Curriculum
We aim to present a Christian world view to the children through the whole curriculum; cherishing the freedom to develop our own curriculum under God. As far as is possible we try to use Christian publishers for our curriculum resources. Our main resource is a series of work booklets produced by Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.). In the reception class, an excellent phonics programme called “Preschool with Ace and Christi” is used. The following year a programme called the “ABC’s” teaches the children to read and introduces them to the PACEs. (A PACE = A Packet of Accelerated Christian Education, i.e. a workbook).
The core of the A.C.E. curriculum comprises individualised programmed learning in:
• Maths
• English Grammar
• Word Building (spelling and meaning)
• Science (including Biology, Chemistry & Physics)
• Social Studies (Christianity in the context of World History and Geography).
The programmed learning approach is such that it makes the child responsible for his/her learning. The child therefore takes responsibility for progress and has to learn how to set realistic goals and achieve them. The emphasis in the work is upon success. Children are also responsible for marking/scoring their own work accurately.They learn how to set realistic goals for what can be achieved in each subject every day. A target of 12 PACE’s in each subject per year is set for most students. However, the children work at their own level and rate. Individualised programmed learning is complemented with group work where students interact with one another and with a teacher.
Students work in groups for the following subjects:
• Language Arts
• English Literature
• History
• Information & Communications Technology
• Practical Maths
• World Studies
• Creation Studies
• Music
• Art
• Platform Arts
• Spanish
Games lessons include Football, Netball, Hockey, Cricket, Rounders and Volleyball. Parents take their own responsibility for training their children in dance, gymnastics and swimming, taking advantage of clubs and leisure centre courses. Tuition is given in playing the recorder and guitar. There is also an Outdoor Pursuits programme with water sports, hill walking, cycling and wide games included in the activities, usually held at weekends.
Field trips and outings give students a wider understanding of their heritage and the world in which they live.
An important event in the school year for the Senior students is the European Student Convention based this year in Somerset. This is a week of competition and interaction with students from other schools using the same Christian curriculum as The School of the Lion. Throughout the year students plan and prepare entries in various categories including academics, art, drama, music, and sport. The culmination of all this hard work is the week long convention held at the end of March. As well as experiencing good competition in a friendly environment, students make new friends and are encouraged by inspirational speakers.
Over last twelve years, students from The School of the Lion have consistently gained success in this European competition in events ranging from Vocal Ensemble to Web design, Clown Act to Chess, Instrumental solos to Puppets, and Bible and PACE Bowl (Team Quizzes) to Photography. The School has twice been represented at International Student Convention in America with over two thousand ACE students from around the world.
A report on each child’s progress is sent home at Spring half-term and an annual parents’ evening is held to discuss the progress of our children.
The school seeks to help all pupils develop their full potential and aims to offer particular support, in partnership with parents, where weak areas are identified.