Academics

AN ENGAGING CURRICULUM

Academic Life and Learning

A commitment to academic rigour is at the heart of our broad, engaging, four-dimensional curriculum, which fosters our pupils’ knowledge, skills and character. Our fourth dimension is metacognition – the awareness of how we learn, remember and solve problems. Our Learning Habits approach, designed to fulfill our metacognition pillar, runs throughout the school and in all subjects developing curiosity, self-knowledge and adaptability. Emphasis is placed on how we learn, not simply what we learn. Rather than simply giving knowledge and answers, we teach pupils to ask good questions. Teachers ensure progress and engagement through a creative approach and a commitment to stretch and challenge for all learners. As the key to unlock learning, reading skills are prioritised.

When they join our Lower School in Reception, aged 4, the children’s curriculum encompasses: Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.

Provision emphasises purposeful play and active discovery to ensure that our children achieve strong outcomes and are prepared well for Year 1 within the most developmentally appropriate environment. 

During Years 1 and 2 our pupils develop curiosity and independence as they flourish in a nurturing environment which balances high expectations with playfulness of mind and a creative, investigative approach. Class teachers, supported by teaching assistants, deliver English, Maths, Science, Understanding the World (Humanities and Religious Education) and Learning for Life (Personal, Social, Health Education); specialist-taught Spanish begins in Year 2. In Year 1, alongside Reception, pupils enjoy Language and Culture Days.

Our Prep School academic curriculum from Year 3 is rich and challenging, building on the Lower School progression in skills and knowledge, enabling personalised development and, as pupils reach Years 5 and 6, excellent preparation for senior school and beyond.

Academic subjects are typically taught by class teachers with Maths sets from Year 3 and Science specialist-taught from Year 4. Languages are also specialist taught, Spanish in Years 3 to 5, French in Year 6 and Classics in Years 5 and 6. 

At its heart, our four-dimensional curriculum empowers pupils to go beyond the what of learning to master the how. Blending academic rigour with a culture of thinking, from the first steps of active discovery every child leaves us with the character, skills and independence to thrive in senior school and beyond.

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