Academic

Head of Department:  Mr Ian Kay

We seek to empower the leaders of the future with skills they will need for jobs that don’t yet exist. Online safety is a major aspect of the subject, focusing on staying safe, building digital resilience, and protecting identity, reputation and information.

The curriculum developed for the School is based on guidance from the British Computer Society and contains three main strands: 

• Digital Literacy – being able to use technology in a useful and safe way across all areas of the curriculum;
• Information Technology – using the technology creatively and purposefully to communicate ideas, analyse data and interact with others;
• Computer Science – to understand how computers work and be able to create programs in a variety of languages.

Head of Department:  Miss Sandy Ni’Man

The Design & Technology Department cultivates a dynamic learning environment for pupils from Year 3 to Year 8, where they embark on a journey of creativity, innovation, and skill development, laying the foundations for their future school endeavours. Design & Technology ignites pupils’ passion and creativity through a curriculum that covers Product Design, Textiles and Food Technology.

Through hands-on projects and interactive learning, your child will gain practical expertise while honing their leadership abilities. Staff encourage pupils to explore the boundaries of their creativity through the iterative design process and develop their confidence in the safe use of tools, machines, equipment, and materials. Pupils learn to tackle real-world challenges, developing problem-solving skills that are invaluable in their everyday lives. Moreover, we encourage forward-thinking, teaching our pupils to anticipate trends and embrace new technologies with confidence. We celebrate risk-takers—those who dare to push boundaries and think outside the box. Our pupils are encouraged to explore uncharted territories, fostering a spirit of innovation and resilience.

The D&T Scholarship and D&T Clubs at edge Grove are excellent platforms for D&T scholars, Ignite fellows and D&T enthusiasts to expand their knowledge and develop their technical skills beyond the classroom. Our curriculum incorporates GCSE content and links to parts of A Level, challenging pupils to think critically and become independent learners, whilst also learning to communicate design ideas effectively.

Director of Drama:  Mrs Justine Allen

We provide ever-growing opportunities for all pupils to engage in a variety of performances, including musicals, plays, showcases, poetry recitals, talent shows, LAMDA exams, external festivals and competitions.

Our curriculum underpins our Mission of ‘The 6 Cs’. Through this approach, pupils cultivate the ability to express and communicate effectively on stage and in their daily lives, enhancing their personal and self-assured demeanour and develop a creative and imaginative mindset. We focus the skills development on public performance and ensure every child reaches their fullest potential.

Numerous students receive drama scholarships at both the 11+ and 13+ levels, and they receive comprehensive support throughout the entire process. Several students have showcased their talents in prestigious venues such as the West End, local theatres, pantomimes, TV shows, films, and advertisements. The school is committed to fully supporting and guiding students through audition processes.

Head of Department:  Mrs Jane Broadis

In English lessons we deliver a dynamic, diverse and exciting curriculum with a focus on inspiring a love of reading for pleasure. We believe reading not only improves writing skills, oracy and children’s wellbeing, but also fosters a lifelong love of learning.

We understand the importance of building strong literacy foundations; children in Nursery enjoy three books in a weekly Reading Bag which encourages families to enjoy books together. From Reception, children are taught a rigorous programme of synthetic phonics to become confident readers. The English team, which includes specialist teachers in Years 5 to 8, is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment, where all children feel confident to express themselves.

Engaging lessons cover a wide range of genres, from modern texts that reflect the diversity of our School community, to Classics drawn from the canon of English literature. We consolidate National Curriculum and ISEB objectives whilst teaching exam technique to ensure future school success. Multimedia resources enhance lessons, coupled with opportunities for debate, discussion and presentations to improve oracy. We encourage critical and creative thinking, and clear, eloquent communication. We offer literary extracurricular activities that challenge and stretch. Progress in English is monitored through regular assessments in reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Our aim in English lessons is to help children develop the oracy and literacy skills they need to be confident and effective communicators across the curriculum whilst at school, and in the future.

