WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL!

In partnership with parents/guardians, the School's broad aim is to provide opportunities for self-development and self-fulfilment for the children here. All pupils are valued equally.

The School seeks to enable every child to develop high standards in every aspect of their work and an independence of mind and spirit upon which success and happiness in the future can depend.

Society and the world of education have changed dramatically in recent years; however, self discipline, good manners, concern for others, hard work and a determination to succeed are firmly embedded within our school philosophy. Within this framework of traditional values and expectations the School fosters personal and social responsibility.

The School offers a caring and stimulating environment in which a wide variety of curricular and extra curricular activities are planned by a talented and committed staff. All staff work closely with parents and value their partnership and support in securing the very best education for our children.

• To ensure that all. children secure a thorough grounding in the basic skills.
• To ensure that the children's learning via the curriculum has breadth, balance and progression.
• To provide suitable specialist teaching to the highest standards possible.
• To provide opportunities for the development of children's interests through extra­ curricular activities.
• To develop the existing liaison with First Schools and the Upper School with regard to both pastoral care and curricular continuity.

The school is split into four National Curriculum year groups, 5, 6, 7 and 8 covering the age ranges of 9 -10, 10 -11, 11-12 and 12 -13. Each child has a designated tutor who has responsibility for his/her welfare.

In Years 5 and 6 the vast majority of time is spent with one teacher in order to create an effective link between the pupil, the parents and the teacher.

In Years 7 and 8 pupils are taught by a greater number of subject teachers. However, the close relationship formed in earlier years, may be maintained by the personal tutor through subject teaching and extra-curricular activities. In common with the rest of the school most lessons are taught in mixed ability groups though there is setting in Maths and French.

Children will need the following equipment for School:

• Pen (not biros - we prefer fibre tip pens such as a Berol handwriting pen, or roller ball to cartridge pens)
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Ruler
• Coloured pencils (not felt tip pens)
• Pair of compasses
• Protractor
• Pencil sharpener
• Small glue stick is a useful extra

The school continues to live long after the final bell. A great variety of enriching activities and clubs take place which provide an opportunity for developing new skills and extending talents. Among those programmed at present include:

Dance, Drama Club, preparing for productions and musicals, Choirs, Orchestras, Ensembles, Recorders, Art, Technology, Reading, French, God-Squad, Prayer Group, Homework Tennis, Hockey, Football, Rugby, Basketball, Cricket, and Rounders.

Educational visits, both day and residential, are a strong feature of the curriculum. Children also benefit from visits from travelling theatre companies, science exhibitions and speakers.

Parents are frequently sent Newsletters, which outline the term's curriculum, extra curricular activities and proposed visits.