Curriculum
School is exciting, learning is exciting! The Pilgrims’ School is academically ambitious for every boy.
Our teachers are specialists, passionate and enthusiastic for their subject. Their curiosity is contagious and it inspires the boys to become equally motivated learners. High-quality teaching in a focused environment produces success, and we take great care to ensure that the interests and specific talents of each boy are valued and developed.
How is my son getting on?
We believe that your son’s education is a shared endeavour, undertaken by you, us, and your son. We will keep in close contact with you about your son’s progress and development. A system of regular subject assessment provides evidence of his effort and achievement throughout the school year. Feedback is given to you four times a term through assessment cards or full reports. Parents' evenings ensure close contact between you and the subject teachers, and you are welcome to contact your son’s tutors, form teachers, and subject teachers by email or through the school office. Curriculum and other presentations share useful information with you about what and how the boys are studying and how you can best support your son.
Parents were highly complimentary about their children’s progress, the broad and effective curriculum and the ethos of the school. They were positive about the education and the care their sons receive and an overwhelming majority reported they would highly recommend the school to other prospective parents.
Junior Years
Years 3, 4 and 5
Our Junior Department lays strong foundations in Years 3, 4 and 5, academically and pastorally. With the opportunity to take part in sport every day, to play in matches every week, to enjoy a vast range of co-curricular activities, and to work hard in lessons, Junior Pilgrims are busy boys.
Year 3 is the first year of the Prep school. Boys in Year 2 of the Pre-Prep move up and are joined by a number of new boys to create two forms.
In Year 4, the cohort continues as two mixed-ability forms, but they are set for maths. In Year 5, two mixed-ability forms continue to be set for maths to ensure that every boy finds the ideal balance of challenge and success.
In Years 3 and 4, the boys have specialist teaching for science, French, ICT, music, design technology, and PE, and this is extended to all subjects in Year 5. Your son’s tutor continues to oversee and guide his academic progress and well-being.
Senior Years
Years 6, 7 and 8
Year 6 marks the transition to the senior years. The year is set into three forms, two of which are parallel. The boys are set for maths. Latin is introduced. This is also the year in which your son may sit the ISEB’s Common Pre-Test (CPT).
Year 7 is also set in three forms. One is the gentle beginnings of a scholarship set, the other two are parallel forms. There is often movement between the forms.
Year 8 is set in three forms, which are based on the specific requirements of each boy's future school entry examinations. There is a Common Entrance form, a Winchester College form, and a scholarship form.
