Year 5

Specialist teaching continues throughout Year 5. This is broadened with Latin and Spanish being offered, and more than two thirds of the year group pursue this option. For those pupils not opting for Latin and Spanish, additional Mathematics and English is taught. The Year 5 curriculum continues to build skills and support pupils’ preparations for the senior school entrance examinations.

Grouping in Mathematics continues and pupils are now also grouped for English. The three English groups are of mixed ability; this gives pupils the opportunity to collaborate with peers who have varying strengths and perspectives, thus helping to foster a spirit of teamwork and mutual support, whilst learning to appreciate diverse viewpoints.

Year 5 is an important year as both pupils and parents look forward to the future, and the options for senior schools at the end of Year 6. A talk regarding both the County 11+ and entrance examinations to independent senior schools is given at the Introductory Parents’ Evening at the beginning of the academic year. Parents are then encouraged to make an appointment with the Headmistress, Mrs Gater, during the Spring or Summer term to discuss the future education of their daughter and recommendations will be made concerning future schools to visit.

Pupils in Year 5 are encouraged to participate in a residential week away; in recent years the girls have been to Skern Lodge in Devon and to the Isle of Wight. The purpose of this visit is to promote bonding and team-building amongst the year group and to allow them to experience a variety of outward bound activities as well as having the opportunity to carry out field studies.