Academic

English is at the heart of our curriculum at Weston Green School, evident in every corner of school life. We foster a love of reading, writing, and creativity from an early age, ensuring that every child develops the skills and confidence to express themselves effectively. Our thematic curriculum inspires imagination while building a strong foundation in phonics, spelling, grammar, comprehension and writing.

How the Subject Makes a Difference at Weston Green

At Weston Green, English lessons are designed to nurture a deep understanding of language and literature, fostering both creativity and technical mastery. We believe the writing process should be nurtured, and our bespoke sentence curriculum ensures that skills are carefully scaffolded and built upon year by year. Through immersive exploration of characters, texts, and genres, children develop a strong foundation in writing, which allows them to confidently explore more sophisticated skills and vocabulary. Passionate teachers model writing using a variety of methods, encouraging independence and collaboration while following a uniform set of success criteria for each writing outcome.  Our approach to reading is equally rigorous and engaging.  Using VIPERS as a comprehension tool, children master a range of skills that boost reading age, enabling them to access and enjoy more advanced and exciting texts. Alongside this, our focus on handwriting, phonics and spelling (through the Sounds-Write programme), and vocabulary ensures pupils are well-prepared for future academic challenges. 

How the Subject Stands Out at Weston Green

Our approach to English is both innovative and immersive, ensuring every child develops a deep appreciation for literature and language. From World Book Day celebrations to inter-school Spelling Bee competitions, we provide numerous opportunities for children to showcase their skills and passion for the subject. A strong focus on reading and writing is embedded across the curriculum, with spellings learnt in a meaningful and contextualised way, enhancing etymology and syllabic understanding. This engaging approach, combined with dedicated reading lessons, encourages children to read for pleasure, performance, and research, fostering a lifelong love of books.

At Weston Green, small class sizes ensure every child can fully engage, cooperate, and reach their full potential. Enrichment activities throughout the week provide additional support, helping to overcome barriers while extending and challenging those ready for more. Handwriting is also given importance, with a focus on clarity and fluency. Our well-stocked library, supported by Year 6 reading ambassadors, further enhances the reading experience, ensuring books remain at the heart of school life.

To embed our passion for books, we provide:

• Celebrations for World Book Day
• A well-stocked library with Year 6 ambassadors who pioneer the love of reading
• Book fairs
• Opportunities for older children to read to younger children
• Teachers who are readers and share their love of reading  

To showcase our skilled writers, we offer:

• ISA poetry competitions
• An inter-school Spelling Bee competition
• ISA Handwriting and writing competitions
• A creative writing club
• Extended writing opportunities using real life contexts

English is a dynamic and enriching journey, a gateway to imagination and self expression, where every child is inspired to read, write, and communicate with confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of language. 

At Weston Green School, we are committed to nurturing ‘Masters’ in maths. Our mastery-style curriculum ensures that every child develops a deep understanding of core mathematical concepts, building confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. From the earliest years, children are encouraged to question, engage, and approach maths with enthusiasm, laying the foundations for success both in and beyond the classroom.

How the Subject Makes a Difference at Weston Green

Maths is a cornerstone of our curriculum, equipping children with essential skills for life, gained through play, continuous daily exposure and stimulating teaching techniques. Through a structured approach that integrates concrete, pictorial, and abstract methods, children develop a thorough understanding of:

• Cardinality and counting: understanding the value of a number and its “howmanyness”    
• Comparison: understanding that the values of numbers can be more or less.
• Composition: understanding that one number can be made up from combining others.
• Pattern: looking for similarities and differences and relationships.
• Shape and space: understanding what happens when shapes move or combine.
• Measures: comparing aspects such as length, weight and volume. 

Our focus on fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving ensures that pupils can apply their knowledge in a variety of contexts. Children at Weston Green consistently achieve around 30% above their national age-group peers, demonstrating significant progress and attainment and, more importantly, developing a love for the subject.

How the Subject Stands Out at Weston Green

What sets Weston Green apart is our personalised approach to teaching maths. Small class sizes and targeted support ensure that every child thrives, whether they are mastering core skills or excelling in advanced concepts. From imaginative scenarios encouraging the use of maths in Early Years, through to advanced critical thinking in a challenging 11+ style question, we cover it all.  Children at Weston Green develop a strong command of mathematical language, using precise vocabulary to articulate their reasoning and solutions with clarity and confidence. Through regular opportunities to discuss, explain, and justify their thinking, they become fluent in the language of maths, enabling them to communicate complex ideas effectively and engage in meaningful mathematical dialogue.  

We believe Maths is a universal language, unlocking the power to solve problems, think critically, and shape the world around us.

Hear more about how we teach maths at Weston Green School in our podcast:

Science is the driving force behind curiosity and discovery at Weston Green, sparking wonder and inspiring young minds from Pre Prep through to Upper Prep. Our hands-on, enquiry-based approach ignites a passion for exploration, ensuring children develop a deep understanding of scientific concepts and their real-world applications. Through experimentation, investigation, and problem-solving, Science at Weston Green fuels creativity and critical thinking, empowering children to question, discover, and innovate.

