Education at Whitehall
Discovering the Potential in every Child
Inspiring
Children at Whitehall are encouraged to become independent learners whose problem-solving skills and academic abilities are progressed through a stimulating and extended curriculum.
We enhance the National Curriculum with a diverse and exciting range of enrichment experiences. A wide variety of teaching methods promote high academic standards as well as the enjoyment of learning through our experienced teachers.
Curriculum
Whitehall School offers a broad and exciting curriculum from Nursery to Year 6. From Year 1, Maths and English are taught by class teachers in the morning and specialist lessons in Art, Science, History, Geography, Computing, PSHE, French and Music are taught in the afternoon.
This allows for a fresh and thought-provoking approach to learning which creates opportunities for children to grow and achieve through an engaging educational programme, tailored to each individual.
Assessment
Our unique Individual Performance Program to assess, set targets and monitor standards each term ensures that every child makes exceptional progress by accessing the highest quality teaching specifically tailored to their own ability. Targets are continually reviewed and where they are not met, support is given. Children who exceed targets are stretched and challenged by a differentiated curriculum within the classroom.
In this way, each child can work at their own pace and we are able to offer a unique individualised approach to academic and personal growth.
Independence
Small classes allow us to cater to the specific needs of each child. We work in partnership with parents by sharing performance during consultations throughout the year so that children can be supported.
The programme is specifically designed to encourage children to become active and independent learners with a love of gaining new knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
Early Years
In our Nursery and Pre-School we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum extended with the addition of Music, Singing, Swimming, Sports & Yoga from Babies.
At this age, play based learning is a huge focus with activities ranging from messy play to gym and gardening, encouraging skills from all the areas of the curriculum in a fun environment.
In the Pre-School we provide early opportunities for reading with daily phonics and motor skills for writing, such as threading and play dough. Staff work closely to plan activities individual to each child which develop their skills and regular trips and special days enhance the learning experience.
Children are supported by adults who enable their learning by allowing children to empower themselves within their environment. We celebrate a child’s uniqueness and encourage respect and social interaction.
Infants
The Infant Curriculum places a stronger emphasis on numeracy and literacy. In English lessons the children cover essential comprehension, grammar and phonic skills within a variety of activities that also draw upon their creative and imaginative natures.
Each week, the children read individually to a teacher as well as enjoying reading with their peers in a guided group. Handwriting and spelling are also introduced at this stage.
In Mathematics, children are encouraged to be kinaesthetic learners and experience numbers in a meaningful and contextual way. We place great emphasis on using and applying number, as well as understanding shape and measure. Children are exposed to all this in a fun, investigative and practical way.
At the end of key stage 1, your child will have secured firm foundations in both English and Mathematics and will be confident in the skills they have acquired.
Juniors
In our Junior classes, a wide variety of teaching methods promote high academic standards as well as continuing the enjoyment of learning.
Our aim is to develop confident learners who take a proactive approach to their own education and feel secure enough within the classroom environment to take risks in order to further their knowledge and understanding.
We offer a diverse and exciting curriculum where the Core and Foundation subjects are enriched by the provision of a variety of extra curricular activities.
We ensure that our children are equipped to become 21st Century citizens and develop the technological skills and confidence they need.
We also foster within our Junior children a curiosity about the world and provide opportunities for them to gain real-life experience through trips further afield and by inviting in expert visitors.
