JUNIOR SCHOOL Year 3 - 6
Pupils in the Junior School are encouraged to share ideas as they work effectively in pairs, small groups and in whole class discussions. They embrace challenges and want to do well. Their engagement with each other is measured and mature. ISI Report,
2023
The vibrant atmosphere at Clifton High School is immediately noticeable upon entering the grounds and, we believe, that both parents and children will feel the excitement and passion for learning. Our nurturing approach in the Infant and Junior School ensures exceptional pastoral care and academic progress, supported by highly qualified teaching staff dedicated to holistic development.
As Head of The Hive, Infant and Junior School, I am filled with pride every time I step into a classroom. Witnessing the children develop their skills, take charge of their learning journey from an early age, and collaborate so effectively with one another is truly wonderful. Our diverse curriculum is designed to enhance inquiry and collaboration skills, continually adapting to meet the unique needs and abilities of each child while gently guiding their progress. This blend of insightful, expert teaching and the range of opportunities available at Clifton High School encourages strong communication, confidence and continuous growth.
Clifton High School is a welcoming and culturally diverse community that embraces change and challenge. We believe that by providing a nurturing and supportive learning environment, children can realise their boundless potential for enthusiasm and growth. Their love for nature and adventure is actively encouraged and seamlessly integrated into their daily School experience, alongside traditional classroom learning. Often, it is their achievements in outdoor activities, sports, music and creative pursuits that help them become thoughtful scholars, ready to take risks and step out of their comfort zones.
Our children are the true ambassadors of Clifton High School. They bring joy and vitality to our community, making our School a truly special and wonderful place. Their individual brilliance drives our teaching, as they excel in all areas, creating a School that resonates far and wide.
We warmly invite you to visit us, explore our Infant and Junior School, and speak with our current children about their experiences. We are confident that you will meet happy and engaged individuals who exhibit a genuine zest for life.
Best wishes
Mrs Alice Taylor, Head of Infant & Junior School
Clifton High School aims to realise the Individual Brilliance of each and every child. We believe that the most authentic way to achieve this is by offering a well rounded, bespoke education, delivered by staff who grow to recognise each child’s gifts to offer them unique opportunities to shine.
The bedrock of curiosity is embedded into the Clifton High School learning structure for our younger children to be informed individuals. They develop the ability and knowledge to apply the art of questioning and debating to build confidence in themselves as they explore the development of new and independent ideas.
Clifton High School’s renowned pastoral system is one that is at the forefront of wellbeing. They learn to consider alternative perspectives and, based on kindness, are encouraged to form strong relationships with one another and the natural world.
The value of love is weaved into all elements of learning at Clifton High School; a love for oneself, others and the environment help children to realise how the emotion can impact us all in positive ways. Relationships are enhanced, personal wellbeing is prioritised and working towards the preservation of our planet for future generations are lessons constantly celebrated.
Clifton High School’s bespoke curriculum provides children with an education that supports direction in School and life in the wider world. It is integral in motivating learning whereby pupils are guided to reach for and accomplish personal goals and whilst we hold their hand, they achieve with purpose and ambition on their own.
It is an important part of being an all-through School that all our pupils, from the youngest to the oldest, and their families, are engaged in School life beyond the classroom. Annual events including Christmas celebrations, performances, assemblies, prizegivings and concerts provide a vibrant social scene that everyone looks forward to being involved in.
Our Junior School’s bespoke curriculum is broad, pupil centred and delivered by dedicated class teachers. Small class sizes (20 children maximum) allow an optimal learning experience environment to be created; one that focuses on individual development. Annual curriculum audits also ensure that lessons cater for each child’s evolving needs, whilst keeping them engaged and challenged.
As an independent school, we are able to expand upon the more traditional subjects, offering a curriculum that brings subjects to life. This range of unique opportunities encourage divergent skills in the children.
Junior School children benefit from our all-through learning environment. Lessons are taught by specialist subject teachers from across the School in subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Drama, PE, Games, Swimming, Singing and Music, developing children’s progress as they transition through the year groups. The academic benefits expose children to a culture of specialism in advance of Senior School.
Coding, Woodwork, Resistant Materials, Product Design and Food Technology are topics children experience at Clifton High’s Junior School. They are given the opportunity to try these during their School day in their timetabled Technology Carousel programme.
Junior School children’s growing maturity requires their equal growth in responsibility to be explored. The Leadership Programme, taught in vertical classes, is where children undertake tasks and projects that replicate scenarios of the world around them. These age appropriate lessons develop skills that are transferable to many areas of their life both now and in their future. This programme builds an awareness and understanding of management, teamwork, project work and topical matters.
