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  • Music

    The Westgate School Secondary pupil playing the keyboard Music Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand, with an equal opportunity for all Go Go Our Music curriculum intends to: Unlock musical potential in every young person to be creative and curious about music. Challenge pupils to think musically, enabling them to acquire and develop a deep understanding of how music works. Develop an appreciation of music styles and cultures, over time. Why Learn Music? Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education will engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon. Music is constantly evolving, inspiring creativity and expression in a way that no other subject can. Our course offers pupils the chance to study a wide range of musical genres, with more opportunities for practical learning. Music is constantly evolving, inspiring creativity and expression in a way that no other subject can. Our course offers pupils the chance to study a wide range of musical genres, with more opportunities for practical learning. Music development plan summary EYFS | KS1 Content KS2 Content Year 7 & 8 Content Year 9 Content Year 10 & 11 Content Planned around half-termly topics, the curriculum provides pupils with the opportunity to learn subject-specific knowledge and understanding and explore links across subject areas. Additional to topics, our curriculum includes discrete teaching in Music subject specialists from Year 3. Year 3 pupils will receive an instrument for the year to practice on and are encouraged to support their in class learning with additional peripatetic lessons and home learning. Key stage 1 course content Pupils will be taught to: Use their voices expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes. Play tuned and untuned instruments musically. Listen with concentration and understanding to a range of high-quality live and recorded music. Experiment with, create, select and combine sounds using the inter-related dimensions of music. Planned around half-termly topics, the curriculum provides pupils with the opportunity to learn subject-specific knowledge and understanding and explore links across subject areas. Additional to topics, our curriculum includes discrete teaching in Music subject specialists from Year 3. Year 3 pupils will receive an instrument for the year to practice on and are encouraged to support their in class learning with additional peripatetic lessons and home learning. Key stage 2 course content Pupils will be taught to sing and play musically with increasing confidence and control. They will be taught to develop an understanding of musical composition, organising and manipulating ideas within musical structures and reproducing sounds from aural memory. Pupils will be taught to: Play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using their voices and playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression. Improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the inter-related dimensions of music. Listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory. Use and understand staff and other musical notations. Appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians. Develop an understanding of the history of music. Course Content: In Year 7 pupils explore units of enquiry: Building Bricks – exploring the Elements of Music creating variations on Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. Keyboard Skills - exploring effective keyboards skills, reading staff notation, sharps, flats and chords. Choir Skills – exploring the song ‘Touch the Sky’ for the Cathedral Carol Concert. I’ve Got Rhythm - exploring pulse, beat, rhythm, ostinato and note durations. Form and Structure – exploring musical structures, question and answer phrases, binary, ternary and rondo form. Sonority City – exploring instruments of the orchestra, the conductor, beating time and ensemble performance. Folk Music – exploring folk tradition, harmony and accompaniment, drone, ostinato and chord patterns. In Year 8 pupils explore units of enquiry: Hooks and Riffs - exploring repeated musical patterns through Eurhythmics' ‘Sweet Dreams’ and Ravel’s ‘Bolero’. Offbeat --exploring Reggae, syncopation, texture, chords, reggae lyrics and arrangements. Variations – exploring ways to develop ideas through changing and adding to a theme using ground bass variations. All that Jazz – exploring chord and chord patterns, improvisation, the 12-bar blues, blues scale, swing and big band jazz. All about that Bass – exploring bass clef reading and notation, bass instruments, bass lines, riffs, walking bass and pedals. Saharan Sounds – exploring African singing and drumming, polyrhythms, syncopation, call and response, cyclic rhythms and grid notation. Course Skills Listening and Analysing: pupils listen to a range of music, identifying dimensions and devices and comparing music. Composing: pupils participate in practical activities and collaborate with others in pairs and group ensembles. Exploring and Rehearsing: Pupils explore practical music-making and refine musical items to include dimensions. Performing: Pupils perform and communicate musical intentions to peers, the class or their teacher. They share vocal, percussive or instrumental skills, showing understanding of genre or tradition. Evaluating: Pupils Identify and reflect upon strengths and improvements and share responses. (We refer to this as Strength – Improvement – Response or SIR). Extra-curricular learning: We offer the largest range of musical opportunities of any school in Hampshire with a significant number of pupils participating in extra-curricular music. In Year 7 all pupils sing together at Winchester Cathedral for our popular Christmas concert, and many participate with more established musicians as they develop their skills. During Year 9 pupils will be given the opportunity to consider in greater depth the practical and theoretical aspects of this wonderful subject so that in Year 10 they can then begin the GCSE syllabus. Course content: Pupils study the three key areas: musical listening and appraising; performance both solo and ensemble; composing. Pupils will study key areas of music including Music for stage, Song writing, Samba and Afro-fusion. Through this pupils will develop skills of musical analysis using subject specific language and a basic knowledge of music theory. The course includes regular opportunities to perform on their main study (instrument or voice) as well accessing music technology, new instruments and developing keyboard and percussion skills. Composition tasks will be completed both individually and in groups, sometimes using music technology. Pupils will spend time developing the use of a variety of devices to develop musical ideas to fit both a genre and a musical structure. Assessment: The course contains an assessment at the end of each term (or genre studied). This will include a mix of assessed performances (both ensemble and solo), assessed compositions (live performance or realised using music technology) and listening and appraising questions. There will also be an individual composition in the summer term based on a set brief and a performance on their main study.This mirrors the GCSE composing and performance-controlled assessment requirements. Course content (skills): Pupils study the three key areas: musical analysis; performance both solo and ensemble; arranging and composing. Pupils will study a variety of musical genres from Jazz, dance music, film music and a selection of world music. Through this work pupils will develop skills of music analysis using musical language and a basic knowledge of music theory. The course includes regular opportunities to perform on their main study (instrument or voice) as well trying new instruments and developing existing keyboard and percussion skills from KS3. Composition tasks will be completed both individually and in groups. Pupils will spend time developing the use of a variety of compositional devices to develop musical ideas to fit both a genre and a musical structure. Course content (genres): Jazz Song writing (Pop) Reggae Dance music My instrument Assessment: The course contains an assessment at the end of each term (or genre studied). This will include assessed performances (both ensemble and solo), assessed compositions (live performance or realised using music technology) and analysis questions. There will also be an individual composition in the summer term based on a set brief and a performance on their main study. Home Learning: This is set weekly and ranges from research style activities, written tasks, composing preparation, practice both individual and as an ensemble that consolidates and extends learning in the classroom. Pupils in addition to this home learning are expected to participate in an ensemble weekly either in or out of school. Weekly practice as part of their instrument lessons is also an expectation and will continue through the GCSE course in Years 10 and 11 if chosen. Exam Board: OCR – J536B Our Curriculum Curriculum Intent Options Careers Employers Curriculum Subjects Art | Fine Art Computing | Computer Science English Design Technology Drama Food Preparation & Nutrition French Geography German History Latin Maths Media Studies Music Personal Development Photography Physical Education Religious Education Science Sculpture Spanish The Wellbeing Curriculum

