Upper Primary (Ages 7-11)

The National Curriculum for England in Upper Primary aims to prepare students for future academic success and personal growth by promoting critical thinking, creativity, communication skills, and a love for lifelong learning.

In the Upper Primary, students embark on a demanding curriculum, guided and supported by their teachers and Head of Section. Emphasis is placed on effective teaching and learning to ensure that each student reaches their full potential and achieves age-appropriate benchmarks. This phase also introduces opportunities for student leadership, where students plan and lead assemblies, speak in public settings and gain leadership skills, confidence, and self-esteem. While our curriculum is rooted in the National Curriculum for England, we tailor topics to reflect our school's location and ensure that learning resonates with students from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Curriculum

In the Upper Primary, we follow the National Curriculum for England, which provides a comprehensive framework for academic development across various subjects. Through a structured and engaging approach, students build a strong foundation in core subjects while also exploring a range of disciplines to foster a well-rounded education.

Our curriculum encourages the development of critical thinking skills across subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, History, and Geography. Students are encouraged to ask questions, analyse information, evaluate evidence, and construct reasoned arguments.

Classroom activities such as debates, discussions, and group work provide opportunities for students to express their opinions, listen to others, and engage in reasoned dialogue. This fosters communication skills, critical reflection, and respectful exchange of ideas.

Further subjects

Each of the further subjects in the National Curriculum for England plays a unique role in fostering holistic development and providing a well-rounded education for students in Upper Primary. All subjects contribute to students' academic, social, emotional, physical, and moral growth, preparing them for future success and responsible citizenship.

• Art and Design encourages creativity, self-expression, and visual literacy skills through exploring various artistic techniques, materials, and concepts.
• Technology develops problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and practical skills, designing and creating products using technological tools and processes.
• Computing promotes computational thinking, digital literacy, and proficiency, using technology for communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Geography cultivates an understanding of the world's physical and human geography, environmental awareness, and spatial thinking skills.
• History fosters an appreciation for the past, historical thinking, research skills, and understanding of key historical events, figures, and themes. Geography and History lessons often explore global issues, cultural diversity, and historical events from multiple perspectives. This encourages students to consider different viewpoints, appreciate cultural differences, and develop empathy and understanding.
• Music encourages audio creativity, appreciation for different genres and styles, development of musical skills, and teamwork through ensemble performances.
• Physical Education promotes physical fitness, motor skills, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and an understanding of the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle.
• Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) supports students' social and emotional development, builds resilience, teaches life skills, promotes positive relationships, and addresses important topics such as well-being, relationships, and personal safety. It encourages understanding and respect for different beliefs and cultures, fostering reflection on questions of meaning and purpose. Topics related to ethics, morals, and values are as well explored through various cross-curricular activities. These discussions promote reflection, empathy, and understanding of diverse perspectives.
• Philosophy - We incorporate specific philosophy-based programmes and approaches, such as Philosophy for Children (P4C), to engage students in philosophical inquiry, questioning, and ethical reflection. While philosophy is not a standalone subject in Primary School, the content and principles of these programmes seamlessly integrate within the broader context of Personal, Social and Health Education. They are taught by specialised educators encouraging open dialogue, the exploration of philosophical concepts, and the development of reasoning skills. In English language lessons, students may analyse texts that raise philosophical questions or themes, such as morality, identity, justice, and the meaning of life. This encourages deeper thinking and interpretation of complex ideas.

Homework

As a full-day school, we recognise the importance of allowing children time after school to pursue other interests. It's essential for young individuals to have personal time for activities that enhance their skills or contribute to their overall wellbeing. Even at a young age, maintaining a healthy balance between schoolwork and other pursuits is crucial. Therefore, we adopt a moderate approach to homework.

In addition to regular reading practice, homework tasks are assigned when necessary and are targeted towards specific goals for each student, typically not exceeding three short activities per week. For families seeking additional practice at home, our teachers are always available to provide suitable activities and guidance upon request.

Assessment

We take a comprehensive approach to assessment, considering all types of evaluations when providing feedback to parents and making professional recommendations related to academic matters. The class teacher conducts continuous formative assessments, which provide ongoing insights into each student's progress. Additionally, students undertake annual assessments in English, Mathematics, and Science. The information from these assessments is crucial in guiding teachers on how to effectively support each student's academic journey.

Parents are regularly informed about their child's progress throughout the school year, and have the opportunity to meet formally with teachers during scheduled parents' evenings to discuss their child's progress, address any concerns, and collaborate on strategies for further success.