Grade 2 to 5 at Wetherby-Pembridge

English at Wetherby-Pembridge is celebrated in all its glory as the most transferable discipline within the school curriculum.

We aim to foster a love of reading, writing and performing literature. Studying English develops children’s abilities to listen, speak, read and write for a wide range of purposes, using language to learn and communicate ideas, views and feelings. We encourage the students to talk with confidence and clarity, and we teach them how to listen and respond to others.

The syllabus enables the students to express themselves creatively and imaginatively, as they become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama, as well as non-fiction and media texts. Lessons will provide the students with knowledge about language and give them the opportunities to play with language in imaginative ways. We promote the benefits of a wide ranging vocabulary – for facilitating effective communication and for enriching self-expression.

The curriculum provides opportunities for speaking and listening, spelling, grammar, writing comprehension, cursive handwriting, reading and comprehension. Our aim is for all students to develop a love of reading and speaking and listening opportunities are provided throughout the year to ensure children can communicate confidently. These might include: debates, spelling competitions, presentations to parents and talks in weekly assemblies.

The curriculum is structured so that topics are revisited and developed each year. In Grades 2 to 5, we follow the National Curriculum, encouraging depth of understanding rather than vertical acceleration. Mathematical concepts covered are number and place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, decimals and percentages, measurement, geometry – properties of shape, position and direction, data handling and problem solving.

To develop a child’s understanding, Mathematics is taught through both written and practical-based activities, we use Numicon to support number understanding. Children are set for Maths to ensure they cover the curriculum at the correct pace.

Algebra is introduced early and pupils are encouraged to learn to generalise and develop abstract skills. In lessons, children are prompted to discuss their findings and understand the processes involved. They are expected to think critically about what they do and to understand how they learn most effectively.

In the Lower School, the scheme of work follows the new National Curriculum guidelines and exceeds the requirements for the delivery of the Science curriculum in order to achieve success, both at the end of each Key Stage and in Grade 8 on exit to competitive High Schools.

As a subject, Science incorporates thinking skills in lessons and schemes of work. The following strategies are employed to develop pupils’ understanding and scientific knowledge which include speaking, creative and critical thinking, reflective learning and independent enquiry. At Wetherby-Pembridge, we believe that pupils should be experiencing enquiry-based learning. Students are expected to design creative scientific questions, investigate and communicate their findings. All classes take place in the fully- equipped Science laboratory.

By Grade 5, students are taught in separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons and topics taught might cover, Earth and Space, Electricity, Forces and Magnets, Living Processes, Properties and Changes of Material and Light, to name a few.

These lessons encourage the students to use historical skills to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. In History, children consider the causes and consequences of historical events, comparing the differences between ways of life at different times.

The children focus on the eras from Pre-Roman Britain to the Vikings then they continue with exploration of Early Civilisations such as The Aztecs, The Ancient Egyptians and The Ancient Greeks. They undertake further case studies on a Local History project.

In Geography, the students learn basic geographical concepts and skills that will be reinforced as they move throughout the school. Global location knowledge is constantly reinforced in the lessons as well as an appreciation of the changing environment in which we live.

The syllabus aims to encourage the students to use a range of geographical skills to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. This includes: places, their locations and patterns; processes, including environmental change; and the concept of sustainable development.

Above all, the curriculum aims to:

• stimulate curiosity about the world;
• introduce students to places, people and environments;
• contribute to environmental awareness and education for sustainable development;
• develop understanding of physical and human landscapes, and introduce candidates to different societies and cultures, enhancing awareness of global interdependence.

Through use of music, stories, games and kinesthetic activities, students develop oral skills, begin to communicate in Spanish and develop an appreciation for different cultures throughout the Spanish speaking worlds.

In Classics, the students will learn both Latin and Classical Civilisation, encompassing not only the language but also cultural, historical and mythological elements of the ancient world. This provides an insight not only into ancient cultures but also into their own. This inspiring course of study, also heightens their linguistic and literary awareness, making them better students of modern languages, English and History.

Students begin their study of Latin in Grade 4. They learn why we still study Latin and its applications in the modern world, as well as its influence on many European languages. Students gain a firm grounding in grammatical terminology and a solid basis of vocabulary and grammar on which to build.

A love of Greek Mythology forms an important element of the non-linguistic aspect of the syllabus.

