ACADEMIC ORGANISATION AND CURRICULUM BY YEAR GROUP

NURSERY
Our Nursery class for 3-4 year olds provides for a maximum of 50 children in the morning and 50 children in the afternoon, in purpose built accommodation which is spacious and well equipped.  The Nursery is staffed by a minimum of one teacher and three Nursery Nurses.  The curriculum covers all aspects of the foundation stage and the pupils work on the early learning goals.

The children enjoy a wide variety of activities which are designed to give opportunities for spontaneous play, discovery, invention and the use of structured equipment.  Language development is seen as the major factor in all activities and listening skills are also developed.

Children in the Infant department are from 4 to 7 years of age.  At present, children enter school at the beginning of the year in which they become 5 years old.  There are three year groups in the Infant department.  The children work at Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum.  They study all the subjects.

RECEPTION
These classes contain 4-5 year olds.  Younger pupils complete their foundation stage.  Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum applies to all children who are over five.  All class activities are designed to extend what has been learnt at home and in the nursery, to stimulate an interest in learning and the acquisition of new skills, and to prepare the children for a more formal curriculum.

YEAR 1 AND YEAR 2 (5-6 year olds and 6-7 year olds)
The majority of classroom time is spent on English, Mathematics and Science but the timetable includes all the National Curriculum subjects at Key Stage 1.  The subjects are often dealt with in cross-curricular themes involving practical experiences for the children.

Children transfer to the Junior department in the September following their 7th birthday.  There are four year groups in the Junior department.  Junior aged children study all subjects.

YEAR 3-6 (7-11 year olds)
The Junior department works in Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum and children study all the subjects in increasing depth.  We continue to plan the continuity and progression throughout the year groups and expect more sustained concentration and a wider use of the skills they have gained.  Opportunities are provided for children to question, investigate, discover and experience, and a wide variety of methods of learning are introduced, eg observation, experimentation, use of reference materials, discussion and recording.  Children are also encouraged to work alone or in groups as appropriate.

000484