Academic

Our 2007 Independent Schools Inspectorate report described as outstanding the school's focus on individualised learning. This is achieved by maintaining an Individual Learning Plan for all children from their entry to the school. This identifies strengths and relative weaknesses and steps that classroom teachers and Learning Plus teachers can take to give particular help. These ILPs are monitored by the Individual Learning Co-ordinator and by all teachers at Pupil Profiling afternoons.

The curriculum at St Aubyns is broad. Great emphasis is placed in the Pre-Prep and beyong on ensuring that children have a firm foundation in the core subjects of Maths and English  so that they can flourish in Science, the Humanities and languages. In the Prep Department, all children learn English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies (to Year 6), Global Eye (our scheme in Years 7 and 8 encompassing Bible stories, world religions, moral questions and citizenship), PSHE, Art, Design Technology, Drama, ICT, PE and Music. Almost everyone learns French (begun in Reception) and a large majority learn Latin (from Year 5). Ancient Greek and Spanish are offered as  club-based activities for those who want to be extended in their experience of languages.

Teachers adopt a variety of teaching styles to meet the needs of different children. Creativity and imagination are encouraged alongside a belief in the importance of basic skills and the acquisition of knowledge. Close attention is paid to the requirements of the National Curriculum, but we teach above and beyond this.

Most children are prepared for the 13+ Common Entrance examination for a wide range of local and national Senior Schools. Some schools set their own entrance exams at entry to Year 9. Each year children in a scholarship set in Year 8 are prepared to take academic scholarship exams.

We also achieve outstanding success with children for whom the academic scene is more of a struggle.  Please see our admissions policy under 'Entry to the School'.

For more details of each subject follow these links:

Progression Through the School

In both the Prep and the Pre-Prep Departments movement between classes can be flexible. Such decisions are based on what we, the school, and the parents, consider to be in the best interests of the child, rather than solely on the child’s date of birth.

In the Prep Department some setting is used to group children of similar ability. This allows the most able and ambitious children to be constantly challenged, whilst ensuring that slower learners receive the extra time so vital at certain stages, if their foundations are to be secure.