AS another school year finally comes to an end, we are able to reflect on our time at Wolverley and see the significant progression and development of the school, writes HANNA LUU.

Mr Rouse, a respected and highly valued member of the school and science department, has spent the last 17 years teaching at Wolverley and agreed to share his thoughts on how the school has changed during his time here.

When Mr Rouse started at Wolverley it was a high school, taking students from year nine only. It was not, at that time, a Church of England school.

One of the biggest changes he has observed is in the curriculum. For many years students would undertake the same GCSE course and for some this posed a huge problem.

However, in recent years, there has been an introduction of practical courses such as BTEC which still offers the same rigour and challenge as GSCEs but is not exam dependent, creating a beneficial alternative for students and doubling the KS4 success rate of the science department to over 80 percent.

Another change has been the introduction of the house system which encourages students to experience a sense of belonging and unity. According to Mr Rouse, the house system has given students more stability and improved their attitudes towards each other. Many activities such as sports day and the Big Walk have not only developed the students’ confidence but have also created more opportunities for the school to come together as an entire body.

Mr Rouse also welcomed the establishment of The Lodge, commenting: “The Lodge has proved to be a major boost; every school has its share of students who find mainstream lessons difficult, for a variety of reasons. Wolverley’s solution was not to isolate these pupils, but to provide them with an alternative curriculum, whilst ensuring the core subjects are studied, and a safe environment in which to pursue their education. Ade, who runs The Lodge, is deeply respected by his students.”

With the changes in the coming autumn through the new vertical tutoring system and transformation of the school houses, Mr Rouse hopes the school continues with its efforts to develop a stronger community and ethos and to become one of the “best schools in Kidderminster”.

  • Taken from Wolverley Whispers school magazine