Cranmore School

Junior Department

The Pre-prep department for the four to eight year olds exists alongside but distinct from, the Senior Department. Although it has its own identity within the school, it nonetheless shares all the facilities such as the swimming pool, gymnasium, sports hall, and music school.

The aims of the Junior Department are to develop social skills and to encourage an awareness of the needs and feelings of others. We believe it is essential for each boy to become literate and numerate. The department is staffed by experienced qualified teachers who are supported by classroom assistants. Our Progress Unit operates to help boys who may have some learning difficulty.

Boys begin swimming at four years when they have two lessons a week taught by a qualified ASA swimming coach. Boys continue with swimming lessons every week throughout the whole school. A specialist teacher also teaches music and boys have three lessons a week.

The year groups have three parallel classes and each boy is given the individual attention he needs to learn and develop his talents to the full. Programmes of study meet the requirements of the National Curriculum but in many areas the expectation is exceeded.

Each boy's progress is carefully monitored and parents are able to make appointments with staff to discuss any aspect of their son's education. Parents' evenings are held in the Christmas and Easter terms and parents receive a detailed written report in the summer term.

Junior Department Homework

Homework in the Junior Department builds up gradually, starting in Lower Preps. Homework reinforces the work done in the classroom and gives parents a chance to share in their son’s learning experience.

Boys have a homework diary in which parents are encouraged to make comments and also sign each night.

Lower Preps 4 to 5 year olds	Jolly Phonics letter sounds and word building and, if appropriate, reading each night. Occasional mathematical games.
Middle Preps 5 to 6 year olds	Reading each night. Weekly spellings and mathematical games.
Upper Preps 6 to 7 year olds	Reading each night. Weekly spellings and times tables. Two mathematics worksheets.
Ones 7 to 8 year olds	Reading each night. Weekly spellings and tables plus one subject a night of the following: English, mathematics, French, history/geography, science. No longer than 30 minutes should be spent on homework each night.