Curriculum

In Reception the boys are introduced to a variety of learning experiences in order to develop early Literacy and Numeracy skills. They also engage in a diverse range of creative, physical and musical activities and also begin swimming lessons in the Summer Term.

In Year 1 the boys begin to extend these skills and start to work more independently. They develop their written skills and begin to write their own stories. They visit the Senior Department for PE and have swimming lessons in the Autumn and Summer Term. Boys can begin learning an instrument now and all boys are introduced to the recorder.

In Year 2 boys visit the Senior Department for PE and Music. They develop their investigative skills in Science and begin to do their own research in ICT. They continue to have swimming lessons and follow a Design and Technology programme with a specialist teacher. French is introduced in Year 2. Boys begin to use joined up writing.

In Year 3 the boys have specialist teachers for ICT, PE, Music, French, Art, and Design Technology. They have a games afternoon outside school following the whole school rugby, football and cricket programme. They work independently and are expected to sustain concentration for extended periods. Boys begin to write with a pen.

From Year 4 boys have lessons in all the core Common Entrance subjects apart from Latin. All subjects are taught by subject specialists and boys move around the school for their, Music, Science, Design Technology, Art, ICT and PE lessons. In Year 5 all subjects are taught in subject specialist areas.

In Year 6 Latin is introduced. The eight examined subjects for Common Entrance are English, Maths, French, Science, Geography, History, Religious Studies and Latin. In addition all boys from Years 5 - 8 have lessons in Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education and Technology (Design and Information).

Homework

In Reception and Year 1  homework is confined to reading practice.  In the Spring term Year 1 will have spellings to learn and in the Summer term of Year 1 the pupils will also have one written homework each week.

In Year 2 there are two half-hour homeworks, one written and one maths.  There is also nightly reading practice and some learning of spellings and tables.

In Year 3 there are two written and one maths homework in addition to the reading and learning of spellings and tables.

Year 4 have 40 minutes homework each night and Year 5 and above have 1 hour.  There may be an extra half-hour of homework at the week-ends.

Examinations

There are school examinations in November and June each year for Year 4 and above. In November Year 4 are examined in the core subjects, English, Maths and Science, only. These examinations are used as a practice on how to revise and how to prepare for the more formal examinations our pupils will face later on.

All other year groups have examinations in all subjects. These examinations are an integral part of the learning process. Their purpose is to help pupils and teachers understand what has been understood and to then address any difficulties. The marks are sent home to parents but as a school we endeavour to keep examinations in balance with the rest of the curriculum and with the rest of the academic year.

Learning Support

Extra help is available for a pupil who is initially slow to make progress or where a pupil encounters a specific difficulty at no extra cost.  If this persists he will be assessed by one of our learning support teachers who may suggest he needs a full assessment by an educational psychologist.  We can give pupils up to two half-hour sessions, either individually or in small groups, to help with any diagnosed problems within our competence.  An Individual Educational Programme is written for each pupil receiving extra support and is agreed between the Learning Support teacher, the parent and the pupil. Boys are permitted to have extra time during English, History and RS examinations if they have an Educational Psychologists report to support this. Under certain circumstances pupils may also use a laptop or computer for examinations after discussion with the Head.

We also have a policy providing for and identifying those who need extra extension work in any area.