United KingdomSchool of the Decade

From Nursery, we focus on building a strong foundation in English language skills, including reading, writing, speaking and listening. Our approach integrates engaging resources and methods to promote literacy, communication and critical thinking. We foster a love for English through storytelling, phonics activities and creative writing exercises.

Our Computing and ICT curriculum begins in Nursery and is designed to provide a strong foundation for digital literacy. Taught by our specialist teachers, pupils develop essential skills in presentation, coding, algorithms, animation and design as they progress through the year groups. We prepare our pupils with the technological fluency that will serve them well in the future.

In Nursery, pupils are introduced to basic scientific concepts through interactive and engaging activities. As they progress through the year groups, they gradually incorporate biology, chemistry and physics into their scientific learning. By the time they reach Years 7 and 8, pupils are equipped to delve deeper into these fields and explore the interconnectedness of the natural world.

From Nursery, our maths curriculum fosters numeracy, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Through hands-on activities, games and interactive lessons, we aim to develop a love for numbers and a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, including number operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra, geometry, measures and statistics that will benefit children as they progress through their academic journey. Our approach emphasises building confidence and a positive attitude towards maths, setting the stage for future success in this essential subject.

Our geography curriculum introduces basic geographic concepts from Nursery in a fun and interactive way. Through hands-on activities and engaging lessons, pupils continue to explore and build upon their understanding, developing a deeper appreciation for different cultures, environments and natural phenomena. By the time they reach Year 8, our geographers have an appreciation for contemporary geographical issues, preparing them to delve further into the complexities of the world and its diverse landscapes.

History forms a part of the curriculum from Nursery, and we bring history to life in a creative and imaginative way. Pupils develop an enthusiasm for discovering the past through learning about different historical periods, key historical figures, important events, and the impact of the past on the present. Through engaging activities and interactive lessons, we help pupils understand the significance of historical events and how they have shaped the world we live in today.

From Nursery, our art curriculum sets the stage for a lifelong love of creativity and expression. Our little artists learn about colours, shapes and different art materials through guided exploration. As they advance through the year groups, they delve into pottery work using our studio kiln and explore printmaking, traditional painting techniques, sculpture work and textiles. Our art curriculum introduces pupils to a broad range of skills and materials to enable them to make informed and creative decisions as they mature into young artists. Pupils have participated in the prestigious National Gallery’s ‘Take One Picture’ project, allowing them to exhibit their work at a national level.

In Nursery, our young musicians begin their musical journey by being introduced to various instruments and different members of the musical family. As they advance through the year groups, they explore a broader repertoire that encompasses a wide range of repertoire from different genres, eras and cultures. Pupils also develop their listening, performing and composing skills through a myriad of practical tasks. We foster a love for performance across all year groups, with pupils regularly participating in concerts and recitals. All pupils are encouraged to participate in instrumental lessons and performance activities.

Our unique French curriculum, starting from Nursery, is designed to captivate young linguists with the enchanting French language and culture. Through a blend of interactive activities, songs and games, pupils build a solid foundation of basic vocabulary and language skills and gain a deep appreciation for French traditions. By Year 8, our French linguists eagerly embrace the opportunity to interact with native speakers and demonstrate expertise in writing, speaking, listening and reading.

Mandarin is taught from Reception and is offered as a second language in Year 7, should pupils wish to continue to deepen their connection with the Chinese language. Pupils in Reception learn simple greetings and introductions and progress to reading childhood classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar in Chinese. By Year 8, they can write at least 500 characters in Mandarin. Our engaging curriculum incorporates singing and games in Chinese to foster a love for the language.

In Year 7, pupils study a second foreign language; Spanish is one of the options. The Spanish curriculum emphasises common verbs in the present tense, progressing to the past and near future in Year 8. Pupils study a culturally rich curriculum based on Castilian Spanish, which also includes customs and traditions of the wider Hispanic diaspora. Food plays a significant role in enriching our cultural experience.

In Year 7, pupils are offered a second foreign language. In Latin, they are introduced to grammar and sentence structures while exploring various aspects and stories of the Classical World, emphasising the diverse inhabitants of the Ancient Roman Empire. As they progress to Year 8, students delve into the study of provincial life within the Roman Empire, Pompeii’s devastation and subsequent excavation, and mythological stories such as Prometheus, Orpheus and Eurydice.

Our Year 7 curriculum allows pupils to delve into a second foreign language, with German being one of the available options. In Years 7 and 8, pupils broaden their linguistic skills and cultural understanding by engaging in the German language and its rich heritage. We follow a curriculum linked to the Oxford University Press, which covers key foundational grammar while exposing pupils to various cultures from German-speaking languages, such as classical music, fairy tales and winter sports.

In our Design and Technology studio, pupils in Years 4 to 8 engage in an exciting curriculum focused on exploration and hands-on creation. In Year 4, pupils are introduced to using hand tools and learn about working with various materials in the workshop environment. Pupils are taught how to design 3D objects and produce them using 3D printing technologies. As they advance through the year groups, they learn how to use machinery and work on projects, including creating jigsaw puzzles, laser cutting, smart thermometers and metalworking. Pupils also participate in STEAM activities, studying forces, motion and propulsion. By the time pupils reach Years 7 and 8, they have acquired skills in woodworking, making nesting boxes, creating unique plant-inspired LED table lamps and designing complex 3D characters utilising the 3D printer.

Drama forms part of the curriculum from Year 2, where pupils are introduced to mime and movement. As they progress to Year 3, they incorporate improvisations, imaginative play, reading, and performing scenes into their learning. As they progress through the year groups, pupils develop performance skills, including vocal projection, expression, body language, movement, gesture, stage positioning, group collaboration, proxemics and stage confidence. Our performers regularly stage productions featuring adaptations of Peter Pan, Matilda, Alice in Wonderland, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and plays by Dr Seuss.

Taught from Years 4 to 8, our HEALTH curriculum (Home Economics and Lifetime Health) comprises six essential skills: Culinary, Growth, Nutrition, Outreach, Textiles and Wellbeing. This unique programme provides the building blocks of many vital life skills. From studying Chinese herbal medicines and embracing the role of kitchen scientists to preparing food packages for the local community and cultivating our own produce, this curriculum extends far beyond conventional teachings.

In our PSHEE curriculum, we begin teaching from Nursery. Our discussions in the younger year groups focus on understanding and expressing feelings, developing friendships and reflecting on thought patterns. We also incorporate mindful activities such as yoga, mindful colouring, breathing exercises and journaling into our daily routines. As pupils progress through the year groups, our lessons emphasise the importance of wellbeing through self-awareness, self-esteem and self-confidence, and promoting moral and social responsibility.

We introduce a religion and philosophy curriculum from Nursery to Year 8. We foster pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, cultural and intellectual growth by inspiring them to delve into the fundamental questions of belief and values that arise from various human experiences. The curriculum incorporates philosophical inquiry, critical thinking skills and studying diverse religions and cultures.

Our PE and Games curriculum promotes physical fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship among our pupils. Through various activities and sports, pupils develop fundamental movement skills, learn the importance of regular exercise and embrace the value of fair play. Our curriculum instils a lifelong love for physical activity and healthy competition whilst fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all pupils from Nursery to Year 8.

Swimming forms part of the curriculum from Reception to Year 6. Pupils regularly participate in galas and IAPS competitions to promote teamwork and sportsmanship. Starting from Year 4, pupils use the Alexander Lido at the College. They learn various swimming strokes, such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Additionally, swimming clubs are available from Year 5, providing further skill development and an opportunity to continue enjoying the sport.