Year Groups
Small School (4-5 years old)
There is no entrance exam for boys and girls entering Small School. They are grouped alphabetically — approximately 12 pupils per class with one teacher. We believe that active bodies = active minds, so the boys and girls are engaged in 30 minute lessons and have to relocate to different rooms and buildings for some lessons. From the age of four the pupils have specialist teachers for health, French, music, dance, gym, and swimming. The focus at Small School is to develop confident, independent, sociable and happy boys and girls. We have developed a creative, interesting, fun and structured programme that is age and stage appropriate. The curriculum focuses on gradually building up the key skills in reading, writing and number work. We adhere to the Foundation Stage National Curriculum, but seek to challenge and stimulate children beyond its boundaries.
Lower School (5-6 years old)
An enthusiastic, committed staff aim to create a nurturing and positive atmosphere in which each child fulfils their potential, whilst developing confidence, independence and social skills.
Children are given an opportunity to experience a variety of cultural, academic and sporting activities aimed towards developing individual strengths and talents. Teachers are able to offer much individual attention as class sizes do not exceed 15 pupils.
Our close links with Middle School enable us to prepare the children thoroughly for Year 2 — Middle School.
Middle School (6-7 years old)
In Middle School the children have their own class teacher and classroom. This gives the children consistency and security that is so important at this young age. The happy and relaxed atmosphere creates a positive and stimulating learning environment, which enables the children to reach their full potential. There are specialist teachers in art, music, swimming and games. In this well resourced building, with its wonderful library and concert room, the children leave for Upper School, prepared and confident for the next year group, Year 3.
Upper School (7-10 years old)
Upper School houses the 7 to 10 year old age group. In this building the children belong to an age-band section of their peers. Each section has four classes of approximately 15 children, each under the care of a Senior Tutor who is responsible for the day-to-day pastoral care of the childen, as well as liaising with parents and individual subject teachers and organisation of class timetables.
In order to encourage a little independence to this age group, the children are subject taught and move to different teachers for each subject. This ensures there is variety in teaching styles and environment to encourage individual development within a class peer group.
Our day in Upper School is peppered with a variety of games, music and art lessons to further stimulate interests and activities that are not just desk bound.
Girl's Transitus (10-11 years old)
& Senior School (11 years old)
From the Upper School boys proceed to Senior School and girls to Transitus. In both divisions they are taught by specialist tutors in small forms and begin their preparation for the Common Entrance examinations to the secondary Public school of their choice. It is our aim in this period to teach them to organise their work and study efficiently and to prepare purposefully for their lessons by doing supervised prep at school. Yet the longer day from Monday to Thursday gives us the opportunity to provide daily games periods and time for artistic and musical study so that their curriculum is kept as broad as possible.
Lower Sixth (12 years old)
& Upper Sixth (13 years old)
The two years spent in the Sixth form build on the foundations for structured study laid in the Senior School and Transitus. All pupils are now preparing for the first great academic test of their lives — the interviews and examinations of the Common Entrance to Public Schools. Our ambition is to give every pupil the confidence and knowledge to pass this hurdle successfully and realise their own ambitions for their future. It is our joy to see these young people leave us as individuals proud of their achievements, confident in character and secure on their future path.