Forest School Leader – Mrs Mim Doughty

Forest School focuses on an approach to learning that maximises the emotional, social and developmental benefits of education.

Young people are stimulated by the outdoors and typically experience, over time, an increase in their self-belief, confidence, learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication and problem solving skills and emotional wellbeing.

At Edge Grove we make full use of our countryside setting to provide a superb outdoor learning environment, where, throughout the year children can participate in Forest School and enjoy a range of experiences unique to nature – they connect with the environment, come rain or shine, and as any observer will see, enjoy every minute.

Learning in a natural, and perhaps the richest, environment there is, the great outdoors, children are encouraged to investigate, explore and discover thereby encouraging and fostering curiosity, independent thinking and free expression.

Through participating in a wide variety of ‘hands on’ activities children are able to set objectives, achieve goals and experience success which has a positive impact on their experience of learning short and long term.

The forest setting offers a multitude of ways to focus on and use the senses, raising awareness of surroundings and self-awareness in relation to thoughts, feelings and responses to experiences. Raising awareness of the senses combined with the use of mindfulness techniques encourages and enables pupils to direct their attention to experiences as they unfold with curiosity and acceptance, taking learning to another level.

Taking advantage of the beautiful grounds at Edge Grove, our Nursery to Year 4 pupils have the opportunity of being taught the Forest School curriculum. Each year group in the Junior Department experiences a half termly block of two hour sessions each week that is included in their weekly timetable.

Pupils love the experience of sitting in the log circle, learning the forest rules and exploring their surroundings. They enjoy pond dipping, learning how to make camp fires and mud bathing! Through play, they learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others.

Director of Sport – Mr Tom Aitchison

At Edge Grove, our main aim is to encourage participation and to develop the all-round skills of all pupils in the School. We have a “Sports for All” philosophy which ensures that all pupils are given an opportunity to represent the School with the most important thing being that they enjoy sport, in an environment free from pressure, allowing them to express themselves. We take the focus off winning, and emphasise individual and team performance, setting personal and team goals for matches. Our belief is that if we are coaching them the right way, the results and outstanding achievements which we strive for will take care of itself.

We have a wide range of sporting opportunities for all our pupils. From Year 3 the pupils will represent the school in fixtures and tournaments and these opportunities increase as the children move up through the school. Our Co-Curricular programmes provides an even greater variety of sports for pupils of all sporting abilities and we believe that if children participate in a variety of sports, rather than specialising in only one sport from an early age, they can develop a wide range of tactical, technical, mental and physical skills, as well as gaining an understanding of teamwork, leadership and learn how to celebrate their victories and manage their defeats.

Games lessons are timetabled from Year 1 and focus on the core Edge Grove school sports of rugby, netball, football, hockey, cricket and athletics.  Games lessons are complemented by Physical Education lessons (see below)

In Geography we aim to develop pupils’ enthusiasm for the dynamic world in which they live and  provide a purposeful platform for exploring, appreciating and understanding the world.

The curriculum is designed to ensure that teaching equips pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments.  Across the year groups, pupils study a variety of topics at different scales to develop local, national and global citizens that have an awareness of current events and the impact they have on our ever-changing world.

The History Department at Edge Grove is focused on inspiring a spirit of inquiry, curiosity, and exploration in pupils. We strive to teach pupils the significance of history and the diverse and varied contexts in which we can understand the past. Our mission is to provide an education that is intellectually rigorous, inspiring, and empowering.