How the Subject Makes a Difference at Weston Green

Through structured play, investigations, and experiments, children learn to think like scientists. In Lower Prep, weekly science lessons focus on problem-solving and collaboration, while Upper Prep pupils benefit from specialist teaching in a dedicated laboratory. Our curriculum prepares children for future challenges by developing essential skills such as observation, analysis, and evaluation.

How the Subject Stands Out at Weston Green

At Weston Green, Science isn’t just a subject—it’s an adventure! What sets us apart is our vibrant commitment to STEM education, right from an early age, where curiosity meets creativity and innovation. From thrilling visiting workshops to hands-on STEM clubs and exhilarating competitions, we provide endless opportunities for children to dive into their passion for science and discover the wonders of the world around them.

Whether they’re designing experiments, solving real-world problems, or exploring cutting-edge concepts, our pupils are empowered to think like scientists, dream like inventors, and achieve their full potential. 

Hear more about how we teach science from our Head of Science, Dr Summers.

French is taught from Pre Prep to Year 6 at Weston Green, fostering a love of language and culture from an early age and giving our children a head start in their senior school journey. Through songs, puppets, and practical activities, children begin their linguistic adventure with enthusiasm and curiosity. As they progress, vocabulary immersion and written tasks deepen their understanding, equipping them with the skills and confidence to communicate effectively in French.

How the Subject Makes a Difference at Weston Green

Our structured curriculum ensures that children build on their prior knowledge, progressing seamlessly from simple phrases to advanced reading and writing. Small class sizes and personalised support enable every child to thrive, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of senior school French and beyond. By nurturing a strong foundation in the four key skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—we empower children to embrace languages with confidence and curiosity.

How the Subject Stands Out at Weston Green

What sets Weston Green apart is our immersive and dynamic approach to language learning. From thought-provoking “Killer Questions” to independent learning journeys, we challenge children to think critically and engage deeply with French. Our focus on real-world application and cultural appreciation ensures that learning goes beyond the classroom, inspiring children to see language as a gateway to new opportunities and connections.  

At Weston Green School, Reasoning (Verbal & Non Verbal) is part of the school curriculum. Our approach is to help the children develop a certain level of understanding of Maths and English to springboard their learning of Reasoning skills.

Resources

Our bespoke curriculum makes the learning effective and engaging for our pupils. We offer focused weekly sessions using a range of adaptive resources such as Planet BOFA and Atom alongside specific resources, videos and past papers.

Our programme helps the children retain the concepts for longer and in detail and arms the children with an understanding, the knowledge and the application of a wide range of reasoning skills required for the 11+ exams.

Music is a vibrant and integral part of life at Weston Green, enriching the educational experience for every child from Pre Prep to Year 6. Our progressive and immersive curriculum ensures that all pupils experience the joy and creativity of music, whether they are singing, playing an instrument, or composing their own pieces. Through a blend of exploration, performance, and cultural appreciation, we inspire a lifelong love of music and nurture the talents of every child.

How the Subject Makes a Difference at Weston Green

Music plays a vital role in developing confidence, teamwork, and self-expression in our pupils. From the earliest years, children engage in musical exploration through games and themed activities, gradually progressing to instrumental proficiency and performance opportunities. Annual events such as the Nativity, Spring Show, and the Upper Prep production at Esher Theatre provide unforgettable experiences that boost self-assurance and stage presence. These performances, alongside regular choir rehearsals and instrumental lessons, help children develop discipline, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the arts.

How the Subject Stands Out at Weston Green

What sets Weston Green apart is our comprehensive and dynamic approach to music education. Our curriculum seamlessly integrates instrumental learning, vocal training, music history, and composition, tailored to each year group’s developmental stage. Beyond the classroom, we offer a wealth of enrichment opportunities, including Bouncy Beats for early years, Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Rock Band, and multiple choir groups. Individual instrumental lessons are available in a wide range of instruments, from piano and violin to drums and brass, ensuring every child can pursue their musical passions.

Hear more about our excellent music offering from our Director of Music, Mrs Hart:

At Weston Green, our Computing & Digital Literacy curriculum equips children with the skills to think logically, solve problems, and create with technology. From an early age, pupils develop computational thinking, digital literacy, and coding expertise, preparing them for a rapidly evolving digital world. Through engaging, hands-on activities, they learn to code, design, and innovate, applying these skills across subjects and real-world contexts.  Our curriculum introduces AI to Years 5 and 6 as part of our commitment to developing digital literacy and future-ready skills. Pupils explore what AI is, how it works, and its impact on the world around them. They learn how AI can support their learning—helping with research, generating ideas, and improving organisation—while also understanding the importance of using it wisely, so it enhances their thinking rather than replacing it. Through discussions and real-life examples, pupils develop the critical skills needed to navigate an increasingly digital world with confidence and curiosity.