  • Contact

    Reach out to The Westgate School in Winchester for inquiries, visits, and more information about our outstanding educational offerings. Contact Contact The Westgate School, Cheriton Road, Winchester, SO22 5AZ | 01962 854757 Safeguarding Information Contact Form - Full Screen Opening Hours: The school office is open to visitors from 8.20am until 4.00pm. Contractors/Deliveries outside these hours, please contact the Site Team on 07546 003657 Reporting Absences: Please use EduLink to report pupil absences. For all other urgent enquiries, please call our main reception between 9.00am - 3.30pm. The receptionist will, if possible, put you through to the relevant person or log your call and pass it on. Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes. Correspondence: We endeavour to respond to emails within three school working days from receipt. This is because the matter may need investigation or indeed, because colleagues are engaged in teaching/working with pupils. Any requests for meetings will be co-ordinated by the School. Unfortunately, owing to the need to co-ordinate diaries when colleagues are teaching, electronic meeting invites from parents cannot be accepted. Please use the usual contact routes to request a meeting. We appreciate your understanding and partnership. Contact the right person: For parents of secondary phase pupils, your main contact will be your child's Tutor and then Year Leaders for more serious or pastoral matters. For parents of primary phase pupils, your main contact will be your child's class teacher. Executive Headteacher: Mrs Dean Head of School: Mrs Edwards Chair of Governors: Mrs Catchpole Data Protection Officer: Mr Pay Careers Enquiries: Mr Hurley Safeguarding Information: If your concern pertains to a matter of child safety, please do not hesitate to call the School Office (01962 854757) and ask to speak to: Your child’s Year Leader (Secondary Phase) Primary Phase: Mrs Edwards Mr Pearce, Deputy Headteacher, Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead Mrs Fyvie-Rae, Associate Senior Leader, Designated Safeguarding Lead Mrs Evans, Deputy Headteacher, Senior DSL All-Through Further details are available on our Safeguarding Page Alternatively, please send an email using 'CHILD SAFETY' as the title to safeguarding@westgate.hants.sch.uk Please note this account is monitored during school open hours, term time only. If you have a concern about child safety out of hours and term time contact Children’s Services on 0300 555 1384 or the Police on 101 (non emergency) or 999 (emergency) Further details on reporting child abuse can be found here Hampshire County Council: Reporting Child Abuse For Pupils Emails are not monitored during the holidays so adults in school will not receive your email. If you are in immediate need of support, then you should tell an adult you trust. You can also call a service such as Childline 0800 1111; Samaritans 116123; Kooth - Home - Kooth ; Police 101 or in an emergency dial 999. SEN Information: If your child has a Special Educational Need and you would like to discuss this with our SENCO. Please use our contact form on this page using the option SEND marked for the attention of Mrs A. Villien. Information on SEN provision can be found in the SEN Report within the statutory Information page Community lettings / Facilities Hire Explore facility hire at The Westgate School. Ideal for events, sports, and meetings with modern amenities. Flexible scheduling and competitive rates. More details can be found on our Community Lettings page. Book now! Home Our School Headteacher's Welcome Ofsted Safeguarding Statutory Information | SEND Policies Admissions Governance Pupil Premium | Catch-up Statement Vacancies School News Calendar & Open Events Collaborative Working & Partnerships Contact

  • Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp

    Train to be a Teaching Assistant, fully funded. Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Date Posted 16/01/2026 Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp Fairport Training offers a fully funded programme designed to prepare motivated individuals to step into support roles across local schools. Delivered in partnership with Hampshire County Council and funded by the Department for Education, this 2.5-week (60-hour) online course gives learners the essential skills to make a real impact in the classroom from day one. Participants develop their understanding of: Communication and teamwork Child development and safeguarding Supporting teaching and learning (including SEND) Behaviour management and pastoral support Course attendees also benefit from tailored employment support, including CV writing, interview coaching and help securing job interviews with Hampshire schools. Find out more or get in touch at bootcamps@fareport.co.uk Home Our School Headteacher's Welcome Ofsted Safeguarding Statutory Information | SEND Policies Admissions Governance Pupil Premium | Catch-up Statement Vacancies School News Calendar & Open Events Collaborative Working & Partnerships Contact

  • Leadership Coaching & Mentoring | The Westgate School

    Develop leadership skills through professional coaching and mentoring for educators. Go Leadership Coaching & Mentoring Go Leadership Coaching & Mentoring Lead Professional: Mrs. F Dean (Executive Headteacher); Mrs. J Edwards (Head of School) and Mrs. K. Evans (Deputy Headteacher) Leadership coaching and mentoring provide structured support for individuals in leadership roles to develop their skills, confidence, and strategic thinking. Through personalised sessions, leaders can reflect on their practice and identify areas for growth. This process fosters resilience and adaptability, enabling leaders to navigate complex challenges effectively. Mentoring complements coaching by offering guidance from experienced professionals who share insights and practical advice. It creates a collaborative environment where leaders can learn from real-world experiences, build networks, and gain perspective on long-term career development. Together, coaching and mentoring strengthen leadership capacity and contribute to sustainable improvement across teams. For more information, use the contact form: Contact and sele ct Collaborative Working & Partnerships citing Leadership Coaching . Go Collaborative Working & partnerships Next page Home Our School Headteacher's Welcome Ofsted Safeguarding Statutory Information | SEND Policies Admissions Governance Pupil Premium | Catch-up Statement Vacancies School News Calendar & Open Events Collaborative Working & Partnerships Contact

