Stover’s humanities and languages curricula is designed to build young people with a healthy curiosity to better understand society and the world around us. By encouraging pupils to be as outward looking as possible, students gain an innate awareness of their own social responsibility.
Whilst education focuses on what each individual can achieve for themselves, these subjects inspire a wider focus in which pupils accept a sense of personal responsibility to their own communities, and consider how they can give back to the world.
Through studying three additional languages in KS3; the practical application of Geography through fieldwork; promoting curious, investigative Historical minds; considering wider world views in RS and Philosophy, plus a compulsory year-long course in Business in Year 9, Stover pupils feel confident and well equipped for their futures.
English
Providing key skills for life, English classes cultivate a passion for reading, writing and spoken word with literature placed at the centre of study. We work to build clear and confident communicators through a diverse curriculum which encourages pupils to engage with the world around them.
Each year we follow the Carnegie Shadowing competition which invites students to take part in judging the literary prize, thinking critically about shortlisted texts. Outside of the classroom, pupils will embark on a series of theatre trips, hear from a variety of external speakers, have the opportunity to enter writing competitions and further develop their creative skills through our activities programme.
Geography
At KS3, our aim is to instill a fascination with the world and its people which will remain with pupils for the rest of their lives. Teaching equips pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people and resources together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.
We make extensive use of our ideal location, perched between the moors and the coast with a number of related field trips. These include visits to Stover Country Park to study ecosystems and forestry, to Haytor to see the impact of visitors on the environment and to Dawlish Warren to investigate coastal management systems and their efficacy.
History
With a strong emphasis on making history relevant to the present day, we start with a wide overview of life in the UK by looking at migration to the British Isles from the Romans right up to the Windrush generation. In Year 7 we also look back to medieval times, comparing life back then to the present day, introducing source work and analysing the opinions of historians so that pupils can craft their own evaluations and balance different perspectives.
By Year 8, we engage students in debating topics such as whether the industrial revolution benefitted the working class, considering Devon’s connection to the Transatlantic Slave Trade and discovering beliefs around witchcraft in the early-modern period.
Further exploration is woven into enrichment opportunities such as our lunchtime history club, model parliament and debating club.
Modern Foreign Languages
Stover pupils are introduced to French, German and Spanish through short taster classes for the first half of the autumn team in Year 7. These lessons are delivered alongside a “culture safari” programme in which pupils research, design and present projects in groups. This gives every young person a broad experience of languages, before making a choice to study two throughout the rest of their KS3 journey.
MFL learning is supported through a wide variety of related activities, offering a way to broaden horizons and apply the language in real life contexts. For example, clubs enable pupils to practice their chosen languages – or learn new ones – whilst cultural events bring the whole school together to celebrate diversity. Educational visits and exchanges are a core part of a Stover education, with many opportunities for pupils to apply their learning in situ and build a better global awareness.
English as an Additional Language
As a boarding school with a healthy cohort of international pupils, we offer EAL across the senior school as a tailored provision – depending on the individual needs of each pupil. Teaching focuses on raising comprehension levels and gaining qualifications as well as assisting pupils to access their other class subjects. We also promote cultural awareness, ensuring pupils understand and acclimatise to a life in a different country.
Each pupil is assessed on arrival to create a bespoke course. In KS3, pupils are encouraged to attend regular English lessons with their classmates wherever possible, with additional tutoring and support given alongside.
Religious Studies
The continued study of RS through KS3 is designed to equip pupils with the knowledge and skill needed to sensitively navigate and contribute to a global community. The course helps pupils understand different worldviews, exploring different religions and belief systems.
RS also challenges pupils to consider ethical dilemmas, enabling healthy debating skills and promoting tolerance and empathy. In Year 9, pupils explore complex issues like the problem of evil, crime, punishment and justice. This holistic approach fosters cultural awareness, ethical reflection, and informed decision-making in an interconnected world.
Business Studies
Whilst Business is popular at GCSE and A Level, many KS3 pupils have never studied the subject ahead of choosing their options. At Stover, every Year 9 class is given a foundation year in Business Studies to provide that experience and better equip them for the world beyond education. These classes focus on gaining practical skills and introducing the pupils to enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Each module requires pupils to take part in project work to solve real world problems which, in turn, teaches basic business theory. One term focuses on an Enterprise Challenge where the winner brings their project or service to life. This curriculum gives pupils valuable insight into a subject they may never have studied before, leaving them with lifelong skills.