Quality of Education – Sir William Stanier 2023
Intent
At Sir William Stanier School, our intent is to deliver an ambitious and inclusive curriculum that ensures every student reaches their full potential. We aim to provide a broad, challenging, and engaging curriculum that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need for lifelong learning and success. Through our ABCDE framework of curriculum design—Ambitious, Broad, Connected, Diverse, and Empathetic—we create a learning experience that not only meets national standards but is also responsive to the needs of our diverse student community, including those with SEND, Pupil Premium (PP), and English as an Additional Language (EAL) backgrounds.
Our curriculum must be inclusive and foster the development of the whole child, regardless of their background or ability. It is designed to promote academic achievement while also nurturing the social, emotional, and personal growth of students. Through a range of extra-curricular activities, we promote students' self-esteem, emotional stability, and confidence, ensuring they become well-rounded individuals who understand their rights and responsibilities and show respect for others and the environment.
We aim to foster a culture of ownership over learning, encouraging students to engage actively with feedback to drive their progress. Through the consistent use of formative and summative Assessment for Learning (AFL) strategies, we ensure that feedback is meaningful, individualised, and tailored to promote student progress. Our Strength, Improvement, and Challenge (SIC) framework underpins this approach, highlighting key areas for development and setting challenges to maintain continuous improvement.
Implementation
Our curriculum is implemented through well-structured lessons, carefully sequenced to build on prior learning and designed to meet the needs of all students. We prioritise consistent learning routines—such as the ‘Do Now’ tasks, retrieval practice, explicit instruction, and assessment for learning—so that all students experience high-quality teaching that is both inclusive and engaging. Teachers should be flexible in their approach, using a variety of teaching strategies, and be prepared to adapt their methods continually in response to student progress.
Teachers use a blend of formal (tests, exams, essays) and informal (live questioning, peer and self-assessment) AFL strategies to monitor and support student progress in every lesson. Formative feedback is provided regularly in alignment with curriculum hours, using the SIC framework to ensure that feedback is actionable. Dedicated lesson time is provided for students to respond to feedback, using green ink, to ensure they engage with their learning effectively.
Summative assessments are conducted at the end of each unit or project, and the data is used for moderation within faculties to maintain consistency. Data from assessments informs future teaching strategies, enabling teachers to adapt lessons, reteach key concepts, and support students more effectively. Literacy development is integrated across the curriculum, with a consistent marking code used for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and word choice errors, ensuring a coherent approach to literacy improvement across all subjects.
Impact
The impact of our curriculum is evident in the academic and personal growth of our students. Through consistent AFL practices, students develop a strong understanding of their progress, with individualised feedback helping them take ownership of their learning journey. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement, driving better outcomes across all subject areas.
An excellent Quality of Education at Sir William Stanier School will be reflected in students who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also a commitment to lifting their communities to new heights. The students we nurture are good people, who respect others and the environment, and understand their rights and responsibilities. They are prepared to contribute positively to society, supported by a well-rounded curriculum that develops both their academic skills and personal qualities.
One of the key outcomes of our curriculum and teaching strategies is the significant reduction in the number of students classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) after leaving school. Sir William Stanier School's NEET figures are consistently below both the Cheshire East and national averages. This demonstrates the success of our curriculum in preparing students not only for academic success but also for life beyond school, providing them with the skills, qualifications, and confidence to pursue further education, training, or employment.
Overall, the impact of the curriculum at Sir William Stanier School is seen in the achievements of students who excel academically, grow personally, and are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society. The passionate and knowledgeable teaching team, through a coherent and ambitious curriculum aligned with the school’s vision and values, ensures that our students are given the best opportunities to succeed.