Junior Department at Highclare St Paul's

Many years of tradition underlies the modern ethos at Highclare, with a mixed Junior School from 7 to 11 years located on a choice of two separate sites; The Abbey located on Sutton Road, Erdington and St Paul’s situated on Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield.

The Junior Department has an excellent academic reputation, preparing pupils for both the 11+ and for the transition into Senior School. By following a broad academic curriculum, the pupils receive a thorough grounding in all National Curriculum subjects with strong emphasis on class teaching which combined with small classes enables progress to be monitored closely. Specialist subjects such as Science, French, Design, Music and P.E. are taught by subject specific teachers. Help is also available for children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties and is given by a dedicated tutor.

But while pupils are expected to perform well in class, they are also expected to do much more in an education that stretches far beyond the boundaries of the classroom. The rich and broad education provided here also closely involves parents. This close partnership between school and home will ensures success, with homework set regularly and external activities encouraged.

Children have the chance to take up virtually any musical instrument or to join our school choir, tutored by any one of our highly-qualified visiting staff. Every child in the school also participates in our annual dramatic productions, performing before parents at each site to a wonderfully high standard.

Access to Information Technology suites, interactive whiteboards in every classroom and a thriving Science and Design Technology department with specialist rooms, ensures that pupils are fully equipped for the demands of the modern world while the standards achieved in Art/Design are consistently high. Pupils are also prepared for LAMDA Speech and Drama examinations through expert visiting teachers and achieve excellent grades.

The standards of behaviour and manners at Highclare are high, as befits a school with a proud tradition, and boys and girls are encouraged to exhibit a thoughtful and considerate attitude to others. A Junior Head is elected from Year 6 together with a Deputy Head and Junior Prefects at each site to represent the pupils on school councils and in other events. Each year pupils participate in a fund-raising programme, supporting both local and national charities such as Race For life, Dreams Come True, Jeans for Genes day and Children in Need.

Excellent results are achieved in external examinations at 11+ and careful liaison between the school's Preparatory, Junior and Senior Departments ensures continuity of education for girls progressing through into the Senior School, whilst a total of 75% of boys achieved grammar school places to both high quality State funded grammar schools and the prestigious King Edward V1 Boy’s School (including one academic scholarship and one pupil accelerated from year 5).

Confidence and self-esteem are nurtured and pupils are encouraged to take on responsibility and to appreciate the value of co-operation. Highclare is, above all else, a caring school and the school’s pastoral system ensures that each child receives constant support and guidance as they discover and develop individual talents in a happy and disciplined school environment.