Curriculum

The school’s curriculum policy is best summed up as “National Curriculum Plus....” Classes are kept small (maximum 18 pupils) and academic reports are sent home every four weeks with details of a pupil’s achievement and effort over that period. Comprehensive reports are written three times a year in December, March and July and there is the opportunity to meet all staff at a formal gathering once a year. In this way, an education at Terrington Hall can meet our aim of being a partnership between home and school through which pupils can receive every support and encouragement. We welcome parental involvement and interest in a child’s progress and the form teacher and Headmaster are always pleased to meet parents to discuss individual pupils.

Group Photo

English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, French, Spanish, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art and Design, Information and Communications Technology (Computing), Art, Pottery, Music, and Swimming are all taught as part of the curriculum. We continue to offer Latin to all children able to benefit from learning the language and Classical Studies is taught to those for whom learning a third foreign language might be burdensome. Personal, Social and Health Education together with Citizenship are an important part of pupil learning at Terrington Hall. Its major aim is the development of self-awareness, positive self-esteem and self-confidence.

In today’s competitive world, children need to lay the surest foundations at Prep School level in order to achieve eventual success. A list of destinations gained by recent leavers and the academic awards achieved by many of them is included on this website under The 'moving on from Terrington' page. I am sure you will agree, ours is an impressive record.

By the time pupils leave, we hope they will appreciate that there is considerable satisfaction to be derived from the full use of one’s talents.

Subjects

English

History

Information and communications Technology

Religious studies

Science

Maths

Outdoor education

Music

Drama

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Head of Department: Mrs Diana Yeomans
St. John’s College, York
Cert. Ed.
University of Leeds

Departmental Aims
Our aims in teaching English are that all children will:

Develop the necessary skills to use the language confidently, appropriately and accurately to the best of their ability
Be able to speak clearly, fluently, coherently and appropriately in different situations
Be able to listen attentively, with understanding, enjoyment and empathy, with the ability to question where appropriate
Be able to read a range of material fluently and with understanding and evaluation both for pleasure and information
Be able to write effectively for a range of audiences and purposes, confidently incorporating correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax
To introduce children to a wide range of literature and encourage their appreciation of a variety of plays, poetry, fiction and non-fiction
To enhance the children’s education, wherever appropriate with suitable theatre and other educational visits – such as a visiting author or poet
Annual Book Fairs encourage and develop the children’s interest in literature

Years 3 - 5
English is taught by form teachers using the appropriate scheme of the department with a range of material produced by Galore Park, Nelson Thorne and Scholastic Publications.

Reading: the children have use of the Middle and Main School libraries and are encouraged to widen their reading experience with teacher guidance
Grammar and Vocabulary - teaching of the traditional skills are taught and consolidated throughout these years
Spelling - weekly and holiday learning
Writing – the children are taught to adapt their writing styles to suit a range of audiences
Speaking and Listening – children are encouraged to improve these skills using a range of activities within the classroom and on the stage

Years 6 - 8
English is taught by specialist staff using the Department’s Scheme of Work and using Galore Park, Oxford Press, Scholastic and Nelson Thorne publications as well as past CE papers.

In Year 6 the work covered in Years 3,4 and 5 is developed and extended
Years 7 and 8 begin a more structured work scheme to prepare them for Common Entrance where they will have a Reading and Writing Paper to take
Children will read, discuss and answer questions on a wide variety of fiction, non-fiction and poetry to prepare them for the Reading Paper – their spelling, grammar, range of vocabulary used and handwriting will be constantly assessed
Children will study a range of fiction with reference to a set theme - eg. Conflict or Heroes and Heroines and write their responses in preparation for the Writing Paper
Children will also look at ‘Unseen Texts’ for their individual understanding and response

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HISTORY DEPARTMENT

Head of Department:

Mrs Mary-Ann Pilmore BA (Hons) PGCE

Departmental Aims:

Develop an interest and enjoyment of History through classroom activities and educational visits.
Learn the appropriate historical based skills of enquiry and interpretation.

Staffing and Curriculum Content:

Pre Prep Staffing:

Year One: Mrs E Fredericks BA (Hons)

Year Two: Miss K Oakley B.Ed (Hons)

Famous people and events
Comparisons of homes and the seaside in the past

Middle School Staffing:

Year Three: Mr T Eddy BA (Hons) PGCE

Year Four: Mrs V Whitfield Cert. Ed. Drama and Music

Invaders and Settlers – Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
The Tudors and Stuarts

Main School Staffing:

Year Five: Miss Woodhead BA (Hons) with QTS

Years Six to Eight: Mrs Pilmore: BA (Hons) PGCE

The lives of children in Victorian times
World War 2 – The Home Front and Evacuee
Medieval Realms: Britain 1066- 1485

Consolidation of the Common Entrance syllabus and revision of content and skills in preparation for the Summer Exam

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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Head of Department: Sam Watson, FRGS MRIN MSc Bradford (Environmental Science), BA (Hons) Lancaster, PGCE Bath Spa (Science)

Information and Communications Technology (ICT), what might be termed ‘Computing’, is taught throughout PrePrep and Main School as an all-pervasive subject, both integrated into the wider curriculum and also in specialist ICT lessons.

