Years 7 & 8 Prospectus

Years 7 and 8 at Hazelwood

An opportunity for

Excellence, Growth and Self-Discovery

Welcome to Years 7 and 8

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Years 7 and 8 are a time of change, self-discovery and new challenges in a pupil’s life. We recognise pupils are transitioning from childhood to adolescence and have created a flexible programme of dynamic learning to support pupils’ developing minds.

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Hazelwood Years 7 and 8 provide pupils with an exceptional education and enables them to flourish, grow and mature into future-ready, confident individuals. We do this by: • Providing compassionate and supportive pastoral care at a formative time in their development.

• Providing an exciting, dynamic curriculum with academic stretch and ambition, including a diverse range of opportunities in Music, Drama, Art and Sport.

• Developing their leadership skills and qualities and by carefully moulding them to become positive role models.

Pupils who stay with us into Years 7 and 8 benefit enormously from the distinct advantage that we know them and they know us. This continuity in pupil-teacher relations at the start of Year 7 allows learning to begin straight away, whilst also having the space, support and understanding to test boundaries of adolescence in a safe and familiar environment.

Lindie Louw, Head

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We believe that the enriching experience of being at the top of the school during these years allows pupils to grow their confidence in a community they know and trust and at a pace that is right for them, without the pressures of a senior school environment.

We also welcome external pupils considering joining us in Years 7 and 8 from a primary school, another prep school or abroad.

We work hard to ensure our new pupils from external schools receive a very warm welcome from day one. All members of our community will support them and take an active role in making their transition to Hazelwood smooth and enjoyable.

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We chose Hazelwood Years 7 and 8 for our child because it provided a safe, challenging and inspiring environment for her to grow and mature before the big jump that her senior, state education in Year 9 would throw at her.

We couldn’t be happier with all she has gained emotionally and academically from her 2 years at the school.

Former parent

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Highlights of Years 7 and 8 Common room area with sofas, games, books Small, focused class sizes A broad and varied Elective Programme

A close-knit peer group

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Different uniforms to distinguish Upper School pupils

Rich relationships An extensive and bonds with teachers list of important leadership roles and staff Dedicated Upper School dining room

A diverse enrichment programme across Sport and the Arts

Incredible international trips and cultural experiences

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Academic focus and stretch

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I achieved two 9’s in my English GCSEs and don’t think I would have achieved this without all your help and support (in Years 7 and 8) whilst I was at Hazelwood. Thank you very much.

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Former Year 8 pupil

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 receive an extraordinary level of focus and attention at Hazelwood which is not common for these age groups in most other schools. We are able to offer this due to our smaller class sizes, our skilled individual subject teachers and our ability to sculpt a bespoke approach for each pupil’s individual needs, stretching and supporting as required. Every pupil’s academic needs are different, so we ensure they are each prepared for their choice of senior school destination and specific needs or learning type.

Despite being a non-selective school, all year groups at Hazelwood are working ahead of expectations for their age in English, Maths and Science and we have impressive predictors of GCSE success based on the MidYIS assessments completed in Year 7.

Hazelwood Years 7 and 8 provides pupils with an exceptional education and enables them to flourish, grow and mature into future-ready, confident individuals. We do this by: • Providing dynamic and rigorous content across subjects, with adaptable pupil assessment techniques based on the individual’s needs.

• Employing teaching staff who are deeply committed to their subject and teach with passion to inspire curiosity and deeper learning.

• Ensuring small class sizes so pupils benefit from the individual attention of staff who know them well.

• Identifying and nurturing their passions and interests so pupils are far more likely to thrive and enjoy these special 2 years.

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We offer small classes, with teaching led by experienced, dynamic, secondary trained Mathematics teachers, enthusiastic to pass on their love and enjoyment of the subject. Our pupils leave with the skills and understanding required to be one step ahead on the road to their success at GCSE and beyond.

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Roma Philimore, Head of Maths

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A flexible curriculum which inspires and prepares We offer a broad and ambitious curriculum which not only prepares our pupils academically but also prepares them practically with life skills, learning skills and a confidence to take ownership of their learning. Although core subjects of English, Maths and Science continue to have an exam focus, Humanities and Languages craft their curriculum to pursue a wider range of inter-connected topics, assessing pupils’ understanding in a wider range of ways and laying the foundations for GCSE and beyond.

