OVERVIEW The main aim of the school is to provide a secure and stimulating environment in which the pupils are encouraged and challenged to fulfil their potential. They only do their best when they are happy and the school is a friendly, welcoming place.
The curriculum is broad and specialist teachers are involved from the beginning, ensuring that children can be stretched to do their best whilst receiving individual support and guidance. In the last two years of the school all subjects are taught by specialists while a class tutor oversees the pastoral care of each child.
ACADEMIC MATTERS The school has a strong academic tradition and an excellent record of success in the Essex 11+ and independent school examinations. Pupils also take Key Stage 1 and 2 tests of the National Curriculum.
Considerable attention is given to ensuring that a secure foundation is laid for future learning.
An individual reading programme is monitored daily in the early years and parental involvement is encouraged. The development of reading and literacy is a key to children's learning and is given a high priority.
Mathematics is very strong at Elm Green, with the most able pupils extended to Level 6 of the National Curriculum.
Specialist science teaching in the well-equipped science laboratory from the age of 7 facilitates practical work and enables the children to cover an extensive syllabus.
The ICT centre has networked PCs allowing whole class teaching with individual access. All pupils have dedicated ICT lessons from the outset.
Geography is enhanced by fieldwork and trips to places of interest such as the Thames Barrier. A week's field trip to Norfolk for year 6 enables detailed studies and project work to be undertaken.
There are also many educational visits linked to the children's work in history, and these outings help to bring the past alive. Recent trips have been to the Golden Hinde, Verulamium and a silk museum.
The programme of study for R.E. is based on Christian principles but also includes work on other faiths such as Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. The whole school meets for assemblies, which are sometimes taken by local rectors. Speakers from a range of charities also address the school in assembly.
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