Junior FAQS

As the children move from year group to year group their experiences change as we pack more into the school day. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly if you need any further information about any aspect of the education we provide. We are always on hand to support parents as their child progresses through each stage of his/her education with us.

Junior FAQs

How do you prepare the children for 11+ exams?

From Year 3, the preparation starts with weekly reasoning sessions and then looking a past papers to guide the children through their preparation. High quality teaching means we finish the Year 6 curriculum in Year 5, this means that we can focus on writing past papers so that we can set individual targets for each child. The children will also have interview practice in school, where they will receive personalised feedback.

Which senior schools do children go to?

Teachers work closely with parents throughout the school to ensure that an appropriate senior school is chosen for each child. Excellent results have been achieved with children also gaining a range of academic, sporting and musical awards and scholarships. We maintain good relationships and regular contacts with senior schools which lead to a smooth transition to the next academic stage. There are numerous options to consider and many of the children are spoilt for choice!

From September 2023, our pupils will also have the option to continue their education at Coopersale Hall with the introduction of our new senior department. Students from Coopersale Hall moving into the Seniors will be given automatic entry into Year 7 and beyond.

Read about our leavers destination schools

What happens if my child needs extra support?

We are fortunate to have a well-resourced Learning Support team, coordinated by our SENDCo Mrs Doherty. We have a large number of Learning Support Assistants who work in a variety of classes. All work is routinely differentiated to meet the range of abilities of our children so that they are all able to access the curriculum.

Our specialist staff give one-to-one targeted support to pupils to help them make progress. We also have a specialist dyslexia teacher who provides lessons for some of our pupils and undertakes assessments if necessary.

How do I know what progress my child is making?

We regularly assess children within the class through a variety of formal and informal tests. We level them against the national average ability expected for their age range by using InCas(Interactive Computerised Assessment System), PIRA(Progress in Reading Assessment) and PUMA(Progress in Understanding Mathematics Assessment).

What links are there between school and parents?

Parents have the opportunity each day to talk to the class teacher either in the morning or in the afternoon. We are very happy for parents to contact us to make a longer appointment if they need a more detailed conversation with the form teacher or a member of the senior team. The Headmistress is readily available to see parents about a variety of matters.

We have at least one formal communication with home each term, which takes the form of a short report, full report or parent’s meeting. There are regular newsletters and the website is always updated with information and news. We have a text messaging service and we email letters and news home.  We also tweet our news!

There are annual drop-in mornings for Early Years, Infant and Junior parents to visit the classrooms, annual coffee mornings for all parents to chat with the Group Managing Principal and Headmistress about school, and we hold a display of work evening in the Summer Term. Parents of Kindergarten children see their child’s keyworker on a daily basis and are able to request an appointment at any time.

Do you offer before and after school care?

We have a Breakfast Club from 7.30am until 8.40am each morning and an After-School Club that runs until 6pm. These are run by Coopersale Hall staff for children from 3 to 11 years.

For Breakfast Club drinks, breakfast cereals and toast are provided each morning. Children are given a range of activities after breakfast that engage them until the school day begins at 8.40am.

Teatime Club provides sandwiches and fruit every afternoon. Homework can be completed in the quiet area and there are a variety of activities on offer.

It is advisable to book into these clubs via the School Office, either on an occasional, regular or daily basis.

What are lunches like?

We have a wide range of food on offer at lunchtime freshly prepared by our Chef and her team. There is a daily choice of a hot main meal with a hot vegetarian alternative, together with a cold buffet that includes filled baguettes and a wide variety of salads. A daily pudding choice is available or plenty of fresh fruit and yoghurts.

There are many members of staff on duty to help children with their choice of food and to ensure that they eat a balanced meal. We always encourage children to try new food. Our team is used to catering for all dietary needs.