Academic Stages
Pre-Prep
The school buildings are in close proximity but are separated into ‘Pre-Prep’ and ‘Prep’. The Pre-Prep building contains Foundation Stage 1 to Year 2 classrooms and a smaller playground where children can play in the sandpit or with a multitude of toys and bikes.
The school day is Monday to Friday 8:50am to 3:30pm although Foundation Stage 1 pupils are often part-time and build up their attendance as they mature.
Foundation Stage: FS1 & FS2
3 to 5 year olds
The highly qualified teaching staff and excellent pupil/adult ratio ensure sound curriculum delivery and pastoral care.
Pupils follow a well-planned curriculum programme designed to achieve the early learning goals within seven key areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional development; Literacy; Communication and Language; Mathematics; Understanding the World; Physical development; and Expressive Arts and Design.
Key Stage One: Year 1 & 2
5 to 7 year olds
Literacy, Numeracy and Science are very much a priority at this stage of development. In addition, the following subjects are taught: History; Geography; ICT (Information Communication Technology); Art and Design; Gymnastics and Dance; Swimming; Games; Music; Religious Studies; and French.
The transition to Prep School starts in Year 2 with specific subjects being taught by subject specialist Prep-School teachers.
By the time our pupils leave Key Stage one most pupils are working above the expected level for Maths and English.
Attainment in English
Expected or accelerated progress 81%
Attainment in Maths
Expected or accelerated progress 92%
PREP-SCHOOL
The Year 3 classroom is cosily situated between the staffroom and reception to support pupils through the transition to Prep. Years 3 to 8 get the benefit at break time of extensive playing fields, an all-weather football surface and hard surfaced playground with traditional toys like hoops and skipping ropes.
The school day is Monday to Friday 8:45am to 5:00pm. There is also optional Saturday school from 9:25am to 12:00pm for pupils from Year 5. Saturdays are focussed on extra-curricular activities.
Key Stage Two: Year 3 to 6
7 to 11 year olds
Children in Year 3 are supported through the transition to Prep, ‘The Bridge’, period by having a Form Teacher for their core subjects and benefit from subject specialism in the remaining subjects. Science is covered separately as Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
From Year 4 onwards the pupils are taught by subject specialists and move beyond the National Curriculum guidelines for Key Stage 2, adding Latin to their programme of study from Year 6. Here they are encouraged to make the most of the programme of extra-curricular activities after school.
All pupils are encouraged to participate in inter-house competitions and sports fixtures with other schools, along with concerts, drama productions, musical groups and ensembles.
Pupils benefit from weekly Verbal and Non-verbal reasoning coaching in order to equip them to sit the 11+ if they wish to apply to a grammar school.
By the time our pupils leave Key Stage two most pupils are working above the expected level for Maths and English.
Attainment in English
50% above the expected level
42% at the expected level
8% working below the expected level
Attainment in Maths
50% above the expected level
33% working at the expected level
17% working below the expected level
Key Stage Three: Year 7 & 8
11 to 13 year olds
The Wellow House School curriculum encompasses the National Curriculum but isn’t limited by its scope. The addition of Classics and Scholarship preparation enable more able students to outstrip the National Curriculum by up to two years. The Wellow House subject files contain comprehensive courses of work taking pupils beyond KS3, having the advantage of not being shackled to bought in text books. Many old Wellovians testify to their files’ efficacy by using them at A level.
As the pupils build towards Scholarship and Common Entrance examinations, their educational experiences are enriched with investigations and research in Science, History and Geography, including field trips. They also enjoy many theatre trips to encourage a love of the Arts.