Years 3 and 4
Year 3 is taught in the Rowan building and Year 4 is taught in the Ashbrook building with Year 5 and 6.The Ashbrook comprises six large and bright classrooms, cloakroom and toilet facilities, a dedicated science lab, and a spacious open area, which is used as an additional teaching area, library and practical workspace.
The building provides a safe and secure learning environment for all pupils and, while having its own identity, is a fully integrated part of the whole school.
Our aim in the Year 3 and Year 4 phase is to provide a caring, happy and stimulating environment for children as they make the transition from the lower years to the upper part of the school.
For most of the academic curriculum, children in Years 3 and 4 are taught by their class teacher. Art, drama, design and technology, computing and music are delivered by specialist teachers, as are French, PE and games. Maths is taught in three sets across the two classes from Year 4 upwards, allowing for individualised teaching and ensuring all children make maximum progress.
In Year 3 and 4, our focus is on achieving the highest possible standards in academic subjects for all our children, while ensuring that the wider curriculum is accessible to everyone. A strong emphasis is placed on pastoral care and education, helping to develop good citizens not only of Kingshott but also of the wider community.
We aim to enhance and enliven the curriculum through a variety of value-added activities. For example, we hold themed school days, such as the Ancient Greeks and Indian Cultural Day. We also organise trips to reinforce classroom learning in subjects including history, science, geography, art and religious education. Recent visits have included Celtic Harmony, a Sikh Gurdwara, and Bhaktivedanta Hindu Temple.
In Year 3, all children spend a night away from home on their first residential trip. In recent years this has been to Root'd Adventure in Harpenden. In Year 4, they go on a two-night trip to Grafham Water. Both trips are extremely popular and provide children with opportunities to challenge themselves physically, learn to live and cooperate with others in different environments, and experience a night or two away from home, often for the first time.
Many children learn to play musical instruments with peripatetic teachers, and all are given opportunities to perform. We offer a range of lunchtime and after-school activities, which may include touch typing, Spanish, tennis, yoga, art club, dodgeball, dance, table tennis, football and more.
Junior Study is provided from 16:00 to 18:00. During this time, children have a snack, play outside and are then supervised while completing their homework. From 17:00, a more relaxed atmosphere allows children to play games, colour or read.
If staying to Junior Study, children can be collected anytime after 16:30.