How the Subject Makes a Difference at Weston Green

Our approach ensures that children not only become proficient in using technology but also understand how to engage with it responsibly. Through cross-curricular projects, pupils apply their computing skills to solve real-world challenges, integrating their learning with STEM, maths, and the arts. A strong focus on online safety and digital well-being equips children to navigate the digital world with confidence and resilience. Small class sizes and personalised support allow every child to explore technology at their own pace, while enrichment opportunities such as coding clubs and competitions inspire them to push their boundaries.

How the Subject Stands Out at Weston Green

What sets Weston Green apart is our innovative and hands-on approach to computing. From Reception, children begin their coding journey with screen-free, colour-based coding using Sphero indi cars, progressing to interactive programming with micro:bits in later years. Our curriculum includes game and app development, digital art and design, and proficiency with Google Workspace tools, fostering both creativity and technical skills.  

We also emphasise the importance of responsible digital engagement, teaching children how to manage screen time, engage with online content safely, and use technology ethically. Through collaborative projects and real-world applications, we nurture computational thinkers who are not only confident and resilient but also equipped to thrive in a digital future.

At Weston Green, Computing and Digital Literacy is a toolkit for the future, empowering children to innovate, create, and lead in a digital world.

Watch this short video to see a Glimpse into Computing at Weston Green School:

Humanities at Weston Green School encompasses Geography, History, and Philosophy & Religious Education (PRE). Through engaging and thought-provoking lessons, we inspire curiosity about the world, past and present, while fostering an understanding of diverse cultures and beliefs.

How the Subject Makes a Difference at Weston Green

Our thematic curriculum provides the foundation for Humanities at Weston Green, allowing pupils to explore topics in depth and develop a broader perspective on complex ideas. Themes such as ‘Industrious’ and ‘Amazing Ancients’ integrate History, Geography, and PRE, offering children a rich, interconnected learning experience.  Through hands-on activities, cross-curricular projects, and creative exploration, children are encouraged to think independently and develop a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, beliefs, and historical events.  This approach not only fosters curiosity and a love of learning but also equips children with the skills and knowledge to thrive in an ever-changing world. By nurturing empathy, global awareness, and critical thinking, our Humanities curriculum ensures that every child leaves Weston Green as a confident, engaged, and thoughtful individual, ready to make a positive impact on the world around them.

What Makes the Subject Stand Out at Weston Green

At Weston Green, our thematic curriculum is at the heart of Humanities, bringing subjects like History, Geography, and Philosophy & Religious Education (PRE) to life in a way that is both engaging and meaningful. By linking topics across disciplines, children gain a deeper, more holistic understanding of the world. For example, studying the Victorians in History alongside the Industrial Revolution in Geography allows pupils to see how historical events have shaped the world we live in today. This interconnected approach not only sparks curiosity and critical thinking but also helps children make meaningful connections between different areas of knowledge.

What truly sets Weston Green apart is our dynamic, hands-on approach to Humanities. From immersive theme days and dressing-up opportunities to visiting workshops and curriculum visits, we create memorable learning experiences that inspire a love of learning. Small class sizes and well-resourced weekly lessons ensure that every child is actively engaged, while our focus on critical thinking and debate nurtures empathy, global awareness, and the skills needed to become informed, thoughtful citizens.  

At Weston Green, PSHE education is a vital part of our pastoral care, deeply rooted in Character Education. Our whole-school approach nurtures personal growth, emotional literacy, and social responsibility, equipping children with the skills and character traits they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Through a values-driven curriculum, we prioritise wellbeing, mental health, and the development of virtues such as kindness, resilience, and integrity – core principles that reflect our school values of ambition, curiosity, and kindness.  

As children grow and navigate significant physical, emotional, and social changes, our comprehensive Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum provides them with the knowledge, understanding, and confidence to manage these transitions effectively. We empower children to build healthy relationships, make informed decisions, and face challenges with resilience and empathy. 

What Makes the Subject Stand Out at Weston Green?

At Weston Green, PSHE is more than a subject—it’s the heartbeat of our commitment to nurturing confident, compassionate, and morally aware individuals. What sets us apart is our emphasis on Character Education, which is woven into every aspect of our bespoke PSHE curriculum. Through topics like Friendship and Respect and Making Good Decisions, we cultivate virtues such as kindness, integrity, and resilience, empowering children to navigate life’s challenges with empathy and confidence.

Lessons are brought to life through practical activities, role-play, thought-provoking dilemmas, and storytelling, enabling children to develop practical wisdom (phronesis) and strong reasoning skills. Our comprehensive Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum ensures that children are well-prepared for the physical and emotional changes they will encounter, while our school values of ambition, curiosity, and kindness create a supportive environment where every child can flourish.

How the Subject Makes a Difference at Weston Green

PSHE at Weston Green equips children with the tools to lead fulfilling and virtuous lives. By embedding Character Education principles into the curriculum, we help children build healthy relationships, make ethical decisions, and contribute positively to their communities. Our holistic approach ensures that every child develops the skills and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Through PSHE, children learn to manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, and approach challenges with resilience and optimism. They leave Weston Green not only with a deep understanding of wellbeing and mental health but also as well-rounded individuals who are ready to make a meaningful impact on the world around them.