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Departments
The Nursery & Infant School
The Nursery and Infant Department occupies what was once the servants
hall of Grittleton House. Children can join the school from the
age of two and the Nursery provides a happy and stimulating environment.
Learning through play promotes personal and social development and
as it is sometimes a small child’s first experience of life
away from home we are ever mindful that to be happy is of prime
importance, not only to the child, but also to the parents. As the
children progress through the Nursery, language and literacy skills
are fostered through story telling and conversation, and sound and
letter recognition begins as children become aware of and talk about
their surroundings. Numeracy skills are introduced and encouraged
by the use of mathematical language, pattern recognition and sequencing
and a multitude of practical activities.
In the Infant Classes – Reception, years 1 & 2 –
the children begin to explore a wider curriculum. The core subjects
of English, Maths and Science form a large part of every day’s
lessons, and Drama, PE, French and Music become important items
in the weekly routine.
The Junior School
The Junior School builds on these foundations and in the small classes
the children continue to absorb knowledge. Again, we strongly believe
in the traditional values in teaching. The old, tried and tested
methods have stood the test of time and been proved to work, and
these we thoroughly endorse. All children in the junior school learn
to spell and say their tables! Where new ideas complement these
methods, they are happily adopted, but ‘trends’ are
never taken up merely to be fashionable.
History and Geography are added to their timetable at this stage.
Music and Drama also become very important aspects of school life.
The children have the opportunity to learn to play woodwind instruments
and they all take part in choral activities.
Games and athletics are always popular. The children are encouraged
to develop individual skills and to participate in team games and
in matches against other schools.
From Year 3 homework is set daily, chiefly to encourage confidence
and the ability to work alone. It is important, in both Junior and
Senior Schools, that homework is done regularly and Home Message
Books are provided for daily recording of homework. Parents are
asked to check, and confirm by signature, that homework has been
completed. Form Teachers will countersign the books each morning.
The Junior children may join the School Ski-Trip (alternating each
year with the Senior ski trip) and in Year 6 they are invited to
participate in a Venture Week. As with the ski-ing trip this gives
the children the opportunity to be away from home but live together
with people they know.
The Senior School
At 11+ most of the Junior School pupils move up to the Senior School.
Children from other schools enter Grittleton House at this stage.
A broad based curriculum offers pupils a wide choice of GCSE subjects.
There is a personal development and social education course which
from Year 9 also embraces careers advice. The monthly assessment
of pupils’ progress monitors their endeavours and highlights,
at an early stage, any areas of concern.
In the Senior School we expect pupils to begin to assume more responsibility
for their own work and behaviour. By the time they reach their final
year, most will be playing an active role in the running of the
School, be it as prefects, games captains, or library assistants.
They will be taking active parts in debating groups, leading roles
in dramatic productions, and leading their teams to victory on the
playing fields. All this and GCSEs too!
Pastoral Care
In the Senior School pupils usually have the same form tutor for
at least four years. This member of staff is responsible for their
pastoral care and the supervision of each individual’s progress.
Time is allocated each day for form business, advice and guidance.
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