In a world where computer technology is ever-advancing and where both it and the related Internet are spreading into all walks of life, the school sees it as vital that children are au fait with both computers as information processing systems and also as research tools. To this end we strive to incorporate ICT as much as possible into the whole curriculum and are aided in this endeavour by both a suite of computers and a widespread network of PCs within teaching rooms across the school.

Our curriculum for ICT is based on the government-sourced National Curriculum for England and Wales, but we do not feel this approaches the subject in enough depth or detail, so we have added many areas of integration into the wider curriculum and also into the extracurricular life of the students.

Currently the school network is undergoing a thorough systems review and widespread upgrade, enabling us to continue providing high quality ICT education which incorporates all advances in salient technology.

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RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Head of Department:

Mrs Pilmore BA (Hons) PGCE

Departmental Aims:
Terrington Hall Preparatory School was originally an Anglican foundation and today the majority of the pupils remain members of the Church of England. It nevertheless welcomes pupils from other Christian denominations and other faiths as well as those of no religion. Indeed a child who is sceptical and questioning plays a vital role in the R.S. classroom and no child would ever be expected to accept anything in an unquestioning way. Religious Studies at Terrington Hall then is very much about explaining the views of others, showing respect to believers and belief systems, and one where, most often, the teachers' views are left outside the classroom. Where this is not the cas the issue is clearly one of right and wrong teachers must take the moral lead.

Staffing and Curriculum Content:

Pre Prep:

Year One: Mrs E Fredericks BA (Hons)

Year Two: Miss Oakley B.Ed (Hons)

New Testament Bible Stories
Old Testament Bible Stories and Judaism

Middle School:

Years Three and Four: Miss Woodhead BA (Hons) with QTS

Judaism and New Testament Bible Stories
Festivals of the Six Main World Religions

Main School:

Years Five and Six: Miss Woodhead BA (Hons) with QTS

Years Seven and Eight: Mrs Pilmore BA (Hons) PGCE

The Church and the Community
Christian Worship
Special times in the Church calendar

A study of main aspects from the religions of Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism CE syllabus
The Old Testament CE syllabus

The New Testament CE syllabus
The Consolodation of the Common Entrance syllabus and revision of content and skills in preparation for the Summer exam

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SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Head of Department: Sam Watson, FRGS MRIN MSc Bradford (Environmental Science), BA (Hons) Lancaster, PGCE Bath Spa (Science)

Science is taught throughout the school following guidelines laid down by the National Curriculum. From Year 3 pupils are taught in purpose built, well - equipped laboratories and from Year 5 by specialist Science teachers. Science is a practical subject and experimental work is seen as a crucial part of the department.

Pupils are prepared for the 13+ Common Entrance Examination and from the latter part of Year 6, Science is taught as three separate disciplines: Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Pupils are given many opportunities beyond the formal curriculum ranging from fieldwork at Flamborough Head to Science Challenges at local senior schools and workshops at York University. All of these serve to make pupils aware of the opportunities Science has to offer in the wider world.

Boarders are also able to use the labs in the evenings to help care for the “pets” which at present include gerbils, giant snails, stick insects and tropical fish.

The extensive, beautiful school grounds offer a wealth of opportunities for Science including a Wildlife Area and pupils’ gardens (in the Summer term). A vegetable garden is also under development.

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MATHS DEPARTMENT
Head of Department: Mr Phil Magson BA Hons Loughborough College of Art and Design, PGCE York St.John

The syllabus for Maths builds on the Primary Framework from the DfES (Dept. for Education and Skills) and the Secondary National Strategy for Key Stage 3.

Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Key Stage 2)

Pupils are taught by their class teachers in years 3 and 4 and by the subject teachers thereafter.
Currently the main textbook resource is Ginn’s Abacus scheme. It is a broad based scheme and has proved to be a very user-friendly introduction to the range of subjects.

There are seven strands that make up the syllabus –

Using and applying mathematics - The organization, interpretation and use of measures, shape and number to solve problems and to present information.

Counting and understanding number – Learning place value, sequences, fractions etc.

Knowing and using number facts – Multiplication, addition, subtraction, doubling/halving and using rounding and estimation.

Calculating – Making mental calculations using addition, subtraction, multiplication and introducing division as an inverse operation and to find fractions and decimals. Begin to use a calculator as a tool.

Understanding shape – Recognising 2d and 3d shapes, angles, symmetry and reflection. Moving on to nets, coordinates, translation and measuring angles accurately.

Measuring – Units of measurement for finding distance, weight, capacity and time. Moving on to finding area and perimeter of polygons, reading from a scale, 24 hour clock etc.

Handling data – Use of frequency tables, tally charts, pictograms, Venn and Carroll diagrams, moving on to bar charts, line graphs and pie charts to record and interpret information.

Years 7 and 8

Pupils will build upon their prior learning, increase their understanding of the key objectives and use new strategies for solving more complex problems. They will be fully prepared for all understanding of subjects expected of them in 13+ Common Entrance Examinations and for the next step into senior school.

