Academic Life
“The quality of pupils’ work across the school is typically well beyond age-related expectations.”
T he Old Vicarage School prides itself on being a non-selective school at Reception which achieves high academic standards. Our academic curriculum is delivered through superb teaching, first-rate IT facilities and modern approaches to learning. Small class sizes, a committed teaching staff and an emphasis on academic excellence, enable girls to set themselves high standards in everything they do. Teaching is tailored to girls’ particular strengths and abilities and subject specialist teaching increases as our girls progress through the school, becoming the norm from Year Three onward.
“Pupils demonstrate accomplished information and communication technology (ICT) skills and produce work of high quality,”
We have embraced technology, with Smart TVs in every classroom, a brand new ICT suite and the school VLE platform, Firefly, becoming an integral part of the education of every girl. Those in the Upper School have an iPad each, with Years 5 and 6 taking theirs home. Lower School have class sets available and the girls are quickly getting used to referring to instructions, additional information and challenges presented by their teachers.
These do not, however, replace the critical core skills nor the need to communicate fluently on paper. Our girls are given a thorough grounding in literacy and numeracy, leading to the study of discrete subjects such as English, mathematics, science, computing, religious education, history, geography, French and Mandarin. These are enhanced by music, drama, art and physical education at every age.
Outside the classroom, there are numerous opportunities for children to enjoy performing in assemblies, recital evenings, plays and concerts. Many girls take advantage of individual music and drama lessons with peripatetic teachers.
Through timetabled PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education) and regular sessions with their form teacher, children learn how to be active inhabitants of the changing world in which we live, appreciating social issues and responsibilities.
We prepare girls not just for senior school, but for life and the demands of the 21st century. Our pupils are assessed regularly and internally in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science, leading eventually to preparation for their choice of senior school, through the 11+ Consortium exams, Common Entrance exams and scholarship papers.