  • Curriculum Group

    Curriculum Group looks at the most important part of our school - what we are learning and how we learn. Curriculum Group Go Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Curriculum Group Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 7 - 11 Contact See EduLink for further details Curriculum Group looks at the most important part of our school - what we are learning and how we learn. We speak teachers and provide feedback on our core purpose. Please come and join us. Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

  • Maths

    Maths Developing skilful, systematic problem solvers for life Go Go Our Maths curriculum intends to: Cultivate a deep understanding and an enjoyment of the subject through a rich, problem solving-based curriculum which nurtures pupils' love of Mathematics. Ensure all pupils are able to use and understand Mathematics so that they can succeed both professionally and personally. Provide opportunities for applying abstract concepts to real world situations in order to grow all pupils' resilience and confidence, creating inquisitive and effective thinkers. Why learn Maths? Maths is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over the centuries, proving the solution to some of history's most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. We provide pupils with a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of maths, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject. Course content: Over the course of their learning journey pupils will develop their problem-solving skills, fluency and mathematical reasoning. As skills deepen, pupils are given the opportunity to explore the wonder that is available in all different branches of Mathematics. Specific topics covered are varied but will include various lines of enquiry. As we move into Year 9 there is more of an emphasis on developing skills to a greater depth in Mathematics, with pupils given the chance to fully explore the uses to which their skills can be put. For example, pupils will be taught how their mathematical skills can be used in other subjects, such as Science and Geography, as well as within their personal lives (such as managing personal finances) and future career pathways. Pupils will: Develop a deep understanding of place value, with an ability to calculate increasingly complex problems and cross curricular awareness of number in society. Develop a deep understanding of how to use algebra effectively to help in the solving of problems. Use a range of problem-solving skills to approach ratio and proportion problems. Use geometrical properties to solve problems leading to proof using theorems and prior geometrical information. Represent and interpret data in a variety of ways including the use of probability. EYFS | KS1 Content KS2 Content Year 7 & 8 Content Year 9 Content Year 10 & 11 Content Through our maths curriculum, we aim to develop pupils’ early mastery of maths skills together with a deep understanding and real enjoyment of mathematics. Pupils are provided with regular opportunities to apply their maths skills in a range of contexts. Pupils are taught using a concrete, pictorial, abstract approach in order to develop a deep understanding. Pupils are given opportunities to reason and apply their skills. Through our maths curriculum, we aim to develop pupils’ early mastery of maths skills together with a deep understanding and real enjoyment of mathematics. Pupils are provided with regular opportunities to apply their maths skills in a range of contexts. Pupils are taught using a concrete, pictorial, abstract approach in order to develop a deep understanding. Pupils are given opportunities to reason and apply their skills. Mathematics has an emphasis on developing a greater depth of understanding, with pupils given the chance to fully explore the uses to which their skills can be put. As skills deepen, pupils are given the opportunity to find the wonder that is available in all different branches of Mathematics. Course Content in Year 7: Autumn Term Number - factors, multiples, primes, directed number, types of number, estimation, BIDMAS. Algebra - notation, simplifying expressions, substitution. Fractions - simplify, compare, improper, calculations with fractions . Decimals - round to decimal place, order decimals, calculate with, convert between fractions decimals and percentage. Spring Term Percentages - percentage of an amount, converting from percentage, find percentage increase and decrease of an amount. Statistics - types of data, questionnaires, bar charts, pie charts, averages and range, grouped data interpretation, choosing appropriate methods. Angles - angles at a point, on a straight line, vertically opposite, line and rotational symmetry, angles in a triangle and quadrilaterals, angles in parallel lines. Equations - write and solve one step and two step equations with unknowns on both sides. Multiplicative reasoning - the metric system, convert between units, imperial units, ratio, ratio as a fraction or decimal and sharing in a given ratio. Summer Term Multiplicative reasoning - solve problems using unitary method, changing recipes, write ratios 1:n and n:1, find the best buy, understand the relationship between ratio and proportion. Perimeter, area and volume - calculate area of