The Curriculum

The curriculum consists of the school syllabus, the examination syllabus, the Early Years Foundation Stage of Education (statutory curriculum for 3 years old until the end of kindergarten, pre-Key Stage 1) and the National Curriculum Key Stages 1-3.

Teaching incorporates the best possible educational practice, consisting of first-hand experiences, practical activities and structured work and play. Individual work programmes are prepared for each child, so that where potential is recognised he/she may proceed to the next Key Stage whilst remaining within his or her social peer group. If a child attending the school requires extra tuition in any area, it will be offered by arrangement with parents and without extra cost.

Whilst we do have a range of reading schemes and mathematics schemes, we also use a variety of teaching materials and practise class, group and individual teaching. Pupils are ‘set’ according to ability for mathematics and English.

Resources: teachers have access to a comprehensive range of teaching resources and children’s resources. The school is extremely well-resourced and equipped.

Core subjects: English, mathematics and science, basic skills in the teaching of reading, handwriting, spelling and arithmetic, the National Literacy Project and the National Numeracy Project.

Foundation subjects: design technology, art and craft, communication and information technology, music, history, geography, physical education and games, religious education, French. Latin is also offered.

Examinations: an examination syllabus is in place for four years through Upper 3, Upper 4, Upper 5 and Upper 6. This, together with the National Curriculum and our own school syllabus, should gain our children places, and perhaps scholarships, at top secondary schools. At 13+, children are prepared for Common Entrance or other external entrance examinations.

Pupils are given swimming lessons from Kindergarten to Lower 2 as part of the PE Curriculum.  During this time, a pupil should reach National Curriculum Standard of being able to swim 25 metres unaided.  Pupils are tested and will be awarded their National Curriculum certificate.

Please note the teaching swimming pool is not suited for further swimming teaching after this standard is reached or after the Lower 2 class because of timetable restrictions.

Religious Education

Rastrick Preparatory is Christian and multi-denominational in attitude: there is a daily assembly, and religious education (the teaching of world religions) is taught in all classes. We have established links with our community churches. We hold an annual Harvest Festival and perform a Christmas production. The school recognises that we live in a multi-cultural society and our ethos is one of the recognition and acceptance of all religious beliefs and customs. We welcome children of all faiths and celebrate many different festivals.

Value added assessments

After baseline assessments in the nursery, on entry to the school all children from six and upwards are given a bank of diagnostic assessments followed by twice yearly achievement tests, based on national norms, to determine ‘value-added’ quotients as they proceed through the school. These are in addition to the National Curriculum tests. Reports are issued twice yearly.