Learning at Denbigh

Our students follow a core of subjects which allows them to pursue their learning through creative, practical and technological activities.  We provide a curriculum which offers students of all abilities, a solid base of academic learning. We are innovative in how we use technology to enhance student learning.

To this end we have developed a Virtual Learning Environment which enables students to access their school work from home and communicate with their teachers via email.

The School strives to recruit the very best teachers and then provides them with the support they need to inspire the students they teach.  Our teachers aim to actively engage students in all of their lessons and to allow them to enjoy their learning.

An advanced target setting and continual assessment programme is used throughout the School to ensure that each student reaches his or her potential.

Please use the Policies link above to view Denbigh’s Assessment Policy.

Students are mostly taught in lessons with others of similar ability, which provides them with an environment in which they feel secure in their learning, but also challenges them to achieve their best.  The set groups are not fixed and students can move between them throughout the year.

The structure of the School day is set so that the majority of learning takes place in the morning which educational research and our experience shows is the most productive time of the day for learning.

Please use the School Day link above to view more information on the School day at Denbigh.

We continually review the curriculum we offer to ensure that it gives our students the very best chance of success.

Key Stage 3 

Students follow Key Stage 3 in Years 7, 8 and 9.  Students have 25 hours of teaching during the week broken down as follows:

• English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities & Languages  - 3 hours
• Design & Technology, Information Technology & PE - 2 hours
• Music, Drama, Art & Denbigh Brain Training - 1 hour

Students will also experience curriculum days during which they will develop thinking and learning skills through a cross curricular approach to a topic or challenge.

Key Stage 4 

Students follow Key Stage 4 in Years 10 and 11 and work towards their GCSE examinations at the end of Year 11, with some students having the opportunity to take some GCSEs at the end of Year 10.

The majority of students follow a core curriculum including English, Mathematics, Science, Design & Technology, Physical Education, Humanities and Modern Languages.  In addition there is a large range of option subjects from which students can choose including Art, Business Studies, ICT, PE, Sociology, vocational subjects and many more.  A personalised curriculum is offered so that we meet every student’s needs.

Students will typically have 25 hours of teaching during the week.  An extended curriculum is available for our most able students allowing them to extend their studies in Science, Mathematics and Humanities.  We work with MK College to offer a range of vocational courses for students who wish to pursue this route of learning, either at MK College or on site at Denbigh.

Homework

Homework forms a vital part of the learning ethos at Denbigh and our students are expected to complete all homework set.  Parents will receive regular progress checks on their child’s homework record.

 Please use the Policies link above to view Denbigh’s Homework Policy

Gifted and Talented Students

As a school we identify our more able students who, through their aptitude and talent in particular subject areas, can be identified as Gifted and Talented. Our experience, together with educational research, has shown that these students need to be stimulated and challenged both in and out of the classroom to ensure that they stretch themselves and maximise their learning potential.

Individual Faculties identify Gifted and Talented students within their subject areas and provide both in-class strategies and out of class events and trips to support and stimulate them in their learning.

Students will be given access, often through the Virtual Learning Environment, to software tutorials, websites, advanced level textbooks and exemplar coursework to allow them to demonstrate higher level skills.

We use our close links with universities to allow these students to attend courses at universities and for visiting professors to hold lectures at Denbigh.

Accelerated Learning also allows students to take their examinations when they are ready rather than be limited by age.

Personal Social Health and Economic Education (PSHEE) and Citizenship

PSHEE is taught across the Curriculum, supplemented by a programme of special events as well as activities in tutorial.  Citizenship is taught through Humanities and across the Curriculum, including Tutorial.  Students can get involved in Active Citizenship projects.

Collective Worship

A planned programme of contemplation, which takes the form of assemblies, provides students with the opportunity to consider spiritual and moral issues and to explore their own beliefs.  Parents have the right to withdraw their children from these sessions.

Student Support

The School’s state of the art Student Support Area has integrated and enhanced our support for students in School.  The area includes consultation rooms for interviews with parents and students, the Heads of House offices, the Connexions Service, the School’s psychologists and support for students with special needs.