triangles, parallelograms and trapezia, area and perimeter of compound shapes, properties of 3D shapes, nets, surface area, volume of cubes and cuboids. Sequences - generate terms, find the nth term, find general term of pictorial sequences, generate terms of non-arithmetic sequences. Graphs - plot co-ordinates in four quadrants, find midpoints of a line, generate co-ordinates from an equation and draw linear graphs, draw and label lines parallel to axes. Year 8 Autumn Term Number - place value, decimals fractions, prime factor decomposition, four operations. Algebra - Expand and simplify expressions, forming and solving equations, factorising, sequences and finding the nth term. Ratio and Proportion - Dividing in a given ratio, problem solving with ratios. Geometry and measure - Shape properties, angles in polygons, problem solving with shape properties. More number - percentages as operators, comparing quantities using percentages, find original value after percentage changes. Spring Term More number - Round to a significant figure, estimation using significant figures, percentage increase and decrease and reverse percentages. Algebra - substitution into formulae, change the subject of a formula, solving equation including rearrangement and unknown on both sides of equal sign, linear graphs y=mx+c. Geometry and measure - circumference and area of a circle, compound shapes with circles, perimeter, are and volume problem solving. Geometry and measure - circumference and area of a circle, compound shapes with circles, perimeter, are and volume problem solving. Geometry and measure - circumference and area of a circle, compound shapes with circles, perimeter, are and volume problem solving. Summer Term Number - standard form and standard form calculations without a calculator Algebra and graphs - understand x= and y=. Sequences on graphs, linear graphs, quadratic graphs and non-linear graphs. Spaced practice - ratios, fractions, linear equations, percentage change, reverse percentages, interest. Geometry and Measure - Perpendicular and angle bisectors, construct triangles, understand congruency, enlargement of shapes. Statistics & Probability - Experimental probability, relative frequency, two-way tables, hypothesis testing, the data cycle, bivariate data. In Year 9 pupils explore other aspects of maths as they continue on their 12 year journey. There is greater emphasis on developing depth and mastery in Mathematics, with pupils given the chance to fully explore the uses to which their skills can be put. Specific topics covered will be wide and varied but will include varies lines of enquiry. Pupils will learn about: Sequences and Graphs – including links to real life problems and solving equations. Proportional Reasoning – including percentage and fractional changes. Geometrical Reasoning – including inquiry into right-angled triangles, loci and transformations. Use of statistical skills – carrying out an investigation from Hypothesis to Conclusion. Probability – including how complex situations can be analysed and simplified. Over the 2 years pupils will develop their problem-solving skills, fluency, and mathematical reasoning. As skills deepen, pupils are given the opportunity to explore the wonder that is available in all different branches of Mathematics. Specific topics covered are varied but will include various lines of enquiry. Pupils are taught how to extract the relevant information from more complex worded questions to enhance their problem-solving skills and given a relevance to their learning journey to everyday life. Pupils will: Develop a deep understanding of place value, with an ability to calculate increasingly complex problems and cross curricular awareness of number in society. Develop a deep understanding of how to use algebra effectively to help in the solving of problems. Use a range of problem-solving skills to approach ratio and proportion problems. Use geometrical properties to solve problems leading to proof using theorems and prior geometrical information. Represent and interpret data in a variety of ways including the use of probability. Assessment: Continual formative Assessment for Learning is carried out by the classroom teacher. There are also formal summative assessments at key points throughout the year. Class teachers may also give class tests on three or more topics to ensure recall and application of the concepts delivered. There are three examination papers, P1 Non-calculator, P2 Calculator, P3 Calculator. All papers are 1 hour and 30 minutes. The examination board is Edexcel. Home Learning: Weekly Home Learning will be set in a range of formats: Self-assessment, on-line via mathswatch.co.uk and other websites, through homework books, practice exercises, extending work done in lessons and research around topics within the units of enquiry. Often pre-learning will be a requirement before topics are undertaken. Exam Board: Edexcel/Pearson: -1MA GCSE Our Curriculum Curriculum Intent Options Careers Employers Curriculum Subjects Art | Fine Art Computing | Computer Science English Design Technology Drama Food Preparation & Nutrition French Geography German History Latin Maths Media Studies Music Personal Development Photography Physical Education Religious Education Science Sculpture Spanish The Wellbeing Curriculum

