Curriculum
Our children move from Pre-Prep into the Prep School at the age of seven and many children also join us from other schools at this age. Children in this age group have their own classroom area of the School, allowing them to be introduced to the next stage of their education calmly and securely.
The first year – Year 3 – is a transitional year, laying a firm foundation for the five important years that will culminate in the move into secondary education. In Years 3, 4 and 5 the children are taught all the main academic subjects by form teachers, with specialist staff teaching IT, French, music, swimming, physical education and sport.
From Year 6 pupils are taught by specialist subject teachers. Most children start Latin at this stage. In Year 7 pupils begin to prepare for the two-year Common Entrance course, following a broad curriculum which includes maths, science, English, French, Latin, religious studies, history and geography.
In Year 8 most children complete the Common Entrance syllabus prior to transferring to their new schools. Some follow the Scholarship syllabus which is part of the Extended Programme designed for the academically gifted and which prepares them for Scholarship examinations.
Curriculum in Years 6, 7 and 8
The following subjects are studied:
* English
* Maths
* Science
* French*+1
* Latin*+1
* Information Technology
* Integrated Studies (History & Geography)
* Art
* Design and Technology
* Religious Studies
* Drama
* Music
* PSHE (Personal, Social & Health Education)
* Physical Education
*Non-English speaking pupils attend specialist EAL lessons instead of French and Latin.
+Children requiring learning support may not study French and/or Latin. A classical civilisation programme is available instead of Latin and a European studies programme instead of French. These run in conjunction with learning support lessons. Spanish is also offered to those children who might find French written work a challenge.
1 “Beginners” classes in French and Latin are available in Year 7 for those children who join the school not having previously studied French.
In addition to the academic curriculum, all students join in the school’s extensive options programme on Monday and Thursday afternoons. They can also stay after school to take part in the extra-curricular activities programme. These two programmes offer a wide range of sporting, recreational and cultural opportunities.
The Curriculum in Year 8
The following subjects are studied:
* English
* Maths
* Science
* French*+
* Latin*+
* Information Technology
* History
* Geography
* Art
* Design and Technology
* Religious Studies
* Drama
* Music
* Physical Education
* Ancient Greek (available to the most able students)
PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) is taught to this age group in specialist workshops during Leavers’ Programme.
*Non-English speaking pupils attend specialist EAL lessons instead of French and Latin
+Children requiring learning support may not study French and/or Latin. A classical civilisation programme is available instead of Latin and a European studies programme instead of French. These run in conjunction with learning support lessons. Spanish is also offered to those children who might find French written work a challenge.
In addition to the academic curriculum, all students join in the school’s extensive options programme on Monday and Thursday afternoons. They can also stay after school to take part in the extra-curricular activities programme. These two programmes offer a wide range of sporting, recreational and cultural opportunities.
After the Common Entrance Examinations in June, Year 8 students take part in a two and a half week Leavers’ Programme which includes a three day camp, a wide variety of outdoor activities, educational and social events, and putting on a musical and play.
