Academic | Blundell’s School | Senior

Senior Academics

The academic ethos at Blundell’s is fuelled by a number of complementary principles and beliefs.

We see exam performance as a way of opening doors in the future, rather than an end unto itself. Our highly effective academic approach is based on the very latest research into the way in which pupils learn. Self-efficacy, derived from a pupil’s belief that they can succeed and that they are believed in, is key. We know that a pupil with drive and determination to do well, whatever their academic ability, will find achievement at every turn.

Complementing this, we have a carefully-constructed system in place to guide pupils towards a more active approach to their learning. Rather than sitting back and listening, we need our pupils to be on the front foot – asking questions, discussing ideas, engaged and thinking for themselves.

We entwine the academic and the pastoral as we know that pupils learn best when they are supported and happy. We are therefore committed to ensuring that every pupil at Blundell’s is known and wholeheartedly encouraged to succeed in every facet of their life.

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Academic Progression

At the heart of the School’s rigorous academic ethos is the key principle that all pupils must engage fully in their own learning and that, when they do this, anything is possible.

We plan our curriculum in Years 7-9 to support pupils in developing an active approach to their learning. We ensure that each pupil employs a range of learning methods in order to see what works for them. Sometimes quiet reflection and research is required, sometimes debate, discussion and group work.

Innovative teaching delivers energy and vitality to the classroom, where pupils debate, discuss and question. Enrichment and collaborative working is the lifeblood of our curriculum, opening pupils’ eyes to the fact that not everyone sees the world in the same way. This prepares our young people for higher education and the workplace beyond. Pupils achieve highly as we recognise that each will learn in different ways, and knowing our pupils well enables us to tailor the curriculum to their needs.

The collaborative nature of our classroom practice demands that pupils work together, sharing ideas while challenging and supporting each other. As a result, classrooms are lively places.

Learning at Blundell’s is a purposeful, rigorous and enjoyable experience, and we are very proud of what we are able to offer our pupils.

Excellence

Our results are consistently impressive, and over 90% of our students leave us to the University of their choice.
This does not happen by chance, and we welcome academically ambitious students who are willing to work hard and to commit to be the best version of themselves. Our talented and experienced teaching staff are skilled in working with students to allow them to reach the highest of academic goals.

At the heart of the school’s rigorous academic ethos is the key principle that students must engage fully in their own learning and that, when they do this, anything is possible. Blundell’s academic enrichment program is structured to ensure that we can fulfil this aim whatever the age of the student. Alongside this, we keep our class sizes as small as possible to allow each student to get the individual attention they need to fulfil this ambition.

All the way through the school, enrichment and collaborative working is the lifeblood of our curriculum, opening students’ eyes to the fact that not everyone sees the world in the same way. This not only prepares our young people for higher education and the workplace beyond, but also ensures that a Blundell’s education is considered, nuanced, challenging, and provides the perfect delivery of the academic enrichment for your child at each stage of their journey.


Olympiads & Academic success


We have had significant success over the last five years in academic Olympians. Our pupils regularly gain Gold awards, and more, in the Maths and Sciences. For example we have had a pupil in the top 20 in the UK in the Intermediate Maths Olympiad for the last five years running, for the last three years running we have had a pupil gain a Roentgenium Award (top 50 in UK) in the Cambridge L6th Chemistry Challenge and thus be invited to a residential camp at Cambridge University over the summer. For the last three years we have had at least one pupil through to the second round of the Chemistry Olympiad; this is reserved for the top 30 or so scorers in Round One of the Chemistry Olympiad. The second round is a residential camp held at a UK university to choose the final UK Chemistry Olympiad team. Last year we were one of only a very few schools in the country to have 2 pupils at the camp.

We have also had success at the very highest level with a pupil representing the UK in the International Astronomy Olympiad (a branch of the Physics Olympiad) and a pupil representing the UK in the International Chemistry Olympiad, who was eventually placed in the top 30 in the world and gained a Gold Medal.

We encourage our most able pupils to enter Olympiad competitions from a young age, as the more experience they have in these particularly challenging competitions the better. It is often a challenge for our most able pupils to finally sit a paper they cannot complete straight away! Alongside this we have specialist staff, and former pupils who have been through the process themselves, to help with training, seminars and tutorials.

Explore Our Academic Offering

At Blundell’s, we provide a rich and stimulating academic environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and excellence. Our curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire pupils at every stage of their education.

Discover more about our approach to teaching and learning in our Academic Guides:

Academic Guide 7-8

Academic Guide 9-11

Academic Guide 12-13

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