Junior School
The Junior School comprises a Lower Primary, which incorporates the Nursery and Primary 1 to Primary 3, and an Upper Primary, which caters for Primary 4 to Primary 7.
Our aim is to provide a secure environment, within which our pupils can grow in confidence as they progress from their early school years in the Lower Primary to the challenges of the Upper Primary, where they begin to prepare for the transition to the Senior School.
Learning & Teaching
Our approach to teaching in the Junior School is based on the philosophy that learning should be enjoyable, as happy and motivated children are more receptive to new ideas and knowledge. Our curriculum is based on the national guidelines and enriched with carefully selected resources, the thoughtful use of technology and innovative teaching in and out of the classroom.
Homework
No matter at what age and stage, homework is an integral part of the learning process. Tasks are given out on a regular basis, and the amount of homework increases gradually from P1 to P7. Homework reinforces the work done in the classroom and establishes good work and study habits. It also provides a useful link between home and school.
Libraries
In all subjects children are encouraged to research and develop their studies through the use of our Lower and Upper Primary Libraries, which are bright, well-stocked multimedia resource areas. All classes are timetabled to use the Library, and at Upper Primary level a library assistant is available to assist all pupils. There is an extensive stock of fiction and non-fiction books, reflecting a wide range of reading abilities and interests. Many are available on audio and video tape, to assist in the development of literacy skills.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
All classes are equipped with computers. This facility extends to the Upper Primary Library, and a well equipped computer suite where pupils have the opportunity to use computers in a supervised environment and have filtered internet access. Sets of ibooks enable whole classes to work together. There is a programme of work for explicit teaching about ICT, but ICT is primarily used to facilitate and enhance learning and teaching across the whole of the curriculum.
Developing Interests
The Junior School is committed to extending opportunities for learning in a variety of contexts. To this end, new avenues of interest are developed within the Junior School, and our strong links with the local community allow our children to access professional expertise.
A design project, incorporating the input of local designers, is open to all children in P7. The culmination of this work is a “Week of Design”.
Each year a group is set up to extend and stimulate some of the more able pupils from P6 and P7. The format varies but one focus is to develop in Upper Primary Children a sense of enquiry, presentation skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
Tick Talk
At the end of each session, the Junior School Magazine Tick Talk is produced. The magazine is representative of work from Nursery to P7 and gives the children an opportunity to see their writing and art work in print.