At Gatehouse School, we offer every pupil a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum. Our aim is that every pupil will fulfil their full potential, due to our excellent teaching methods and high expectations. We challenge our pupils, so that they always achieve the very best possible outcomes. We believe in the concept of life-long learning and maintain that learning should be a rewarding, enjoyable experience. Through our teaching, we prepare pupils to become independent, confident learners and we equip them with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to make informed choices. We believe that it is important for pupils to be taught in a nurturing, supportive environment so that every pupil achieves their very best.
We acknowledge that pupils learn in many different ways (visual, aural, kinesthetic) and consequently offer opportunities for pupils to learn in the style that best suits them. We encourage children to take responsibility for their own learning; to be involved as far as possible in reviewing the way they learn, and to reflect on how they learn.
Teaching at Gatehouse School is designed to motivate and inspire pupils. We follow the statutory EYFS guidance, and the KS1 and KS2 curriculum is broadly based upon the National Curriculum; however, as an independent school we retain the right to devise our own programmes of study where it is deemed appropriate, to enrich the pupils’ learning. Teachers always reflect upon their practice to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning are maintained.
Our classrooms are attractive and dynamic learning environments. We change displays regularly, to ensure that classrooms reflect topics studied by the children. We believe that a stimulating environment sets the climate for learning.
We believe that parents have a fundamental role to play in helping their children to learn. We keep our parents informed about what, and how, their children are learning; regular parents meetings and reports explain the progress, effort and attainment made, as well as indicating how further improvement can be achieved. Teachers are always happy to meet with parents at the start or end of a school day to discuss a child’s progress.
At Gatehouse School we have a commitment to assessing pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly; effective assessment is a key way in which we can achieve our aim of focusing on each individual pupil. We use a range of internal and external assessments to inform teaching and learning and to facilitate pupil progress.
