About the Juniors

Subjects and Learning

Most subjects are class taught to a single year group of a maximum of 15 pupils. This enables teachers to provide individual attention, to consolidate basic skills, and to accelerate the attainment of high achievers. Subject specialists teach French, German, Physical Education and Music throughout the Junior School. Musical instrument tuition is available on request. Year 6 are taught weekly in one of the Senior School science laboratories.

Literacy and numeracy are a priority at Sancton Wood. In English, pupils are given a sound grounding in grammar, punctuation, spelling, handwriting and reading comprehension. This is the foundation upon which the pupils are challenged to reach high standards of attainment in creative expression. In Mathematics, concrete experience and regular mental arithmetic practice form the basis for using and applying mathematical principles to problem solving activities

Pupils have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of computers in the multimedia Study Skills room.

Extra Opportunities

To enrich the pupils' learning opportunities, field trips, residential trips, educational visits to museums, galleries and the theatre are frequently arranged. Visiting professionals with expertise in the creative arts further the pupils' interests.

Sports, Activities and Competitions

There is a full sporting programme throughout the year. One afternoon a week, the sessions are held at Kelsey Kerridge Sports Hall; a fully equipped modern facility providing Basketball, Badminton, Gymnastics, Football, Uni-Hoc, Short Tennis, Trampolining and Circuit Training.

On alternate weeks the pupils swim at the impressively refurbished Parkside Swimming Pool. The other afternoon is spent at Fenners Cricket Ground, a National Centre of Excellence. The programme covers Football, Hockey, Cricket, Athletics and Cross Country. Regular matches are played against other schools. Each summer our Sports Day is held at Fenners.

A competition for attainment and effort is arranged under the House system: Dragons, Griffins and Phoenix. There is friendly rivalry between the Houses in the form of Art and Drama competitions, sports matches and charity fund-raising.

We also offer after school clubs every day, including additional art, chess, multi-sports and dance.

The Christmas Production

At Christmas each year the Junior School stages a production for parents. In recent years this has taken the form of a musical drama and all the children take part, either acting, singing, or playing musical instruments.