Juniors & Infants: Juniors

Years 3 and 4

At Key Stage 2 we want all girls to be challenged to extend their learning and focus on the individual areas they need to develop and build on their individual strengths. We encourage the girls in their endeavours and we continue to monitor each child to ensure they are on the right track. The transition from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 is exciting and stimulating yet seamless. Their form classrooms are located in Anderson Building where Mathematics and English are taught but other weekly lessons such as ICT, Art, Music and Dance take place in the specialist rooms of the Junior School site. Our Year 3 teachers eagerly welcome the girls at the start of the school year. They come in as somewhat overgrown Infants and leave at the end of Year 3 as confident Juniors!

HOME LEARNING: Written homework that is expected to take ½ hour is set twice a week in Year 3 and three times a week in Year 4.

PARENT EVENTS & CONTACT:  During the summer term classes hone their athletic skills at our Churchill Playing Field in preparation for the Sports Day which is watched by parents. We have a house system; Charlcombe, Grosvenor, Lansdown and Northfields are our four Junior School Houses.  All girls represent their "house" in the races and eagerly await the announcement of the winning house at the end of the afternoon.

Every class leads an assembly during the school year to which parents and the other classes are invited to watch. This usually happens first thing on a Friday. Highlights of the year include the Junior Harvest celebration and Junior School Christmas Carol Service with all pupils taking part in narration, acting, singing and dancing. The pride and sense of accomplishment at these school events is tangible with all girls growing in confidence and self-belief.

A curriculum evening early in the academic year along with Parent Consultations each term enable parents to meet formally with their daughter's form teacher. These events, combined with twice yearly written reports with supporting targets for the next stage of learning, enable both school and home to check on progress and provide extension or support to girls when needed.

The  mid-year report with individual pupil targets for Mathematics, English and Science is sent to parents in February and a full report on all subjects taught issued in July. It is expected that each girl will do her best - no more, no less!

TRIPS & VISITS: In Year 3 there are several trips to places far and wide. Undoubtedly the highlight of the year is the chance to perform in the Year 3 production which is usually presented to parents in the Spring term.

In Year 4 we build on the skills and knowledge from the previous years. It is rewarding to watch the girls continue to grow in competence and confidence. There are charity events organised by the girls as well as day trips and the 3 night residential trip to Stone Farm in Devon proves to be both busy and informative. The girls take on exceptional responsibilities even before breakfast has been served. From flying the barn owl, rounding up sheep, feeding the pigs to running the maternity wing in the chicken and duckling wards all girls are busy and happy with no time to feel homesick!

Years 5 and 6

The move to ‘Hope House' for Year 5 is a significant move to the ‘top of the school'. We have two Year 5 form classes. They are now housed in the main building of the school, and this gives the girls a great sense of belonging and maturity. Working together confidently and independently the girls take an active part in the running of the school. In preparation for the next stage of their learning Year 5 and 6 girls are expected to move between lessons independently and be punctual. Their form classrooms are based in Hope House but other weekly lessons such as ICT Science, Art, Music and Dance take place in the specialist rooms of the Junior School.

As the oldest girls in the school Year 6 particularly enjoy the chance to be a "Book Friend" to an Infant pupil each Friday as well as the responsibility of being selected as a Prefect.

HOME LEARNING: Homework is set 4 nights a week in Year 5 and 5 nights a week in Year 6. It should take 30/40 minutes per night. It aims to develop the skills taught in school and provide an opportunity for independent study.

PARENT EVENTS & CONTACT:  During the summer term classes hone their athletic skills at our Churchill Playing Field in preparation for the Sports Day which is watched by parents. We have a house system; Charlcombe, Grosvenor, Lansdown and Northfields are our four Junior School Houses.  All girls represent their "house" in the races and eagerly await the announcement of the winning house at the end of the afternoon. Year 6 Sports Captains assist with the smooth running of the day and this gives them a sense of responsibility.

Every class leads an assembly during the school year to which parents and the other classes are invited to watch. This usually happens first thing on a Friday. Highlights of the year include the Junior Harvest celebration, Carol Singing in Bath for the Rotary Club and the Junior School Christmas Carol Service. All pupils take part in narration, acting, singing and dancing. The Year 5 and 6 production in the summer term is a feature of the high standard of our performing arts provision. The pride and sense of accomplishment at these school events is tangible with all girls growing in confidence and self-belief.

A curriculum evening early in the academic year, along with Parent Consultations each term, enable parents to meet formally with their daughter's form teacher. These events, combined with twice yearly written reports, with supporting targets for the next stage of learning, enable both school and home to check on progress and provide extension or support to girls when needed. Year 6 girls are asked to contribute their own reflection on their time at Junior School in their final report.

TRIPS & VISITS:  Visits in the local area enrich our understanding and help set our understanding within a meaningful context.  Year 5 trips might include a visit to SS Great Britain in Bristol and Trowbridge Water Treatment Works. In Year 6 the 4 night residential trip in the summer term gives us all a busy week of sport and craft activities and helps us develop our self-confidence and organisation skills even further.

GROWING INDEPENDENCE: Suddenly the end of the school year looms and preparations for Prize-Giving and the End of Year Celebration, the Year 6 leavers' disco, saying goodbye to young Book Friends, with trepidation, excitement, tears and ‘we're going to miss the Junior school'. But the Year 6 staff and indeed all the Junior School staff know that the girls are leaving as confident, independent and creative learners ready for the next challenge of Senior School.