At Edge Grove, we believe that history is dynamic and ever changing and can allow us to gain insights into the modern world; present and future. Critical thinking, analytical skills, and an appreciation of the complexity of the human experience are fostered, with units of study designed to challenge pupils to explore evidence, think deeply, and draw their own, meaningful conclusions and make judgments. We aim to provide pupils with a variety of learning opportunities such as visiting speakers and workshops, trips to historical sites and museums, as well as enquiry based learning within the classroom. We hope to instil in our pupils a respect for diversity and an appreciation for the variety of perspectives and interpretations. In this way, creating an atmosphere of enquiry and discovery that will equip learners with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Head of Department:  Miss Caitlin O’Sullivan

At Edge Grove, our goal is to provide all pupils with an engaging introduction to the culture, language, literature, and achievements of the ancient Greeks and Romans. We actively encourage pupils to form their own opinions about the events, personalities, and ideas of the classical world. To facilitate this, we focus on enhancing their powers of observation and deduction, analytical thinking, and effective communication of ideas. Throughout this process, we also aspire to cultivate in each pupil a stronger sense of their cultural and linguistic heritage.

The curriculum is designed to establish a robust foundation in acquiring Latin vocabulary and understanding basic Latin grammar. Specifically, the curriculum enables learners to:

• Develop and deploy their knowledge of vocabulary and morphology to read and comprehend Latin passages of increasing difficulty.
• Enhance their understanding of Roman culture, civilization, and associated values and society by integrating Civilisation elements into all lessons.
• Cultivate critical and reflective skills to evaluate various sources from the Roman world.

Furthermore, the curriculum encourages learners to:

• Utilise their knowledge and understanding of the ancient language to deepen comprehension of English and other languages.
• Establish connections between their knowledge of the ancient world and other disciplines.
• Foster research and analytical skills that empower them to become independent students and inquirers, preparing them for further studies in arts, humanities, and sciences.

Head of Department:  Miss Gaby Wroe

At Edge Grove, we aim to cultivate a lifelong love for mathematics by promoting an unparalleled sense of enjoyment for the subject. Our pupils demonstrate enthusiasm and real understanding for the subject through the delivery of an engaging curriculum that is designed to motivate and nurture their mathematical skills, whilst simultaneously creating a robust foundation of mathematical fluency and reasoning.

A positive attitude in Maths is a proven measure of success. We believe that pupils perform at their best when they enjoy what they are doing and are resilient in their approach to problem solving. Our lessons encourage pupils to become independent learners and facilitate the exploration of mathematical concepts and ideas through collaboration, structured inquiry, investigation, practical activity and discussion.

A solid foundation in number is essential to success in mathematics, and it is for this reason that we focus on the four operations, place value and FDP (Fractions, Decimals and Percentages) from year 1 to year 8. Once core concepts have been mastered, pupils are given the opportunity to think critically and reason through higher order problems.

We understand that each child will have their own unique learning journey at Edge Grove and it is our mission to ensure that they are supported every step of the way.

Head of Department:  Mme Elena Laneri

At Edge Grove, we take great pride in our comprehensive approach to language education. Our pupils are very fortunate and begin their Modern Foreign Languages journey in Nursery; they are exposed to both French and Spanish from year 1 to year 5, and in order to reach a good proficiency they choose one language from Year 6 to Year 8. Once our pupils join Year 6, their window of opportunity expands even further, with the introduction of Latin and a variety of language clubs.

In the Junior Department, our focus is on building a solid foundation in language learning. Through immersive activities, songs and interactive games, pupils are introduced to basic vocabulary and expressions. Emphasis is placed on pronunciation and listening skills, setting the stage for future language acquisition.

As pupils progress into Year 3 and Year 4, they embark on a more structured exploration of both French and Spanish languages. Through engaging lessons, they spend more time on vocabulary and sentence structures as well as simple conversations. Cultural elements are woven into the curriculum, allowing them to appreciate the rich tapestry of the languages they are studying.

In Year 5, pupils consolidate their knowledge and begin to express themselves with greater confidence. They tackle more complex grammar concepts, engage in dialogues and work on reading and writing exercises.

Once they reach our Senior Department, pupils are encouraged to refine their speaking, listening, writing and comprehension skills through discussions, presentations, and more advanced coursework. By this stage, many pupils achieve a commendable level of fluency, setting the stage for continued language development in secondary education.

