School Life

The Compass curriculum, our bespoke framework for learning, is as broad as it is deep. Developed over the past five years in consultation with a range of educational experts, and informed (but not restricted by) the requirements of the National Curriculum and the Common Entrance syllabus., it is delivered through the four key strands of Enquiry, Enterprise, Adventure and Philanthropy.

As such, it provides opportunities for the pupils to apply the knowledge they acquire through the curriculum in different ways, developing essential skills for lifelong success. The four strands aim to develop those skills as follows:

Our project-based learning starts from entry into the Prep School as we start to lay a strong foundation in planning, methodology, question development, and meeting success criteria. all the pupils work on a different project each year, building on our four core skills of Enquiry (Year 3), Adventure (Year 4), Enterprise (Year 5) and Philanthropy (Year 6).

In Year 7, they tackle a Global Issue of their choice and then in Year 8 they take the ISEB’s Independent Project Qualification. In 2024, our senior pupils achieved four Distinctions, twelve Merits and two Passes; testament indeed to out passion for enabling each and every pupil to develop their natural abilities.

Our Creative Curriculum is the foundation of our teaching in Years 1-4 where the children work within specific theme title each term but integrate a range of subjects together so they can link their learning across the subjects and build a greater depth of understanding.

At the end of each term, the children produce a wonderful portfolio of all their learning, called a “Black Book” which clearly shows how much pride and enjoyment they derive from each topic, current topics include Remarkable Rainforests and Things that go Whizz!

Due to the nature of school timetables, some lessons are taken just once a week, with sessions rarely allowing children to see a task through from start to finish. Focus Days, therefore, are integral to the teaching curriculum, not an addition to it, and allow for up to half a term’s work to be completed in one day. Pupils start the day with a question or problem and spend the day working to a conclusion. Trips and visiting speakers are also encouraged on these days as both are proven to have a profound impact on learning, making abstract concepts more tangible to young learners.

In addition, all staff have been given expert training in the use of our new outdoor learning classroom and our Innovation Hub, bot key environments to help inspire a natural curiosity in a slightly more informal setting.

The Compass curriculum also allows time for the senior pupils to study for the Rose Hill School Diploma, which challenges them to learn everyday skills, supporting their transition to young adulthood. They are given opportunities, for example, to learn gardening skills, practise first aid, complete application forms and even iron their own clothes!

At Rose Hill School, we believe that every child is intelligent, and we believe that the Compass curriculum allows us to draw out these intelligences and provide opportunities for every pupil to shine. In July parents receive feedback on our observations, highlighting their child’s natural intelligences and suggesting ways to further develop these talents.