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Boarding Principles & Aims GCSE Reforms

At LWC, we focus on the needs of each of you as an individual, ensuring that people look out for you and that you look out for others. LWC is an environment in which you’ll be encouraged to push • All GCSE subjects are now graded and assessed using the new 9-1 structure; yourself by going beyond where you are comfortable in and out of the classroom, knowing you have the support and guidance of your friends and the staff. We will encourage you to work on a range of skills, such as sharing your strengths, keeping going even when things are tough, being curious about • 9 is the highest grade, awarded to the very best candidates in the subject. The official definition of a grade-9 candidate is that they will be ‘in the top 20% of those achieving grades 7-9 in the subject’; your world. Our boarding houses are one of the most important places for you to thrive and develop, • In every subject, the content is more demanding and the assessment more rigorous than previously; and it is our aim to provide an environment in which each of you can do this. • The assessment will be mainly by exam. In some subjects such as Drama and Art, other types of assessment will be used only where they are needed to test essential skills. For further information about assessment, please speak • I will be courageous in doing what is right to the relevant Head of Department. The community will maintain an atmosphere where positive behaviour and relationships are promoted by ensuring all voices have the chance to be heard.Tiering of exams The new GCSEs are only split into foundation tier and higher tier if one single exam paper does not give all students • I will respect myself, others and the environment the opportunity to show their knowledge and abilities. Consequently, exams are tiered in Biology, Chemistry, French, The community will provide a safe, supportive environment in which all individuals are able to German, Maths, Physics and Spanish. thrive; by fostering one of trust and mutual support which is relaxing, comfortable and suits the needs of all the boarders. • I will encourage others to be who they are The community will support and encourage choices and diversity of others. We will preserve the environment where people trust and help one another to become better people by promoting a spirit of teamwork and communal responsibility within the house. • A I will be aware of and inclusive of others The community will promote openness and equal opportunities by celebrating the cultural diversity of the boarding community at LWC and by providing appropriate opportunities and activities to support this.

New grading structure

Current grading structure 9 A* 8 7 6 B 5 4 C 3 D 2 E F 1 G U U

9 is awarded to those pupils achieving what would currently be a top A*: perhaps at around 96%+

GOOD PASS (DfE) 5 and above = top of C and above Schools are no longer AWARDING assessed on A*-C 4 and above = bottom of C and above statistics, but on ‘9-4’ statistics. Under the updated structure, the ‘good pass’ for Maths and English is a 5, which is on the border between a C and a B under the old system.

Cultural norms at LWC - What we do and uphold here Choosing the right subjects for GCSE

LWC CHARTER

Your son/daughter will make initial GCSE choices in • I will work hard to be the best that I can be and make the most of the opportunities given to me at February so that next year’s timetable can be blocked the college and staffing planned. They will confirm their choices at • I will respect the differences in other members of the community and seek to learn from each one the end of this term. There is the opportunity to add of them. any supporting comments on both initial and final • I will endeavour to act in a way that will benefit other people and leave them feeling good about option-choice forms if you feel particularly strongly themselves. about the choices that have been made. Once the final • I will be supportive of other’s aspirations and achievements. options form is submitted, the allocation of options • I will remember that I represent the Lord Wandsworth College community regardless of where I am will be made based on the information supplied on or what I am doing.the form. Breaching any of the following constitutes a serious offence at LWC and, for it, pupils are most likely Once choices have been made, the College reserves to be placed on our disciplinary framework. Depending on the seriousness of the breach pupils risk the right to withdraw any courses for which there is exclusion at the first offence. The following (including anything that breaks UK law) are completely insufficient demand. unacceptable at any time: We try to accommodate all subject choices within the prescribed framework. However, subjects are • Possessing, purchasing, using or supplying illegal drugs and legalised recreational drugs (including sometimes oversubscribed and availability of staffing tobacco, alcohol, e-cigarettes, poppers and ‘legal highs’). Abusing or misusing any legal substance prevents additional classes. If this is the case, we will (solvents, prescription drugs, glue, etc.) to achieve a drug-like state. contact you to discuss alternatives. • Possessing, purchasing, using or supplying any sort of offensive weapon or using any object in a threatening or dangerous way. On the following pages, you will find more information • Possessing, purchasing or supplying any sort of incendiary materials (including flares, cigarette about each subject, as well as some useful advice from lighters etc); intentionally setting off/tampering with fire alarms or extinguishers; wasting the time the Head of Careers and Higher Education, Sharon of those required to deal with it (including the fire brigade). Allmark. These will help you when weighing up the • Any form of sexual activity between pupils of any age. Possession of pornographic material various factors involved in making the most including in electronic form on devices of any kind. Generating, sending, wilfully possessing, appropriate choices. requesting or sharing any ‘sexting’ images. • Any form of inappropriate comment via any medium, whether ‘banter’ or sustained bullying, whether intent is present or not, that undermines individuals being who they are. Particular areas of concern would be around: race and ethnicity, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, learning differences, gender identification and individual interest/aspiration. Stephen Badger • Boreish, emotionally unintelligent, threatening and offensive behaviour that can intimidate and Deputy Head (Teaching & Learning) upset, exclude or belittle others through physical, verbal, written or electronic means. • Breaking bounds and/or the school’s driving policy, including any unauthorised absence (truancy) from any school commitment including co-curricular activities. • Behaviour that encourages members of the community to withdraw from their moral principles, including calling individuals ‘snakes’, ‘snitches’ etc.