The Elevate Curriculum

THE ELEVATE CURRICULUM A future-focussed education

S Y D E N H A M H I G H S C H O O L . G D S T. N E T

“These energetic, sparky girls are encouraged to be go-getting and ambitious right from the start.”

Good Schools Guide, 2024

CONTENT HEAD’S INTRODUCTION

1 INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY 2 COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION 3 CREATIVE THINKING & PROBLEM-SOLVING 4 FINANCIAL LITERACY & BUSINESS ACUMEN 5 TECH FOR ACTION & INNOVATION 6 VOLUNTEERING & COMMUNITY IMPACT

ELEVATE

Antonia Geldeard Head At Sydenham High, we are ambitious for all our pupils. We recognise the value of academic success with excellent A Level and GCSE results. We are also forward thinking and alert to the changing demands of employers and higher education establishments.

Led by an experienced, expert team, a Sydenham High education develops whole personhood with a broad range of skills to fully prepare our young people to be worldready, not just for one career but for many.

“

Our aim is that every girl has the self-belief to think independently and make her mark, forging her own path, well prepared for life’s challenges.

Worldwide industries, communities and societies

Whether developing financial literacy, decoding

are adapting and evolving. We want our girls to be

ancient languages, exploring visual culture, or

excited by their learning whilst they are at school

innovating with AI, pupils enhance their analytical

and to have their minds open to the wealth of

thinking, collaboration, adaptability, and

possible pathways which they could pursue. We

leadership. This experience equips our girls with

introduce them to inspirational people to spark

the tools to navigate complex global issues, make

their interest: those who have navigated different

informed decisions, and thrive in interviews,

career paths and life experiences. Alongside this,

further education, and the working world ahead.

our personal development programme nurtures all-important self-belief, coupled with the

Every pupil is encouraged to dream big (without

determination needed to aim high and meet their

glass ceilings) but also to learn to put in the work

goals. This is complemented by our Mentoring

needed to succeed. We are not about cotton wool

Programme which facilitates 1:1 discussion with

wrapping - instead we focus on a growth mindset

pupils and experts at different stages of their

and know the value of perseverance. This is far

educational journey.

more achievable with others supporting you and we nurture those impactful relationships

Through our Elevate Curriculum, pupils gain

throughout the school years.

essential skills that extend far beyond the classroom. From research, debate, and nuanced

We believe in the importance of developing

communication to problem-solving, personal

good humans with integrity and loyalty: people

finance, and creative expression, each course is

who collaborate well with their teams and give

designed to foster intellectual curiosity, ethical

back to their communities.

awareness, and real-world readiness.

1 independent enquiry

The confidence and intelligence to think for yourself and learn from others From an early age at Sydenham High School,

thinking alongside an empathetic understanding of

we champion independent research skills both

global and national concerns; pupils become well

within the classroom and in our Socrates Scholars

informed and learn to think critically and debate

curriculum, Upper School Research Diploma and

skilfully.

Extended Project Qualification in the Sixth Form.

The pleasure derived from academic study of the

Our educational approach supports young people

‘unexamined world’ is key to our educational

to develop their situational judgement and

mission and begins at an early age.

problem solving skills. They practise informed decision making, learning to navigate change with

We believe our girls need the freedom and space

ethical and socially responsible actions.

to shine and should never feel obliged to conform.

The myriad of topics chosen for these projects are

Learning today must also focus on how to use that

evidence of bright minds at work and our teachers

knowledge in the future. We recognise the

relish their academic mentoring roles, supporting

importance of teaching pupils how to write

each child to successfully build these skills.

academically, to plan, draft and articulate a thesis as well as to develop core research skills,

Our Elevate Curriculum provides teaching and

interrogate information for bias, analyse and

learning of philosophical and ethical debates,

evaluate. Alongside this, our academic projects

developing the art of argument and progressive

teach key time management and organisational

thinking. This curriculum facilitates higher order

skills vital for the workplace.

“Nothing is so well learned as that which is discovered.”

Socrates

2 communication & collaboration

Effective oracy and interpersonal skills In this fast paced world, young people want to be

Our pupils also develop their communication and

changemakers. Our ambitious and curious girls are

presentational skills and master effective

ready to own a seat at the table and have the

techniques for visual display of information such

confidence to speak out.

as research findings, graphs and data analytics.

