Key Stage 2
Key Stage 2 is for children aged 7 to 11, covering Years 3 to 6. At St. Lawrence College, this stage typically has a three- or four-form entry, with class sizes of up to 24 pupils, allowing for individualised attention and meaningful teacher-pupil interaction.
Teaching is delivered through a unified curriculum that blends the Cambridge Primary Programme for core subjects with the National Curriculum for England in the foundation subjects. This broad and balanced curriculum includes History, Geography, Computing, Art and Design, Physical Education, Music, and Greek, and is structured to ensure smooth, progressive learning both within and across year groups.
As pupils progress through Key Stage 2, the curriculum naturally broadens to reflect their growing cognitive and academic development. Greek continues to be taught across the key stage, and native speakers have the opportunity to follow a Greek Language History course.
the curriculum naturally broadens to reflect their growing cognitive and academic development
A strong emphasis is placed on ongoing formative assessment to identify each child’s needs and sustain learning momentum. Strategies such as metacognitive questioning encourage pupils to reflect on their thinking. Termly summative assessments in the core curriculum enable the effective tracking of pupil progress and achievement, supporting targeted teaching and academic planning. These are complemented by weekly spelling and times tables quizzes.
In Year 6, pupils take the end-of-year attainment tests in English, Mathematics, and Science during May. Ample support and preparation ensure each pupil approaches these assessments with confidence and readiness.
Reading plays a central role across the key stage. In lower Key Stage 2, reading is closely monitored and pupils are given level-appropriate books to practise at home. Alongside this, guided reading sessions provide focused support to develop comprehension skills and reading confidence. As their fluency develops, reading becomes increasingly independent, guided by individual choice and teacher recommendations to foster a love of literature. To further nurture this enthusiasm, our Reading Challenges encourage pupils to explore a wide range of texts and celebrate their progress as growing readers.
High-quality novels are studied as part of the English curriculum, helping pupils develop comprehension skills, broaden their vocabulary, and build confidence in reading through structured class discussion and analysis.
Pupils learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) are supported with a tailored approach. While integration into mainstream lessons is based on individual readiness, EAL pupils are included in subjects such as Physical Education and Art from the outset to promote confidence and connection.
By the end of Year 6, pupils are fully prepared for the transition to secondary education. They leave Key Stage 2 as confident readers, competent mathematicians, curious scientists, and reflective learners — equipped with the resilience and academic foundation needed for success in the next stage of their education.
