To be successful at Cheadle Hulme School and beyond, all pupils are encouraged to make the most of the opportunities which are available to them in school.
Our aim is to provide encouragement and challenges academically, alongside opportunities for personal and social growth, leadership, and commitment to social responsibility. We want each Waconian to experience a challenging, dynamic and relevant education which enables them to reach their full academic potential and flourish in a rapidly changing world.
By requiring all Lower School pupils to participate in The Waconian Diploma, we hope to enable them to achieve its main aims:
To develop a strong set of personal values which enhance a deeper understanding of the School’s values. Pupils learn to value themselves and others, appreciating difference and individuality, and supporting those less fortunate;
To discover and develop a broad and relevant set of skills and aptitudes enabling useful and effective roles in communities, and encourage reflection of these skills;
To engage in all that the School has to offer both inside and outside the classroom.
To consider wider perspectives on answering our 4 Lower School Big Questions presented through the Curriculum.
It is important Waconians receive feedback and to be assessed not just on what they do in the classroom, but also on their wider school experience. Not only will this enable CHS to adopt a more holistic approach to assessment and feedback, considering all aspects of a pupil’s school experience, but pupils can also track what has been achieved during their time in the Lower School, alongside the Learning Habits and attainment measures they will continue to receive.
How will The Waconian Diploma be recorded?
Involvement in activities are recorded via Google Form and you will be asked to consider which values and skills you have developed.
This may be completed during Form Time on a half-termly basis allowing reflection on involvement in wider School life. You are also encouraged to record involvement in stand-alone activities as and when required in your own time. Activities can take place in and out of school.
Each activity has the following questions on the Form:
Which of the three school pillars does it falls under? Academic, Active or Altruistic.
Which Waconian Value it can be aligned to?
Which skill/s aligned to the chosen Waconian Value has been exhibited? The definition of each skill is listed in the table below.
What did you learn from the experience? A personal reflection on the entry.
Please watch the below video which summarises the Waconian Diploma and how it fits into the Lower School Experience
Waconian Diploma.mp4Frequently Asked Questions
When will the diploma be awarded?
Each pupil (if successful) will be awarded the Diploma in a ceremony at the end of Year 8.
Does the diploma have different levels?
Yes. At the end of Year 8, each pupil can receive either the Achieved award or the Excellence award. The level will be decided by each pupil’s Form Tutor after reviewing their individual Diploma dashboard to assess their engagement.
How will the diploma be monitored?
Each pupil will take responsibility for logging all their activities and independently reflecting on their progress. There will be an element of trust with this. Peer mentors will have regular conversations with their cohort to discuss progress and areas to develop. In addition, each half term the Form Tutor will speak with all of their tutees to monitor progress. And finally the Head of the Diploma, Mr Wrathall, will oversee all of the pupils.
Is it competitive?
No, it is about the development of each individual pupil in relation to our Waconian Values and the associated skills.
How is the diploma developing each pupil?
By giving each pupil a greater understanding of our Waconian Values and the skills linked to each Value. The skills have been chosen as ones that we think will be beneficial to all students as they move through school and then into wider society.