  • Dance Starz

    Join Dance Starz for fun, fitness, and creativity. Open to all pupils. Dance Starz Go Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Dance Starz Internal / External External Age Range Year R - 11 Contact Dance Starz A New Approach to Dance Lessons Join us at Starz, with a full range of ballet and dance classes. We have a full range of ballet classes and dance classes for everyone! Starz classes are more than just movements—they are a journey of growth, joy, and connection. Experience our gentle and nurturing approach to learning dance with ease, where every dancer shines, and dreams take centre stage. Enrol today and be part of a dance school that celebrates the magic of movement and the beauty of each individual’s journey. Clubs include Starz Acrobatic Dance Dance Stars Dance Stars Ballet (see EduLink or starzballet.com for club details) Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

  • Gymnastics

    Discover The Westgate School Gymnastics Club! A fun, safe space for students to learn balance, coordination, and flexibility. Join us and soar to new heights! Gymnastics Go Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Gymnastics Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 7 - 11 Contact See EduLink for further details Flip into fun with our School Gymnastics Club! It's the perfect place for pupils to learn balance, coordination, and flexibility. Our club offers a safe and supportive environment where you can practice tumbling, trampoline, and more. Whether you're a beginner or an aspiring Olympian, join us to develop your skills and have a great time. Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

  • Music Theory

    Understanding how it is written down will help you in all aspects of music making, from listening to performing, and improvising to composing. Music Theory Go Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Music Theory Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 9 - 11 Contact See EduLink for further details Learning about music theory is akin to learning another language, and understanding the written code that is called notation. Understanding how it is written down will help you in all aspects of music making, from listening to performing, and improvising to composing. This club will provide lots of ideas to help you link music theory with your wider musical experience. Pupil music leaders will be supporting music teacher running this club. Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

  • Sci-Fi & Fantasy Club

    Join Westgate's Sci-Fi & Fantasy Club to explore new worlds, share interests, and have fun. Open to all secondary pupils. Sci-Fi & Fantasy Club Go Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Sci-Fi & Fantasy Club Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 7 - 11 Contact See EduLink for further details A club for all lovers of Sci-Fi and / or Fantasy games, books, films and TV shows. We meet twice a week every Monday and Friday - See EduLink for details We play table, board and card games. We present and share our favourite books, films and shows. We watch age-appropriate movies and TV. Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

