Academic Overview

The Academic Culture at St Edward’s

The academic ethos at St Edward’s is fuelled by a number of complementary principles and beliefs. We urge our pupils to look to long term life goals rather than just exam results; we encourage pupils to be reflective and to find their own solutions to challenges; and we value and promote a range of different learning techniques, actively helping our pupils to understand which work best for them.

This sophisticated, highly-effective approach has been carefully developed, drawing on the very latest research into the way in which pupils learn. One of its most important elements is the pupil’s own attitude to his or her studies. Rather than sitting back and listening, we need our pupils to be on the front foot – engaged, asking questions, discussing ideas, looking things up and thinking for themselves. A pupil with the drive and determination to do well, whatever their academic ability, will find encouragement and guidance at every turn.

An ambitious new development has just opened at the heart of the School – a real home for our forward-looking classroom practice. An academic hub, the award-winning Christie Centre, and the stunning new Olivier Hall for performances and events.

What is it like to study at St Edward’s? Our film below looks inside classrooms, art studios, libraries and laboratories and talks to our pupils and staff to find out more about the academic ethos at the School.

 

In the Middle School (the Fourth and Fifth Forms) most pupils will take between eight to eleven GCSEs and may study up to two of our own Pathways and Perspectives courses alongside, to complement their GCSE subjects. These new courses have been designed by St Edward’s in conjunction with leading educationalists and are accredited by Buckingham University. A number of the new courses include direct links with university departments, giving pupils access to the very latest thinking in their chosen subjects. Read more about the Middle School Program here.

In the Sixth Form, pupils choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma or A Levels with the Extended Project Qualification. Find out more about the Sixth Form programme here.

Community is everything at Teddies and nowhere is this more true than in the academic field. The conversations and relationships pupils have with their Tutors and teachers are key to our approach, as is the collaborative nature of classroom practice. We expect our pupils to work together, to share ideas, to produce work both collectively and individually, and to challenge and support each other.

See below for a flavour of our Super-Curriculum events programme at Teddies for the Spring Term.

SE Super Curriculum Booklet Spring 2024

‘Inspirational’ teachers; he pays attention because they’re brilliant’.
The Good Schools Guide Parent
The structure of the lessons with that level of interaction has made a huge difference. I enjoy the lessons with a discursive emphasis.
Sixth Form Pupil
You can’t get away from text books completely, and there will still inevitably be some of that in prep, but the ethos of the classrooms seems different here.
Shell Pupil
Pupils are articulate and converse with confidence, eager to share information about their learning.
ISI Report 2022
There is no sitting and hiding at the back of the class, we’re all involved all of the time. It makes lessons interesting, invigorating even.
Sixth Form Pupil
Pupils of all ages and ability demonstrate outstanding academic achievements.
ISI Report 2022

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