ACADEMIC LIFE

Lower School - Years 7 and 8

 Boys and girls join Year 7 from both maintained primary schools and preparatory schools.  They are assigned to a form, in which they will remain for two years.  The form tutor is in daily charge of the form group and remains with the form for both years of the Lower School. 

The day starts with tutor time in the form room.  Lessons then take place throughout the School, with a 30 minute mid morning break, followed by more lessons.  The lunch period provides enough time for pupils to eat, either a packed lunch or school lunch, attend a club, activity or sports practice, go to rehearsals, go to the library and do homework, read a book, or simply enjoy games in the playground and hang out with their friends.  After lunch, lessons continue in the afternoon.  At the end of the School day, pupils have a wide choice of activities to enjoy, and there is often more sports training or matches and drama, dance or music rehearsals to attend. 

Lessons are taught in form groups, by specialist teachers for each subject.  In year 8, Maths and French are taught in ability bands.  In the Lower School, pupils follow a broad curriculum which incorporates English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Latin, Information Technology, Design Technology, Art, Music, Drama and PE.  Once a week the form has a tutorial period when the Form Tutor addresses topical issues which may have arisen within the Form and follows the PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) curriculum set down for pupils of this age.  Each Year group spends an afternoon a week at Games, at the Wood Lane sports facilities, as well as having another two periods a week of PE on site.

Field trips and visits which relate to the curriculum and add to the educational experience take place throughout the year.  These include visits to West End plays, Geography and History departmental field trips both in and out of London, Biology trips to London Zoo and a visit to the Science Museum.