OUR NEW JUNIOR SCHOOL CURRICULUM YEARS 2-5
WELCOME TO IGNITE: NURTURING PASSION, PREPARING
FOR SUCCESS
At Danes Hill School, we believe in more than just education we believe in inspiration. The IGNITE Curriculum is our bold new initiative, purposebuilt for pupils in Years 2 to 5, designed to spark curiosity, nurture confidence, and fuel a lifelong love of learning.
What is Ignite?
Ignite is about lighting a fire in the hearts and minds of our pupils. It’s about curiosity, passion, and confidence.
It’s about helping our children fall in love with learning not just as something they do, but as something they live.
This curriculum has been purposefully designed for our pupils in Years 2 to 5—a unique and crucial phase in their development, allowing each child to discover, grow and connect with the world. These are the years when children begin to discover who they are, what they love, and what they can achieve. Our responsibility—and our joy—is to help shape those years into something extraordinary .
This is where futures begin.
WHERE EARLY LEARNING MEETS LAST PASSION
Why Ignite?
In today’s fast-moving world, the acquisition of academic knowledge alone isn’t enough. Our children need a foundation that prepares them not only for exams, but for life. IGNITE provides that foundation by equipping pupils with the skills, experiences, and mindset to thrive now and in the future.
Our goal is simple: to ignite a spark in every child a spark that grows into a flame of passion, independence, and confidence.
The Vision for Ignite
IGNITE is about lighting a fire in the hearts and minds of our pupils. It offers vibrant, hands-on experiences that allow children to discover their passions, develop essential life skills, and step boldly into the wider world. These are not lessons to be assessed, but moments to be remembered. Each session is crafted to be engaging, practical, and purposeful.
WHAT MAKES IGNITE UNIQUE?
Weekly, Not Occasional
Every pupil experiences an Ignite lesson as part of their enriching timetable every week — not on rotation, but as a core part of their learning.
Life Lessons, Not Side Lessons
From tying a tie, managing a budget, to learning sign language — pupils build real-world skills. They might build bridges as part of STEM lessons, present confidently, solve practical problems and think critically
Real Skills, Real Confidence
These experiences nurture independence, teamwork, selfawareness, and resilience, preparing pupils for life beyond the classroom.
THE THREE PILLARS OF IGNITE
Discover
Engage in hands-on, minds-on learning that sparks curiosity and explores diverse cultures, cutting-edge technology, and innovative ideas. Every experience is designed to inspire exploration and deepen understanding.
Grow
Watch confidence, independence, and resilience take root as children embrace new challenges with enthusiasm and perseverance. Growth happens through meaningful experiences that encourage risk-taking and self-belief.
Connect
Pupils develop a strong sense of their place in the world and learn how their actions can create positive change. Through connection and empathy, they become thoughtful global citizens ready to make a difference.
The teaching at Danes Hill has truly brought out the best in my child — their confidence has soared, and their excitement for learning grows every day. The teachers understand my child and nurture them with care and passion."
Current parent of year 3 pupil
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
FOR ALL
At Danes Hill, we put equal emphasis on all co-curricular opportunities across Sport, Music, Art, Drama and STEM subjects. Over 60 co-curricular activities exist allowing pupils to learn more about their individual strengths and capabilities and to develop a variety of skills and passions.
The provision of exceptional on-site sporting facilities including a state-of- theart sports hall, 12 pitches, climbing wall and swimming pool means pupils have the foundations to excel in their chosen sports. Children get the chance to represent Danes Hill in the local, regional and national competitions. We encourage sporting pursuit beyond the core sports in a variety of activities, such as climbing, skiing, sailing, martial arts, gymnastics, dance, basketball, pickle ball and more!
We have dynamic and varied Creative Arts opportunities from Drama Productions, Choirs, Orchestras, LAMDA and private music lessons. Our Design & Technology facilities include innovative machinery, such as 3D printing and laser cutting. We have a brand new Music Tech room where pupils can DJ, compose music, host their own podcasts and even run our very own Danes Hill radio!
DANES HILL SCHOOL
Leatherhead Rd, Oxshott KT22 0JG