Juniors
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The Junior years provide great opportunities for children 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 (Years 3 - 6) is a happy phase in the development of our children which builds upon our School tradition of excellence and enjoyment.
All our classrooms have interactive white boards.
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, children are increasingly taught by a number of specialist teachers. This means that whilst they 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.
Children in Years 3 and above 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 children 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 are encouraged to participate in a range of sports with many opportunities being provided for them to compete against other Schools throughout the North West.
We regularly play football, hockey, rugby, cricket, rounders, netball, cross country and athletics.
Additionally, we take children 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 those in Year 6 go on an annual activity holiday which is residential.
We host an annual Sports Day which is traditional and competitive with children representing their House.
Art
Art Club is held in our own Prep Art Room and provides opportunities for children 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 learn to play an instrument and access to peripatetic specialist teachers is organised on a weekly basis.
Drama
All of our children become used to performing on stage and will participate in a form assembly at least once each year.
Additionally, in Year 6 children are all involved in a major end of year production which is very much an annual highlight.
Other Clubs
Cookery, Disney Dance, Recorders, Art & Craft, Quiz, Table Top Games, Unihoc, Card Making, Computers, Hockey, Rugby, Science, Netball, Cricket, Climbing, Orchestra, Cubs and Beavers
School Trips
We try to take the children 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, and various theatre visits
The House System
Children are divided into four Houses:
- Grosvenor (Yellow)
- Stanley (Red)
- Tollemache (Green)
- Vyner (Blue)
House points 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 children and are the day-to-day point of contact. The Headmistress knows all of the children and takes an active interest in their development and well being.
We expect them 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, Prep Science Lab and playgrounds, we also share with the Senior School the Music School, playing fields, Chapel, Dining Room, 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 are available.