They learn to share their own research and

Skills of listening and questioning are as valuable

showcase academic work employing effective

as oracy skills. Learning to debate ideas, to

presentational strategies to synthesise content and

articulate complex thought, and to communicate

inform with clarity, engaging different audiences.

are certainly powerful influencers in the employment market.

At Sixth Form, we develop skilled communicators.

Through dedicated sessions on interview

We develop the art of persuasive rhetoric through

techniques, emotional intelligence, and online

a range of opportunities throughout their school

communication, students learn to express

education, from leading in assemblies, societies,

themselves clearly, listen actively, and work

taking part in public speaking competitions such

effectively with others. These experiences are

as SydX and LEAD (in conjunction with LSE), as

woven into our curriculum to build confidence,

well as opportunities to present their academic

empathy, and digital fluency - essential skills for

research projects year-on-year.

both academic and professional environments.

“An emphasis on oracy enhances acquisition of both formal discipline knowledge and wider social and emotional development.”

University of Cambridge

3 creative thinking & problem-solving

Regenerative, sustainable and solution focussed We value our pupils’ creative thinking: their ability

Olympiad proving their powers of deduction,

to disrupt the narrative and engage in probing

and pattern-finding. Such skills’ development

inquiry. Our education fosters an open-mindedness

prepares pupils for the range of possible future

and discursive approach.

psychometric testing for higher education and employment.

From the start of school, we embed an appreciation of our rich, multi-cultural society

We continue to reshape our curriculum to ensure

through our study of art and culture across the

our young people remain resilient and fully

curriculum and in our Mind, Body and Soul off

prepared for their world. Pupils learn visual analysis

timetable days. An experimental approach to the

skills, exploring art and architecture, to develop a

Arts with risk taking is recognised as rewarding,

visual toolkit as well as to engage with abstract or

drawing on stimuli from the world around us, both

hidden meanings and non-verbal forms of

locally and further afield. Our educational trips and

communication. We believe that our uniquely

visits curriculums (whether India and Vietnam or

human ability to navigate metaphorical landscapes

the Design Museum or Tate Modern) open eyes

or discover new solutions to a problem, remain

and minds to different ways of thinking,

key to the success of our next generation in the

encouraging agility and flexibility in the ways

workplace.

we experience and reflect on the world.

Furthermore, whether it is our Eco Society At Key Stage 4, our Elevate Curriculum includes

developing sustainable school meals, pupils

solving puzzles, spotting patterns and decoding

quizzing a beekeeper on what we can infer about

semiotics, building competencies for sharper

productivity from Bee Society or our Gardening

thinking as well as algorithmic intelligence. Groups

Club cultivating oxygenating plans for classrooms,

have the opportunity to explore computational

regeneration and climate science are at the heart

language as well as to compete in a Linguistic

of learning at Sydenham High.

“Critical thinking requires us to use our imagination, seeing things from perspectives other than our own and envisioning the likely consequences of our position.”

bell hooks

4 financial literacy & business acumen

Prepared for the world of work Alongside an inspirational, academic education,

This is not surprising given the level of

we believe in equipping young women with

preparedness that is now required by employers

‘power skills’ to navigate the employment world

looking for the very best candidates. Our education

ahead. This includes empowering our learners to

is purposeful, not pressurised. We are enabling girls

hone financial acumen which will serve them

to bet on themselves and forge ambitious

throughout their lives.

pathways.

The Elevate Curriculum includes the SEG Level 1

We pioneered a GDST-wide Futures Conference,

Award in Personal Money Management,

drawing on our in-house expertise in all aspects

understanding budgeting and personal banking

of futures, careers and the labour market, as well

as well as, for our older pupils, mastering

as inviting industry experts to share their

economic and legal terminology to operate

experience and run workshops with our girls.

successfully in the world of work, alongside the responsibilities of living alone in Higher Education

A notable highlight is our CV and interview skills

and beyond.

day led by industry experts, offering students invaluable preparation for the world of work.

Our pupils embrace entrepreneurship throughout

Through crafting a compelling CV and developing a

school life from Prep to Senior, with form groups

strong personal brand, students gain confidence in

taking on board charity fundraising initiatives and

presenting themselves professionally. The

investment games such as Tycoon Challenge, as

opportunity to learn interview techniques from

well as older pupils joining the GDST Leadership

industry experts with practical experience and

Enterprise Advanced Diploma (with LSE) and

real-time feedback, helps students refine their

studying in our Economics and Business

communication and self-presentation skills.

