Extension & Remediation
Woodleigh School recognises and values students’ individual differences. Extension and Remediation Programs are therefore integrated within the total school curriculum. Further extension and remediation is provided, where required, in small groups with programs run by appropriate Special Education and Enrichment teachers.
Extension
Extension occurs in a range of settings. Within the classroom in both subject studies and in Focus sessions, the curriculum is designed to be broadly based and open-ended. Such tasks provide opportunities for students to use complex, abstract, higher order thinking skills. Broad-based themes enable a student to select a particular aspect of the topic to investigate, and a gifted student may be challenged to investigate complex questions.
Within the Activities Program, students are able to choose Activities which complement their subject studies and provide advanced work on a range of topics. This could include Mathematics Research Projects, entry into Mathematics Competitions, Electronics or Writing Workshops. Special provision in Mathematics is provided by an Accelerated Program outlined below.
Students who are selected to join the program at Year 7 will follow a continuum of acceleration until Year 9. At Year 10, they will undertake a VCE Unit 1 and 2 Mathematics subject, usually Mathematical Methods, but General Mathematics may also be possible. The usual pattern could be summarised as follows:
Year 7
- Term 1 – common course, students selected for acceleration.
- Term 2 onwards – common course plus withdrawal for 1 lesson per week for acceleration.
Year 8
Common course covering Year 8 work plus withdrawal for 1 lesson per week to cover some Year 9 topics.
Year 9
All accelerated students are placed in the one class to cover the Year 10 course (and any remaining topics from the Year 9 course).
Year 10
Choice (if sufficient numbers) of:
- Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2 or
- General Mathematics Units 1 and 2
Year 11
Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2
Year 12
Specialist Mathematics and (possibly) University Enhancement Program Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 and Specialist Mathematics
Remediation
Specialist Language and Maths teachers work closely with class teachers and students to assist students with learning difficulties. The Specialist teachers work collaboratively with class teachers to plan individual programs for students.
Assistance in literacy and numeracy is provided in a range of settings:– the classroom, within the Activities Programs where students can undertake Language and Maths Workshops, and within the Language Studies Program Years 7-9.
Special provision for Maths is as follows:
- an extra teacher is allocated to each Year 7 and 8 class for one lesson per week. This teacher may work in the class or, as necessary, withdraw students to enable them to work on a particular skill or task
- through the Language Studies Program, Mathematics staff provide assistance during one lesson per week (usually on a voluntary basis)
- many staff offer extra assistance at lunchtimes.
The classroom teachers at Years 7 – 10 modify programs where necessary. The staff of the Support Centre, if required, will work with the classroom teachers to provide alternative programs, especially for students with a disability. At Year 10, the classes may be structured, subject to sufficient numbers, to allow for a modified class to operate.
Whilst the skills to be covered will be basically the same for all students in a particular year level course, the depth of study and speed of advancement is determined by the capability of the individual. Support is also available to students at the VCE level to access additional assistance.
