Lower School
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Overview
The Lower School comprises the first two years of secondary school (Years 7 and 8) and contains approximately 190 boys and girls aged between 11 and 13. The section is led by James Featherstone (JMFeatherstone@perse.co.uk), the Head of Lower School, who is assisted by Anastacia Phemollant (Head of Year 7) and Laura Broderick (Head of Year 8).
An effective relationship between pupil, parent and school is integral to a successful educational experience. We endeavour to provide every opportunity to develop such links to initially ensure a smooth transition from a child's previous school to The Perse is achieved, and subsequently a pupil's full potential can be realised.
Aims
We aim to foster a sense of community in the early years of secondary school and to value courtesy in all aspects of school life. The Lower School pastoral team aims to work closely with parents to develop pupils who have responsibility, consideration and independent thought and to provide them with an inclusive, rounded and fulfilling experience of The Perse School.
Induction
The Lower School has a developed Induction Programme for new pupils joining Year 7 which includes:
- A full Induction Day for new pupils to get to know staff, fellow classmates and the school site well before the beginning of term
- A programme of visits to primary schools to meet our new intake in the summer term prior to joining
- Upper School staff liaison with the Perse Prep
- A Linking Project so new pupils can get to grips with the secondary curriculum before they arrive
- A helpful Year 7 handbook posted before the beginning of the new term
Pastoral Support
Each Lower School yeargroup (Year 7 and Year 8) contains 4 form groups of around 24 pupils and these forms are then sub-divided into two tutor groups. Each tutor group is allocated a member of staff to act as 'pastoral tutor', and this ratio of 1 : 12 allows teachers to know their tutees well and provide meaningful one to one support through individual tutee meetings, fortnightly tutorial sessions and PSHE lessons.
The tutor is the first point of call for all pastoral issues, and parents are encouraged to contact tutors if they have any concerns, no matter how trivial they may seem. Parents are invited to an annual tutorial meeting where they will meet with their son or daughter's tutor. The Year 7 meeting is held in October to ensure we have an early point of contact for parents and School.
At the end of Year 8, accounting for our Year 9 intake, new form groups are drawn up taking into account the social, academic and extra-curricular profile of each pupil to ensure balanced form groups are achieved for the Middle School years.
Curriculum
The Lower School introduces the secondary curriculum in a varied and stimulating manner. A broad range of subjects is followed, including a global studies course in Year 7 which introduces pupils to the languages and culture of Japan, Russia and the Arabic and Portugese speaking worlds.
There are opportunities to develop creative skills in Art and Design, and practical skills in Engineering Technology. All pupils study Philosophy and Religious Studies, Latin, History and Geography, three separate sciences, two Modern Foreign languages, Englush and Drama, Personal Social and Health Education, Physical Education and Games. Maths is also a core subject, and is setted from Year 8 onwards.
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Extra-Curricular
On arrival at The Perse Lower School pupils are quick to make the most of the extra-curricular opportunities available. The School prides itself on offering an all-round education that emphasises the value of participation in clubs, societies, overseas visits, sport, music and drama and tutors are keen to promote a "full School experience".
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