For our children, this is a natural and smooth progression into the next stage of their education and, with the experiences that have come before, they are absolutely ready to embrace a wider variety of challenges and opportunities in Years 3 and 4.
In Year 3, most lessons are taught by Form Teachers, who also provide ongoing care and support to the children in their class. As with the previous Year Groups, teaching and learning in Science, Computing, Modern Foreign Languages, Swimming, Games and PE, Outdoor Learning, Music, RE and Art are delivered by Subject-Specialist Teachers. This involves our children learning in purpose-built spaces, such as our Art and Design Studio or Science Lab, and working alongside specialist staff who are able to drive their enthusiasm and understanding of these subjects in a range of exciting directions.
From Year 4, children will have progressed from the Pre-Prep to the Prep phase of their education. This will see a transformation in the way they engage with our academic curriculum that prepares them for the transition into senior school. They will receive Subject-Specialist Teaching in all subjects from dedicated teachers with specific knowledge and passion for them.
As they approach and enter the Prep phase, children will continue to develop their independence and have more opportunities to explore and discover their own interests and passions. As teachers, we continue to have high expectations and we have confidence in the children at every level, which in turn helps them develop confidence about their own ability. The change in delivery experienced from Year 4 is designed with this in mind; this format will empower the children to take ownership of their learning as they receive the best expertise our staff has to offer in every subject.
From Year 4, children will be placed in Tutor Groups of around ten, with a dedicated Tutor who will assume the role of mentor, coach and champion. This ensures that, while the children continue to be challenged academically, their wellbeing is still prioritised as they transition to a different way of learning. The children will continue to be taught in Form Groups, comprising two Tutor Groups.
Alongside a wide variety of trips and visits, Year 3 sees the children head off on an overnight residential for the first time. This away-from-home experience involves a local, one night stay at The Frontier Centre in Northamptonshire; it is the perfect place for a fun-filled outdoor adventure break that is not too far from Oundle.
In Year 4, children go further afield for a residential experience in York; during the trip enrich their Vikings topic with a visit to the Jorvik Centre and Dig! Our residential experiences give children the opportunity to develop skills of independence and collaboration, and resilience and confidence. Year 3 and 4 also enjoy a range of outdoor adventure activities, which include canoeing, rock climbing and outdoor learning in our Woodland Garden.
We have a Mastery approach to teaching and learning at LJS, which means we believe that every single child is capable of success and that nothing should inhibit their ability to achieve it. Our environment is supportive and encouraging, and we pride ourselves on maintaining a flexible curriculum to ensure that at any given time, every single child is being challenged appropriately, inspiringly and above all, successfully.