Core curriculum
Woldingham has been a pioneer in educating women for over 180 years. Our subject specialist teachers deliver key skills, subject knowledge and the academic stretch needed for success at GCSE and A Level. Our first-rate teaching, which is informed by the latest research in educational neuroscience, is delivered through Empowered Learning – a student-centred, teacher-led approach.
Our broad curriculum covers mathematics, English, theology, science, history, geography, art, computer science, music, drama, design technology, PE, games, Latin, and two modern foreign languages from French, German, and Spanish. The curriculum is extended through subject-based societies including Junior STEM and History Society, and competitions such as the UK Maths Trust Challenges and Philosothons. Woldingham’s facilities to support students’ learning include outstanding science labs, a professional standard 630-seat auditorium and fully equipped design technology labs.
Our Empowered Learning approach results in students who are Inspired, Independent and Individual
Create independent learners Cater for the needs of each individual girl Inspire students to love their subject
Diploma skills
In addition to the core curriculum of academic, creative and sports subjects, we deliver a skills programme, covering three main areas:
THRIVE – As part of their journey at Woldingham, Marden girls learn more about their emotions, how to name them, understand where they come from and, ultimately, how to express and regulate them appropriately. This helps them become resilient, caring, and optimistic, which in turn supports their academic development.
Wellbeing (PSHE) – Students explore areas including citizenship, British values, friendship, bullying, emotional wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, and financial wellbeing.
Life Skills – We help students understand the neuroscience behind learning and how the brain works. Time is devoted to revision techniques and developing research skills so that girls mature into life-long learners. We explore skills and promote teamwork, risk-taking and resilience in our superb on-site Outdoor Adventure and Education Centre.
The Marden
Diploma
is a wonderful academic and pastoral foundation for our Year 7s & 8s from which they move seamlessly into Year 9 as well rounded and well prepared young women.
Ms Kate Renshaw, Deputy Head Pastoral
Enquiry Projects and trips
We take a less traditional approach to homework in the Marden Diploma as we believe it should be an opportunity to excite and develop students’ love for subjects without overwhelming them. Whilst we set regular weekly study in subjects such as maths, English and languages, girls’ remaining private study time is devoted to Enquiry Projects.
Empowering students to give direction to their own learning (with guidance), Enquiry Projects help them develop skills in planning, development, research, managing workload and presentation. Inspired by a trip or in-school experience, an Enquiry Project is part of each curriculum area throughout the Diploma with opportunities for student choice, enabling them to explore areas that interest them. #WriteYourOwnStory
Examples of trips and experiences include:
Exploring the World – Optional French trip and German Markets trip
Who am I? – Portraiture lessons from our artist in residence
Roman Life – Fishbourne Roman Palace visit
Space – Science Observatory Centre at Herstmonceux
Superwomen of the World – A project choice from Latin, science, maths, history, or theology
Understanding each student as an individual
Woldingham promotes attributes and skills such as kindness, building community, charity, responsibility, social awareness, teamwork and leadership and are these are rewarded in the Marden Diploma. Girls accumulate badges as they meet certain criteria, which count towards their overall grade. The Marden Diploma offers a holistic approach to assessment, where academic achievement matters alongside developing characteristics and skills.
Academic stretch is integral to each lesson. Higherorder questions are used to promote critical thinking in all subjects, and teachers ensure girls of all abilities are stretched and challenged.
Individual strengths and challenges are met with our Kritikos programme and our English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Learning Enhancement (LE) provision. We have dedicated departments for EAL and LE that run bespoke lessons and support for students, dependent on their needs.
The Kritikos programme empowers students who demonstrate both high academic ability and high engagement with learning.*
In Marden, Kritikos students attend weekly staff and student led seminars and critical thinking challenges. These sessions allow Mardeners to work collaboratively with older girls. Additionally, Kritikos students complete a junior EPQ (extended project qualification) on a topic of their choice. They meet regularly with the head of academic stretch for individual coaching sessions, focusing on progress monitoring and setting goals to #WriteYourOwnStory.
