On both our sites at Woodstock Road and Bardwell Road, there is a lovely buzz as the children come in through the door. This week some of the younger children have been proudly clutching leaves and other autumn souvenirs to show to their teacher.

Children settle quickly as our days are full and we have a lot to pack in.

We have fifteen classes from Nursery to Year 6.

Many parents have commented to me how well the teachers know their children, and the staff build on this knowledge to plan interesting and purposeful lessons so that all girls make good progress across the ability range.

Sometimes the children are grouped by ability across their year group and an extra teacher is brought in so the girls can work in smaller groups, enabling extension for the more able and support for those who need more consolidation of learning.

Every day there are maths and English lessons.

In Nursery and Reception we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage so there is strong emphasis on building early learning skills such as independence, resilience and self-confidence, and the ability to co-operate and get along with each other.

This stage of schooling centres around the class teacher and the key person for each child.

Much of the day is focused on acquiring literacy skills, through the systematic teaching of phonics supported by adult-led and child-initiated activities, often planned around stories.

Families receive a weekly notice letting them know what is coming up, and ways in which they can support learning at home.

In Year One, teacher builds on this rich foundation. Some lessons are more formal and the children start to visit the other site at Bardwell Road for specialist Art and PE lessons, to complement specialist Music which starts in Reception.

Children transfer to the Bardwell Road site in Year Two. At this site they start to have lessons with specialist teachers in Science and French as well.

Their learning takes place in their classrooms as well as in the specialist areas of the school such as the ICT suite, outdoor PE courts, gym, art room, Science room and languages room. Both sites have libraries and music rooms.

Every day there is a delicious freshly-cooked lunch with lots of choices, and a good range of clubs and activities to go to.

Pupils can also learn Morris dancing, Mandarin or Spanish or take part in gardening club, or head to the library and catch up on a book.

So, although we work hard through the day, there is a lot of fun and laughter as well.

As I walk around the school I hear the sound of music from the practice rooms. Our Year Six girls recently learned how to do Russian dancing, thanks to a music teacher with a secret talent!

The older children are taking part in hockey and netball matches against other schools. Right now we’re starting work on performances and concerts to celebrate Christmas and to show off all the talents in the school.

From 2010 boys are no longer being admitted. Our last boys will have left us by 2012 and the Junior School will be all girls.

There will, unusually, be spaces for girls in Year 3 from September 2011 but we welcome enquiries about admissions for any age.

You are welcome to come and visit the school; find out about all that is going on here. I look forward to hearing from you.

Mrs Ellie Stacey
oxfordhighjunior@oxf.gdst.net