King’s House Junior Department offers its pupils a unique, caring and stimulating environment in which all the boys are encouraged to reach their potential. It is housed in two Victorian buildings which have been sensitively extended and enhanced to provide a wonderful learning environment.
Boys join the Junior Department when they are aged 4 and they start in Reception where they are gently introduced to School routine whilst following the Early Years Foundation Stage. The boys are based in their classrooms with their teacher and assistant for most of the time but also have specialist teachers for French, Music and PE.
From Year 1 upwards they also have a specialist teacher for Games and from Year 3 for Computing. Over the next four years they develop their skills across all areas of the curriculum and become confident, independent learners.
The classrooms are bright and well equipped with networked computers, an interactive whiteboard and outdoor area.
The Department has its own hall, library and computer suite. The Food Technology room offers opportunities for the boys to develop their culinary skills whilst learning about healthy eating. There is a spacious astro playground where the boys enjoy PE sessions and playing at break times.
“Throughout the School, teaching fully supports the School’s aim to provide an education that challenges pupils to achieve their full potential, including EYFS children. The quality of teaching contributes significantly to pupils’ excellent achievement.”
– ISI Report 2016
Dedicated teaching staff are supported by an enthusiastic team of teaching assistants. The curriculum is designed to challenge its pupils whilst offering a diverse range of opportunities in Music, Art, Drama and Sport. They enjoy the arts and perform regularly in plays and concert which are held throughout the year. Classes present assemblies to which parents are invited as well. Our Junior Department pupils enjoy a range of physical activities.
All boys now do swimming, have PE lessons with specialist staff and from Year 1 upwards go to Games sessions at the School’s sports ground.
Visits to local museums and places of interest enrich the boys learning experience. Parents and other visitors are invited into School to talk to the boys.
Fundraising plays a big part in the department activities and over the last academic year a huge amount has been raised for different charities including King’s House Rwanda.
Homework diaries, Form Reps and the weekly newsletter all ensure that there is excellent communication between staff and parents. Regular meetings are arranged for formal discussions about boys’ progress but parents are welcome to meet with the Head of Department or form teachers should the need arise.
Reception: Age 4+
The boys are divided into two classes each with Form Teacher and Teaching Assistant. The boys follow the EYFS curriculum and cursive writing is introduced. They also engage in a diverse range of creative, physical and musical activities and begin swimming lessons in the summer term.
Year 1: Age 5+
There are two mixed ability classes each with a Form Teacher and Teaching Assistant. The boys begin to extend their skills and start to work more independently. They develop their skills in Numeracy and Literacy. They have swimming and Games sessions all year. In Year 1, homework is limited to reading practice and spellings.
Year 2: Age 6+
There are two mixed ability classes each with a Form Teacher and a Teaching Assistant. The boys have subject specialists for French, PE and Music. They develop their investigative skills in Science and begin to do their own research in ICT. They continue to have weekly swimming and Games sessions. There are two half-hour homeworks, one written and one for Maths plus weekly spellings and reading.
Year 3: Age 7+
There are three mixed ability classes each with a Form Teacher and Teaching Assistant. The boys have subject specialists for French, Computing, PE and Music, and have some lessons in the Senior Department. They work more independently and are expected to sustain concentration for extended periods. Boys also begin to write with a pen.
There are two written and one Maths homework a week in addition to the reading and learning of spellings and tables.
They continue to have a Games and swimming session once per week.