Academic
Shapwick Prep pupils are banded into small, comfortable groups where they learn with others of the same age. Pupils study Maths and English every morning to focus on their essential literacy and numeracy skills. The afternoon timetable is then dedicated to a variety of subjects including:
- Art & Design
- Design & Technology
- Drama
- Geography
- History
- ICT
- Music
- PE & Games
- PSHE&C (Personal, Social, Health Education & Citizenship)
- Religious Education
- Science
All studies are based broadly on the National Curriculum, adapted where necessary to meet each individual's requirements and sympathetic to the challenges presented by dyslexia.
The children are given English prep (i.e. homework) every Wednesday and Maths prep every Thursday. This is completed at school with teacher support between 4.10pm and 5.00pm before day pupils leave.
Although the Preparatory and Senior School are located on different campuses both school communities work closely together. Younger pupils visit the Senior site frequently for PE/games and other subjects. Many staff work across both locations so the transition between sites at the age of 13 is very natural.
Shapwick Prep staff strive to make learning fun and interactive. Regular trips and visits are organised to broaden pupils' learning experiences.
In the Senior School the curriculum is designed to give pupils the opportunity to discover and make the most of their talents and prepare them to meet the challenges of modern life as balanced and confident individuals.
A typical Year 9 curriculum includes English, Study Skills, Maths, Biology, Physics, Art, History, PE & Games, Careers, Word Attack, Keyboarding, ICT, Chemistry, Geography, French, Design & Technology, Music and PSHE&C (Personal, Social, Health Education & Citizenship).
The balanced programme ensures pupils experience all specialist subjects before selecting those to study at GCSE level. The choice of subjects is made after consultation between parents, teachers and pupils. Most pupils take seven or eight subjects, including English, Maths and Science. Access arrangements enable pupils to compete fairly with non dyslexic peers, such as being given extra time for exams or the help of a reader or scribe.
In addition to GCSE qualifications, Shapwick pupils can choose to follow a vocational course in Sport which is equivalent to two GCSEs.
Celebrating pupils' success at all levels of achievement is a key part of life at Shapwick. The school enjoys excellent GCSE exam results and many pupils finish Year 11 with results beyond anything they could have possibly dreamed of just a few years earlier.