Frensham Heights Information Booklet - Academics

A PROGRESSIVE DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS FROM THE AGE OF 3 TO 18

ICS DEM ACA

WHOLE SCHOOL

ACADEMICS Academic is a funny word and one that is often associated with high pressured environments, but the word stems from the Latin ‘academicus’ from the Athenian Academy where Plato taught.

Plato was someone who encouraged critical and creative thinking. He established the Academy to bring together like-minded thinkers who wanted to engage in discussions about the world and reflect on the truths of reality. The Academy was more informal than a traditional educational institute as it encouraged dialogue between teachers and students over lectures or seminars and incorporated more than simply academic study: it was considered just as important to have social spaces, exercise and access to outdoor spaces.

Plato was revolutionary in encouraging doctrinal diversity as he inspired his students to learn how to think rather than what to think. This is a great way of summing up how we view academics at Frensham.

OUR CURRICULUM We offer an intentionally broad curriculum to encourage each student to follow their own path towards fulfilling their unique potential. Up to the end of Year 9, all students explore a diverse timetable made up of mathematical and scientific, creative and performing, linguistic and literary, physical and technological, spiritual, moral, social and cultural subjects. All held in equal importance. Our GCSEs and A-Levels are equally broad allowing students to create a tailor-made curriculum supporting their passions, strengths and goals.

For Nursery and Reception curriculums, please see our Early Years information booklet. Years 1 to 9 students have the following subjects within their weekly timetables: YEARS 1 TO 3 CURRICULUM • English • Maths • Topic • Science • PSHE • PRE • IT

• French • PE/Games • Art • Music • Dance/Drama • Forest School

YEARS 4 TO 6 CURRICULUM • English • Maths • Topic • Science • PSHE • PRE • IT

• French • PE/Games • Art • Creative Design Tech • Music • Dance/Drama • Outdoor Education

YEARS 7 TO 9 CURRICULUM

FRENSHAM PATHWAYS

• 2D Design • 3D Design • Dance • Drama • Design & Technology • English • Games • Geography • History • IT • Maths • Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish)* • Music • PE/Outdoor Education • Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE) • Science

Our Head of Frensham Pathways is responsible for exploring an alternative, innovative curriculum that will be focused on relevant skills as the world continues its journey towards a more sustainable economic model with human service at its heart. Working alongside our Head of Careers, our Head of Frensham Pathways ensures that each student receives the support, advice and bespoke education relevant to their future higher education or career aspirations.

* One chosen language

As well as offering a broad range of subjects, our curriculum is made richer by the inclusion of our innovative Horizons programme of PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education).

FACULTIES Learning doesn’t happen in discrete sections or in isolation and our faculty structure encourages teachers and students to make meaningful connections between subjects. This cross-curricular approach stimulates curiosity and ensures that subjects are not just understood in silos, but within a much wider context. For example, instead of studying the First World War in Literature one year and in History another year, we develop the curriculum around topics as a whole, across subjects, allowing for a much more holistic understanding.

ART, DESIGN & INNOVATION: Design & Technology, EPQ, Fine Art, Graphic Communications, IT and Photography.

PERFORMANCE, MATHS & ENTERPRISE: Business, Dance, Drama Economics, Maths, and Music.

THE PHYSICAL WORLD: Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Outdoor Education, PE, Physics and Science.

HUMAN PERSPECTIVES: Horizons, History, Politics, PRE, PSHE, Psychology and Sociology.

COMMUNICATION & CULTURE: English Language, English Literature, Film Studies and Modern Foreign Languages.

GCSE OPTIONS Most students study 9 or 10 GCSEs – English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Science: Trilogy (three strands leading to two GCSEs) or Separate Science (leading to three GCSEs) – are compulsory. In addition, it is recommended that all students choose a range of option subjects to create their own broad curriculum. Our option blocks are built each year based on student choices - therefore, they differ every year. This gives us much greater flexibility to make sure that students really can create their own curriculum.

Our current GCSE options: • English Language** • English Literature** • Mathematics** • Science** • 3D Design • Computer Science • Dance • Drama • Fine Art • French

• Geography • Global Perspectives • Fine Art • Graphic Communication • History • Music • Photography • Physical Education • Religious Studies • Spanish

** Compulsory

PE, Games, Outdoor Education, PRE and PSHE continue to be an integral part of the curriculum.

BTEC AND CAMBRIDGE NATIONAL OPTIONS We also offer a selection of BTEC courses. When combined with academic learning, these courses provide a different route for learning, focusing on the development of practical knowledge and skills which help students to prepare for – and progress in – their chosen career.

Our current BTEC options: • Business Studies • Esports A-LEVEL OPTIONS Most students study three A-Levels with some electing to take four A-Levels. Others opt to study Mathematical Studies, Further Maths or an EPQ alongside their three A-Levels. All students also study our Expanding Horizons programme and take part in the Edge (a programme providing students with real life skills and competencies).

With nearly 30 subjects to choose from, we want to ensure that students can access their perfect subject combination.

Our A-Level options process is created around each student, meaning there are no restrictions based on choosing subjects from set option blocks - we want students to be able to create their own unique curriculum.

