A Year 6 curriculum focused on delivering skills that are important for future success, with no formal SAT testing, fosters curiosity for the important journey into Key Stage 3 and beyond, says Head of King's Magna Middle School at Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate (QE), Steven Turner.
At QE, our mission is for all members of our community to aspire to the Hill Standard ‘To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have’. As Head of King’s Magna, the middle school of QE’s unique four-school model, we harness this individuality through an innovative curriculum. This is a curriculum which supports the transition between the Collegiate’s primary education at Chapter House, our Preparatory school, and the demands of GCSEs and beyond in our two senior schools.
In a difference from the traditional school model where children stay in primary education until the end of Year 6, here at QE students join King’s Magna in Year 6, and stay with us until Year 9. We find many students are ready for a new challenge at the end of Year 5, so we made it our focus to develop a unique curriculum for this transitional year, with content designed in partnership between secondary school subject specialists and highly experienced primary age teachers.
The core curriculum consists of English, maths, science, personal development, history and geography, all taught by experienced Year 6 class teachers. In addition students will have specialist teaching for Art, Music, Drama, Computing, Design Technology, Modern Foreign Languages and Physical Education. Students can personalise their curriculum with two optional enrichment options within the timetabled day, covering areas of the Creative Arts and Sport which are beyond the traditional curriculum. The whole approach is designed with the ultimate aim of fostering curiosity, placing an emphasis on those skills that are important for future success such as critical thinking, collaboration, digital skills, communication, creativity and entrepreneurship. Importantly, we have made a crucial decision not to assess our Year 6 students using SATS testing. Students are instead assessed formally at three points during the year using standardised and moderated “common evaluation tasks” – these are used to track progress and identify what each student can do and what they could do to improve further. This decision allows us to focus on delivering those skills that the students need to be successful in Key Stage 3 and beyond.
The breadth of opportunities in King’s Magna, from Year 6, is wide and varied, standing alongside the school curriculum. Students have access to over 100 clubs after school or at weekends, as well as a varied trip programme. Our co-curricular activities span over five key categories: Creativity; Culture; Community; Leadership; and Health and Exercise. Students are challenged to take advantage of these opportunities which lead towards the King’s Magna Enrichment Award. Participation in ten different activities from across the different categories leads to the coveted Gold Enrichment Award at the end of each year. In addition to the high quality academic and cocurricular provisions, students at QE enjoy some of the best boarding facilities that are on offer in the UK, supported by a dedicated team of house tutors, who ensure that everyone is looked after in a safe, happy and productive environment. Boarding at QE offers facilities which supports our students’ development and allows them to thrive. King’s Magna boarders have access to fantastic sports facilities, which encourage them to maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage their own fitness, with the support of gym staff, teachers and coaches. Our innovative THRIVE@ QE pastoral programme has been developed to promote well-being and resilience in students throughout their QE journey. With over 30 different sessions each week, King’s Magna students take full advantage of what is on offer and engage readily with the dedicated pastoral team.
This all-encompassing, holistic approach to developing the whole student, which is at the heart of everything we do here at QE, creates a supportive, vibrant and caring school environment throughout King’s Magna. We are committed to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need to move seamlessly to our College or Faculty at the end of Year 9, growing and maturing into their teenage years with confidence.