The children follow a traditional syllabus, covering all key aspects of the national curriculum and considerably more. All children learn French and Spanish, and Latin is available for older children as an after-school activity. Art, drama and music have an important place within the timetable.
The curriculum includes games lessons and swimming for all children. Tennis, cricket, badminton and sailing are all available as optional after-school activities.
Visits to theatres, museums and places of educational interest are frequently arranged, including visits to London and particularly to Shakespearian productions.
Children can also have private music tuition (piano, guitar, brass instruments and woodwind) and speech and drama lessons leading to LAMDA examinations.
In these respects, Bendarroch is like many other good schools. It is Bendarroch's ethos which is different. These subjects are pursued in an atmosphere of warmth, enjoyment and high expectation.
The school curriculum includes:
- Arithmetic/Maths (75 minutes each day)
- Literacy (75 minutes each day)
- Science
- French
- Spanish
- Art
- Geography
- History
- PE/Games
- Religious Studies
- Drama*
- Music
*This includes an annual Shakespearian production at the end of each summer term. (This year the production will be Macbeth)
Computer studies are not included in the curriculum. Although some homework may invite the use of computers, it is our belief that at this age it is not desirable to spend part of the school day in front of a computer screen. The emphasis at Bendarroch is upon traditional teaching, involving discussion, listening and the development of interaction between the teachers and the taught. Learning is a shared experience.
Games are of an informal nature and include rounders, badminton, cricket
Swimming lessons are held on alternate Fridays throughout the year at Exmouth Swimming Pool. A qualified instructor from Exmouth Swimming Pool assists with the tuition. Children are taken to Exmouth on the school minibus and with the help of volunteering parents.
Playtime. We regard this as a very important part of the school day when children learn the essential skills of social interaction with each other. Children at Bendarroch enjoy considerable freedom within the school grounds. The grounds and climbing frame are fully utilised by the children for their own games, camp building, tree climbing... Children wishing to remain quietly in their own classroom are free to do so.
Children of Class 1 have their own sanctuary area for their outdoor play, but are free to join the older children in the school grounds if they wish to do so.
There is no staff room - staff are on hand all day. |