Welcome to the Junior Department

Welcome to the Junior Department, the home of pupils at King’s House from Reception to Year 3. The JD offers its pupils a unique, caring and stimulating environment, which encourages each child to seize every learning opportunity. It is housed in two beautiful Victorian buildings which have been sensitively extended and enhanced to provide a wonderful learning environment.

In Reception, pupils are gently introduced to the school routine whilst following the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. During their time in the Junior Department, pupils are based in their classrooms with their teacher and teaching assistant, but also have specialist teachers for French, Music, PE and Computing. Over the next four years they develop their skills across all areas of the curriculum and become confident, independent learners.

The classrooms are bright and well equipped, and the JD also benefits from Food Technology, Computing and Music rooms. There is a wonderful, spacious playground where the children enjoy PE sessions and playing at break times.

Dedicated teaching staff are supported by an enthusiastic and well qualified team of teaching assistants. The curriculum is designed to challenge its pupils, offering a diverse range of opportunities in Music, Art, Drama and Sport. Concerts and plays are held throughout the year, as well as class assemblies which parents are invited to. From Year 1 upwards pupils have Games lessons at the school’s 35-acre Sports Ground in Chiswick, as well as having swimming lessons.

Visits to local museums and places of interest enrich the pupils’ learning experience. Parents and other visitors are invited into school to talk to them.

Fundraising plays a big part in the Junior Department, and each year pupils choose a charity to fundraise for. Homework diaries and the newsletter all ensure that there is excellent communication between staff and parents. Regular meetings are arranged for formal discussions about their child’s progress, but parents are welcome to meet with the Head of Department or Form Teachers should the need arise.

Simon Gower, Head of the Junior Department

Simon Gower, Head of the Juniors, stands outside the SD.

Curriculum

Reception

Pupils are divided into two classes each with Form Teacher and Teaching Assistant. We follow the EYFS curriculum, engaging in a diverse range of creative, physical and musical activities and begin swimming lessons in the summer term.

Year 1

There are two mixed ability classes each with a Form Teacher and Teaching Assistant. The pupils begin to extend their skills and start to work more independently. They develop their skills in Numeracy and Literacy. They have swimming and Games sessions all year. In Year 1, homework is limited to reading practice and spellings.

Year 2

There are two mixed ability classes each with a Form Teacher and a Teaching Assistant. They develop their investigative skills in Science and begin to do their own research in ICT. They continue to have weekly swimming and Games sessions. There are two half-hour homeworks, one written and one for Maths plus weekly spellings and reading.

Year 3

There are three mixed ability classes each with a Form Teacher and Teaching Assistant. The pupils continue to have subject specialists for French, Computing, PE and Music, and have some lessons in the Senior Department. They work more independently and are expected to sustain concentration for extended periods. Pupils also begin to write with a pen. There are two written and one Maths homework a week in addition to the reading and learning of spellings and tables. They continue to have a Games and swimming session once per week.

The Onward Journey

In Year 3, pupils work more independently and are expected to sustain concentration for longer periods to prepare them for the transition to the Senior Department. Towards the end of Year 3 they have lunch in the Senior Department to help with the transition, as well as meeting their teacher and becoming familiar with the new buildings. The buddying system between Years 4 and 8 also ensures they have a familiar face in September.