Children have one hour of art each week, taught by a specialist teacher. The children look to develop their art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture. Children create a sketch book of their work and their final art piece is displayed in school. Through the art curriculum the children learn about artists, architects and designers in history. The students study topics in screen printing and art technology whilst enjoying clay modelling, using the in-built kiln at the School.

All students have an hour of Music lessons a week, taught by a specialist teacher, in which they sing, explore percussion instruments, compose and listen to music. Opportunities are also given to perform in assemblies and school productions. Choral education is at the heart of Music at Wetherby-Pembridge. Our goal is to build self-confidence and self-esteem, to develop focused attention, a strong work ethic, leadership qualities and poise.

Students in Grades 2 to 5 will be encouraged to participate in class and yearly group performances, listen to a wide variety of music and begin discovering a new repertoire. This is done through a structured method of integrating notation reading and music theory (based on the Kodaly Method). Singing and making music are the primary means of teaching students about melody, rhythm, tempo and dynamics.

In Drama, students are introduced to basic dramatic form and essential theatre practices. The sessions focus on developing as performers, working as a theatre company, developing characters and building stories. Key social skills are introduced as well as topics from other subjects across the year reinforcing learning through play, practice and performance.

Drama is a wonderful way for children to express themselves creatively through a fun, interactive and educational medium. It provides an opportunity for every student to use their imagination and their own ideas to create stories, characters and other worlds through devising and performing. They will have a chance to perform different types of theatre in front of their peers every week in a fun, dynamic and creative environment which will develop skills that help build confidence, humility, team work and leadership.

All Games lessons are taught in a co-educational environment encouraging the children to enhance their physical skills and knowledge of the sports they play. There is an emphasis on competitive sporting activities and all our children have the opportunity to put their learning into practice in our termly fixtures against other schools in New York.

The pupils are taught a variety of sports which help to develop different skills. Volleyball, soccer, basketball, kickball and wiffle ball are introduced in programmes across the school. Additionally, dance, hockey, rugby and gymnastics are taught by specialist teachers alongside striking and fielding sports such as cricket, rounders and athletics.

Children are provided with opportunities to perform in dance and gymnastics shows to parents and compete in termly inter-house competitions. Educational visits are organised by the sports team to support and further enhance the children’s learning and experiences in sport.

Read more about our sports and wellbeing in the WPNY Spotlight Series.

Students are encouraged to use technology as a tool to learn in all aspects of the curriculum. Students attend one hour of computing a week from Grades 2 to 5, in which they are equipped with the skills to use a computer effectively to learn. The School has wired desktop PCs which are used for lessons and a bank of laptops and iPads which are available for students to access as required. Every classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard and laptop with the facility to print to any number of networked printers. Other facilities include scanners, digital cameras and video cameras. We emphasize learning in a curriculum context rather than learning discrete ICT skills, enabling students to find, explore, analyze, exchange and present information.

Computing is taught by a specialist teacher and children will learn how to design, write and debug programs. They will also learn how to use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked. The children will select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information. There is an opportunity to create animations, films and edit photos. Using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly is a common theme across the school.

We recognise that learning about, promoting tolerance for and respect of different faiths is important. The religious education curriculum extends children’s knowledge and understanding of world religions. The curriculum includes: belief and values, the significance of key leaders, types of worship, celebrations and festivals and place of worship.

Through the PSHEE curriculum, children are given the opportunity to explore attitudes, values and beliefs to develop the skills and strategies to manage issues that may arise in their lives. Topics explore different ways to stay healthy and adopt core values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for others.

Our school philosophy and practice are further explored through topics which promote resilience, courage, bouncing back from setbacks, looking on the bright side, understanding emotions and relationships, the importance of humour, the ingredients for success and understanding and tackling bullying. Opportunities to develop a sense of the value of money are also created outside the classroom with real life scenarios, such as charity fundraising events throughout the school year.

Some of our families might wish to send their children to Schools in the UK and we offer excellent preparation for the 11+ route if this is required. This is determined in a meeting with the Head of School in Grade 4 and the best possible route for preparation is established. In Grades 4 and 5, children can be prepared for the 11+ route in the UK with extra classes provided where necessary. The School aims to thoroughly equip the children and families for the different 11+ academic entry papers for both London day senior schools and boarding schools.

The Head of School has strong links with all of the destination senior schools in the UK and these partnerships will offer our families further support in the process.