At St. Helen’s College we offer a curriculum that is broad, balanced and exciting, designed to challenge and inspire every pupil.
Our approach goes beyond academic achievement; we aim to nurture a lifelong love of learning and a sense of wonder in every classroom.
Developing the whole learner
Curiosity lies at the heart of our teaching. Pupils are encouraged to question, explore and think critically, developing independence and creativity alongside strong academic foundations. Through high-quality, ambitious teaching, we tailor learning to reflect the individual needs of each child while fostering confidence and resilience.
Across all subjects, learning is underpinned by a focus on essential skills such as co-operation, resilience, and curiosity. These qualities are not taught in isolation – they are woven into every lesson, ensuring pupils not only acquire knowledge but also develop the personal attributes needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
A balanced and enriching curriculum
At St. Helen’s College Prep, we provide a well-structured and balanced curriculum that ensures every child receives the time and attention needed to thrive. In Years 3 to 6, English and Mathematics remain the foundation of learning, with five hours per week dedicated to each subject.
Pupils also enjoy a broad range of subjects: Science (2 – 2.5 hours weekly), Art (1.5 hours), Computing (1 hour), Drama (30 minutes), Music (1 hour), and Physical Education (2.5 hours). Personal development is supported through PSHE (1 hour) and Religious Education (1 hour), alongside opportunities to explore Geography, History, and Spanish, each allocated between 1–2 hours weekly.
Additionally, Reasoning is taught for 1 hour per week in Years 3 and 4, helping pupils develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This structured approach ensures depth and variety, equipping pupils with essential skills and knowledge while fostering creativity and curiosity.
Personalised support and academic progress
Pupil progress is closely monitored by both staff and pupils themselves, with regular reflection and assessment informing individual targets and shaping the direction of teaching and curriculum planning. This ensures that learning remains responsive, purposeful and personalised.
At St. Helen’s College we believe education should be an adventure: broad, challenging and full of opportunities to grow. By combining academic excellence with character development, we prepare our pupils to become confident, capable and compassionate learners.
Academic Enrichment
Bringing learning to life beyond the classroom
At St. Helen’s College, school trips, visits and residentials significantly enrich our curriculum by providing meaningful, engaging and memorable experiences that bring learning to life. These opportunities deepen pupils’ subject knowledge by strengthening their understanding, allowing them to apply what they have learned in real‑world contexts and helping them make purposeful connections beyond the classroom.
All children enjoy termly day trips to castles, museums, gardens, educational centres and theatres. In Prep (Year 3 onwards) they attend residential trips to Sayers Croft Outdoor Learning Centre, Flatford Mill field study centre in Suffolk, to Little Canada on the Isle of Wight to study coastal erosion and for adventurous outdoor activities, and to Andalucia in southern Spain for a week of immersion in Spanish language and culture.
Our residential trips promote personal growth, building independence, resilience, teamwork and confidence, while also supporting academic progress through the development of key skills such as problem‑solving and communication. We also regularly welcome visiting speakers who share specialist expertise, career insights and diverse perspectives, broadening pupils’ horizons and inspiring curiosity, ambition and a lifelong love of learning.
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