Key Stage 2

At the Old Vicarage School we recognise that each child is unique. We acknowledge that they will all have strengths and, at times, need support as part of their academic enrichment and enhancement.

Each class teacher will be aware of your child’s abilities, as well as the areas requiring support. During the week our teachers will assess attainment in each of the subject areas set. As they mark each piece of work this will guide their decisions for the following week’s learning. The teacher may choose to reinforce, revisit or enrich particular subject areas depending on your child’s progress. They may feel that your child has grasped a particular concept and can move on.

With guidance and encouragement our bespoke system will also empower your child allowing them to determine when they will complete their work each week. Our system of self assessment in partnership with the Class Teacher provides children with a vital skill as they move on to secondary education.

Some children will join OVS for close, personal attention in their primary years before joining local maintained schools such as Ecclesbourne. Parents feel confident that their children are receiving a personalised education in carefully managed, small classes which is not always the case in the local state primary schools. Other parents, choosing to stay in independent education into the senior years benefit from our bespoke educational experience in the most critical times of a child’s development, as they move from childhood into becoming a young adult.

Curriculum

The Prep Curriculum draws upon the National Curriculum as a guide, whilst also adding other areas of study. Pupils in Years 3-6 will be taught in 35 minute lessons, receiving 8 periods a day, thus 40 periods a week. The core curriculum subjects include: Mathematics, English and Science. In Years 5 and 6, these subjects have more taught periods than other discrete subjects. The children also receive History, Geography, Art, Design & Technology, Computing, French, Games and PSHEE. Schemes of Work and further information is available from your child’s class and subject teachers.

A broad and creative curriculum continues as the children enter Key Stage 2, (Year 3 to 6). The emphasis on the core subjects continues with high priority given to reading comprehension, grammar and spelling, as well as mathematics core skills, including a focus on developing a firm knowledge of their times tables and number bonds. Children are challenged to their individual ability; no matter what year group they are in, we do not apply a ceiling to learning in any subject. For example, we have children working on Year 6 level mathematics in Years 3 and 4 because they are able. Likewise, for children needing additional support, who have perhaps joined OVS later in their primary years, their progress in our care is consistently outstanding. The children will continue to strive to achieve internal OVS awards for reading, times tables and Geography badges, which are a rite of passage for all children in Key Stage 2.

The Arts

Many children will have additional Music and/or Speech & Drama lessons. This helps children to develop in confidence, academically and socially. They also begin the journey of gaining music grades, as well as LAMDA awards in Speech and Drama.

Every year all children have the opportunity to perform, either in Music concerts, Choir competitions, Speech & Drama performances and in our annual school production.  Our choir is also an award winning singing and signing choir, using British Sign Language. We compete in regional and national competitions through the Independent Schools Association and in 2022 were placed first and second in the ISA Shakespeare Monologue competition!

Sports

All children have the opportunity to represent the school sports teams. The children will play competitive Netball, Football, Hockey, Rugby, Cricket, Rounders, Tennis and Athletics. We run 16 tournaments ourselves for schools as well as enter the ISA regional and national tournaments. We have been ISA Midlands champions at Football and Tennis as well as qualifying for national ISA tournaments in these sports and Athletics. For a smaller school, we have tremendous team spirit and can often win against schools much larger than ourselves. We always teach the children to play for each other and give their best. They always do!

Outdoor Activities and Residentials

From Year 3 children at OVS are entered into an Outdoor Programme that develops and extends each year until Year 6. The aim is to give them an experience of outdoor life and to develop basic skills to help them enjoy these activities outside of school. The typical programme for children is detailed below:

  • Year 3 – Full day of activities off-site at a recognised outdoor centre with OVS and specialist staff.
  • Year 4 – 2 days of off-site activities at a recognised outdoor centre with OVS and specialist staff, including an indoor, overnight stay.
  • Year 5 – 3 days of off-site activities at a recognised outdoor centre with OVS and specialist staff, including 2 indoor, overnight stays.
  • Year 6 – 3 days of off-site activities at a recognised outdoor centre with OVS and specialist staff, including 2 indoor, overnight stays.

Extra Curricular

The wide variety of after-school clubs and activities are for children of all ages to enjoy. Some activities take place before school, during break times, as well as after school. These activities change each term to add variety and include a number of sporting activities such as, tennis, hockey, touch rugby, soccer and climbing and other boys’ and girls’ sports. Dance classes have included ballet and street dance and we run creative classes for those playing musical instruments or interested in arts and crafts. We try to cater for all interests. If there is a club or activity that is not included, but your child would be interested in then please do let us know.

Transition to Secondary School

Pupils are given a great deal of support to prepare for their next school, both academically, socially and pastorally.

The Head of School will meet with parents, usually when the child is in Year 4 or 5 to discuss the next school options. It is essential that parents meet with the Head of School to have this very important discussion. Some children will leave OVS at the end of Year 6 to go onto maintained schools locally such as Ecclesbourne, Allestree Woodlands or John Port schools. Other children remaining in independent education prepare for entry into independent seniors schools locally and nationally such as  Denstone, Repton, Derby High, Derby Grammar, Nottingham High, Mount St Mary’s, Shrewsbury, Uppingham or schools further away, such as Cheltenham Ladies College.