  • History

    History Re-constructing the lives and stories of the past to understand the present Go Go Our History Curriculum intends to: Inspire pupils to become curious about the past and equip them to ask perceptive questions, think critically, evaluate arguments and develop perspective and judgement. Enable pupils to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain's past and that of the wider world. Help pupils to understand the complexity of people's lives, the process of change and the diversity of societies, as well as exploring their own identity and the challenges of their time. Why learn History? History helps us to understand humanity. By studying our shared human past, we can unlock the secrets of our very identities. Who you are within your individual and family history. Who you are in your city's history. Who you are within your nation's history. And who you are within humanity's history. As humans we are constantly looking back to see where we come from, and history gives us the tools to do that at the highest level. To understand why the world is as it is. To understand the issues we may face going forward. To understand what it means to be human. All by exploring what our ancestors have done in the past. EYFS | KS1 Content KS2 Content Year 7 & 8 Content Year 9 Content Year 10 & 11 Content Planned around half-termly topics, the curriculum provides pupils with the opportunity to learn subject-specific knowledge and understanding, explore links across subject areas and practise their writing. Each topic begins with an enrichment activity such as an educational visit or special event that captures the children’s interest and imagination and builds towards a showcase event such as an exhibition or assembly where c hildren’s learning can be shared and celebrated. Key stage 1 course content Pupils will develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time. They will know where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods. They will use a wide vocabulary of everyday historical terms. They will be taught to ask and answer questions, choosing and using parts of stories and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of events. They will understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented. In planning to ensure the progression described above through teaching about the people, events and changes outlined below, teachers are often introducing pupils to historical periods that we will study more fully at key stages 2 and 3. Pupils will be taught about: Changes within living memory. Where appropriate, these should be used to reveal aspects of change in national life. Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally (for example, the Great Fire of London, the first aeroplane flight or events commemorated through festivals or anniversaries). The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. Some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods (e.g. Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, Christopher Columbus and Neil Armstrong, William Caxton and Tim Berners-Lee, Pieter Bruegel the Elder and LS Lowry, Rosa Parks and Emily Davison, Mary Seacole and/or Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell). Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality. Planned around half-termly topics, the curriculum provides pupils with the opportunity to learn subject-specific knowledge and understanding, explore links across subject areas and practise their writing. Each topic begins with an enrichment activity such as an educational visit or special event that captures the children’s interest and imagination and builds towards a showcase event such as an exhibition or assembly where c hildren’s learning can be shared and celebrated. Key stage 2 course content Pupils will continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study. They will note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms. They will regularly address and sometimes devise historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference, and significance. They will construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information. They will understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources. We will ensure the progression described above through teaching the British, local and world history outlined below, through combining an overview as well as in depth studies to help pupils understand both the long arc of development and the complexity of specific aspects of the content. Pupils will be taught about: Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain. Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots. The Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England to the time of Edward the Confessor. