Junior Department

JUNIOR DEPARTMENT

Why
Is the sky?

Who starts the thunder overhead?
Who makes the crashing noise?
Are angels falling out of bed?
Are they breaking all their toys?

(from Questions at Night by Louis Untermeyer)

	Children are always asking questions and this is encouraged in The Mount School Junior Department. By developing the inherent curiosity of a child we expand their knowledge, experience and enhance learning. We find the girls flourish in our small classes, where we have the time to listen to questions, ensure understanding and give the girls the confidence to progress in learning.

	We are not isolated from the Senior School - in fact we consider them as an extension of the Junior Department! We share the facilities, so we have use of the Senior ICT, DT and Science resourses and specialist subject staff.

	Staff / Structure

	Year 0	Mrs Quinn
	Year 1	Mrs Baneth
	Year 2	Miss Moutrie

	Key Stage 1 Classroom Assistant and First Aider	Mrs Grilli
	Year 3	Mrs Corcoran & Mrs Shah
	Year 4	Mrs Carlos
	Year 5	Miss David
	Year 6	Miss Sweeney

	Specialist Subject Staff
	PE	Mrs Allen
	Music	Mr Cook
	RE	Mrs J Smith
	French	Mrs S Smith (Years 2 - 4) Mrs Warnock (Years 5 - 6)
	Science Club	Mr Ward
	Japanese	Miss Taguchi (Years 5 - 6)
	Girls also have instrumental lessons at school - piano, flute, violin, cello, guitar, oboe.

	Curriculum

	Early learning goals are the basis for Year 0 work, whilst the National Curriculum is used as a guide for lessons in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

	We do not have a Literacy Hour as we prefer to teach comprehension skills, grammar punctuation, spelling rules and develop writing skills in specific lessons.

	Girls will also have lessons in Science, History, Geography, PE, French (from Year 2), RE, Music, Art, ICT. Japanese lessons are taught in Years 5 & 6 and Latin is introduced in Year 6. (* Specialist Subject Teacher)

	Examinations

	For girls whose first language is not English, we provide specialist lessons by qualified ESOL teachers and examinations in English Language are taken as pupil skills develop.

	PIPS tests are taken in Years 0, 1 and 4.

	Year 2 - internal assessment of Key Stage 1 National Tests Year 6 - The Mount School, Senior Entrance Examination (January) Key Stage 2 National Tests (May)

	Every September and July the reading ages of all pupils is assessed.

	In Key Stage 2 regular testing occurs to gain a knowledge of progress and understanding; to give extra help where required. Testing in English and Mathematics takes place in November, all subjects in Mid Year Tests (February) and End of Year assessments in July.

	Parent - Teacher Liaison

	Parents are encouraged to talk to form teachers and staff. This is usually done via the Homework Diary, meeting informally with teachers at the end of school or more formally at Parents' Evenings in November and June.
	Reports are sent out at the end of the Spring Term and a brief result sheet is sent to parents in July.
	The Infant I and Milespit I are newsletters produced by the school to keep parents in touch with all of the girls activities.

	Homework

	Homework is set on a regular basis and is written in each girls Homework Diary, this is also used by teachers and parents to write notes and comments and forms an important part of Parent / Teacher liaison.
	Reading to an adult at home is also set as a daily homework and adults need to complete the 'Reading Record Book' each time they hear their daughter read.

	Non-Academic Awards

	The Mount School acknowledges that development of the whole person is vitally important.
	Two cups, which commemorate two very special ladies associated with The Mount School are awarded to Year 6 pupils.
	In December The Fran Humphries Friendship Cup is awarded to a pupil who has shown affability and encouraged comradeship in her time at The Mount.
	In July The Vicky Berman Cup is awarded to a pupil who has overcome difficulties to accomplish her targets.