Our Curriculum
We provide a happy and caring environment in which the girls are encouraged to develop and flourish – each year gaining further knowledge and skills so they are well-equipped for senior School and life beyond School. Girls join us in our Little Lyons Pre-Reception class at age 3+ and progress through to Year 6. Each year group has one class of circa 24 girls. Our curriculum is essentially divided into three phases:
• The Early Years Foundation Stage (for children aged five and under)
• Key Stage 1 (5 – 7 year olds)
• Key Stage 2 (8 – 11 year olds)
By means of appropriate development activities and adult support, the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum leads to the acquisition of the Early Learning Goals and prepares children to progress with confidence towards the National Curriculum. KS1 provides a happy and caring environment where pupils are encouraged to develop and flourish.
The National Curriculum is followed and enriched. High priority is given to the core subjects – English, Mathematics, Science and Computing. There is particular emphasis on the acquisition of reading and numeracy skills.
The Early Years Foundation Stage
At Lyonsdown School, EYFS refers to the Pre-Reception and Reception classes. Our Early Years spaces provide a safe, secure environment for the girls in which to interact and explore rich and diverse learning opportunities both inside and outside.
Little Lyons Pre-Reception
All girls attend a full week of morning sessions, with the option of adding afternoon sessions with continued learning opportunities. The children also benefit from some specialist led lessons to help broaden their school life experience. The Little Lyons Pre-Reception team consists of at least 2 Early Years Practitioners. Our Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum leads to the acquisition of the Early Learning Goals by the end of the Reception year.
Reception
Our Reception teacher is supported by a full-time Teaching Assistant. Girls benefit from specialist teaching to help prepare them for the transition to Year 1 with outdoor learning woven into the daily routine.
Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2)
Girls enjoy an enriched National Curriculum, enhanced to suit their learning styles and interests, specifically focusing on developing their literacy and mathematical skills. Girls are taught by their class teachers with the support of TAs and also benefit from specialist teaching in Science, Art, PE, Music, Computing, DT, Drama and Modern Foreign Languages.
Alongside their academic studies, Years 1 and 2 work together to put on productions, which enable all pupils to develop the confidence to perform in front of others. In addition, pupils experience a wealth of educational visits linked to their learning and workshops within the School, led by experts in their field, to broaden their knowledge and enhance their life skills.
Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to Year 6)
When girls reach Year 3, the next stage of the learning journey begins at Lyonsdown. Instead of having class teachers, each year group has a Form Teacher (who may also be one of our specialist subject teachers) and a form room where time is spent together at the beginning and end of each day. Whilst Form Teachers are responsible for the progress and pastoral support of the pupils in their care, the girls begin to have more lessons with Lyondown's specialist teachers. In Year 3, the pupils still have a substantial proportion of their lessons with their Form Teacher, but as girl’s progress through Years 4, 5 and 6, they are taught by subject leaders for an increasing number of lessons, including English and Maths. This is an excellent way of preparing girls to thrive at senior School as they learn to become more independent as they move between various subject rooms and teachers.
From Year 4, girls begin to lay the foundations for senior school entrance examinations – with exam skills layered into everyday teaching and learning. In Year 5, formal exam practice and preparations begin with support from our knowledgeable teachers who understand the 11+ exam requirements in both selective state and independent schools. We also offer after-school clubs for additional Verbal Reasoning and Non Verbal Reasoning, and the use of online exam practice tools to use at home.
The academic year is filled with many events, but two highlights for the girls in Years 3-6 are the Christmas Carol Service and the End of Year Summer Production. In the past, productions have included Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and Lewis Carol's, 'Alice in Wonderland'.
