Junior School Curriculum

Home>Junior School>Junior School Curriculum

Through enjoyably challenging lessons, our dynamic teachers use their passion and expertise to create an academic environment where enquiry is encouraged and failure utilised as a tool for success.

We are a unique central London school, which benefits from being located on site with a large Senior School. We are proud of our facilities which include: spacious classrooms; science laboratories, a central playground and onsite netball court, computing rooms, dedicated art rooms, music rooms, a ballet studio, a large gymnasium and an inviting school library.

Each Class Teacher is supported by a Teaching Assistant and, from Reception, all girls receive specialist teaching in art, ballet, music, PE, science and PSHE. From Year 3, an increased number of specialist teachers further the girls’ learning which helps prepare them for the 11+ entrance process and Senior School.

It is important to us that your daughter’s first year at Francis Holland is a successful and happy experience. In Reception, we aim to build a strong foundation for future progress and learning. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, the curriculum centres around the seven areas of learning and development which enables us to stretch and challenge the pupils to a level beyond the EYFS expectations.

Seven Areas of Learning and Development

  • Communication and Language
  • Personal Social Emotional Development
  • Physical Development
  • Maths
  • Literacy
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Art and Design

English
We understand the importance of early literacy skills and aim to foster a joy of reading from the start of the Reception year. In literacy lessons, we follow Ruth Miskin’s Read Write Inc. scheme where the girls learn to use their phonic knowledge to read, write and understand simple texts. The class have regular reading sessions with our school librarians where they enjoy rhyme time, book themed parties and story time around the big chair!

Maths
Maths is often explored through practical activities and role play in the Early Years. Through this role play and during more formal lessons, the girls learn to recognise, write and apply their numbers to 10, 20 and beyond. They explore shape, space and measure, and consider their place in the world around them. We also provide plenty of opportunities for problem solving and believe that a secure understanding of number builds confident learners.

Free Play
During our afternoon free flow sessions, the girls lead their own learning and engage in a range of open-ended activities based around the seven areas of learning and development. We make careful observations of the children to plan for their individual needs, and provide an inclusive and enabling environment which allows them to play freely and become active learners.

Free play is taken out of the classroom once a week! We believe that learning outdoors provides huge benefits to the girls as its sparks their natural wonder and curiosity. During our visits to Belgrave Square (a short walk away) and Wimbledon Common, the girls have time to learn about the nature surrounding them.

English
In the Infants, we aim to extend vocabulary and give the girls a real sense of joy in wordplay, phonics, rhyme, musicality and storytelling. Reading for pleasure is essential at this stage and forms the foundation of the girls’ journey into English Literature. The school library is a vibrant hub within the school community and our dedicated librarians regularly organise author talks as well as advise class teachers on latest texts.

Maths
Maths in the Infants builds on the knowledge acquired in the Early Years. An emphasis is placed on developing confidence as pupils are introduced to different question styles (including problem solving and reasoning) which deepens their fluency understanding. Lessons are taught in a systematic and creative way to ensure that every child masters the building blocks of the subject, as well as including high levels of challenge.

Science
In the Infants, the practical, hands-on approach to learning Science encourages girls to discover more about the natural and physical world. They learn to question, experiment and explain why things happen based on their observations. Science often goes beyond the classroom, whether it be trips to local museums or parks, or witnessing the fascinating life cycles of animals, including hatching chicks and the extraordinary metamorphosis of butterflies!

Humanities
At Francis Holland, Humanities are taught as three subjects: Geography, History and Religious Education which are taught by a combination of classroom lessons, trips, workshops and visiting speakers.

The geography curriculum inspires curiosity and fascination with the world. In lessons the girls are taught about the Earth’s human and physical features, understanding how these are connected and change over time. Our aim is to encourage the girls to become better global citizens.

History in the Junior School aims to bring history to life! The curriculum encourages girls to be inquisitive about the past, to help them develop their understanding of the world today. The Junior School holds an annual History Day where the girls take on the role of a historical character!

RE plays a significant role in the development of pupils’ moral, social and cultural development. It promotes respect of different faiths and beliefs, and encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging. Over the years, the girls study a variety of world religions as well as Christianity in which the school’s ethos is deeply rooted.

English
In the Juniors, we aim to grow the girls’ love of English Literature and reading for pleasure. Pupils are introduced to a wide variety of texts from the literary canon, including Shakespeare, a combination of classic and contemporary novels and poetry, as well as non-fiction works such as biographies, travel writing and media texts. We believe English Literature creates empathetic and sensitive young people, who can communicate their thoughts and feelings effectively.