From the earliest years in Reception to the culminating stage in Year 8, at Edge Grove we are committed to fostering linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness. We encourage pupils to keep exploring languages and cultures, both inside and outside the classroom. Whether it is becoming a French or Spanish pro, or even having a blast singing along to international songs and playing games from different cultures – we are here for it!

Director of Music:  Mr Dan Evans

The Performing Arts Department, combining Music and Drama, is an exciting place to be and is valued extremely highly by pupils, staff and parents.

We aim to instil essential musicianship skills within our pupils through Making, Performing and Responding.

Our varied curriculum encompasses performance, composition, listening, music theory, the elements of music and the history of music through exploring a millennium of core repertoire. Learning is approached through a blend of hands-on music-making and music technology, fostering class ensembles and honing proficiency in a variety of instruments and styles.

We conduct ABRSM examinations termly and encourage our pupils to thrive in ensembles and choirs, with plentiful performance opportunities and concerts on offer, both within school and in our local community. This is aided by our distinguished faculty of accomplished instrumentalists from some of the nation’s premier orchestras and West End theatres.

Head of Department:  Miss Caitlin O’Sullivan

As a part of your child’s education at Edge Grove, we promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education programme. PSHE education is the curriculum subject that gives young people some of the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live safe, healthy, productive lives and meet their full potential.

From Nursery to Year 4, PSHE is taught by class teachers. From Years 5 to 8, most lessons are led by the Head of PSHE. During this dedicated time, pupils are encouraged to engage in discussions, honing their communication and participation skills while demonstrating empathy and respect for others. The content is regularly revisited during form time in all year groups, especially when the school acknowledges key events such as Children’s Mental Health Week, Anti-Bullying Week, and Safer Internet Day.

The PSHE lesson content is shaped by our affiliation with the PSHE Association, complemented by general government guidance. Under the overarching themes of ‘Health and Wellbeing,’ ‘Living in the Wider World,’ and ‘Relationships,’ each year group delves into these topics on a weekly basis. A spiralling curriculum ensures consistent coherence across the school, with children exploring the same subjects from various perspectives to accommodate their increasing maturity in each year group.

Director of Sport – Mr Tom Aitchison

Complemented by Games lessons from Year 1, Physical Education is taught from Nursery upwards by specialist staff.  In the younger years, the syllabus focuses on fundamental movement skills, and later on incorporates gymnastics, badminton, table tennis, basketball and volleyball.

Head of Department:  Dr Elham Moradi

All pupils at Edge Grove study a rigorous, varied curriculum covering the development of skills in Scientific Inquiry as well as acquiring a systematic body of knowledge as they progress through the school. It is the policy of the department to strive to encourage enjoyment of science as well as helping pupils to understand the place and importance of science in the world around them.

Pupils learn about science through practical and interactive experiences. Investigation, observation and recording skills are developed in order to allow children to better understand their world and express these ideas.

As pupils move into Year 5, they begin specialist, laboratory-based lessons with opportunities to increasingly develop their skills and awareness of science through specialist teaching, allowing our pupils to attain their potential, often going beyond the age related expectations for their year group through our scholarship programme.

Pupils in Year 7 and 8. as part of their Technology curriculum, have lessons in our dedicated Food Tech classroom located in the Science Block. Over the course, they will:

• Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and health;
• Prepare and cook a variety of savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques;
• Understand the source, seasonality and characteristics of a range of ingredients;
• Become competent in a range of techniques.

And best of all, you will have the chance to taste the fruits of your child’s labour when they bring their work home with them, and with any luck, they might start cooking for you at home too!

Studying Theology, Philosophy and Religion (TPR) at Edge Grove gives pupils with the opportunity to develop their own thoughts, beliefs and opinions, whilst considering and understanding others.  From the Junior Department upwards, pupils explore different religions and theories, and lessons promote tolerance and understanding of all.  Given the diversity within our own community, pupils are able to hear first hand from pupils, parents and staff about different religions and beliefs, through assemblies, presentations and special events.