No years are ‘wasted’ at St Mary’s School

In a 2015 Government report entitled 'Key Stage 3: the wasted years?' school OFSTED inspectors found that too many secondary schools did not work effectively with partner primary schools to understand pupils’ prior learning and ensure that they built on this during Key Stage 3.

Worryingly, some secondary leaders simply accepted that pupils would repeat what they had already done in primary school during the early part of Key Stage 3, particularly in Year 7. At St Mary's Cambridge this could not be further from the truth. We benefit from an all-through school structure with excellent communication between Years 6 and 7, both academically and pastorally. We have a thorough transition programme which starts in Year 5 so that the transition to 'big school' is quite natural.  

This week I welcomed nine Senior School members of staff to Chaucer Road to talk to them about our curriculum in Years 3 to 6 (Prep). Most importantly the Senior School staff were able to meet the girls and talk to them about the benefits of a curriculum that is rich in creativity, linked by a single topic. We feel that children learn best when a holistic approach to subjects is taken, that is one topic used as an exciting vehicle to teach across many subjects, mostly through English, Humanities and Art. For example, through the topic of Africa the girls will learn about food insecurity in Geography, Apartheid in History, the book study Journey to Jo'burg in English and the Tinga Tinga tradition in Art.   

Our Senior School colleagues left with an excellent understanding of the curriculum the girls have before they start in Year 7 and with thoughts about how they might further adapt their curriculum in Key Stage 3 so that the junior to senior transition is even more effective and seamless.

Lemonade and summer fruits with the Head

Every Friday, one girl is chosen from each class to come and have summer lemonade with me in the Head's Study.

Please see the girls that were chosen this week below.