Joining
the Juniors Progressive
Development Learning
co-operation Interim SAT's Tests
Learning to
Learn You
make the Difference Fulfilling
the Promise
Key
Stage 2 - a four-year course
To
learn about the proven educational programme that we offer our Junior pupils and
how your child will benefit, you will
need to visit us and can arrange this by following This
Link or telephoning 01803 327868. However, for your information, the following paragraphs explain an
outline, other than academic, of what Abbey School offers our Junior children.
For academic results follow This
Link.
Joining
the Juniors
Children
leave the infant department after being successful in their Key Stage 1 SATs
test in Year 2 and transfer into the Junior Department in Year 3. Here they
embark on a four-year course of development that leads to the Key Stage 2 SATs
test at the end of Year 6, a development in their social skills, and a gradually
maturing approach to the learning process itself before transferring to
secondary education. Some pupils also sit the 11+ examination for grammar
school entry or the common entrance examinations to Public School. Click the link to view our remarkable 2000
Key
Stage 2 SATs results. (Remember to return to the JUNIORS page).
Progressive
Development
During
these vital four years at Abbey School, each child is monitored not only for
academic achievement, but also for appropriate development in physical and
social skills, as well as in the norms of maturity expected in this age group.
Having said this, it is important to remember not to place too much credence on
a single measure at a single time; children progress at amazingly different
rates. For this reason, assessment is sensitive and regular. The experience and
skill of our teachers will guide you through this somewhat confusing time!
'North American Indians' enjoying face painting.
Co-operation
Throughout school life children
learn to get on with others, and as they grow, they begin to establish
cooperation as a means of negotiation and progress in social situations. As an
Abbey junior pupil, your child will gradually be encouraged to leave behind the self-centred
concepts of earlier years. We provide may opportunities for children to learn
the skills of co-operation, including encouraging team games, both physical and
cerebral, playing an instrument in our school orchestra and participating in
annual productions. As well as enjoying their own success, children are
encouraged to appreciate the efforts of others in the celebration of personal
achievements during assemblies and through the celebration of performing arts in
our annual Eisteddfod.
From
the young and gap-toothed seven year old, to the mature, helpful and responsible
eleven-year-old, is a smooth and thoughtful transition that is engineered by
caring professionals who know what to expect and have had years of experience
with junior children and their idiosyncratic development.
Gilbert and Sullivan Mikado 
Interim SAT's Tests
At the
end of Years 3, 4 and 5, Abbey children sit interim SAT's tests. So that they
are not distressed or perturbed by the experience, these tests are taken as part
of the normal course of a day. Not all children are academically inclined,
however, teachers and parents work closely to boost academic success for all
pupils, whatever their academic potential. Senior
teachers advise on choices available for secondary education and
the November of Year 6 focuses the process of choice, when several children who are to
enter the state system of secondary education sit secondary school 11+ entrance
tests. During February and March of Year 6, most Independent secondary schools
go through the same selection process.
Click the link to view our remarkable academic
results. (Remember to return to the JUNIORS page).
We are
not selective in our intake and the successes we achieve far outshine any
expectations. Academically, Abbey 10 and 11 year-old children usually achieve
more SATs at level 5, the average expectation for 14-yer-olds, than at level 4,
the expected range for 11-year-olds. Year on year we also gain scholarship
awards to public schools and over twice to four times the average number of grammar school
places. Furthermore, at the same time our pupils are
gaining distinctions in music exams, winning speech and drama festivals,
receiving accolades in swimming, cricket, chess and tennis, in fact, anything
they care to turn their hand to. Abbey School provides a learning environment in which
all children are successful and where your child may achieve optimally in all
areas of development.
In
effect, our entire educational spread is geared upwards. Even our
academically weakest pupils achieve well, and although not Grammar School
candidates, with appropriate and systematic educational support most achieve in
excess of the national average. The result of an Abbey education is a complete
and effective ‘upward gearing’ of *all* our pupils’ academic achievement
levels. There is still more. In the role of true educators, we are at the same
time ensuring that all our pupils achieve in areas other than academically.
A New Millennium Victorian!
You
make the difference
The
programmes of academic learning for each year and term are published in the
classrooms, along with a weekly timetable, and parents are actively encouraged
to support their child's development. At this, as with all levels of learning,
research has shown that children who are supported by their parents do far
better and achieve more than those who are not. With teachers and parents
cooperating closely, achievable targets are set for children, and reviewed
regularly, simultaneously helping children to achieve more and showing them how
to succeed by creating realistic goals!
Young Geologists 
Fulfilling
the Promise!
What
actually happens is that Abbey children are achieving their full potential both
academically and in their chosen areas, just as we planned that they should when
they first joined our Nursery!
At
our school, your child will benefit from the influences of the learning
environment that we have created in Abbey School. At the end of their time with
us, Abbey children leave school ready for the next stage in their life.
Children
celebrate their success as a matter of course, parents enjoy the success of
their children with a hint of pride, and teachers note the success of their
pupils as the culmination of a task well done.
For
your child to be part of this success, first visit us and judge our standards and our
achievements for yourself. To make an appointment now use This
Link or telephone 01803-327868
