Academic Life
We aim to give every boy the best possible start to their education with a rich and varied curriculum designed to nurture their skills and aptitudes.
In the first year of the Senior Department, the boys are still class based for most of their lessons and subject teachers come to them. From Year 5, boys move to subject specific rooms and in addition to the core subjects have lessons in Design and Technology, Drama, Art, ICT, Music and PE. All boys have a locker for books. There are two well-equipped science laboratories, a large airy Art and DT studio and a Music room with four practice rooms.
There are two networked ICT suites- one with 21 PCs, and the other with 18 Apple Macs with music keyboards. Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard.
Click to see a larger image of the new Mac suite
Year 4: Age 8+
There are three mixed ability classes in their own classrooms each with a form teacher. The boys are taught by subject specialists for most subjects.
They have 40 minutes of homework each night. There may be an extra hour of homework at the weekend.
From Year 4 onwards the boys have lessons in all the core Common Entrance subjects except Latin and move around for their Music, Science, Design Technology, Art, ICT and PE lessons.
Year 5: Age 9+
There are three mixed ability classes. The boys visit subject specialists for all subjects. The year group is split into three sets for English, Maths and French.
They have 1 hour of homework each night. There may be an extra half hour of homework at the weekend.
Year 6: Age 10+
There are three mixed ability classes. Latin classes begin. The year group is split into three sets for English, Maths and French. The eight examined subjects for Common Entrance are: English, Maths, French, Science, Geography, History, Religious Studies and Latin. Verbal reasoning and philosophy also form part of the curriculum.
Year 7: Age 11+
There are three streamed classes for all subjects. The boys have a form tutor responsible for their pastoral needs.
Year 8: Age 12+
There are three streamed classes for all subjects. The boys have a form tutor responsible for their pastoral needs.