A foundational learning framework
The Lower School Curriculum provides a foundational learning framework for all of our pupils. In these important years, our girls and boys build core knowledge and skills within disciplines, they learn to think and learn to learn.
Haileybury seeks to develop learners who are academically ambitious, intellectually curious, imaginative and independent.
We want our pupils to acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding that they will need to make the world a better place, and the sense of responsibility and compassion required to do so.
We believe in offering pupils flexibility and choice in a progressive context; they are encouraged to follow their personalised pathways.
At the core of all subjects will lie reading and literacy, oracy and talk, independence and reflection.
Principles
Curriculum
Teaching Assessment
Our curriculum consists of powerful disciplinary knowledge, delivered using connected, coherent methods.
This is strengthened as pupils connect their learning across disciplines, connect with each other, and connect with both their local and global communities.
Our teaching is well-planned and organised.
It is underpinned by a desire to enable each and every pupil to identify themselves as subject specialists and will engage, excite and enthuse.
Our methods of instruction are built on foundations of expertise, precision and challenge.
Assessment is responsive and informative.
It is learner-focused and understands the pupils as individuals.
It takes into consideration a pupil’s profile, pathway and progress, and provides specific, helpful support on strengths and how a pupil will improve.
Learners are active in their assessment processes.
Coherence
• Foundational skills prioritised within subjects
• Removes curriculum
Curriculum concepts
We ensure that there is a logic and coherence within subjects and disciplines. Whilst interdisciplinary thinking is important, at this stage, foundational skills developing within subjects will take priority. There is also coherence with the Removes curriculum.
Discovery
• Led by Departments
• Projects presented with pride
Literacy
• High quality texts: pleasure and academic
• Tiered and guided reading
• Shared reading
Oracy
• Debate
• Dialogue
• Talking and reading Online courses
• Haileyburyprepared and monitored
• Extension courses augment Prep
Terms will culminate in a discovery project. These discovery projects will be led by one department, with others coming in to support where appropriate. The outcomes of these discovery projects will be beautiful pieces of work, presented with pride.
Reading and literacy form the fundamentals of study. Pupils are exposed to high quality, authentic academic text and taught to read for a variety of different purposes (including for pleasure).
The delivery of learning is underpinned by oracy and talk. We have a framework for meaningful talk used across all lessons in the Lower School for discussion, debate and the dialogue that underpins all learning.
We deploy a range of subject based online courses, prepared and resourced by Haileybury teachers. Traditional Prep is augmented through independent study of online extension courses. Alongside maths, science and language prep, pupils will complete courses as they choose across the two years. Engagement with and progress through these courses is monitored by tutors imbuing the pupils with a sense of extension and wider engagement.
Curriculum structure
The balance of subjects and periods within our timetable has been carefully considered and developed. The table below demonstrates period* allocations for the Lower School curriculum.
*One period = 40 minutes
Maths
Science
English
Latin
Music and drama
Technology & computing
Art
Geography
History
Theology & philosophy
French
Spanish
Reading
Wellbeing
Lessons in LS1 Lessons in LS2
The co-curriculum and curriculum extension
Lower School introduces pupils to the many co-curricular options. They develop their competencies outside of the classroom as well as inside.
Drama, music and sport lie at the heart of the co-curriculum, with individual and collective opportunities provided for expression, and opportunities to develop knowledge and consider their own development.
During lunchtimes and after school, pupils can take part in our academic extension programme of extra sport, music and drama activities.
The Lower School puts on a drama production every year and all Lower School pupils have the opportunity to participate. There are also LAMDA and music showcases throughout the year.
Members of staff coaching Lower School teams or leading music or drama groups are supported to encourage talking, independence and reflection in these crucial practical areas.
Tutoring, tutorials, assemblies, parent meetings
The curriculum is supported through the primacy of tutoring, tutorials and the assembly programme.
Pupils learn to reflect on and articulate their achievements and needs to their tutor and, once each year, to their parents.
There are mandatory elements that need to be covered in the tutorial and assembly sessions, but these are characterised by a good proportion of talk and reading.
Pupils learn to lead assemblies and tutor sessions; books and reading are discussed; debate and dialogue features heavily.
Twice a term, pupils will benefit from academic mentoring through a one-to-one meeting with their tutor.