* κρῐτῐκός (‘kritikos’) comes from the Greek idea of intellectual discernment. It is the ability to judge and evaluate rather than simply regurgitate information.
Pastoral care
In our increasingly competitive and pressured world, we believe the wellbeing of our students is paramount. Pastoral care is our top priority and Woldingham provides a community where every girl is known and supported as an individual. Girls are placed in small tutor groups of around 10 students, allowing tutors to get to know them well. Students have 1:1 coaching sessions with their tutors each half-term to support, encourage and guide them on their Marden journey. In addition to belonging to a tutor group, we run a ‘big sister/little sister’ programme where Marden girls are linked to a Sixth Form student for support and friendship.
Our Marden boarding team offer a nurturing, home-from-home environment with structured times for study and fun, where Year 7, 8 and 9 girls live together, learn to be more independent and how to be part of a warm and friendly community.
Our care also encompasses the journey to school. At the start of the school year, we provide a chaperone service from Clapham Junction to support any girls travelling by train. Many of our students find the travelling experience arms them with both social skills and independence.
Similarly, our local minibus routes offer girls the opportunity to mix with older students living near them on the daily commute. Also part of our pastoral team are our caring bus drivers, who build up a wonderful rapport with girls and their families.
Co-curricular opportunities
We have a rich and varied co-curricular and extracurricular programme with more than 100 clubs and activities to choose from. From current affairs club to choir, horse-riding to hockey, chemistry cosmetics to book club, girls can enhance their Marden Diploma experience through regular participation.
There are multiple opportunities to get involved in competitive sport, music and drama groups. All girls will have the opportunity to perform in our professional standard auditorium.
Our House activities in sport, drama, music, and the fabulous House Festival boost confidence, community and teamwork. In the summer we run WoldFest (our own version of the fringe festival) with lunchtime and afterschool performances, art shows and concerts.
Digital
Students can use either Apple or Windows laptops or tablets and will be taught how to use their devices responsibly, independently and intelligently. This teaching will cover staying safe online, using cloud-based products to collaborate on projects, and the benefits and drawbacks of using AI. With a highly robust filtering system, students can use their devices safely to expand their knowledge of the world and communicate in a way that suits 21st century learning skills. By the end of Year 8, a Woldingham girl will be well-equipped to conduct her own research, critique sources, work simultaneously on a document and know how to use AI in a beneficial way to enhance her learning.
Woldingham is a Microsoft Showcase School. The award is given to an elite group of schools that exemplify the best of digital teaching and learning in the world today.
Learning and assessment
Throughout the Marden Diploma, classwork and Enquiry Projects are assessed in a variety of ways including class tests, quick quizzes, as well as the evaluation of projects and presentations. Our attainment grading criteria follows a 1-5 scale:
Pass
1 – Emerging Beginning to acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding required in the assessed areas, but further development is needed.
2 – Evolving Making progress towards the expected standard in the assessed areas but there is room for further growth in their skills, knowledge and understanding.
Merit
3 – Expected Meeting the expected standard in the assessed areas, demonstrating a good grasp of the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding.
4 – Exceeding Consistently demonstrating skills, knowledge and understanding that exceed the expected standard for a student of their age.
Distinction
5 – Exceptional Demonstrating outstanding performance and mastery of all skills, knowledge and understanding in the assessed areas.
Badges awarded for other skills and attributes are also included in the awarding of the Marden Diploma.
Graduation
To celebrate girls’ achievements and showcase highlights of their Marden Diploma journey, students and their families will enjoy an end of year graduation ceremony.
For more information, please contact: registrar@woldinghamschool.co.uk +44 (0)1883 654206
Marden Park, Woldingham, Surrey, CR3 7YA (for satellite navigation please use postcode CR3 7LR) 01883 654206 registrar@woldinghamschool.co.uk woldinghamschool.co.uk