Our warm and nurturing Junior School provides an environment that celebrates children’s individuality and helps them flourish. The Junior School is co-educational and comprises our EYFS provision in Reception, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, up to and including Year 6.
Lower Junior School
Pre-School, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes are situated in the Lower Junior School building in the Shipley block and Lower Junior pupils also have direct access to their own outside play and learning area.
Pre-School
A Pre-School which offers places to children from age 2 is operated on the Read School site by Kids’ Corner, a reputed local nursery provider. The Pre-School is open 51 weeks per year.
Reception
Reception class offers a smooth transition from the Pre-School environment. Whilst the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework continue to be important, the balance between child-initiated play and adult-directed playful learning, begins to shift. Our Reception class promotes school readiness by giving children a broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for future progress. Pupils will have a weekly French lesson also begin to learn another foreign language.
Class teacher: Mrs Fairhurst
Key Stage 1
Our Year 1 and Year 2 classes are built on the firm foundations set in Reception. A carefully structured educational programme provides a secure basis for skills in Literacy, Numeracy, Science, Humanities, Art, Music, Design & Technology (DT) and Information and & Communications Technology (ICT). The curriculum is based on a balance of formal teaching and close attention to each child's development in social skills, creativity, and understanding of the world. We have structured programme in place for Phonics, Literacy and Mathematics. Other subjects are taught via a creative or thematic approach. Our Physical Education provision offers a varied programme of games, athletics and swimming.
Carefully selected topics are used in a creative way to ensure that children enjoy their learning.
Class teacher and Deputy Head of Junior School: Mrs Wynne
Upper Junior School – Key Stage 2
All of the Upper Junior School classes are situated in the Coggrave building. The Junior School integrates well into the life of the whole school and our children are able to use the on-site facilities, such as the Science labs, Saddler Music Centre, Drama Studio, Design and Technology Suite, Art Room, Food Technology Room and Sports Hall.
Our Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes build on and further develop the curriculum provided in Key Stage 1. Specialist teaching gradually increases, helping to develop independence and prepare children for the transition to Senior School. New subjects such as Design and Technology are introduced and Science is taught by a Senior School Science teacher. Year 6 children are given the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities such as Head of House.
Throughout the Junior School, the children are taught within mixed ability classes. Differing needs are met through careful differentiation, and our small class sizes ensure that all children are given the special attention they deserve. The progress of each child is constantly monitored to ensure individual needs are met.
We also have a full range of extracurricular activities outside the classroom to stimulate minds and bodies. These range from sports, dance and activities clubs to skiing trips as well as visits to places of interest, including museums, local parks, farms and the theatre.
Read Junior School is a place where children thrive, feel safe and have a sense of identity and belonging. In 2020 Read School Junior School was ranked 69th in the Sunday Times Parent Power which ranks the top 250 state and top 100 independent schools in the country. We were thrilled with this ranking but our main goal remains to produce happy children who not only fulfil their academic potential but who will confidently step up to Senior School having enjoyed a broad and balanced range of experiences.
Mr Galen Hill
Head of Junior School