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066. The achievements of the earliest civilizations – an overview of where and when the first civilizations appeared and a depth study of one of the following: Ancient Sumer; The Indus Valley; Ancient Egypt; The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China. Ancient Greece – a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world. A non-European society that provides contrasts with British history – one study chosen from: early Islamic civilization, including a study of Baghdad c. AD 900; Mayan civilization c. AD 900; Benin (West Africa) c. AD 900-1300. A local history theme. We have a big enquiry question, linked to the National Curriculum, to explore every topic we teach. These questions help pupils to understand that History is a construct that historians create to provide an understanding of the past. We then provide a range of evidence to enable pupils to formulate possible answers for themselves. In Year 7 our big theme is the global, connected world and where Britain fits into it alongside traditional British topics. In Year 8 our big themes are empire and revolution to show how the modern world was made and to show the scale and breadth of empire across the entire year Year 7 Course Content: Year 8 Course Content: Course Skills: We will look at the different disciplinary aspects of History: Sources – exploring and understanding the past through documents, letters, posters, newspapers and more. Interpretations – exploring and challenging historians and society's views of the past. Cause and Consequence – judging why events happen and the importance of their consequences. Significance – judging historical events importance to our lives today and their importance to the people who experienced them. Narrative – exploring the past and creating historical accounts like all good historians. Change and Continuity – how and have things changed or stayed the same and the experience of that by people in the past. Similarity and Difference – how people perceived different ideas or events and how they experienced them. Fieldwork: Many of the topics in History - and especially the trips organised to complement the curriculum - are designed to broaden pupils’ cultural experiences such as our Year 7 fieldwork to Portchester Castle in the Summer Term. Assessment: Assessments take place in lessons and focus on key knowledge and historical skills or concepts. Time is given to whole class feedback for pupils to act on the targets they have been given. The Year 9 curriculum allows pupils to build on their KS3 skills of being a historian within topics that allow for greater depth. Autumn Term: The Forging of the Modern World, 1871-1923 The Causes of the First World War. Life in the WWI Trenches. The Historiography of WWI generals. The End of WWI. The Russian Revolution. Spring Term: ‘To Hell and Back’: Europe’s Era of Self-Destruction, 1918-1939 Peace settlement of WWI. The Global "Roaring" Twenties. The Rise of Dictators. The Causes of WWII. Summer Term: Superpower Relations and Medicine Through Time The Early Cold War. Life in East Germany . Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon, Medieval, Early-Modern, Industrial, and Modern Medicine in Britian Through Time. Fieldwork: Pupils have the opportunity to go on residential fieldwork to Ypres, Belgium, visiting First World War graveyards, the Menin Gate, a trench system and several museums. Home Learning: Throughout the year pupils will be set regular Home Learning to reinforce the learning in the classroom. GCSE History pupils will be able to navigate two British, and two non-British topics, that encapsulate the creation of both modern Britain and the modern world. Pupils will be able to explore the big picture view of the past and appreciate the vast forces that shape humanity and our society around us. Year 10 course content: September-February: Migration, Empire and the People – an exploration of how Britain has been shaped by migration, broadened by empire, and how British identity has emerged over the past 1,300 years. February-July: Restoration England, 1660-1685 – a study of the reign of Charles II; party animal? You decide. We explore the origins of the British parliamentary system, of cultural explosions in theatre, science and the arts, and a reflection of Britain’s role in expanding the world’s empires and atrocities like the slave trade. Year 11 course content: September-January: Germany, 1890-1945 – a hugely important topic for understand the roots of fascism and Nazism in Germany, the destruction of democracy, and humanity’s worst ever experiment into a totalitarian regime. January-April: Conflict & Tension, 1918-1939 – a study of Europe’s drive for peace around the world after the horrors of WWI, the defiance of the League of Nations to secure that peace but how dictators like Hitler undermined the search for peace in his pursuit of global war and domination. Fieldwork: In Year 10: Pupils will be taken on a Migration & Empire walk around Winchester exploring local links to global history. In Year 11: Pupils have the chance to go to Berlin, Germany. To explore the history of a great European city and revise our History GCSE by immersing in the culture. From WWI to Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin offers a microcosm of 20th century history in one city. Assessment: Over the syllabus there will be regular assessments to test acquired skills. Ten minutes knowledge tests and GCSE style practice questions. The History GCSE has five components which are examined in two exams at the end of Year 11. Both exams are worth 50% of the course mark. Home Learning: Throughout the year pupils will be set regular Home Learning to reinforce the learning in the classroom. Exam board: AQA History (8145) Our Curriculum Curriculum Intent Options Careers Employers Curriculum Subjects Art | Fine Art Computing | Computer Science English Design Technology Drama Food Preparation & Nutrition French Geography German History Latin Maths Media Studies Music Personal Development Photography Physical Education Religious Education Science Sculpture Spanish The Wellbeing Curriculum

