Academic Curriculum

The Foundation Stage (Pre-school and Reception)

In the Badger Nursery and then in the Reception class (Class One), pupils experience the six areas of learning of the Foundation Stage curriculum.

PSE Personal and Social Education
CLL Communication, Language and Literacy
PSRN Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy
KUW Knowledge and understanding of the World
CD Creative Development
PD Personal Development

Key Stage One (Year One and Two)

In Years One and Two pupils follow the National Curriculum to the end of Key Stage One. Our pupils achieve well in the Key Stage One tests, and the emphasis is on language, number and science, but have time to do a lot more besides, for example French, History, Geography, Religious Education, IT, Music and Art. All pupils receive weekly PE and swimming lessons and the older Pre-Prep pupils are introduced to the major sports which they will pursue in the Prep department.

The Prep Department (Years Three to Six)

The curriculum continues to be in line with National Curriculum requirements but our small classes and specialist teaching allows us to deliver much more besides. Whilst largely class-based still in Year 3, pupils of this age are taught French and Science by specialists with the Science Teacher having her own science laboratory, and IT begins to form an increased part of their weekly timetable. In Years 5 and 6 pupils are taught by subject specialists across the entire curriculum range, with History, Geography and Religious Education being taught as separate subjects. Results are not everything but our performance in the Key Stage 2 tests bears comparison with the very best.

Art

Bow has an extensive art room in a listed building, which it shares with the Music Department. It provides an excellent, large and light environment for the children to develop their creative skills and provides the space to tackle a wide range of techniques including the traditional drawing and painting but also where they are able to work in a variety of printing processes, pottery, sculpture and ICT as well as a number of other mediums.

English

Teaching follows National Curriculum guidelines with an emphasis on reading and writing. Children work in a traditional way with skills in punctuation, grammar and spelling being revised and updated constantly as needs are assessed via their own written work. In Year 6 children complete the Standard Attainment Tests to benchmark both their standards and the work of the department.

French

We aim to encourage a lasting enjoyment and appreciation of French and its associated culture and tradition. From Year 1 children develop their ability to use French effectively for purposes of practical communication. Teaching methods and resources are used to ensure that all pupils have equal access to French and can experience success and enjoyment in their work.

Geography

Through Geography we aim to stimulate the pupils' curiosity about the natural and manmade world around them. Emphasis is placed on enquiry in which pupils apply geographical questions to analyse evidence, solve problems and evaluate information. Pupils learn to use skills specific to Geography including fieldwork and map work skills as well as using many different resources.

History

History at Bow is about facts and famous people and events as you might expect but pupils also learn how to formulate opinions based on evidence and reason. Children are encouraged to express their views and to ask the question " Why?". Books, information technology and visits all play their part in this process.

Latin

Pupils start to learn Latin in Year 5 and, by the time they leave us, have a knowledge of basic grammar and a growing vocabulary. The Minimus Latin Course equips the pupils with the skills not only for further studies in Latin but also for the learning of modern foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Science

Having a purpose built laboratory and a specialist science teacher, pupils at Bow get plenty of practical work. They are able to use Bunsen burners and do many experiments not readily available outside a lab. Pupils spend up to 75% of their time doing practical work within a very varied syllabus. Science is fun at Bow.

"Our son was delighted with the level of learning support he received. His teachers encouraged him not to use his dyslexia as an excuse for under-achieving but equally gave him extra time to complete his work when necessary. Whilst at Durham School our son enjoyed numerous extra-curricular activities - rugby, cricket, ski trip, camping at Kielder, school drama productions, walking Bonnie (the former Housemasters family's dog) and of course, supporting the 1st XV at Twickenham! "
Roz Lyall, Parent of Old Dunelmian