In the Junior Department the boys are encouraged to discover and develop their talents and to feel pride in their achievements. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and at the same time to understand that they have responsibility to the school and its pupils. They enjoy participating in the School Council. The older boys are encouraged to look after the younger ones; this family ethos is one of Harenc’s strengths.
Throughout the Junior classes the boys are taught a wide range of subjects but more emphasis is placed on Literacy, Numeracy and Verbal Reasoning in preparation for the secondary transfer tests in J4 (Year 6) and the Key Stage 2 SATs.
Much investigative work is done in History with topics on Early Man, the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Aztecs, Tudors and Stuarts, Victorians and the 1940's. The boys are also encouraged to find out about the World and its people and to take an interest in Current Affairs. Work which the boys find challenging, structured and interesting is also done in Science, French and ICT and boys are encouraged to join the choir and music groups which enhance the music curriculum.
The most senior boys have added responsibilities in that they help to monitor the Prep and first Junior classes and also to talk to prospective parents - a valuable experience for all concerned. They are encouraged to organise activities and to prepare for their transfer to secondary school.
To complement the curriculum all classes are encouraged to go on visits or to welcome visiting speakers and theatre groups.
Year 6 boys enjoy an activity week at an accredited centre and participate in an annual Drama production.
We, as teachers, are committed to bringing out the best in the boys at Harenc. We hope by the end of the Junior School that they will have developed into confident and self-assured young people, equipped with the skills and knowledge they need and looking forward to the new challenges and experiences of their future schools.
"By the time they leave for the secondary schools, boys at all level sof ability show themselves to have been well educated, intellectually, aesthetically and physically and well prepared for their future studies." ISI Inspection report 2005
