IDL - School Presentations version 2.2

Nursery & Infants
Years 3 - 7
Juniors
Years 7 - 11
Seniors
Years 11 - 16
Sixth Form College
Years 16 - 18
Children are able to start attending our
Nursery in the term in which they turn
three. Our Early Years children are
taught in small classes with each class
having at least one teacher, and one
level 3 nursery nurse. Each child has
their own key worker who is responsible
for taking particular care of that child,
and liaising with their family to ensure
that their individual needs are identified
and met.
The Early Years curriculum allows each
child to learn in an individual and
unique way. The children have daily
Maths and English lessons and are
taught a new ‘jolly phonic’ sound each
week. They are able to explore the
world through carefully planned play
and investigative activities.
We follow the National Curriculum and
assess the children using age related
standardised scores. Our children do
not do the SATs tests at the end of year
6, but they do sit the entrance exam in
January in year 6 for our senior school.
Children are taught by primary
specialists for Maths, English, PSHE
and Humanities to ensure continuity in
their pastoral care.
They are taught by subject specialist
teachers for PE, Music, Science (Y5-6),
Art/ DT and Languages. In Year 5 and
6, our children use senior school
facilities for Science and Art. All of our
children use the school swimming pool
for swimming lessons, and the school’s
sports facilities for Games and PE as
appropriate.
We tailor the curriculum to individual
needs and circumstance. For example,
some year 8&9 students have Learning
Support in place of a second foreign
language. We ensure that the most
able students are fully challenged by
their academic work, for example
through Separate Science GCSE for
the higher sets. And in the planning of
lessons, the aptitudes, needs and prior
attainments of pupils are taken into
account.
We have small forms allowing us to
know our pupils well and to give
individual care. There is close
communication with parents and our
pupils are nurtured in a caring
environment.
We aim to prepare our students for top
universities and successful careers
beyond their academic study. As with
all sections of the school, we believe
that small class sizes, and individual
care and attention are the key to
effective pastoral and academic
support. Each student is assigned a
form tutor with no more than 12
students to a tutor group. Over the two
years they develop a strong, supportive
relationship with their students and their
families.
Academic progress is further supported
by the sixth form academic tutor as well
as subject teachers. A strong pastoral
care system keeps a close eye on each
student’s welfare as they progress
through their A level studies.