The Shell
Shells: the first year at St Edward’s
When we first welcome pupils to St Edward’s, we take the time to introduce them to the fundamental elements of The Teddies Curriculum, based on skills such as collaboration, presentation and communication. These key ways of working underpin their development as learners throughout their time at school and beyond.
The academic curriculum in the Shell is broad and challenging and is designed to encourage all pupils to embrace learning in a wide variety of contexts, to open doors to a range of future paths, and to discover strengths they did not know they had!
Unusually for pupils in Year 9, Shells at Teddies choose which five additional subjects they would like to study, beyond an essential core:
| CORE SUBJECTS |
|---|
| Mathematics |
| English |
| Biology |
| Chemistry |
| Physics |
| Geography |
| History |
| Classics |
| Theology, Philosophy and Ethics |
| Wellbeing |
| Digital Literacy |
| FIVE OPTIONAL SUBJECTS (including at least one Modern Foreign Language) |
|---|
| French |
| German |
| Spanish |
| Ancient Greek |
| Art and Ceramics |
| Computer Science |
| Drama |
| Design |
| Music and Music Technology |
You can find out more about each subject by reading the curriculum guide booklet below.
Shell Guide to the Curriculum 2025 – 2026
The co-curricular programme for Shells takes place on three afternoons a week following lessons and sport. There is so much for new pupils to get involved in – activities range from rowing to chess, bee-keeping to golf and many more. Pupils are encouraged to try new activities, enriching their lives here and getting to know even more of their year group.
The Shells at St Edward’s soon become used to our busy, purposeful and, above all, happy community.
Our main initial focus is of course to ensure that our new Shells quickly feel at home and establish friendships. Support from older girls and boys in their Houses is key as is daily contact with Matrons, House staff and their Tutors. Mentoring in small groups with Lower Sixth pupils from across the School allows more time for discussion and modelling of Teddies values, such as kindness and courage.