Introduction
Our caring, happy School encourages pupils to develop at their own pace, and in their own way, whilst helping them to achieve their true potential and to be fully prepared for their next stage of education. We value each pupil as an individual. Just as no two faces are the same, we appreciate that each child has different strengths. We aim to ensure that our pupils enjoy the excitement of learning and surprise themselves with their progress, taking pride in the standards they are able to achieve. Small classes and first rate facilities ensure that each child receives a generous amount of individual attention. Lessons are stimulating and children are encouraged to think for themselves, to question and to debate. Teachers present subject matter in imaginative ways and frequently use games, role play and stimulating projects in addition to more traditional teaching styles. Classroom boundaries are often stretched through visits within the local area, including the beach in St. Bees and more distant excursions and field trips.
Reception & Key Stage 1 (Reception to Year 2)
The early years are critical in terms of successful intellectual, creative, social, emotional, physical and spiritual development. It is our aim to provide a solid foundation on which all future learning is based. Our planning ensures that a broad and well-balanced curriculum, based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 National Curriculum, contributes to all round child development. We aim to stretch the thinking of children whenever possible, whilst supporting those who need extra help.
As we are laying the foundations for all the children’s future learning, literacy and numeracy naturally assume a high profile. Careful planning takes place at every stage and records of children’s development and achievements are kept. At the Foundation Stage, children will be observed and assessed by their Teacher who will record observations in all six areas of Learning and Development against the thirteen Assessment Scales set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This will make up their EYFS Profile which will then provide a useful framework to develop further learning. At Key Stage 1, children will be assessed against the National Curriculum.
Left: Mrs. Helen Capes Reception and Key Stage 1 Teacher
The small class size means that all children make very good progress. We aim to find areas in which each child can succeed, thereby developing the self-confidence and self-esteem that will help them achieve their potential. This approach will add tremendous value to children's education, not just academically, but also in their personal development.
Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to Year 6)
Left:
Swithun Sewill, Prep Department Lead Teacher & Year 5 and 6 teacher.
Right:
Wendy Goodyear, Year 2, 3 and 4 teacher.
The curriculum for Key Stage 2 builds on the foundations laid down in Key Stage 1.
English
The four key strands of English are Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing and English Preparation for the Senior School. Pupils are encouraged to form and express opinions. Optimum sized classes or groups ensure each child is given the opportunity to participate in a range of speaking and listening activities. We believe that encouraging a love of books is central to the teaching of English. Children take part in a variety of reading activities, depending upon age and attainment, including reading aloud in class, reading to each other and reading quietly to themselves. We aim to produce confident and creative writers with good technical skills. The importance of spelling and neat handwriting is emphasised and children are introduced to a wide range of writing activities where they learn to match the style to the audience.
Mathematics
The Mathematics curriculum is based on the National Curriculum, and the National Numeracy Strategy.
The five main areas at the forefront of Mathematics are:
1. Number
2. Measurement
3. Shape and Space
4. Handling Data
5. Applying Mathematics
We aim to develop a thorough understanding of Mathematics as well as fostering the children's enthusiasm and confidence in the subject. The activities are organised so that the children may work as a class, in groups or as individuals. The small classes mean that individual help is readily available and all the children are working at their own ability level. Emphasis is placed on the four rules of number with an appropriate focus on encouraging the children to perform simple calculations mentally. They are also taught to record their calculations in a formal way. The importance of mathematical concepts in a variety of subjects, for example Science, Information Technology and Geography, promotes a strong cross curricular link.
Science
The emphasis in the Prep. Department is a balance of theory and practical work designed to develop understanding, while promoting the pupils' spirit of enquiry and developing their interest and enthusiasm in the subject. Pupils are encouraged to question what they observe, to devise fair tests to evaluate their ideas, to make measurements with increasing accuracy and to draw logical conclusions. Topics are delivered through strands that run through the whole Prep. Department.
Information about History, Information and Technology, Geography, Religious Education, French, Classics, Art, Personal Social & Health Education (PSHE), Sport and Outdoor Education can be found by clicking here to view the Prep. Department Handbook.