In L7, pupils are following a timetabled day. They are taught by senior school teachers in French, Art, Drama, Home Economics, RE, Music and PE and this involvement with Senior School and the organisation required to follow a timetabled day prepares the pupils to move confidently into Senior School.
All four elements of language; reading, writing, listening and talking are taught. Pupils use a reading scheme, SRA, where they work at their own pace and ability. Dictionary skills are also covered.
The structured spelling scheme, Quota, is in place, where children work at their own pace, setting their own limits. Formal comprehension work is continued as are grammar lessons which teach knowledge about language, punctuation and structure. Grammar lessons are taught in ability groups. Listening and Talking activities take place on a regular basis. Pupils are actively encouraged to give talks and presentations.
The writing programme for L7 contains the following:
All pupils visit the school’s well-stocked Library each week where they receive instruction in Library Skills by our School Librarian and they take out books of their own choice for reading at home.
Maths is taught in ability groupings. This means that we can vary the size of groups and the content and pace of lessons to match the ability of the pupils. Our less able group is taught in a small group where pupils are given individual support and consolidation. Our most able are given a wide variety of challenges and problems to solve. The core texts in operation are Heineman Level 6, 7 and 8 and Maths in Action D and E, Teejay Maths D.
Number work focuses on fractions, decimals, ratio and percentages as well as using number in problem solving activities.
Practical Maths – covering shape, length, weight, volume and time also takes place. Consolidation work within class consists of mental maths plus written number work.
In our teaching of Science, History and Geography, we aim to develop in pupils a curiosity and a greater understanding of their past and heritage and of the world around them. We develop their research and investigative skills as well as their analytical thinking skills and their evaluation of evidence. Much of the work will involve them in discussion, in working as a team, in drawing on information from different sources or in practical experiments.
Topics covered:
In Term 2 pupils undertake a major project on Australia. This covers the geography of Australia, the history of Australia, focusing on transportation and the Great Barrier Reef, its fauna and the associated environmental issues.
A senior school specialist teaches RE to L7, ensuring a smooth transition into the Form 1 curriculum.
In L7, pupils undertake a course on sex education and are visited by the School Nurse.
Pupils go on the bus up to Mayfield, our superb Sports facility. There are two sessions each week, taught by specialist teachers, one focusing on indoor PE such as gymnastics, games and dance and the other focusing on outdoor Games such as Rugby, Hockey, Cricket and Tennis. A six-week block of swimming is also undertaken.
Children are taught by a specialist teacher once a week.
Art , Drama and Home Economics are taught by specialist teachers from Senior School. This lays the foundation for continuing these subjects into Senior School.
Pupils visit the ICT suite each week for an exciting lesson with our specialist teacher.
Pupils are taught by Senior School Languages teachers, two periods a week. This will form the basis of their learning in French. All pupils will take a second Language in Senior School, choosing from German, Spanish or Latin.
Parental supervision with homework is hugely beneficial. It is the pupil’s responsibility to note down homework set in their homework diary. Normally homework in L7 consists of learning spelling and completing a short written exercise either in Maths or Language. Occasionally research work for an environmental studies topic will be set. Homework in L7 should not take more than 45 minutes per night.