This flexible and varied approach is taken further through our Electives Programme, which gives our Years 7 and 8 pupils opportunity to choose an area of interest to learn about for an hour each Friday afternoon.

Some of our current Electives are: Forensic Science

Food Technology

Mandarin

Life Saving

Community Outreach

Introduction to AI

Politics

Passion for Fashion

Orienteering

Construction

Robotics

The Apprentice

Programming

Forest Skills

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Leadership development Leadership roles throughout the school help enhance the maturity and confidence of pupils. Pupils ‘learn to earn’ their rights to these privileged positions through a range of skills and apptitudes they are expected to demonstrate before being considered for these roles. This valuable experience shows pupils the hard work that they must demonstrate in order to be rewarded with leadership roles.

Roles include:

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Head Boy

Head of Chestnut

Head Girl

Captain of Sport

Deputy Head Girl

Chapel Prefect

Deputy Head Boy

Open Day Tour Guide

Head of House

Academic Prefect

Library Prefect

Innovation Ambassador

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Pastoral care & relationships

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Staff and pupils can have high expectations of themselves and of one another. There is a relentless drive to promote effective learning and ensure the Hazelwood pupils are ‘future ready’.

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NACE Inspection Report, January 2023

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Our outstanding pastoral care addresses issues that are becoming prevalent in older pupils' lives. We facilitate regular workshops with external experts focusing on how pupils can learn to handle the external pressures of today’s modern world while giving them the tools to thrive.

Our Years 7 and 8 pupils benefit from a range of PSHE related talks on issues such as drugs, online behaviour and consent, while also enjoying a robust programme of careers talks and other workshops to ensure they thrive in their next steps in life.

Furthermore, as a strictly mobile-free school, firm friendships bloom in an environment free from the challenges presented by social media and online influencers.

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Life beyond the classroom We strongly believe that successful individuals need to achieve more than just great exam results.

We work hard to create immersive experiences where soft skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, negotiation and creative discovery can be nurtured, and will help pupils become well-rounded, adaptable individuals.

Key speaker presentations from leading industry experts also help to widen pupils' minds on potential career opportunities.

Our enrichment programmes span Sport, Music, Art and Drama. Pupils in Years 7 and 8 can enjoy trips to the theatre, galleries and museums. They will also enjoy at least one international trip which allows for a huge amount of fun as well as new cultural experiences.

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At Hazelwood School, we are dedicated to ensuring pupils leave Year 8, comfortable in their own skin, with a can-do attitude, and inspired to be lifelong learners and thinkers.

Will Fagg, Deputy Head

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Support for the next step of the academic journey We offer focused and informative revision workshops to help pupils hone important study techniques and skills, which will bolster their learning in secondary education.

In Years 7 and 8, careers talks are provided several times per year to give the pupils insight into the kinds of future job opportunities that may be available. This is supported by weekly careersbased lessons in form time.

We write a comprehensive report on each pupil for their chosen senior school, to ensure a smooth transition, highlighting not only the pupils’ academic and co-curricular strengths, but their personal qualities and characteristics.

Comprehensive academic and pastoral support is given to any pupil who has not yet secured a place at their senior school. This will include tailored interview practice that is appropriate for their school of choice.

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Many pupils will undertake scholarships in a variety of disciplines, invariably during Year 8. Specialist enrichment programmes are offered to give the pupils the best chance of success, alongside interview practice and support with writing CVs/ applications.

We have close links with our senior schools, with whom we converse regularly to ensure that we are equipping the pupils with the skills and knowledge that they require to be ready for their senior school journey.

Before moving on to senior school, Year 8 will enjoy a wonderful end-of-year Prize Giving Ceremony, where all children are individually acknowledged and rewarded for their efforts and achievements. This is a poignant celebration of their academic year and indeed their whole Hazelwood experience.

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Hazelwood School, Wolfs Hill, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0QU Telephone: 01883 712194 www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk