Junior School Curriculum

High-quality children’s literature lies at the core of the English curriculum, inspiring girls to develop as independent readers and confident writers. Starting with our phonics scheme in Reception, the girls explore the possibilities of the English language through lessons in creative writing, comprehension, grammar, spelling and handwriting.

Library

We have an excellent collection of fiction and non-fiction books, which the girls can borrow. Library lessons with the school librarian enhance the curriculum; the girls in Years 1 to 6 are also encouraged to visit the Library during lunch break and after school.

We strive to prepare the girls with the knowledge and skills for mathematics in their everyday life. We have a strong belief that, given sufficient time, all pupils are capable of understanding and achieving in Mathematics. We are teaching ‘Inspire’, which is a Singapore model of Maths Mastery. The girls are taught each area in more depth and with more practical resources to ensure a deep and rich understanding of each concept before moving on.

We follow JIGSAW, a progressive and spiral scheme of learning that promotes mindfulness. This is core to our curriculum, helping the girls develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. Throughout each year group, we guide the girls to develop morally, socially and culturally fulfilling lives and nurture the ideals of inclusion and tolerance that support a strong spiritual awareness.

The practical, hands-on teaching of Science stimulates a spirit of enquiry through encouraging natural curiosity and reasoning. We develop the skills of observation, investigation and interpretation and equip our girls with valuable knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. Science is all around us and is ever changing, so it is vital that the girls are aware of their environment, the huge advances that have been made and the challenges we face. Helping the girls to understand as much as possible about Science will stimulate their imagination and their intellect and will give them a true passion for the subject.

Computing is integrated into the curriculum and underpins teaching and learning. We equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to enable them to be active participants in today’s digital world. The girls are familiar with, and skilled in, using computational technology and programming software, control, data logging technology, digital tablets and Chromebooks in a challenging and stimulating environment, both inside and outside the classroom.

The girls are challenged to develop their chronological knowledge, appreciate continuity and change and develop an understanding of why people behaved as they did and why events happened. They view and handle a range of primary and secondary sources and continue to hone their historical enquiry skills. Through History, the girls are given a context from which they can understand themselves, others and the ever-changing world around them.

The girls gain an understanding of places in the world and increase their knowledge of other cultures. In doing so, they learn respect and understanding of what it means to be a positive citizen in a multicultural country. Additionally, the girls learn how to use, draw and interpret maps to enable them to understand local and global environmental problems.

The girls learn about the major religions. Firstly, they look at different aspects of a range of religions, such as places of worship and holy books. They then focus on learning about different religions in detail and comparing them

In Philosophy for Children lessons, children take part in philosophical enquiry. Class discussions enhance thinking and communication skills, boost confidence and self-esteem, and improve behaviour, well-being and academic attainment. The girls are supported to think more deeply and philosophically by encouraging the 4Cs of P4C – critical, creative, collaborative and caring thinking.They demonstrate emerging philosophical thinking and language; give reasons, to agree or disagree respectfully and to build on other’s ideas. They also recognise and start to discuss big ideas/concepts and ask open questions with increasing philosophical potential.

From Reception, the girls benefit from weekly Spanish lessons, adding weekly French lessons to their repertoire from Year 3. Our language specialist develops the girls’ linguistic skills whilst fostering an appreciation of the cultures and countries of the languages the girls are learning about

These subjects are integrated into the whole curriculum and form excellent cross-curricular links. In Art, the girls are inspired by famous artists and paintings, as well as through Art workshops, stories and picture books, and visits to galleries in central London. In DT, alongside the skills and techniques, the girls begin to learn the basics of physics and engineering, designing and building projects, working to a brief which uses gears, levers and circuits.

We provide a stimulating, challenging and exciting environment in which to nurture and encourage musical potential. Our comprehensive and systematic curriculum includes all girls learning to play recorder by the end of Year 2. In addition, girls in Years 3 to Year 6 sing in the school choir and the younger girls have the opportunity to take part in a string ensemble. From Year 3, individual lessons are available on a variety of instruments and there are joint musical ventures with the Senior School, as well as the opportunity to join the various bands, ensembles, groups and choirs at the school.

The girls are encouraged to express themselves and develop their confidence through Drama, starting with role-play, story-telling, singing and action rhymes; later quoting Shakespeare, enjoying improvisation and reciting ballads. The girls enjoy many opportunities to participate in a range of drama activities from class assemblies, theatre visits and workshops to the very popular school productions throughout the school.

The girls enjoy PE lessons twice a each week, utilising the extensive sports facilities. Initially the curriculum includes field games, movement lessons and dance. From Year 3, girls learn to play a variety of sports, including: netball, cricket, football, unihoc, athletics, rounders and basketball. In Year 2 – 4, the girls swim at a local pool. Throughout the Summer Term of Year 5 and 6, girls learn to sail and kayak at a local watersports centre. The girls also have many opportunities to take part in inter-school fixtures and competitions.

Outdoor Learning has numerous educational benefits, including building resilience, self-esteem and confidence, developing problem-solving skills, giving children the ability to assess risk, enhancing creativity and encouraging a connection with nature.

All of our girls use the outdoor learning areas to complement the curriculum and co-curricular. There is a mud kitchen, an outdoor classroom and a pond, all of which are used in a variety of exciting ways.

The girls in Reception participate in weekly Forest School sessions from Spring Term. All girls in Year 1 – 4 also enjoy weekly Forest School lessons. These sessions take place in our dedicated area. Originating in Scandinavia, Forest School is a way of learning in a woodland environment where children can develop socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually through child-led activities, following individual and preferred learning styles.