Through understanding the unique nature of each child, we aim to inspire children to become creative, independent thinkers, competent communicators and to build positive relationships. We wish them to care for the world around them and be happy, confident, enquiring individuals who love to learn and contribute to their school and other communities.
The Children’s House was set up in 1973 by a group of local parents to provide high-quality early years education in Islington. It was initially run in the home of a founding parent and subsequently in a rented hall in St Stephen’s Church on Canonbury Road. Parents and staff longed for the Nursery to have a home of its own and in 1991, following various fund-raising schemes, the parents were able to purchase a Methodist chapel on Elmore Street which was operating at the time as the first Hindu UK base of the Swaminarayan temple, now known as the Neasden temple and located in North London.
Parents wanted to build on the Nursery provision and in September 2005 we took on the lease of a Victorian School building on King Henry’s Walk, hitherto St Jude and St Paul’s Infant School. The Upper School was refurbished and offers Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. It is a distance of 0.7 miles from the Nursery School.
The Upper School has three large classrooms, an enclosed playground, and direct access and sole use during school hours of two large church halls. The School has a garden plot at King Henry’s Walk Community Garden.
OUR EDUCATIONAL AIMS FOR EACH CHILD:
- To inspire a love of learning through a creative curriculum offering breadth, depth, and enrichment
- To promote self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-esteem
- To motivate to always do their best
- To develop genuine respect and value for others and the environment
- To develop an appreciation for the rich diversity in our School and all around us
- To provide a firm foundation that equips each child with the skills and passion for lifelong learning
- To develop the full potential of each child throughout their time in our School and prepare them to move on to the next stage in their education
In Year 1 and Year 2 we follow the National Curriculum and prepare children for the 7+ entry into independent schools.
There is a strong emphasis on encouraging children’s ability in the core skills of reading, writing, and maths. We place a high value on our ethos of pastoral care through which children’s personal, social and emotional skills can be sensitively developed and supported by both their teachers and by one another. Children are taught in small classes led by fully qualified teachers and supported by Teaching Assistants and specialist teachers.
Subjects are taught through topics. Foundation subjects and Science are taught in blocks so that children can immerse themselves in the topics. Topics are linked through an overarching ‘umbrella’ theme to enable children to make connections across the curriculum and to experience breadth and depth in their learning. In Year 1 the termly umbrella themes for the year are Ourselves, Homes, and Plants & Animals. In Year 2 they are an Island Home, Transport and Health & the Environment.
In phonics, children work each day with Phases 2-6 in ‘Letters & Sounds’. We use fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama in reading schemes such as Storyworld, Oxford Reading Tree, Collins Big Cat. Children are heard to read independently and in guided reading groups. Children have daily handwriting practice, learning pre-cursive script in Year 1 and moving on to joined-up writing in Year 2. There is a weekly spelling list to learn. Children are taught grammar, punctuation, and related vocabulary.
Writing is a complex process for children to master as they bring together skills in phonics, spelling, handwriting, grammar, and punctuation, to write their own stories, keep diaries, record facts, make lists, label drawings, and compose poetry.
Children learn about the major religions in their RE lessons. We warmly welcome children and parents who would like to share special faith celebrations with us. We visit local places of worship and Year 2 children visit the Neasden Temple.
