Tuition is still largely class-based in years 3 and 4, with the teachers coming to the children. There is a great deal of specialist input, now – in French, Computers, games, swimming and geography. We also introduce ability sets in mathematics, English and French.
Year 5 is a transitional year. Although the children are still under the close pastoral care of the Middle School staff, they now start on a fully itinerant timetable – in other words, they are taught entirely by subject-specialist teachers as they would be in a senior school. We also introduce lessons in study skills and verbal reasoning – against the day when they will have to do entrance tests to their senior schools. Having these teachers enormously strengthens the depth and scope of the lessons.
The children are still under a light regime of homework – but this starts to change as they
head for the top.