Juniors

Our Junior School pupils study a wide range of subjects, many of which, including French, Spanish, Mandarin, ICT, Drama, Art, Music and Sport are taught by specialist teachers.

Our small class sizes enable form tutors to get to know each girl as an individual which we feel is highly important.

The girls who attend St Nicholas’ Junior School love to learn and socialise, and our inspiring, innovative teachers foster in them a lifelong love of learning.

Girls are based with their form teacher in their form room for some of the day but will visit specialist teachers for other lessons. Each day begins and ends with the form teacher in the form room. This time is used partly for administration and partly for sharing concerns or triumphs on an informal basis.

Each girl has a school planner in which she will write her homework and any general reminders. This provides a useful contact with parents and can be used to send messages to and from home. Please check it regularly, sign it weekly and make sure that your daughter brings it to school with her every day. Girls are expected to come into school independently and to take responsibility for their own possessions.

Form teachers are always happy to speak to parents with concerns. Brief conversations can sometimes be had by arrangement at the beginning or end of the day.

Our Junior pupils also take part in a number of activities including Forest School, sporting fixtures and many lunch and after school clubs as part of St Nicholas' School co-curricular programme.

Junior Curriculum

Year 3

It is important that each child should achieve their full potential in every lesson. During each lesson children who have achieved the set learning objective will be given extension activities. These tasks may be on a related topic or be problem solving activities designed to improve a range of thinking skills from fact finding and researching to promoting new and inventive ideas which will enhance children’s creativity and finally bringing all the aspects of a problem together to arrive at a solution. Progress will be monitored carefully and teachers will ensure a balanced range of activities while ensuring that every child is supported and encouraged.

Subjects studied are:

English
Mathematics
Science
Information Technology
History
Geography
Religious Studies
PSHE
French
Spanish
Mandarin
Design Technology
Art
Music
Drama
Physical Education

Year 4

In Year 4 children are taught Mathematics in 2 ability groups. Progress will be carefully monitored and you will be informed if it becomes appropriate for your child to change groups. Whole class introductions will focus on different aspects of number and shape and space. This will be consolidated with differentiated independent work.

Subjects studied are:

English
Mathematics
Science
Information Technology
History
Geography
Religious Studies
PSHE
French
Spanish
Mandarin
Design Technology
Art
Music
Drama
Physical Education

Girls are expected to come into school independently and to take responsibility for their own possessions in Year 4.

Year 5

In Year 5 French, Spanish and Mandarin are taught using an interactive oral approach. Children will be involved in a variety of activities including role play, songs, games and poems. In French, this will include learning vocabulary connected with food and drink, shopping and likes and dislikes. In Mandarin, pupils will learn how to write characters, introduce themselves and focus on pronunciation.

Girls are taught PSHE weekly in Year 5 which contributes to their learning and focuses on the physical, moral, social and vocational self.

Girls are expected to come into school independently and to take responsibility for their own possessions in Year 5.

Year 6

In Year 6 girls are taught the three separate sciences: Physics, Chemistry and Biology, in order to prepare them for work in the senior school.

In Design Technology, Textiles and Food Preparation and Nutrition, the pupils will be working in three groups which will rotate throughout the year in the 3 disciplines. These subjects give the opportunity for the development of practical and social skills in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

English
Mathematics
Science - Physics/Chemistry/Biology
Information Technology
History
Geography
Religious Studies
PSHE
Modern Languages - French, Spanish and Mandarin
Art
Music
Drama
Physical Education
Curriculum Support and Extension

Music

Pupils in the Junior School receive two curriculum music lessons per week. They continue to build on the skills that have been learnt in the Infant department, through a mixture of listening and practical activities. Pupils learn about a variety of styles and genres, including Classical Music, Popular Music, Film Music, African Drumming, Samba and Gamelan. In each year, there is also a different whole class instrumental focus, with the aim of developing pupils’ ensemble skills and ability to read music. Year 3 pupils learn to play the Ocarina; Year 4 pupils play the Recorder; Year 5 pupils learn the Keyboard and Year 6 pupils play the Ukulele. The majority of pupils also receive individual lessons on an instrument, with many choosing to continue playing the violin. Pupils may also begin lessons on a second instrument.

Art and Drama

Girls in Key Stage 2 (age 7 - 11) mature rapidly, develop their own interests and begin to make individual choices.

As they progress through the school, pupils will acquire a breadth of experience and knowledge of artists, styles, working methods and media including : drawing and painting, printing, collage, papier mâché, plaster and pottery.

Pupils play an important role in inter-house competitions including World Book Day, National Poetry Day, Drama and Music events. All girls from year 3 participate in two lessons of drama per week.

Members of the Junior school take a role in the Autumn Term Christmas Play. Past Junior productions have involved plenty of singing and dancing as well as acting and are organised in conjunction with the Music Department.

Sport

The girls are encouraged to develop a love of sport through developing their skills, working with others and experiencing success.

They benefit from a variety of activities, which will give them the opportunity to challenge themselves, compete against others and have fun. Girls learn how to play netball, hockey, football, tag rugby, rounders, and cricket. Athletics, gymnastics, dance, games’ skills and fitness are taught throughout the year.

There are a wide variety of extra-curricular clubs on offer at lunch times and after school.

Junior pupils compete in competitions against other schools in leagues and festivals.

Sports day is an important part of the school calendar with every girl taking part and winning points for their house.

JUNIOR SPORT CURRICULUM TIMETABLE