Junior School

Junior School at Haileybury Almaty

Welcome to our Junior School, a vibrant and nurturing environment for children aged 4 to 11. At Haileybury, Junior School includes Reception, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2. This is where the journey of becoming confident, curious, and future-ready learners truly begins.

Our vision as a school is to create global leaders, and this journey starts in Junior School. Through the High Performance Learning (HPL) framework, we foster resilience, diverse thinking, and a love for learning in every child.

A Bespoke and Balanced Curriculum

Our curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of each child, while adhering to the rigorous standards of the English National Curriculum. Foundational skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and science are taught alongside specialist lessons in:

• Languages
• Art
• Music
• Physical Education (PE)
• Robotics

Our classrooms are inclusive, interactive, and filled with opportunities for hands-on exploration and collaborative learning.

Wellbeing and PSHE

We place strong emphasis on wellbeing and personal development through our PSHE curriculum. Children learn vital life skills across three themes:

• Health and wellbeing
• Relationships
• Living in the wider world

These lessons are supported by assemblies, extracurricular activities, and our strong pastoral care system, helping children develop confidence, empathy, and global awareness.

Key Stage 1 (Ages 5–7)

KS1 is where children build foundational skills in literacy and numeracy through creative, hands-on learning. Our teaching promotes:

• Confidence and independence
• Social and communication skills
• A love for learning

We follow a structured phonics programme to support early reading and writing development, ensuring mastery of letter-sound relationships and decoding skills.

Key Stage 2 (Ages 7–11)

In KS2, children become more independent and analytical. They deepen their understanding across a broad curriculum while developing skills in critical thinking, creativity, and resilience.

By Year 6, our pupils are confident and well-prepared for the transition to Senior School, supported through transition days and regular interactions with older pupils and staff.

Core Subjects

English – Writing and Reading

• Writing follows a three-week cycle: Model Text → Shared Write → Independent Write
• Emphasis on vocabulary development and structured reflection
• Reading is taught through daily Guided Reading sessions (Y2–Y6), using the VIPERS framework: Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explanation, Retrieval, Summarising

Mathematics – The DERE Approach Our unique Maths Mastery model follows the DERE structure:

1. Demonstrate – Learn the core skill through focused instruction
2. Explain – Use key vocabulary to deepen understanding
3. Reapply – Practise in varied contexts using different representations
4. Explore – Investigate problems with open-ended questions and multiple solutions

Cross-Curricular Thematic Learning

Our Thematic Units blend subjects such as history, geography, science, art, and music around an engaging theme, often inspired by historical events or global issues. We link learning to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to give real-world context.

• Entry Points: Exciting introductions that spark curiosity
• Knowledge Organisers: Key vocabulary and questions guide pupils through their learning
• Exit Points: Showcase projects where pupils present their learning to peers or parents

Assessment for Progress

Assessment is integral to our teaching. We track progress through:

• Termly assessments in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics
• Pupil Progress Meetings (PPM) with school leaders
• Teacher judgments and in-class observations

We believe in being data-powerful, not just data-rich. Our assessments guide teaching and ensure regular, open communication with families about each child's next steps.

At Haileybury Junior School, every child is supported, challenged, and celebrated. This is where lifelong learning begins.