the needs, learning styles and interests of the child.
The majority of staff within the Learning Support department hold additional qualifications, including AMBDA, ATS and Helen Arkell qualifications. This means that staff are able to support children as soon as any difficulty arises. When needed, staff can help identify specific learning difficulties, such as Dyslexia. The department has a good relationship with local occupational, speech and language and physio therapists, as well as Educational Psychologists, and their advice is integrated into learning programmes at school.
A variety of techniques and strategies are used to tailor make individualised learning programmes. As well as specialist 1:1 lessons, the department provides a range of ‘booster groups’ which focus on areas such as spelling, coordination, language, social skills and maths. A daily ‘drop-in’ is held each morning, which is open to all children for support as needed. Consistent liaison between the department staff, class and subject teachers helps all staff understand children’s needs. This enables teachers to differentiate their lessons and help children get the most out of their learning. Progress is monitored carefully to help ensure that pupils who receive learning support make accelerated progress.
The department is proud of its positive relationships with parents. Regular workshops are held for parents, focussing on supporting children at home in areas such as dyslexia, maths and revision. Parents are kept up to date with their child’s progress through parents’ evenings, reports and review meetings. Parents know that they can contact the department whenever they would like further information about their child’s learning.
If you would like to find out more about learning support at Leehurst Swan, please contact Mrs Alison Szalay (Head of Learning Support). Visitors to the department are warmly welcomed.
Caring
We pride ourselves on the high standard of pastoral care we provide. We want our pupils to develop into confident, independent young people who share our Christian values of respect and care for the individual and awareness of the needs of others. The school encourages involvement in community service and the pupils participate in various fund-raising activities to help others less fortunate than ourselves.
Uniform
A full list of uniform is available from the school. The uniform is supplied by John Lewis of Southampton and should be ordered on the internet, or in store. The school also has a second-hand uniform shop.
Applications for Entry into the Senior School
Acceptance for entry into the Senior School is dependent on performance in the Entrance Examination, a report from the candidate’s previous school and an interview.
Parents wishing their children to be considered for entry should complete a Registration Form and return it, together with the Registration Fee of £40, to the School.
The Entrance Examination will take place on a Saturday in January and consists of a Science paper, a Mathematics paper, and an English Paper.
All candidates will be called for interview within two weeks of the Examination.
GCSE Results Summer 2012
Download our
for Summer 2012 in PDF format.
94% of Pupils achieved A*-C in 5 subjects or more.