Settling in at 8+
In the Upper First Year we ensure that new boys settle seamlessly alongside those coming up from the Lower First.
Although pupils receive some specialist teaching, the Form Tutor delivers over half of the lessons and provides the caring and stable atmosphere that enables boys to adjust to life at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s Juniors. A classroom assistant is also on hand to provide extra help, either for one to one or for small group work.
Mentors are provided to the new boys to aid settling in. Specialist teachers deliver some subjects in dedicated teaching areas: Science, French, Computing, Art, Music, Drama, Forest School and PE & Games. Form Tutors teach the boys for the rest of the curriculum. We want to inspire intellectual curiosity, broaden the boys’ horizons and foster a love of learning. At the end of the year, boys move up to the Second Years well prepared for more of a senior school routine where they are taught by subject specialists.
Outside of the classroom, the boys can enjoy a vast array of extra-curricular activities including chess, Aikido, LEGO, Sudoku, sports clubs and many more. There are also several sporting fixtures throughout the year, regular Forest School sessions, a number of trips and workshops, and the Upper First Year Play to keep everyone busy. This combination of lessons and extra-curricular activities give pupils a full day, so we do not like to overload them with too much homework. During the week, the mainstay of prep is reading and a little bit of Maths or English, whereas the weekend’s homework is likely to come from one of a wide range of subjects. The homework diary provides valuable two-way communication between home and school. Parents’ evenings and reports are important, of course, but parents are encouraged to contact Form Tutors, or the Head of Year, whenever they feel a quick chat is necessary.