Maths
Maths in the Juniors is taught with a strong sense of challenge, in the form of problem solving and reasoning tasks, which allows the girls to apply their skills and show a real depth of knowledge. As children progress through the school, the maths they are exposed to becomes increasingly complex and in the upper years most children are working well above the national curriculum level. Our high ratio of staff means that strengths are recognised, and we can work together to stretch and challenge every pupil.

Science
In Junior Science lessons, the girls enjoy developing the skills needed to carry out practical investigations with greater care and precision whilst still having plenty of fun in the process. For Year 5 and 6, lessons in a fully equipped science laboratory are an exciting step forward in their learning journey. The girls develop greater independence and responsibility when setting up and conducting practical work. Weekly STEAM lessons provide opportunities to problem solve, innovate and invent, whether we are building stable structures out of chocolate or constructing working fairground rides!

Humanities
At Francis Holland, Humanities are taught as three subjects: Geography, History and Religious Education which are taught by a combination of classroom lessons, trips, workshops and visiting speakers.

The geography curriculum inspires a curiosity and fascination in the world. Girls are taught about the Earth’s human and physical features, understanding how these are connected and change over time. Together, we consider and reflect on the impact humans have on Earth. We encourage the girls to become better global citizens with a strong sense of social responsibility.

The history curriculum encourages girls to be inquisitive about the past which in turn develops their understanding of the world today. In addition to learning facts and dates, we research and discuss primary and secondary sources, reflecting on them and questioning their reliability. The annual History Day sees the girls take on the role of a historical character – bringing history to life!

RE promotes respect and open-mindedness towards others with different faiths and beliefs, and encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging. We study a variety of religions as well as Christianity, in which the school’s ethos is deeply rooted. The girls regularly attend services in our local church and benefit from having our own Chaplain, shared with the Senior School.

Languages
In Year 3, girls begin to study French or Spanish, taught by specialist teachers within the school timetable. There is also the opportunity to study a variety of modern foreign languages, at beginner and native speaker level, through the co-curricular programme. In Year 6, the girls have a weekly Latin lesson taught by a specialist teacher and, as part of their enrichment programme, Mandarin is taught in the Spring and Summer Terms.

Computing
In Computing, pupils learn to use of a wide range of software to improve their digital literacy and confidence in independent problem solving. As well as stretching and challenging the girls through innovative lesson activities and resources, including using 3D printers and modelling software, we place emphasis on helping girls to identify online threats and act as responsible digital citizens.

The Learning Enrichment Department provides for girls throughout the school who require some additional input to enable them to achieve their full potential. This could be in the form of additional support or extension activities. The staff use professional skill and experience to identify and provide support for learning needs within the resources of the school.

Most girls follow the same programme of study but some may need some extra help, or the opportunity to explore it differently. Groups of girls may work with staff in class or out of class, and the management of this is led by the needs of individual girls. There will be occasions where girls benefit from short term, targeted interventions when parents will be informed.

If we think that we need to find out more about a girl’s learning profile, and gain specialist insight into her specific needs, we will discuss this with a girl’s parents. In some cases we may recommend an external assessment possibly by an educational psychologist, speech and language therapist or an occupational therapist. This helps the school and parents plan support together.

Francis Holland Foresters is a bespoke outdoor education programme that takes girls outside the classroom to enjoy the nature around them whilst benefitting from memorable learning opportunities. Trained by the Wild Passport, our expert staff bring learning to life through teaching bushcraft skills, such as shelter making, den building and fire lighting, using tools, and investigating the surrounding nature. Our outdoor learning follows in-class curriculum objectives to challenge pupils’ learning beyond the classroom. Girls are encouraged to climb trees and get muddy – the Foresters ethos is rooted in exploration, resilience and connecting with the outdoor environment.

Our regular trips around London and beyond are a key part of the curriculum at Francis Holland Junior School. From parks and stately homes, to museums and galleries, trips and visits showcasing the best of London’s vibrant culture are carefully integrated into our pupils’ timetables to ensure that their learning stretches far beyond the classroom. Residential trips begin in Year 5 to help girls develop their independence, confidence and teamwork. Recent destinations include:

  • Windsor Castle
  • London Transport Museum
  • Natural History Museum
  • The Ragged School Museum
  • Shakespeare’s Globe
  • National Theatre
  • Postal Museum
  • Tate Modern
  • Sky Studios
  • The Design Museum
  • Kew Gardens
  • Year 5 Camping Trip to Cuckoo Woods
  • Year 6 Camping Trip to Blenheim Woods
  • Year 6 Residential to Mill on the Brue, Somerset
  • Year 6 Residential to Manor House, Cornwall

Please follow us on Instagram, follow us on Twitter and visit our News page to keep updated with the latest trips and visits.

4+ Admissions
Open Events
Prospectus
Information Book

Get in Touch

Contact Admissions
Visit the School

Latest School News