How are pupils taught and challenged?
Small classes and specialist teaching
In the final two years of Prep School, children benefit from small classes and specialist teaching across the academic curriculum. There are two different blocks of academic lessons, with sets arranged independently of each other: STEM, determined by maths level for maths, science and DTE, and Languages and Humanities, determined by English ability. This means that children who might be strong in maths but still emerging in English can be catered for appropriately.
Academic setting and individual progress
We ‘set’ the children for academic lessons in a way that is sensitive, responsive and always driven by the progress of the individual child. At the start of a new academic year, Year 7 pupils will be in mixed-ability classes until we understand their relative abilities; typically until the first Exeat weekend, approximately three weeks into term, or sometimes until the October half term.
In addition to consulting past reports and standardised testing, this gives staff time to assess relative ability levels accurately and ensure the most appropriate judgements are made. Sets are constantly reviewed, especially at key assessment points such as Christmas and Summer, with pupils moving between sets where it is in their best educational interests to do so.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment is an essential part of effective teaching and learning. Understanding what pupils know and comprehend – and what they don’t – is fundamental in helping children make good progress.
In Years 7 and 8 we use a combination of assessment for learning, marking and feedback and formal assessments to ensure every pupil is working towards their full potential. This includes standardised assessments in English, maths and science, classroom-based assessments at the end of the Michaelmas Term and formal examinations in English, maths, science, French, Latin, history, geography and religious studies in the Summer Term.
These are completed to ensure pupils experience the examination process and learn the necessary revision skills, as well as build confidence, resilience and test techniques. Children on the SEND register will have extra time and necessary support as indicated by our SEND department.
