Pathways and Perspectives 2024

PATHWAYS & PERSPECTIVES ST EDWARD’S APPROACH TO THE GCSE YEARS

PARENTS A SUMMARY FOR

AN ENHANCED GCSE PROGRAMME AT ST EDWARD’S The Middle School Curriculum at St Edward’s has been enhanced by the introduction of rigorous, bespoke, interdisciplinary courses called Pathways and Perspectives.

‘Pathways and Perspectives allow our pupils to learn and think differently. GCSEs provide a sound basis for progression to the Sixth Form, but our accredited courses require pupils to innovate, work collaboratively and undertake continuous assessment exactly as they will do at university, within vocational qualifications and in the world of work. Not only that but we can mould content to address

pertinent issues of the day and meet the needs of the pupils in our care, free from the constraints of the exam specification.’ DAVID FLOWER, SUB-WARDEN ACADEMIC

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‘Young people need the opportunity to develop the knowledge and the skills they need for future employment through a broad and relevant curriculum that links explicitly to the real world.’ ROBERT HALFON MP, MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

GCSES AND PATHWAYS & PERSPECTIVES

Pupils study a core programme of GCSEs and choose an additional four options from a range of GCSEs and the Pathways and Perspectives courses. These bespoke Pathways and Perspective courses cover areas such as Sustainability, Creative Arts, Design, the Classical World and Sports Science. The key feature of the Pathways and Perspectives courses is that they promote and reward more than just the capacity to retain information. To do well, pupils are required to develop a much greater range of aptitudes, including research skills, creative thinking, self-awareness, collaboration and communication. Leading educationalists have contributed to the development of the courses, which are graded 9-1 and awarded alongside GCSEs.

Required GCSEs in Mathematics, English, Science

Modern Foreign Language GCSE (at least one)

Four other GCSEs and/or Pathways & Perspectives

‘St Edward’s School has written very attractive courses, focusing on the humanities and technology/science. They are superior to GCSEs in terms of their modernity, their breadth and the fact that there is more focus on coursework. Pupils still take a wide range of GCSEs but the new courses provide something extra.’ BARNABY LENON, CHAIR OF THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS COUNCIL

‘Our Pathways and Perspectives courses

complement a core set of GCSEs. While we think that exams and rigorous preparation for them are important, our new courses can take pupils further in thinking about their own learning, in making links between subjects and in developing skills – for the Sixth Form, for university and for life.’ ALASTAIR CHIRNSIDE, WARDEN

Learn more about our Middle Years Programme

‘Alongside the acquisition of knowledge, young people will benefit in their career choices if they also understand some of the attributes and skills that they develop through academic learning. Pupils need to learn to be self aware: it will bring lifelong value in terms of meeting the challenges of the workplace if they can learn to understand and articulate their strengths, and to know which of their skills to apply to achieve the best outcome.’ DR KATE DAUBNEY, DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR CAREERS

What our pupils say: Pathways and Perspectives were a great addition to my GCSEs because my grade relied on my hard work over two years rather than a single exam. I was able to explore different topics in detail which was both interesting and fun. The classes were engaging, with lots of open discussions, and the coursework was varied. ROLI OSERAGBAJE

Pathways and Perspectives at St Edward’s give you the opportunity to think and express your interest in a subject more broadly than a standard exam board course like a GCSE. Pathways and Perspectives

are assessed very differently – through a series of tasks. These tasks allow you to gain a wide range of skills, from being

able to present to a classroom of your peers to writing long-form essays. The variety of tasks kept

the course interesting and engaging – I felt I was able to work on my weaknesses academically and to build on my strengths. BERTIE GOWEN

Leading the way in educational initiatives is instinctive for this dynamic Oxford school. TATLER SCHOOLS GUIDE

St Edward’s School, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 7NN www.stedwardsoxford.org

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