Greenfields Lower Senior School is the equivalent of Year Groups 7 to 9 in the English state school system. The age range of students in this section of the school is normally 11 to 14 years.

Apart from increasing competence in the basics, a student’s ability to carry out independent research work is developed through simple projects – for example, a research project into the types of renewable energy resources available.

A student’s willingness and ability to draw conclusions and make his or her own judgements about the information being studied is increased during these years.

Study Technology and Internships

When a student joins the Lower Senior School, top priority is placed on ensuring that he or she is provided with the tools needed to study properly, and that he or she knows how to use them.

The primary text for students of Study Technology, the Basic Study Manual, is completed in the Lower Seniors along with a mandatory internship so that a student is adept in the methodology of how to learn before he or she commences more advanced studies. There is no better way for a student to achieve certainty than by applying the tools of study to another student and seeing them produce miraculous results.

Extra Study Time

To help the students keep on target we provide an additional supervised Study Time on most school days from 4:45 pm to 6 PM, free of charge. Students may be required to attend until they catch up with the rest of the class. It is also used as a facility by students voluntarily to do homework in a supervised environment with reference materials to hand.

Tutors

Each class has its own tutor, responsible for overseeing their students’ progress and their timetables. They are the link between the student and the wider picture of the school, as well as between the school and the parent. Their duties include pastoral care, focussing on the general well-being of individual students.

Core Curriculum Subjects

In Greenfields Lower Senior School, English, Mathematics, the Sciences and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) are regarded as the core subjects. Students are therefore allocated more time in the academic week to these subjects.

English

Greenfields believes that all students should be familiar with classic literature and will come to appreciate the vast wealth of knowledge, history, imagination and excitement to be found therein.

To this end, Lower Senior Students continue with a personal reading programme that starts in the Lower School.

Further attention is given to traditional grammar, as well as to other aspects of English Language and Literature such as comprehension, poetry reading, plays and creative writing. Cross-curricula links are maintained with Drama, Music and Art, giving the subject greater breadth and application in the student’s own experience.

Mathematics

The Lower Seniors Maths Curriculum utilises the Impact Maths Resources for National Curriculum Key Stage 3. These books provide all the materials required for remedial up to gifted and talented students in the 11 to 14 age range. Roughly two thirds of the curriculum is based on programmes of study enabling students to work at their own pace. These programmes include glossaries, demonstrations, drills and exercises.

The other one third of the curriculum is administered by means of whole-class teaching and group investigations.

At the end of each chapter, the students are fully tested. Corrections, drills and exercises are used to ensure that 100% understanding has been attained.

Science

From the beginning of the Lower Seniors, the three key sciences – Physics, Chemistry and Biology – are taught. Emphasis is on taking a student’s knowledge up to a level that will enhance their survival in the everyday world – for example, students are provided with usable information in the field of nutrition and household hygiene, as these contribute to personal health.

Students who complete all the Lower Senior Curriculum in Physics, Chemistry or Biology are educated to a standard well above the English National Curriculum standard for Year 9 Students.

ICT

At Greenfields we recognise that computers are at the forefront of all our everyday lives. Our ICT educational programmes are geared towards giving our students the skills they need to survive in the modern world. Our focus is on application of ICT and learning the practical use of technology. We aim to cover the key ICT skills from the National Curriculum from Junior to Senior school but in a way that is engaging and fun.

The understanding of technology is not an end in itself; it is the use of that technology which is important. We are committed to a continuing improvement of our programmes to do just that, engage and apply ICT in all subjects.

ICT GCSE is also delivered to recognised syllabuses and we keep up to date with all changes in this area so that we can deliver the best teaching to our examination candidates.

In short, we don’t just want computer-literate students, we want experts in the use of modern day technology as used in a variety of fields so that when they continue beyond school they can compete with the best.

History

History covers English history from the Norman Conquest through to international history and the Cold War in the 20th century and is taught through a combination of class-based lessons and research and project work. History is a popular subject at the school, with some students maintaining an interest all the
way through to A Level.

Geography

Both Physical and Human Geography are covered in a similar way to History, using a class-led and research project approach which has proven successful and popular with students.

French or Spanish

Students spend part of their first term in Year 7 learning the basics of one language, and the second half learning the basics of the other. They can then make an educated choice when it comes to selecting in the second term the language they wish to continue to study. This can lead to GCSE and A Levels.

Sport

Formal Sport in the Lower Seniors includes football, rugby, basketball, netball, volleyball, tennis, hockey, cricket, cross-country running, rounders and track and field athletics. House matches are run each term. There are traditionally three houses competing for the annual shield.

Lower Senior students participate in Independent Schools’ Association (ISA) competitions and tournaments for football, rugby, netball, rounders, cross-country and athletics.

Assessments

Greenfields works all the time to give a value-added education to all of its students. To this end, assessments of students entering into and graduating from the Lower Senior School are essential. Students are assessed every term by the independent Qualifications department on their level of reading (vocabulary), Mathematics and English and on each subject’s curriculum. Tests are also done in specialist subjects, before, during and at the end of a student’s time in Lower Seniors.

Detailed reports go out to parents mid-year as well as at the end of the school year.

Career Advice

Towards the end of the Lower Seniors (at the equivalent of Year 9) students are personally interviewed by the Head Teacher about careers and purposes to attempt to establish a career path and therefore to offer more detailed advice on the future courses they might need to take. Colleges, universities and other educational possibilities are then explored in liaison with parents and the students’ own changing perspectives.

This guidance from the Head continues into the Upper Seniors.

Graduates of the Lower Senior School

Students who complete their education in the Lower Senior School are well-educated and orientated students who know their goals in life and how to achieve them.

Greenfields Lower Senior students have a fundamental knowledge of a broad range of subjects, can apply Study Technology, are ethical and well-mannered and are ready for an academic or non-academic route in the Upper Senior School, depending on their particular strengths and weaknesses.