Central to the children's intellectual, emotional and social development is Language, which has an essential role across the curriculum. Focusing on the four areas of listening, talking, reading and writing, and employing a wealth of carefully chosen materials and resources, we endeavour to provide a structured, balanced and stimulating programme of study.

In Mathematics we seek to provide our youngsters with a mathematical "toolkit" of concepts, facts and techniques, and to offer the progressively challenging experiences in which to develop their problem-solving and enquiry skills.

Our Environmental Studies curriculum is structured to provide a syllabus which is continuous, coherent and progressive. We aim to develop not only pupils' knowledge and understanding, but also the skills they require to investigate and comprehend the world around them.

In both Lower and Upper Primary, topics are chosen which provide a balance between Science, Social Subjects and Technology. We seek to enhance the study of different topics by organising visits, either local or further afield. P7 classes also benefit from being timetabled to use the Senior School science laboratories where they are taught by their own form teacher and science specialist working together.

At Watson's we place a strong emphasis on the Expressive Arts. Most teaching is carried out by specialists in the Junior School with the exception of Art in P1 to P3 and Drama. The form teacher is the person who does the teaching in these areas so that work can be integrated fully into the wider aspects of the curriculum.

Music is taught by specialist staff throughout the Junior School from the Nursery Unit to P7. Through a varied programme of class and group activities, children are encouraged to develop their musical skills in singing, listening and the playing of percussion instruments. Individual tuition is available for all orchestral instruments, recorders and bagpipes. A wide range of extra-curricular musical activities is also on offer. There are four choirs, string, woodwind and brass groups, two recorder groups, a chamber orchestra and chamber ensembles. There is ample opportunity for children to perform in the many concerts which take place throughout the session.

Pupils from the Junior School first go to Art for specialist tuition in P4. At this stage, they are encouraged to develop their abilities in recording from observations and personal experience. Pupils express and communicate through drawing, painting, collage and printmaking. Three-dimensional work is also explored via the construction of models in clay and a variety of other materials.

Drama is seen as being both a separate discipline in itself as well as an alternative teaching medium by which to deliver the wider curriculum. In the early years the focus is on developing movement and speech within a meaningful context. From P4 to P7 the conventions and skills of dramatic work are studied in more detail enabling the children to ultimately initiate, structure, present and review their own work.

A wide variety of extra-curricular Expressive Arts opportunities exists throughout the School. In P5, P6 and P7 the pupils are encouraged to expand the above areas of skill and knowledge with a strong emphasis on drawing. During these three years the critical awareness of the pupils is amplified by the introduction of Art Appreciation. In Expressive Arts, links have been made with external educational groups to enhance the children's work in Music and Drama. This use of groups outwith school will continue to develop, providing children with the opportunity to perform. At all stages of the Junior School, children do have the opportunity to perform musically or dramatically.

Physical Education is taught throughout the Junior School by specialist staff. Girls' hockey and boys' rugby begin in P6 and matches are played at home and away against other schools. Swimming is part of the curriculum from P3.

Religious and Moral Education lessons are planned under the three main headings: Christianity, Other World Religions and Personal Search. Using Philosophy for Children, we encourage our pupils, through dialogue, to use open-ended questioning to explore wide issues about life and develop the ability to discuss these.

Throughout the Junior School there are programmes of study for Personal and Social Development and Health Education which seek to increase our pupils' awareness of their growth and maturation both as individuals and as members of society. Sex Education is developed using the "Health E" series produced by BBC Wales and programmes are in place to tackle sensitive areas such as Bullying, Substance Abuse and Child Protection. Skills for Adolescence encourages our older Juniors to come to terms with their changing feelings and emotions and to have respect for others.

Watson's is committed to the importance of Modern Languages within our global community. Hence, the teaching of French begins at the start of the second term of P2, and in their early years children gain confidence in the spoken language through teaching by native-speakers. Pupils joining the School at later stages are given special classes and soon catch up with the early learners. Emphasis in the Primary is on conversation, songs and games, with writing, reading and grammar being introduced progressively.