  • Exam Results

    Review The Westgate School's latest exam results, showcasing our students' academic achievements and commitment to excellence. Exam Results Exam Results 40% of all our grades were Grade 7 or above. 86.5% of pupils achieved Grade 4 or above in English and Mathematics. 25% of all grades were Grade 8 or 9; 11% of all grades were Grade 9 "Pupils at The Westgate School have achieved academic excellence once again with results outperforming or consistent with last year's exceptional results. This consistently exceptional performance over a number of years is a result of colleagues' expertise and dedication in providing an outstanding quality of education along with strong pupil and parent partnership in this outstanding school. We're absolutely delighted that our pupils have continued to demonstrate academic excellence once again: 40% of all grades were Grade 7 or above; 25% of grades were Grade 8 or 9, and 11% of all grades were Grade 9. We're especially proud given that the pandemic started when this cohort was in Year 7. We wish this cohort every success for the future". Secondary Phase GCSE Exam Results Information Exam Results published by DfE Primary Phase Key Stage 2 Results Information KS2 SATs Explanation Performance Tables Compare the performance of our school against all schools within England Home Our School Headteacher's Welcome Ofsted Safeguarding Statutory Information | SEND Policies Admissions Governance Pupil Premium | Catch-up Statement Vacancies School News Calendar & Open Events Collaborative Working & Partnerships Contact

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