Juniors
There is a careful and gradual move towards more structured and specialist subject teaching when children arrive in the Junior Department (Key Stage Two) from the age of seven.
The curriculum is broad, with English and mathematics each day, and science, history, geography, modern languages, IT, art, technology, religious studies, personal, social and health education and PE – including swimming and games – throughout the week. Classes are small and studies are based on, but not constrained by, the National Curriculum.
From the age of seven your child will move into the Junior department. The timetable is more structured and children are gradually introduced to specialist subject teaching. Pupils are taught English and mathematics each day, and science, history, geography, French, German, art, technology, religious studies, personal, social and health education, physical education, including swimming and games throughout the week.
Your child will experience a range of teaching styles, depending on the subject and the content and objectives of the lesson. Class sizes are small. At a curriculum evening held early in the year, you can meet your child’s teacher and find out how the class operates, the teacher’s expectations and the objectives for the year.
Pupils’ progress is carefully monitored. You will receive two written reports a year and have the opportunity to attend two parents’ evenings. At Friends’ School, parents and teachers work closely together to ensure the academic and social development of each pupil.
The emphasis at this stage of your child’s education is to build on a firm academic foundation, coupled with a more independent attitude to learning. By the end of this stage your child will have had the opportunity to develop a sound base in writing, reading and spelling and be able to speak and listen with confidence. They will have a good grounding in mathematics and be encouraged to think and question independently.