A wide range of materials and resources are available to achieve the desired standards. Texts from Heinneman, Ginn, Nelson Thornes’ New National Framework and Elmwood’s Target Maths are currently used.

The syllabus is extended by developing strands of learning introduced towards the end of Year 6.
These include:

Multiplication, division etc. of fractions and decimal numbers

Identifying alternate and corresponding angles

Understanding and usage of algebraic formulae

Relate increase and decrease of percentages and decimals/fractions to probability and ratio

Column multiplication and long division of integers and decimals

Represent problems and interpret solutions in geometric or graphical form

Monitoring and Assessment

Pupils from Year 3 through to Year 8 have their development monitored in a continuous stream of assessment, checking on their rates of progress. The scheme we are currently using for beginning and end of year testing provides diagnosis for the setting of individual and group targets.
All children are encouraged to reach their full potential regardless of age or ability. Low attainers receive the support they need to progress from whichever level they start at, while higher ability pupils are challenged to extend their learning beyond their peer group where appropriate.

It is the aim of the school to continually challenge, motivate and raise pupils’ expectations throughout their time here. We aim to keep focussed on each child’s developmental needs and to help them achieve their goals with enthusiasm.

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OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Terrington has an extensive outdoor education programme run by Simon Ferrier who is also the Senior Master and Head of Geography. Simon is highly qualified in a range of adventurous activities including being an advanced senior instructor at kayaking (Level 4 coach) and an International Mountain Leader as well as being a UK Mountain Leader and climbing instructor. Simon has 20 years of experience climbing, kayaking and hang gliding mainly in Europe but also Australia, Canada and the U.S.A

The programme at Terrington is progressive with pupils in Year 3 onwards getting the opportunity to canoe, climb, orienteer and participate in mountain walking. The outdoor programme is an aspect of school that appeals to all pupils and is something that they can all succeed at, resulting in improvements in self confidence, self-esteem and a greater awareness of their environment. The kayaking in particular is progressed to a very high level with the opportunity to gain BCU star awards, take part in canoe slalom as well as tackle some challenging UK and Alpine rivers.

The skills learnt are used to get the maximum benefit out of the two expeditions, which form a large part of Years 7, and 8 at Terrington. In Year 7 pupils spend a week in the Ardeche, France, paddling a variety of rivers before embarking on a 2 day descent of the 30km Ardeche Gorge as a self-sufficient group. This involves an overnight bivi in the gorge and progress is reported back to school via the school website.

In Year 8 an advanced group visit the Southern French Alps having trained all year to paddle some classic Alpine rivers such as the Guil and Ubaye. The area is also a rock-climbing mecca with literally 100’s of climbs suitable for school groups. Mountain walking in the nearby Ecrins National Park provides the opportunity to see glaciers and some diverse Alpine fauna and flora. The 2007 group will also be whitewater rafting on the Durance River and taking part in a classic via ferrata which involves scrambling whilst attached to cables and ladders.

Beginner canoe sessions are held in the school pool and then progress to the local River Derwent. More advanced sessions take place at Howsham Weir, the River Ure and the River Tees.

The outdoor education programme follows all the latest guidelines on Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits. It is hugely popular with pupils and parents the latter of which have helped to raise funds to ensure that our equipment is modern and user friendly. Staff and parents have also helped enormously to ensure the success of the programme, particularly the residential trips.

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MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Terrington Hall’s music department is housed in a converted chapel, situated next to the school playing fields with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Music plays a vital and enjoyable part of school life here at Terrington where we offer many opportunities to learn and participate in all areas of music-making.

Class music is taught from Nursery up to Year 8 following well established music schemes including “Music Express” and the BBC’s “Time and Tune”.
Instrumental lessons are offered in piano, singing, flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, violin, cello, guitar (classical and electric), percussion, trumpet, cornet, euphonium, horn, trombone and bagpipes. All teachers are well-qualified and enter pupils for Associated Board Exams where appropriate.
Alongside our Concert Band we have numerous ensembles including senior and junior choirs, string, woodwind and brass groups, and a rock band. Students perform regularly at school concerts in the Christmas and summer terms. The choir and band perform at church services for school events and also within the local community. Tours are also a part of the music calendar. We have been to Vienna, Edinburgh and, next year, Belgium.
We hold annual interhouse piano or instrumental competitions giving pupils opportunity to perform as soloists and also we have a regular slot in our assemblies for solo recitals.
Each year we produce musicals for pre-prep, middle school and senior school pupils. This year in May we performed “Scheherazade, A Tale of 1001 Arabian Nights” in main school which was a great success and involved about 50 pupils. Other shows have included “Oliver” and “Shake, Ripple and Roll”.

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DRAMA

Opportunities for developing acting and theatre skills are available through regular school drama productions which have included in recent years “The Prodigious Snob” and “Wind in the Willows”. This summer sees our first outdoor Shakespeare play “A Midsummer Nights’ Dream” for Year 8 pupils. Drama Studies is an extra-curricular activity one evening a week and class drama is taught to pre-prep, years 3 and 4.