Overview

“The best teaching, observed in subjects across the whole curriculum, set high expectations, aroused intellectual curiosity, challenged pupils and encouraged them to discover things for themselves.” ISI Inspection Report 2007

Our curriculum reflects our belief in the importance of the individual: it is designed to offer unusual breadth, choice and flexibility.

Lessons are delivered by highly qualified, enthusiastic specialists with a love for their subjects and a real commitment to their pupils and the process of teaching and learning.

From the beginning, teaching takes place in optimum-sized groups in attractive, purpose-built, modern classrooms grouped in dedicated department areas. Lessons are well-equipped with ICT and other resources.

Girls start in Lower School with a broad base of 17 subjects including Latin, French and Design Technology. Unusually, Science is delivered separately as Biology, Chemistry and Physics from the first year.

In their second year girls add Creative Textiles and a second Modern Foreign Language to their programmes.

Study and Research Skills, Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health Education, feature as discrete subjects from Year 7.

At the end of Year 9, GCSE and IGCSE options are chosen, with most girls continuing with ten subjects to GCSE. ‘Twilight’ and ‘fast-track’ courses offered to GCSE are one example of how our curriculum is shaped to achieve maximum choice, tailored to the individual.

Most girls sit GCSE Religious Studies at the end of Year 10 and other subjects and qualifications early if it is judged appropriate. However, there is no pressure to take exams prematurely or to gain numbers of qualifications at the expense of enjoyment and deeper understanding. For some, particularly the gifted and talented, time for independent study and personal research may be a wiser investment of time and energy.

Whatever her ability, each girl receives personal guidance in choosing the best possible programme to suit her particular profile and career aims.

At both GCSE and A level/Pre-U in the Sixth Form, Walthamstow Hall girls are able to choose option combinations freely rather than from predetermined blocks.

At every stage the aim is to prepare girls for the next phase of education and to ensure that they obtain the qualifications they need as a passport to Higher Education and careers.

Curriculum Policy - Coming soon

Curriculum Summary Years 7–9

All girls follow a broad and balanced curriculum.

Curriculum GCSE and IGCSE Courses Offered

*FSMQ = Free Standing Mathematics Qualification

Information on A levels and Pre-U in Sixth Form pages