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Junior School

Junior School

Building strong foundations

In the Junior School, we aim to make learning engaging in every way by tapping into children’s natural curiosity and eagerness to learn. Our students are encouraged to work hard and achieve their personal best, whether it is in the classroom, on the sports field, or through the myriad of other opportunities they have for their personal development and all round growth. Our goal is to nurture curiosity, creativity and critical thinking to prepare them for the next stages of learning.

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We aim to make learning engaging in every way by tapping into children’s natural curiosity and eagerness to learn.

EYFS — Nursery and Reception

YEAR GROUP(S)

Nursery & Reception

AGE OF CHILD

3+ – 4+

VIEW TABLE OF AGES

EYFS — Nursery and Reception

Our Nursery and Reception children will be following the Early Years and Foundation Stage Curriculum.

This covers seven areas of learning that understand the key points of early years development and allow teachers to focus on each child’s individual needs. Children will primarily learn through a play based approach, where the environment is regularly adapted to challenge them and the teachers act as facilitators in learning through their interactions with the children. 

Some systematic teaching of English and Mathematics will take place in Reception to give the children the key skills they need to learn from the world around them. Primarily, our goal is to develop the children’s characteristics of effective learning so that they are curious, attentive, creative and critical thinkers, ready for their next stage of learning.

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Areas of learning for EYFS

  • Communication and Language (CL)
  • Physical Development (PD)
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
  • Literacy (L)
  • Mathematics (M)
  • Understanding the World (UW)
  • Expressive Arts and Design (EAD)
Every child deserves the best early years education.
YEARS 1 & 2

Key Stage 1

YEAR GROUP(S)

Years 1 & 2

AGE OF CHILD

5+ – 6+

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YEARS 1 & 2

Key Stage 1

Key Stage 1 provides a bridge between our Early Years and Key Stage 2 departments. Educational research clearly illustrates that children at this age still rely heavily on real experiences to cement their learning.

Therefore, much of the work they do involves practical activities. However, the teachers in Years 1 and 2 will begin to develop more of an understanding of how they are learning through these activities. This will be achieved through a mixture of their IPC learning process of Research, Record and Reflect, as well as through an understanding of our Jesuit Pupil Profile learning virtues: Curious and Active, Intentional and Prophetic, Attentive and Discerning, Learned and Wise.

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YEARS 3 – 6

Key Stage 2

YEAR GROUP(S)

Years 3 – 6

AGE OF CHILD

7+ – 10+

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YEARS 3 – 6

Key Stage 2

Throughout Key Stage 2, students begin to establish their independence and sense of responsibility in preparation for the transition to Senior School. 

By Year 3, students enter a mentoring and coaching programme in which they are assigned a dedicated coach for the remainder of Junior School.

During this four-year period, students delve deeper into the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, as well as the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Our outstanding teachers focus on involving the students as active participants in their learning through discussion, planning, action and reflection.

At this stage, students discover their passions, strengths and how to succeed in areas they may find more challenging. They begin to live the learning virtues of the Jesuit Pupil Profile: Loving and Compassionate, Hopeful and Faithfilled, Eloquent and Truthful, Generous and Grateful. This is accomplished through a pastoral framework, woven throughout the academic curriculum, in particular through our bespoke Sympatheia programme. 

Assessments are carried out informally and regularly through feedback from teachers and peer editing, as well as formally through integrated progress checks and examinations at the end of each academic year. 

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Areas of Learning for Key Stage 1 & 2

  • English
  • Maths
  • International Primary Curriculum
  • Science
  • ICT
  • Creative Arts
  • PE and Swimming
  • Languages
  • Wellbeing
Read more about areas of learning

Building Strong
Foundations

Stonyhurst is an innovative school supported by strong traditions, leading in educational development. Our methods of learning are continually evolving, but our primary aim remains constant:

1

to help our pupils become ‘men and women for others’ whilst creating a prosperous future.

2

We foster respect, self-discipline, resilience, confidence and concern for others, which stands our pupils in good stead throughout their Stonyhurst education, into the College – and beyond.

Teaching

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Prep Programme in Year 6

‘Prep’ is short for preparatory; the literal meaning of this is to prepare for a task. We recognise that to make the most out of their time in the Senior School, our Year 6 students need this opportunity to prepare for this next phase in their academic journey.