Our current A-Level options: • 3D Design/Product Design • Biology • Business • Chemistry • Computer Science • Creative Industries (RSL) • Dance • Drama • Economics • English Literature • Esports (BTEC) • Film Studies • Fine Art • Geography • Graphic Communication • History • Mathematics • Further Mathematics

• Mathematical Studies • Modern Languages • Music • PE • Philosophy • Photography • Physics • Politics • Psychology • Sociology

RESULTS We celebrate success in various ways, one of which is through the students’ external exam results. We are proud of every grade that is awarded as we know how much study, dedication and effort has been involved. Students thrive at Frensham, each in their own way, and one way to see this is through their exam results which are consistently strong.

LEARNING RELATIONSHIPS In many ways, on first glance, our classrooms won’t look so different from anywhere else, but on second glance, you might notice that the teacher probably isn’t standing at the front. They’re more likely to be mingled in amongst the students. You might start to notice that it’s not just the teacher talking, the students – in all year groups – will be discussing and taking part too. Above all, hopefully what will stand out is the genuine relationships between the teachers and students. This develops both from our small class sizes and our more informal approach - our first name basis and sense of equality and mutual respect. This creates a learning environment that is not often found in an academic setting - a positive and safe academic learning environment where students and teachers can be brave and not afraid to take risks or make mistakes.

CREATIVITY Creativity at Frensham is not limited to the creative subjects. It also sits at the heart of our academics.

We strive for creativity of thought in every academic pursuit – to look at things differently, to consider a different approach. In this way, we hope each student can find their own way to be engaged, that teachers can find a way to get everyone excited. Beyond that, developing a strong practice of creative thinking is imperative for life after Frensham. We aim to develop each student into a questioning and socially conscious young person. Someone who isn’t scared to challenge the norm, to question and speak up, someone who will make a difference whilst at Frensham and beyond.

“FRENSHAM SUPPORTED ME AND FACILITATED MY LEARNING, BUT THE GREATEST LESSON I LEARNED WAS THAT IF I WANTED TO DO WELL, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I HAD TO DO IT MYSELF. IT HAD TO COME FROM ME... ” Ottilie Young, Old Frenshamian - readying to start her teacher training and MA at The University of Cambridge

“Students’ collaboration with each other, and their teachers, is outstanding.” “...by the time students leave, they develop a skills-set that prepares them extremely well for the next stage of their lives.”

“Students exhibit a heightened capacity to make informed decisions in a wide range of situations...”

ISI Inspection 2022

MIXED ABILITY AND SET CLASSES

STUDY CLINICS

For the most part, our classes are mixed ability allowing students to learn from and support one another. In Year 7, we set for Maths. In Year 8, we also set for English and in Year 9 for Science we group into higher and lower mixed ability groups. All other subjects are taught in mixed ability groups.

We are committed to meeting the academic needs of all of our students and to also give them the tools and opportunities to take responsibility for their own learning. One way we do this is through regular drop-in study clinics. They run throughout the academic year and are held during lunch times and after school.

SUPPORT FOR LEARNING

ISI INSPECTION REPORT 2022

We have an excellent Support for Learning team and we are able to offer support to children with mild learning difficulties. Through our entrance process, we will assess whether we can meet the needs of each child - this is to ensure that all students can flourish and thrive during their time at Frensham. We are unable to provide dedicated teaching assistants or one-toone support in class. We are also unable to support children with moderate or severe learning needs.

We are very proud of our recent ISI Inspection. As we say to our students, education is about more than results. An inspection for a school is like an exam for a student - you can prepare and stress and worry, but at the end of the day it is just a snapshot of you.

What you learn along the way, what you take with you afterwards, is arguably much more important.

HOMEWORK Students are set homework if it is meaningful and adds something to their learning. We don’t set homework just for the sake of it and sometimes giving students time to simply reflect on their learning can be a powerful tool. However, homework does give students the opportunity to work on essential life skills like organisation, time management and self discipline. It can also provide opportunities to consolidate learning and engage in a topic or independent research.

Homework can be extremely valuable but never at the expense of student wellbeing. Our priority is about striking the balance between homework providing academic support but also not becoming all consuming.

We want our students to be able to have time out of school to be children - to rest and play. If we strike the balance right, these are not mutually exclusive.

We learnt along the way, among other things, that we love our school and we work really well together.

By doing things a bit differently, we really are letting each child find their very best version of themself.

What we’ll take away, is a lot of pride in our students and staff and the relationships and respect they have built between them. They are, in a nutshell, simply amazing in their own individual ways.

There will always be people who don’t quite understand a more informal, progressive approach to educating and it’s probably not for them, but if everyone does their bit, it works - our students are learning, exploring, thriving and most importantly - they’re happy.

“THE QUALITY OF THE PUPILS’ ACADEMIC AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IS EXCELLENT.” “THE QUALITY OF THE PUPILS’ PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IS EXCELLENT.” ISI Inspection 2022

Please read the full report on our website.

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH AT: admissions@frensham.org

Visit our website or call 01252 792561 to arrange a tour.

Frensham Heights Rd, Rowledge, Farnham GU10 4EA.

WWW.FRENSHAM.ORG