The Lower School curriculum at Leehurst Swan encompasses Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
KS1 (Key Stage 1) and KS2 (Key Stage 2) refer to stages in the National Curriculum Framework set by the Department of Education, with KS1 focusing on foundational skills and KS2 broadening to subjects like science, history, and geography, both leading to standardized tests (SATs) at their conclusion.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) relates to the reception year and has three prime areas of learning:
- Communication and language
Staff help to develop the confidence to acquire speaking and listening and early literacy skills through stories, songs and rhymes. Children are given the opportunity to talk and share ideas and thoughts. - Physical development
The children have many opportunities to explore movement and space through running, climbing and physical activities. We start each morning with ‘Brain Gym’ to help stimulate the brain cells. Children learn about health and self-care. - Personal, social and emotional development
Children learn to play co-operatively and collaboratively. Staff support and encourage the children to develop self-esteem and social and emotional skills and to care for each other and their environment to become confident independent learners.
Please find a link to the Government website below outlining the EYFS Framework we must meet as a school to aid the learning, development and care of our younger pupils.
The curriculum extends beyond the confines of the national curriculum. Every child has a form teacher who gets to know his/her pupils and their talents and is responsible for pastoral care and progress. The form teacher teaches most of the curriculum, although there are specialist teachers for music, PE, art, design and technology and French. Classes enjoy a wide variety of visits to enrich the work in the classroom. Children also perform in plays, concerts, school assemblies and services.
We educate, challenge and stimulate children well beyond the boundaries of the national curriculum. In addition to the curriculum taught by the form teacher, regular support is given by specialist teachers in science, art, design and technology, music, modern foreign languages, PE and ICT, and the best of modern teaching methods are used to stimulate learning. Coaching for the 11 plus examination is offered outside of the curriculum and pupils are prepared for a successful transfer to senior school. High academic standards are encouraged, and a wide range of sporting activities are offered. An extensive programme of visitors enhances their classroom work and include some residential trips in which the children gain independence and find very exciting!
Academic Scholarships for Entry into Year 3
There are two academic scholarships available for children entering Year 3. These will be dependent upon performance in the examination, which consists of tests in numeracy and literacy. For more information about scholarships, please click here.
Preparation for Senior School
The choice of senior school is very important and parents are offered advice and encouragement concerning their child’s future. Pupils are prepared for the Senior School entrance examination and the 11+ examination to the grammar schools should parents wish. Many pupils make the transition into the next stage of their education at Leehurst Swan and families benefit by having all their children at one school.
11+ Preparation
As an independent school, we are not restricted by the national curriculum. Our syllabus remains broad and balanced with a continued emphasis on creativity, questioning and independent thinking which prepares our children for secondary education, be it in the Leehurst Swan senior school, the state system or the local grammar schools.
We believe that every individual in our care should be provided with the opportunity to engage with the 11+ process and thus consider a grammar school secondary education. As such, we are proud to offer 11+ familiarisation sessions to all of our Prep pupils.
We offer 11+ familiarisation sessions to pupils in Year Five, and we further embed our 11+ sessions within our curriculum by extending our offering to pupils from Year Three. In Years Three and Four, preparation will focus on core maths and English skills to secure the fundamentals.
At Leehurst Swan, we keep a close eye on those engaging with the 11+ process and carefully monitor their wellbeing, alongside their progress. We work in partnership with parents and feedback any concerns to ensure that every child is fully supported.