Maths

From Reception to Year 6, our students learn Maths through the scheme White Rose Maths. White Rose Maths is based on the Singaporean approach to teaching maths, but targeted towards achieving the UK National Curriculum overviews. The scheme uses proven tools and methods from Singapore Maths to develop a mastery of the subject at all levels. The programme focuses on CPA: visualising maths concepts using Concrete materials, illustrating them Pictorially, and finally completing Abstract problems. This is also the scheme used in St Mary’s UK (Preparatory School to Stonyhurst College), which allows us to work closely with our UK counterpart.

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A Typical Day at Junior School

The school day begins at 07:50 with our daily Welcome and Registration. We will welcome students onto site from 07:35 when the gate is opened. During the drop-off window, children may enjoy socialisation with their friends and prepare for the start of the day. Lessons begin at 08:00 and the formal teaching day ends at 15:20 in the Junior School, following which students are warmly encouraged to stay for a Co-Curricular Activity (CCA).

 

Time
Nursery
Reception – Year 6
07:50 - 08:00
Welcome and Registration
Welcome and Registration
08:00 - 08:50
Period 1
Period 1
08:50 - 09:40
Period 2
Period 2
09:40 - 10:00
Story and Song Time
Junior School Break
10:00 - 10:20
Nursery Break
Tutor Time / Line Time
10:20 - 11:10
Period 3
Period 3
11:10 - 12:00
Period 4
Period 4
12:00 - 12:50
Story and Song Time, followed by Lunch at 12:25
Junior School Lunch and Play
12:50 - 13:40
End of Nursery day 1pm
Period 5
13:40 - 14:30
Optional stay and play if approved by class teacher
Period 6
14:30 - 15:20
Junior School Rise and Shine Period and end of Junior School day
15:20 - 16:20
No CCAs
CCAs Year 1 - Year 6
*Please note that Year 1 will only have CCAs on a selected number of days in term 1.

Key Staff Members

Miss Sandra Crompton

Assistant Head of Junior School – Academic
Year 6 Teacher
VIEW PROFILE

Mr Samuel Williams

Assistant Head of Junior Pastoral
Year 6 Teacher
VIEW PROFILE

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Steps For Enrolment

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Fee Structure

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JUNIOR SCHOOL

Teaching

Prep Programme in Year 6

At Stonyhurst International School, Penang we have two Schools, the Junior School and the Senior School. The Junior School consists of the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 UK national curriculum and the Senior School is working towards the IGCSE and A-Level examinations. Traditionally, the move from Junior School to Senior School can be a difficult time for students. We have tried to ease this transition through a strong shared ethos across both schools, a consistent pastoral framework and our Coaching programme. In addition, we have developed our Prep programme for all of our Year 6 students.
 
‘Prep’ is short for preparatory; the literal meaning of this is to prepare for a task. We recognise that to make the most out of their time in the Senior School, our Year 6 students need this opportunity to prepare for this next phase in their academic journey. The following highlights some of the strategies we have put in place for our Prep programme:
  • Year 6 will be taught by specialist teachers in specialist classrooms for the many of their lessons – including Maths and Science
  • Year 6 will be a part of the Senior School Coaching programme, coached by an older student in Year 8 or 9 as part of their Lines
  • Year 6 will begin interacting with their Line tutor groups over the course of the year during tutor time
  • Year 6 students will move from attending our Junior School assembly to attending our Senior School assembly over the course of the year
 
However, we recognise that the students still have valuable experiences to gain from being the oldest and most mature members of the Junior School. Therefore, in addition to the time they spend in the Senior School, they will also experience an important continuation of their time in the Junior School. This will include:
  • The continuation of the IPC as their central curriculum
  • The continuation of exit point celebrations involving parents and / or the wider School community
  • Junior School positions of responsibility
 
Through the Prep programme we aim to bridge the gap between the two Schools, including their curriculums and logistics. This will allow any potential issues this may pose to our Year 6 students to be highlighted and handled through our team in a nurturing way, eliminating any nerves they may have regarding the next step in their education. Moreover, for the majority of our students, Year 6 Prep will be a time of excitement, where they get to experience the joy of working with our outstanding Senior School specialists and being inspired by their subject knowledge and enthusiasm.
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Junior School

Areas of learning for Key Stage 1 & 2

Covering everything from core subjects to co-curricular activities, Key Stage 1 & 2 offers the ideal pathway to Senior School and beyond.