Departments.

These activities support students in their understanding of workplace expectations and

According to the GDST Girls’ Futures Research,

making informed career decisions. This education

nationally, 39% of young women have stated that

equips students with the tools to transition

they feel negatively about their futures.

successfully from education into the workforce.

“Learning practical financial skills and insights into graduate recruitment is invaluable.”

Futures Conference attendee

5 tech for action & innovation

Learning to harness new technology At this significant time of change and innovation

the limitations of AI and ethical considerations,

in global technology, we are focussed on

including AI bias. Working closely with teachers

providing pupils with the digital literacy skills that

to deliver guidelines to nurture appropriate use of

they need to thrive. Recognising irreplaceable

AI, for older years certain tasks come with

human qualities, we remain committed to raising

instructions to indicate the level of use that is

smart, empathetic, creative young people but, for

appropriate, including ‘no AI’ or ‘AI planning’ and

this generation alpha, who will be and are hyper-

‘AI collaboration’.

connected and surrounded by technology, we see the importance of an education which prepares

Through our Elevate Curriculum, pupils learn

them, not only to navigate their world but to shape

to think with an entrepreneurial mindset:

it for the better.

considering sustainable goals and using problem solving, alongside design thinking.

As generative AI technology continues to

Tasks, include creating a new app, developing

advance, it is a hot topic in terms of its use in

programming skills, as well as learning how to

schools and higher education. Studying this

pitch and present a business plan.

nascent field ensures that we can continue our rich history of offering a pioneering education to young

We equip our Sixth Formers to navigate and

women. We want children to understand and

understand AI’s impact. From CV screening

harness the opportunities of new technology for

algorithms to AI-driven interview platforms, pupils

progress rather than adopting habits which stifle

explore how these technologies influence hiring

creativity and limit their development of their own

decisions and present themselves effectively in

thinking.

digital-first environments. They learn to critically evaluate AI tools, and develop strategies to

We implement AI in a way that is pedagogically

engage confidently with automated systems,

informed and our expert team, led by our Digital

ready for a future combining human insight and

Lead and PhD researcher, ensures that pupils have

technological fluency.

the skills to thrive as well as the knowledge of

“We are reframing our curriculum to build confident leaders who are ready to pre-empt and solve the issues that are yet to arise.”

Sydenham High School

6 volunteering & community impact

Engaging in meaningful partnerships The consensus across industries discussing future

Furthermore, pupils develop a strong worldview

skills and the employment market points to the all

and keen sense of social responsibility through

important quality of being human. Alongside the

trips to international universities, our partnership

different competencies highlighted within this

with the Kyoto Seibo Gakuin High School in Japan

curriculum, we are committed to developing

and work experience in hospitals, veterinary

school leavers who have the wisdom to make

surgeries and at the BBC, for example.

good decisions and the ability to be a caring contributor to their societies and communities.

Furthermore, volunteer placements are a vital part of our Sixth Form experience, offering students the

A Sydenham High girl is a compassionate citizen,

opportunity to make meaningful contributions

moved to actively invest in her community.

beyond the classroom. By engaging with local

Whether planting a wellbeing garden, leading

organisations, students not only develop key skills

events for disabled people, volunteering at a local

such as empathy, responsibility, and teamwork,

care home, fundraising for house charities,

but also help strengthen relationships between

developing enrichment for local primary school

the school and the wider community. These

children or supporting a charity as part of their

placements foster a sense of civic engagement

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, our pupils are

and allow students to gain real-world insight while

well-rounded and grounded.

making a positive impact.

“High-quality education develops both social and academic intelligence, not to mention an appetite to engage with a world filled with opportunity.”

Future Skills Report, ibsca

enquiry decision-making collaboration leadership risk-taking time management visual communication strategy problem-solving solution-focussed independent thinking logic creativity global perspectives adaptability

“The better we understand, and the more open-minded we are, the more chance of succeeding and coming up with good solutions to everything, whether it is in business or in the challenges facing the planet.”

Nadia Danhash Director of Innovation, Royal College of Arts

persuasive rhetoric market research networking innovation brand management financial literacy data analysis ingenuity programming sustainability digital fluency business acumen oracy social responsibility interview skills

The Future Skills Report, 2024

ELEVATE

S Y D E N H A M H I G H S C H O O L . G D S T. N E T