Upper School - a broad, balanced curriculum
Upper School (Ages 15 – 18 years): a broad, balanced curriculum.
As they enter Upper School around age 15, your child’s life is commonly experienced in polarities: love/hate, joy/despair, morality/immorality. Our task then is to guide them towards a place of balance and here again the curriculum meets students where they stand. English Literature explores Greek comedy and tragedy; in Modern History the ideologies of fascism and the United Nations are investigated; in Art, black and white drawing externalises the inner turmoil, enabling students to work with and ultimately master their turbulent emotions. In this way the stormy seas of adolescence begin to transform into balanced, informed and wise judgement.
Their increasing maturity means students are now ready to exchange the security of Lower School and their Class Teacher’s ‘parental’ role for a more collegiate approach with the support of their Tutor, who they will have chosen. Class Guardians also come into the picture to support the social and educational development of the whole class.
At a time when most students find their educational focus narrowed by their public exam curriculum, students here receive a broad learning experience. GCSE and A Level subjects are studied alongside Steiner Waldorf curriculum topics such as Architecture, Embryology, Economics and Philosophy, Politics, Gym and Games, Metalwork, Music and Drama ( see this link for Spring 2011 Class 12 Play The Beaux' Stratagem www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPpgTcrtkIc ), the list goes on! Yet we find that the very appropriateness and creativity of our programme allows students to be engaged and focused in all their endeavours in a well-balanced way.
Reflections from the Class 12 Play 2011 - The Beaux' Stratagem
It was great to be involved in every aspect of the play - as well as helping with the publicity and the researching of the costumes, I was also involved with the lighting and stage managing. Since we had six different casts, I was given the task of fitting everybody in, so no one would clash, and was also responsible for sorting out all the complex scene changes, and it was really satisfying to see what was on paper working on stage.......................................read more
As their school career draws to a close, Class 12 students celebrate an exceptional educational experience with their Italy Trip, where the beauty of the country’s art and architecture and Humankind’s potential for creation and civilised community are brought to life.
Finally, they gather together at a week-long camp with students from Classes 12 across the UK to reflect on past experiences and share future hopes.
And what next? The beauty of our education is reflected in the beauty of these young adults. Balanced individuals, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities life offers. Self-confident, flexible, creative, capable, enthusiastic and inquisitive; socially aware, morally responsible, valuable contributors to our global community.
Come to a Day in the Classroom
