Curriculum

Notre Dame covers an extended version of the National Curriculum in all core subjects and, as a Catholic school, Religious Studies form an important part of the core curriculum. All students also have weekly swimming, drama, music, art, and language lessons starting from the Early Years.

Early Years Curriculum

Each week’s activities, all based around the National Curriculum Foundation Stage, are planned to encompass the six recommended areas of learning:

    * Personal, social & emotional development
    * Communication, language & literacy
    * Mathematical development
    * Knowledge & understanding of the world
    * Physical development
    * Creative development - which includes specialist teaching of Music, Ballet, Spanish & French.

Our Early Years children have their own classrooms, ICT equipment and outdoor play area but as part of a whole school they also enjoy access to the swimming pool, sports hall and library. Our children also have weekly opportunities to explore the 17 beautiful acres of school grounds.

Infant and Junior Curriculum

The curriculum in the main Preparatory School is broad and varied, progressive and measurable, and covers all the standard National Curriculum Key Stage 1 and 2 subjects, along with complementary subjects to broaden your daughter's education still further. These include: Religion, English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, ICT, Art, Design Technology, Dance, Spanish, French, PE, Swimming, Drama and Music.

Please click a link below to download a Curriculum Outline PDF:

Reception

Prep 1 - 6

"Relationships between staff and pupils, and amongst the pupils themselves, are excellent. Parents appreciate the care provided for their children. Pupils are confident, caring and keen to celebrate the success of others. Pupils of all ages have outstandingly well-developed personal qualities.”

2011 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report

"Pupils are proud of their school"
"Teachers know their pupils very well"
"The pupils’ personal development is excellent"
"The school is highly successful in meeting its aims to create a community that is
fully inclusive of all faiths and cultures whilst maintaining a Catholic ethos"

2011 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report

"Pupils are articulate and highly capable"
"Staff are wholeheartedly committed to the well-being of the pupils"
"Pupils display very positive attitudes towards their learning and a high degree of motivation"
"Sixth form pupils show a mature attitude towards their studies and have highly developed analytical skills"

2011 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report

“Pupils follow a demanding and imaginative curriculum and are successful in entry to the senior schools of their choice, including the award of scholarships” and “Their personal development benefits from a carefully planned programme of personal, social and health education. Parents and pupils commend the wide range of clubs and opportunities outside the classroom”.

ISI Inspection Report 2011

"The transition of pupils from one year to the next is carefully managed and leavers are well prepared for life after school. Leavers' self-reliance, sense of responsibility and ability to manage their own independent learning are well developed as a matter of policy."
2007 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report

"No matter what the child’s academic ability, the school endeavours to find the individual’s special gift"
Preparatory School Parent

“From the first moment that a student sets foot in a Catholic school, he or she ought to have the impression of entering a new environment, one illumined by the light of faith, and having its own unique characteristics ..."

Fr. Christopher Jamison

"We are all educators... accompanying young people in their efforts to build their lives for today and tomorrow."
St Jeanne de Lestonnac Founder of The Company of Mary Our Lady

“The pupils’ overall achievement from the EYFS onwards is outstanding and represents the successful fulfilment of the school’s aim to strive for personal academic excellence.”

2011 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report

"Excellent pastoral care in the quiet and positive atmosphere of the school supports pupils very well"
"Excellent planning, open-ended questioning and dynamic pace challenged pupils to use their knowledge, test their understanding, develop their thinking and maximise their potential"
"Considerable creative skills"

2011 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report

Prep School

Prep School Parents

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Curriculum

Early Years Curriculum

Infant and Junior Curriculum