Academic

A Curriculum for Life

At Norwich Lower School, we celebrate success and face challenges with optimism and resilience. We help every child grow into a confident, curious and compassionate learner, equipped for an ever-changing world. Education here nurtures the whole child - heart, mind and spirit; and builds a lifelong love of learning.

From the age of three, pupils begin a journey where they are known, valued and encouraged as individuals. Our curriculum and co-curricular opportunities are broad and engaging, enabling every child to discover strengths and passions. 

Our specialist teachers extend pupils’ curiosity, guiding them to explore ideas deeply and think creatively. Free from national tests or common entrance exams, pupils learn about themselves as learners, developing independence, resilience and reflection as they move towards the Senior School.

Learning in the Lower School is active and immersive. One day pupils might act out the journey of a red blood cell; the next, they may interview a World War II soldier. These experiences make learning meaningful and memorable, helping pupils to see how ideas connect across subjects and to the wider world.

Beyond the classroom, children take part in a wide range of activities; from dancing in our Dance Studio, lighting fires in the Outdoor Garden, pond dipping in the outdoor classroom or chasing a hockey ball across the astro. A rich clubs programme allows every child to follow interests, develop new skills and share successes.

Problem-solving, collaboration and reflection are central to our approach. We value how pupils reach answers as much as the answers themselves, building confidence to contribute in many ways and to celebrate others’ achievements. Teachers share that same curiosity and wonder, modelling the love of learning we seek to instill.

Trips and workshops bring learning to life - from walking in Henry VII’s footsteps in Leicester to exploring the limestone landscapes of the Peak District. These experiences deepen learning and strengthen the friendships and teamwork that underpin life in the Lower School.

Pastoral care runs through everything we do. Form tutors spend time each day with their pupils, building strong relationships and ensuring each child feels supported and known. Our bespoke Virtues programme complements the Personal Development curriculum, helping pupils to grow in empathy, responsibility and respect.

In every area of school life, we balance mind, body and spirit; nurturing young people who learn with joy, care with compassion and act with integrity.

Our Early Years programme marks the beginning of school life, with an emphasis on play-based learning and the development of Personal, Social and Emotional skills. Pastoral care lies at the heart of this stage, as it is essential for nurturing a lifelong love of learning.

Children explore a broad range of topics and learn through discovery, while also enjoying specialist subjects such as STEM, Engineering and Design, Computer Science, Languages, Art, Sport and Outdoor Education.

Throughout the year, we work in close partnership with parents, holding regular discussions to monitor each child’s progress against the Early Learning Goals. This process culminates in the completion of the EYFS Profile for every child.

Find out more by viewing our Pre-Reception Booklet.

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In Lower 1 and Upper 1, the curriculum builds on the strong foundations of the Early Years, offering an enriched version of the National Curriculum. We place particular emphasis on developing key literacy and numeracy skills; the building blocks for all future learning. Pupils grow in fluency and confidence so that word recognition and number facts become tools they can think with rather than simply recall.

Alongside this, pupils explore the humanities, visual arts and sciences through broad cross-curricular themes, helping them make connections between subjects and understand how learning relates to the wider world. Science becomes a discrete subject in Lower 1, encouraging pupils to question, experiment and discover for themselves.

Form time with tutors plays a vital role in giving teachers a full picture of each pupil and the flexibility to adapt to individual needs. English and Mathematics are taught by form tutors, allowing these essential skills to be built upon across other subjects and ensuring teachers have a deep understanding of each pupil’s learning journey.

We also recognise the importance of time for pupils to be children; to explore, question and experiment within a flexible curriculum that values curiosity and creativity. This openness allows learning to flow naturally between subjects and experiences, encouraging independence and collaboration. In doing so, pupils develop confidence, empathy and strong friendships. Our excellent pastoral care underpins this, ensuring every child feels known, supported and valued as part of a close, nurturing community.

Specialist lessons further enrich the timetable and inspire pupils to engage with subject experts who share their passion for learning ; this is where our pupils begin to develop that lifelong love of discovery. Subjects such as Computing, Music, Modern Foreign Languages, Sport, Outdoor Learning, Swimming, Dance and Games are led by specialist teachers, including staff from the Senior School. Pupils begin their language journey with French, establishing early skills and enthusiasm that continue to grow throughout the Lower School and into the Senior School.

Beyond the classroom, trips, performances and special events bring learning vividly to life. These shared experiences build confidence, deepen understanding and provide valuable opportunities for pupils to develop friendships, teamwork and personal growth.

Subjects taught include:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Topic
• Computer Science
• Personal Development
• Music
• Modern Foreign Languages (French)
• Art
• Engineering and Design
• PE and Games
• Religious Studies
• Virtues 

In Years 3,4,5 and 6 (Lower 2, Upper 2, Lower 3 and Upper 3 respectively), pupils begin to take on a greater degree of independence. They are encouraged to think about what kind of learner they are and how this self-awareness helps them take opportunities to stretch and challenge themselves. Curiosity, creativity and enjoyment remain central to their learning, helping them to develop the confidence and independence that will serve them throughout their life.

The curriculum for Years 3 and 4 mirrors that of Years 5 and 6, with a clear progression of knowledge and skills in English, Mathematics and Science, following the National Curriculum. In Years 3 and 4, History and Geography are taught through a cross-curricular lesson called Topic, that allows pupils to make meaningful connections between ideas.

We continue to value the expertise of our specialist teachers in the same subjects as in Key Stage 1, with the addition of specialist coaching in Sport. These teachers know our pupils well and ensure that learning builds progressively on firm foundations, deepening knowledge and continuing to instill a passion for lifelong learning.

Performing Arts also play an important role in school life. Every pupil in Key Stage 2 takes part in a performance: Year 3 and 4 pupils collaborate in a full production, Year 5 explore Shakespeare through class plays, and Upper 3 pupils audition for roles in the annual Upper 3 play. These experiences develop teamwork, confidence and creativity, and give pupils a real sense of pride and achievement.

As pupils move through Key Stage 2, they become increasingly confident and independent, supported by teachers who know them well and help them develop both academically and personally. The result is a community of engaged learners who show curiosity, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.

Subjects taught include:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• History (Year 5 and 6)
• Geography (Year 5 and 6)
• Topic Year (3 and 4)
• Art
• Computer Science
• PE (including Outdoor Education and Dance)
• Games
• Languages (WoLLoW)
• Music
• Virtues
• Personal Development
• Religious Studies (Year 3)
• Engineering and Design