The
Junior years provide great opportunities for boys to participate in an
increasing range of exciting activities which will broaden their school
experiences through sport, music, art, drama and club activities.Junior Prep is a happy phase in the boys’ development which builds upon our School tradition of excellence and enjoyment.
The Curriculum
B.P.S. provides a broad, balanced curriculum which builds upon traditional standards whilst embracing new technologies and promoting the Arts.
Over
the four years in Junior Prep, boys are increasingly taught by a number of
specialist teachers. This means that whilst boys are predominantly taught by
their form teacher in Year 3, where great emphasis is placed on consolidating
skills in English and Mathematics as well as establishing good routines, by Year
6 they are experiencing a range of teachers with different teaching styles and
individual specialisms. This makes for easier transition into Senior School at
age eleven.
The curriculum for juniors includes:
English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Art, D.T., I.T., Music, R.E., P.E., Games and Swimming (Summer Term).
For Years 3 to 6, all Games and P.E. lessons are delivered by specialist teachers as are Music, Art and I.T. lessons.
Boys
in Years 5 and 6 follow a programme of Modern Foreign Languages and,
additionally, Year 6 have a weekly period of Classical Studies. These are also
delivered by specialist teachers.
All forms have a weekly timetable and homework is regularly set.
Extra curricular Activities
We positively encourage the children to become more broadly involved in the exciting opportunities on offer. We firmly believe that participation in clubs, sporting fixtures and other activities helps to promote personal interests and talents beyond the classroom, providing opportunities for boys to develop by mixing with others in more social contexts.
Sport
We have a healthy attitude to sport, very much believing that participation for all is important to the health and vitality of our youngsters today and for their future well-being.
All boys are encouraged to participate in a range of sports with many opportunities being provided for them to regularly compete against boys from other Schools throughout the North West.
We regularly play football, hockey, rugby, cricket, rounders, cross country and athletics.
Additionally, we take boys swimming in the Summer Term (Europa Pool). There is a weekly Swimming Club and Climbing Club as well as lunchtime/after school opportunities for basketball and table tennis.
All boys in Year 6 go on an annual activity holiday which is residential.
We host an annual Sports Day which is traditional and competitive with boys representing their House.
Art
Art Club is held in our own Prep Art Room and provides opportunities for boys to work collaboratively on bigger pieces and to develop other individual skills such as pottery.
Music
We are very fortunate to have our own Music School and specialist Music teacher. We have our own Prep Choir, Orchestra and Strings groups. The majority of boys learn to play an instrument and access to peripatetic specialist teachers is organised on a weekly basis.
Drama
All of our boys become used to performing on stage and will participate in a form assembly at least once each year.
Additionally, boys in Year 6 are all involved in a major end of year production which is very much an annual highlight.
Other Clubs
Science Club, Chess Club, Quiz Club, Board Games, Cubs and Beavers.
School Trips
We try to take the boys out each term on a visit to support work in the curriculum. These include visits to Ness Gardens, Speke Hall, Port Sunlight Village, Manchester Science museum, Blue Planet Aquarium, a visit to the Tutankhamun exhibition in London
The House System
Boys are divided into four Houses:
Grosvenor Yellow
Stanley Red
Tollemache Green
Vyner Blue
Housepoints are awarded weekly with best of Houses announced and House winners of the week. House points are awarded for good work, but are also more broadly awarded for good behaviour, for good manners and for initiative.
Pastoral Care and Guidance
The House system helps to promote high standards of behaviour. Additionally, we aim to foster mutual respect for each other in a happy community where we are all helpful and supportive of each other.
Class teachers play a key role in the pastoral care of our boys and are the day-to-day point of contact. The Headmistress knows all of the boys and takes an active interest in their development and well being.
We expect the boys to develop confidence by providing a richness of opportunity in which they can participate and be given responsibility.
Facilities
As well as its own facilities which include bright, spacious classrooms, Prep Gym, Prep Stage and Assembly Hall, Prep IT suite, Prep Art Room and playgrounds, we also share with the Senior School the Music School, playing fields, Chapel, Dining Room, Science Labs, Senior School ICT suite and Sports Hall.
Catering
Catering is provided by our own School catering team. The standard is excellent with varied menus to suit all tastes. Special dietary requirements are also met.
School
Nurse
We have our own School Nurse who routinely attends to the children’s needs if unwell or injured and who also organises screening for hearing, vision, etc.
After School Care (Fun Club)
The school day finishes at 3.40 p.m. for Juniors. Fun Club caters for children who cannot be picked up at the end of school. It is open until 6.00 p.m.
Holiday Courses
A wide range of courses is available and is run by the School’s Commercial Manager. Click here for details