Clifton High School believes that the outdoor classroom, especially in rural settings, is integral in complementing conventional classroom skills. In partnership with Mendip Activity Centre, our Adventure Programme follows a main pursuit each School term - Rock, Snow or Waterwhich allows children to engage in fortnightly activities such as canoeing, climbing, den building, taobogganing and caving. These encourage children’s growth and self-discovery, broadening their outlook on life. It also provides an opportunity to develop new skills and interests, equipping the children with tools to embrace challenges, navigate relationships, and approach their education positively.
Our varied and stimulating Co-Curricular Programme enhances pupils’ experiences and allows them to explore new and enriching avenues. Activities take place before School, at lunchtime and after School, to help pupils build upon skills, academic progress and individual brilliance. The Junior School club offering is varied and includes Construction, Coding, Junior Choir, Classics Club, Chess, and Book Worms as well as sporting clubs such as Tennis, Swimming, Gymnastics, Dance, Taekwando, Rugby and many more.
Inspiring educational trips and visits occur regularly throughout the academic year. Class Teachers plan termly experiential events or visits based on the theme being taught in class, to benefit children in gaining context to their classroom learning. Much loved experiences include visiting the Concord Museum, exploring Berkeley Castle and going back in time to St Fagans Historical Village.
Clifton High School is located on one single site; an integral component in maintaining a sense of community as an all-through School. All children, whatever their year group, benefit from the use of all of our facilities.
Spacious and light learning environments are surrounded by natural greenery to create spaces that nurture creativity and critical thinking. Children benefit from regular use of our Music Rooms, Art Rooms, Libraries, Theatre, Science Laboratories, STEM room, IT Suites, Design and Technology Rooms, Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Climbing Wall and the ever popular outdoor climbing frames.
We also partner with The University of Bristol with the use of Coombe Dingle, their off-site sports complex. The professional standard pitches, courts and tracks provide our Junior School pupils with world-class sporting facilities for games lessons, School fixtures and the annual Sports Day.
Clifton High School prides itself on promoting inclusivity in sports with a ‘Sport for All’ ethos. This inclusive social and positive element of sport at School serves as a dynamic force that brings joy and a sense of belonging to every member of our community, regardless of abilities, experience or interests.
Participation in sport provides a myriad of physical and mental health benefits, enhancing overall wellbeing that instils a sense of accomplishment in our children. It also allows our Junior children to forge friendships, develop holistically and build in confidence. They have three timetabled sports lessons a week; Physical Education, Games and Swimming, and additional sporting co-curricular opportunities.
Our partnerships with The University of Bristol, Henleaze Swimming Club and Bristol Sport are additional avenues that expose our children to elite training programmes.
Pastoral care is paramount to our education and our safeguarding measures are key. We are renowned for outstanding and well-established pastoral structures with staff and parents recognising the significant impact this has on a child’s wellbeing, personal and academic development. Our small class sizes allow teaching staff to genuinely understand individuals, forming strong relationships with them and, in turn, their parents. Realising Individual Brilliance is at the forefront of our focus on a child’s unique qualities and interests to provide the optimum support for them to feel safe when taking considered risks.
All Junior School children are buddied with one another and monthly buddy year group meet ups provide excellent peer support. Junior children can put themselves forward to be elected to the Pupil Council to share thoughts and opinions on behalf of their peers.
Weekly PSHE lessons and assemblies see a breadth of subject matters taught and discussed throughout the academic year. This helps us, as educators, identify and openly discuss emotions, beliefs and viewpoints with children of every age.
Children have direct and open access to our team of dedicated School Nurses, Mental Health Lead and Wellbeing Counsellor. Our specialist teachers in The Enhanced Learning Department (ELD) are also available for those children who may require additional adhoc or long-term academic support.
By reading this prospectus and exploring our website, you have the essential information and an initial insight into who we are as a School. However, there is no better way to discover more about Clifton High School than experiencing the true feel of our provision by visiting us.
Our Admissions Team guides families through the entry process on an individual basis, following the process detailed below.
The main entry points into the Junior School are Year 3 and 5, although we do accept applications into Year 4 and 6 if places are available.
For entry into Year 3, children will attend a Taster Day in a Year 2 class and be informally assessed by the Class Teacher during their visit. For entry into Years 4 to 6, children are invited to sit entrance examinations in English and Mathematics before attending a Taster Day in their current year group.
For entry into all year groups, parents will be required to provide a copy of their child’s most recent school report, and the Admissions Team will request a confidential reference from your child’s current school.
Open lines of communication benefit both the family and the child’s overall experience at Clifton High School. Working together, we form partnerships between parents and teachers in an atmosphere of mutual respect, providing an environment that best supports the child. Written reports and parent-teacher meetings report on academic progress and social development. This open line of communication benefits the family and the child’s overall experience at Clifton High School. +44 (0) 117 933 9087 admissions@cliftonhigh.co.uk
