Childwall Abbey School

Welcome to At Childwall Abbey School. We are very proud to announce that Childwall Abbey School has achieved the Artsmark Gold Award. This recognises the value we place on giving our school community opportunities to access and enjoy as many cultural experiences as possible.

These include many visits outside school, to museums, art galleries and concert halls, as well as enabling our pupils to develop their own performance skills, interests and appreciation of the value of art in all its forms in our society through our curriculum.

Liverpool is a culturally rich city and we are proud to live and learn in such a vibrant place. At Childwall Abbey School we cover the National Curriculum core subjects.

To ensure we meet the needs of all our youngest children we provide a pastoral approach to teaching and learning.

For at least 50% of the week pupils in Years 6, 7 and 8 remain with their form tutors for ‘core’ lessons such as English and mathematics (which begin every day). This ensures rapid and successful transition into the school, providing stability and consistency whilst the children familiarise themselves with our staff and expectations.

Years 6, 7 and 8 participate in projects which incorporate several subjects – such as geography, history, religious education, art, technology (design and food), science, modern foreign language and computer skills.

Students are taught by subject specialists from within a small staff team (mainly Year 6, Year 7 & Year 8 pastoral teachers), who become familiar to the children very rapidly. All classes are supported by a Learning Support Officer, who stays with them in all lessons.

Childwall Abbey School Sixth Form provides learners with the knowledge, understanding, skills and real life experiences to grow into self-reliant, well rounded and independent young adults who are aware of how to keep themselves safe. The sixth form staff provide opportunities for students to develop self-confidence, academic achievement and personal independence.

All sixth form students continue to study skills in English, Maths and Computing. These subjects allow students to develop their Literacy, Numeracy and Computing skills in a real-life context and provide students with the opportunity to maintain continuity and progression throughout their school life. The students are able to access BTEC, GCSE, Entry Level, Functional Skills and Entry Pathways qualifications which are all recognised by colleges and employers, providing students with a greater range of options and opportunities.

All the activities and coursework, undertaken in sixth-form, count towards nationally recognised ASDAN qualifications and certificates, including C.o.P.E. (Certificate of Personal Effectiveness); A.o.P.E. (Award of Personal Effectiveness); optional short courses including Peer Teaching, Volunteering and Leadership Skills.

Students complete challenges that help towards them becoming more independent and employable. These units provide a platform for further planning of individual learning goals and personal assessment. The units consist of; working with others; improving learning and performance; problem solving; planning and carrying out research; communication through discussion; planning and giving an oral presentation. Numerous student choice short courses are also offered.

Students get the opportunity to explore different issues and themes through the work of other artists and designers. The process allows students to become independent thinkers, to be more aware of their culture and environment and those around them. Students are encouraged to make decisions and work through problems finding their own, individual reaction and responses. The curriculum is diverse to allow free expression and access to all students regardless of ability. Working in groups, pairs, as a whole class and independently, students are able to develop their social skills.

At Childwall Abbey School, we place great emphasis upon enjoyment and physical use of musical instruments within our Music lessons. Underpinned by basic musical theory and instrument knowledge, we endeavour to engage learners through accessible aspects of music – playing instruments.

We use a modified National Curriculum to meet the personalised needs of our pupils. We are integrating the revised National Curriculum for Music.

Childwall Abbey School Physical Education Department, takes great strides to create a calm and working environment for every pupil and always endeavours to create lasting friendships amongst its pupils.

Our pupils focus on a wide range of skills and activities, inspired by the Stepping Stones and ASDAN schemes. The activities can be used towards an ASDAN certificate of accreditation which offers progression into follow-on programmes leading to national qualifications.

We aim to make our lessons active, stimulating and topical, and ensure that teachers have specialist knowledge and skills to teach PSHCE education successfully.