English

Reading

Our English reading scheme in Reception provides students with the systematic building blocks of the English language in a fun and dynamic way with Big Cat Phonics. With levelled reading books aligned to each individual child’s abilities, we are able to gradually improve their comprehension.

Once they have more confidence, we cultivate a genuine love for reading through whole class reading sessions. As independent learners, they are encouraged to explore our well-stocked library and turn reading into a lifelong passion.

Writing

Our teachers use the proven framework, Talk for Writing, to inspire students to unlock their potential as writers. At the start of each unit, students are assessed in order to craft a learning journey of imitation, innovation and invention. The topics for these units are linked to the IPC and students’ own interests to ensure that their writing has a real purpose.

Alongside the creative element of writing, key skills are developed. In Reception and Year 1 pupils learn to write in lowercase. When the pupils develop control, the remainder of their time in KS1 focuses on introducing a flowing, cursive style that encourages them to write with confidence. Grammar and spelling skills lessons are used to explain key concepts and support them in achieving their English writing goals.

Maths

From Reception to Year 6, our students learn Maths through the scheme White Rose Maths. White Rose Maths is based on the Singaporean approach to teaching maths, but targeted towards achieving the UK National Curriculum overviews. The scheme uses proven tools and methods from Singapore Maths to develop a mastery of the subject at all levels. The programme focuses on CPA: visualising maths concepts using Concrete materials, illustrating them Pictorially, and finally completing Abstract problems. This is also the scheme used in St Mary’s UK (Preparatory School to Stonyhurst College), which allows us to work closely with our UK counterpart.

International Primary Curriculum

The IPC is a central element of our KS1 and KS2 curriculum. The students learn about a range of topics across the year that are carefully planned to cover the breadth of the primary curriculum in a cross-curricular way. Creating these links allows students to see topics as real world scenarios and understand the complex links between issues. A key focus is placed on evaluating students’ existing knowledge and focusing the teaching on where they would like the learning to go. Our Jesuit Pupil Profile is a key element in our learning here as students work towards their own personal goals as well as the curriculum targets they are set.

Science

At Stonyhurst, we understand the importance of increasing students’ science capital through clearly illustrating the vital role science plays in our day to day lives. At times, this is by teaching Science directly through our IPC, drawing a clear link to the wider topic. At others, this involves discreetly exploring the skills and knowledge they need to complete the British National Science curriculum. 

Our well-equipped Science lab is available to facilitate students in their practical understanding and further their passion for the subject. Furthermore, our Year 6 pupils have the opportunity to directly learn from our Senior School Science teachers as they prepare them for their future learning and see their potential as scientists!

ICT

ICT is incorporated into all aspects of learning across the curriculum. State of the art interactive panels are placed in all classrooms and 1:1 devices are available from Year 2 upwards. Not only does this provide the technological resources our students need for the modern world, but it also allows us to meet our intentional limiting of wasteful paper resources wherever necessary. 

Programming plays a central role across all year groups. This starts in our Early Years with the introduction of programmable toys and is later explored through the students’ discreet ICT lessons, which are taught by a specialist teacher across KS2.

Creative Arts

Music, Art and Drama are all key elements of our curriculum. They are often closely linked to our IPC and English lessons as they help the students to express themselves. With close links between children who excel creatively and those who excel in the sciences, our focus is on ensuring that creative subjects are given as much value by our community as those traditionally seen as academically rigorous. Music has a specialist teacher throughout the entire Junior School, with Art and Drama specialists taking over from KS2. Our well-equipped auditorium provides students with the opportunity to gain confidence, perform to large audiences and create memorable experiences.

PE and Swimming

PE and Swimming lessons are taught by specialist teachers throughout every pupil’s time at Junior School. They play a vital role within the School day and pupils learn key life skills, both related directly to their sports, teamwork and the spirit of competition. Students are further encouraged to develop their love of sport through our co-curricular activities.

Languages

French, Mandarin and Bahasa are the languages across KS1 and KS2. With specialist teachers ensuring each language is taught at the highest level, our students learn key language skills that provide them with opportunities in the international workplace and as global citizens.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is of the utmost importance at Stonyhurst. Through the teaching of all subjects, we ensure that student wellbeing is considered and our school values are reflected. In addition, opportunities for discreetly taught Wellbeing lessons may be taken each week. These sessions focus on the traditional PSHE topics as well as extending out into meaningful discussions through Philosophy 4 Children and from Key Stage 2, our bespoke Stonyhurst Coaching programme.

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