Senior Academic

We are committed to providing our pupils with a coeducational setting where pupils develop into well-rounded individuals who have achieved their own academic excellence. Westbrook pupils develop into successful, community minded and self-confident young adults, benefitting from our inclusive and nurturing ethos throughout their educational journey. 

Mrs Catherine Busfield

Deputy Head Academic

Lower Seniors

Years 7 and 8 at Westbrook Hay is an opportunity for the children to mature with their learning and social engagement. Pupils are predominantly taught in the Mansion building by subject specialist teachers, including Heads of Departments. The curriculum in Year 7 and 8 is kept purposefully broad, with pupils studying the following subjects on a weekly basis: English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, Music, Drama, Design Technology, Physical Education, French, Spanish and PSHE. Games sessions take place three afternoons a week with pupils regularly playing in fixtures against other schools.

A regular homework timetable is followed in order to allow pupils to consolidate their learning and aid their independence ahead of GCSE preparation. Pupils are able to attend supervised homework sessions at the end of the school day.

Lower Senior pupils enjoy a range of enrichment experiences which include trips, events and visits, which both fosters a love of and consolidates learning. Recent trips in Lower Seniors have included: 

  • Residential trip Canterbury Cathedral and Hasting Battlefield
  • International trip (biannually) to Iceland (2023) and Rome (2024)
  • London theatre trip
  • Visit to Lee Valley Velodrome

We believe in all-round education and are proud to be a Pre-Senior Baccalaureate school. PSB is a skills-based curriculum, which is followed in Year 7 and 8 which values skills and attributes which are needed for success beyond the classroom. Alongside our robust academic curriculum, through PSB our pupils have an opportunity to develop the 6 PSB core skills 

  • Thinking and learning
  • Reviewing and improving
  • Communicating
  • Independence
  • Collaboration
  • Leadership

Through specific PSB Enrichment Days and by integrating both academic curriculum and core skills in the classroom, we hope that our pupils’ experience is enriched with lifelong skills which can be transferred well beyond Westbrook Hay. 

In Year 7, pupils take part in the KidsMBA. This recognised qualification is designed to give pupils an insight into the world of business and entrepreneurship, going from initial product idea through to marketing and branding. Pupils will learn a range of business terms and will need to utilise each of these skills across the program such as USP, trademarking and pricing strategies.