Junior School - Mrs C Bruce, Head of Junior School

For each boy who comes to the Junior School we aim to foster a love of learning that will last through senior school, higher education and into adult life. At Derby Grammar School we will give your son every opportunity to widen his experiences, both academic and in the wider curriculum, such as art, music, sport, drama and debating. As well as building a secure foundation in numeracy and literacy, our teaching encourages imaginative thinkers who are eager for new challenges.

The National Curriculum provides the basis for the Junior School's broad curriculum, which focuses on developing excellence in literacy and numeracy, whilst affording every boy the opportunity to discover his own individual strengths across many subject areas. Preparation for the ever-changing modern technological world is paramount and ICT supports teaching in all subject areas. Close monitoring by staff, through regular assessment, ensures that each boy's progress is carefully tracked and that every pupil is suitably challenged and guided to maximise his potential. Trips and residential visits, as well as a variety of school and community-based activities, also stimulate boys' interests and enrich the curriculum further.

Beyond the classroom there is ample opportunity for boys to relax and to develop diverse interests through a busy programme of extra curricular activities. Popular clubs include chess, 'Warhammer', 'Discovery Garden', 'Soccer Stars' and a wide range of musical and sporting activities. Clubs take place at lunch or at the end of the School day. The Junior School boasts its own choir and band, both of which practise and perform regularly. A team of qualified teachers also visit the School each week to give lessons across a wide range of musical instruments including woodwind, brass and percussion. Private tuition in speech and drama can also be arranged. There is frequent opportunity for boys to take public examinations with the Associated Board of Music and LAMDA. Parents and friends of the School are invited to our regular class assemblies, musical and dramatic performances and to our art exhibitions, which allows us to celebrate together the wealth of talent in School. There is also a competitive House system with regular wide ranging competitions.

Sport is an integral part of the curriculum and boys are given the opportunity to participate in the major games of rugby, hockey and cricket and also to enjoy regular physical education and swimming lessons, where specialist staff offer the highest standards of professional teaching and coaching. For those selected to represent the School, inter-school fixtures at under 9, under 10 and under 11 age allows boys the opportunity to experience the thrills and spills of competitive sport and to learn to develop the important values of teamwork and sportsmanship. Our busy House fixture list, which encompasses rugby, hockey, cricket, swimming, basketball and football, amongst other activities, provides all boys with the chance to work as part of a team and to make a valuable contribution to the success of their House and the continued success of the School.

Success in every sense depends on the happiness and well being of all boys and with this in mind, pastoral care in the Junior School is given the highest priority at all times. Boys are guided through their time in the Junior School by a team of dedicated tutors. Because each staff member knows every boy, we are able to ensure that each boy develops an inherent sense of self-discipline, appropriate independence and self esteem. Staff work closely with boys and parents to create a supportive partnership and ensure that school remains a happy, rewarding place to be.

Recognising and celebrating all types of achievement is an inherent part of enabling each boy to grow and flourish. We reward effort and achievement across all areas of School and home life and this helps to sustain a keen community spirit, encouraging every boy to feel that he can make a valued contribution to the life of the Junior School, no matter how small.