Oxford House School has an unrivalled success rate of children gaining places at selective grammar schools – the majority of their students excel in the 11-plus exams and are offered places at Colchester grammar schools. But school is not just about exam success – the school believes it’s important to maintain one of their core values, ‘Joy in achievement’ in all they do. Here’s how they do it:

1. An academic head start

Skills are built into class activities throughout pupils’ educational journeys. For example:

• In Nursery, daily one-to-one support helps children become confident readers and mathematical skills are taught using the Montessori thousands, hundreds, tens and units equipment
• Reception class teachers put emphasis on learning to ‘read to retrieve’, not just decode, building pupils’ comprehension skills.
• From year 1 onwards, pupils complete age-appropriate 11+ Bond papers, including Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning. These papers, completed on a weekly basis, provide exam competence in problem solving and comprehension.
• Year 5 pupils attend a weekly after school 11+ club to become familiar with the format and timings of past papers.
• Year 6 pupils return early from the Summer break for intense 11+ exam practice in the few weeks leading up to the exam in September.

The ‘heightened’ curriculum offered at Oxford House School ensures children are ahead of what is expected for their age groups.

2. Differentiated learning to fast-track academic development

All pupils take part in the 11+ preparation programme, however, the school recognises that children learn at different speeds. To ensure pupils are learning to the best of their ability, they follow a targeted curriculum to enhance their personal development. This helps them realise their full potential and gives them the best possible chance of getting a top score in the 11-plus exams.

3. Expressing emotions and learning new skills

The arts are embedded into the curriculum and form an essential part of pupils’ personal development. Apart from giving them the opportunity to develop new skills, activities such as Dance, Drama, Art and Music boost children’s self-esteem and encourage them to unleash their creative side.

4. Stress-free environment centred on wellbeing

Maintaining pupils’ wellbeing is important to their development and ensures they’re in the right mindset to get the most out of their time at school. Students take part in activities such as yoga to calm their mind and keep the pressure off and year groups have access to a multi-sensory wellbeing room and. Oxford House School also offers a superior PSHE curriculum, helping children understand how to keep safe and healthy as well as preparing them for life after education.

5. Joy in achievement

Oxford House School’s ethos is centred on ‘Labore Confecto Gaudentes’ or ‘Joy in achievement’. They aim to maintain high standards in all manners of education, whilst creating a fun, enjoyable learning environment for all. As much as they help children reach their potential and get into their dream school, it’s just as important that they enjoy their education and leave as confident, articulate and well-rounded individuals.

Most of the pupils get top marks in the 11-plus exams and go on to attend local grammar schools including Colchester Royal Grammar for Boys and Colchester County High School for Girls.

If you’re looking to secure your child a place at Oxford House School & Nursery, contact them for more information or book a visit with your child and explore their education with your own eyes.