Rose Hill
School
School
Compass Curriculum
A curriculum that prepares your child for life
At Rose Hill School, your child follows Compass, our bespoke curriculum that has been carefully designed to prepare them for the demands of senior school, university and the modern workplace. Our Compass Curriculum brings together strong academic foundations with the skills and character traits your child will need to thrive: confidence, curiosity, resilience, empathy and the ability to work effectively with others.
What is our Compass Curriculum?
Our Compass Curriculum is a whole-school framework that shapes what your child learns, how they learn and how we draw out their individual strengths. It is:
Broad and rigorous – deeper and wider than the national curriculum, with specialist teaching and rich subject coverage from an early age
Evidence-informed – designed using research, feedback from universities, employers and senior schools on the skills young people really need
Cross-curricular and immersive – pupils make links between subjects through thematic topics, focus days and project work
Personalised – your child is encouraged to explore their talents, track their progress and build a portfolio of work that shows who they are and what they can really do
Book a tour
Everything sits under three simple ideas
Acquisition of knowledge
Strong subject knowledge, taught by experts
Application of knowledge
Using that knowledge to solve problems, lead, create and collaborate
Assessment of, and for, learning
Ongoing feedback, portfolios and projects that help us draw out your child’s strengths
Four skills strands that shape how your child learns
Compass also develops four powerful skill strands. You will see these in everything from science practicals to drama, outdoor learning and charity events.
Philanthropy
Empathy, thoughtfulness, generosity and social responsibility.
Commitment to charity work, community projects and the Rose Hill School promise.
Adventure
Challenge, leadership, collaboration and outdoor learning.
Encourages pupils to take appropriate risks, step out of their comfort zone and discover what they can do.
Curiosity
Critical thinking, questioning, enquiry and analysis.
Every lesson begins with a question or problem, so pupils learn to think for themselves.
Enterprise
Innovation, creativity, decision-making, problem-solving and negotiation.
Project-based learning, which sees students produce Year 5 enterprise projects and our Senior Prep’s Dragon’s Den-style activities.
From Nursery to Year 8
How Compass grows with your child
Ages 3-4
Early years (Nursery & Reception)
In the early years, Compass sits alongside the statutory EYFS, enhanced by specialist teaching in PE, swimming, music, languages and digital innovation.
Build strong foundations in phonics, early reading, writing and numbers
Learn through carefully planned play, both indoors and outdoors
Develop language, social skills and confidence through rich, imaginative topics
Ages 4+
PrePrep (Years 1 & 2)
In PrePrep, learning becomes more structured while still feeling fun and creative.
Our Compass Curriculum brings together literacy, humanities, science and art in thematic topics
Specialist teachers continue to lead music, PE, swimming, languages and computing
Focus days and trips bring topics to life and allow children to immerse themselves deeply in a theme
Your child starts to see how subjects connect, and continues to build the 5 keys every day.
Ages 7+
Prep School (Years 3–6)
From Year 3, Compass really stretches pupils’ thinking with more demanding content and structured project work:
A broader, deeper curriculum in English, maths, science, humanities, languages, computing, DT, music and sport
Year 3 curiosity project – a whole-class introduction to project-based learning
Year 4 adventure project – an individual project that develops independence and presentation skills
Year 5 enterprise project – combining science, technology, engineering, art and maths (STEAM)
Year 6 philanthropy project – linking history, geography, theology, philosophy and religion with real-world action and service
By Year 6, pupils have a strong academic base for 11+ while also beginning the Rose Hill Life Skills Diploma, gaining practical skills such as first aid, gardening, budgeting and everyday independence.
Ages 11+
Senior Prep (Years 7 & 8)
In the final years, Compass focuses on leadership, scholarship and preparation for senior school and beyond:
Continued academic rigour with Common Entrance syllabuses in core subjects, where appropriate
A flexible, thought-provoking curriculum in history, geography, theology, philosophy and religion, encouraging broader thinking
Year 7 local issues project – applying research skills to topics that matter to pupils and their communities
Year 8 independent project qualification (IPQ) – an externally moderated qualification in which pupils research a topic of their choice
Ongoing Rose Hill Life Skills Diploma and enrichment, including careers education, visiting speakers and enterprise challenges
Entry at 11+ typically involves a visit, taster day and light-touch assessment, alongside a conversation about your child’s interests and goals.
Assessment that draws out every talent
Compass uses assessment to draw out your child’s abilities. Alongside baseline tests and end-of-unit assessments, pupils are assessed through:
Project work and extended enquiries
Presentations and performances
Portfolios of written and creative work
Practical tasks and problem-solving challenges
self and peer feedback, using clear success criteria
From Senior Prep onwards, pupils build digital evidence portfolios that showcase their best work, strengths and interests – a powerful tool for senior school applications and scholarships.
Metacognitive strategies (learning how to learn) are explicitly taught, so your child learns to plan, monitor and review their work – skills inspectors linked to pupils’ independence and strong progress across the curriculum.
See if Compass points in the right direction for your child
Every child is different. Compass is designed so your child can shine in their own way – whether that is through academic projects, the arts, sport, problem-solving, leadership or service.
The best way to decide if this is the right environment for your family is to come and see it in person.
Book a tour or open day place:
- Meet the Head and key staff
- Step into lessons and see Compass in action
- Talk to pupils about their projects and portfolios
Contact our admissions team on 01892 525591 or email admissions@rosehillschool.co.uk to arrange your visit.