At The Maynard School we have high expectations of our pupils as learners, and our small class sizes enable us to focus on the individual needs of each girl to make the most of everyone’s potential. As a selective school, we have an able body of students and expect commitment to their studies as well as a sense of rigour within the curriculum.
Top-quality teaching is the cornerstone of our school, with staff who know how to support and develop each student. Every class is managed by a class teacher who oversees the academic progress of each individual as well as the pastoral welfare of the group.
Most subjects are delivered by the class teacher with specialist staff delivering Music, PE, Science and Modern Languages, which as of September 2024 includes Spanish from Reception to Year 3, French for Years 4 to 5, and a carousel of both languages for Year 6. Alongside this, there are opportunities for girls to develop a rich mixture of skills including those in Drama, Art, Computing, Food and Nutrition, Sport and Textiles.
There is easy access to all the Senior School facilities for specialist learning and ready interaction between the older and younger pupils. As our pupils progress through the Junior School, they gain learning experience linked to the Senior School, culminating in a transition year in Year 6, when they enjoy full Senior School status as well as having significantly more lessons taught by specialist teachers in specialist classrooms.
Each term, we aim to support and enliven our classroom provision through trips to the excellent local facilities, such as the Saxon Roundhouse on the moors, the At-Bristol Science Centre and the Outdoor Education Centre at Exeter Quay.
Similarly, we regularly welcome inspirational visitors to the school including various authors and even Henry VIII for the annual Year 4’s Tudor Day!
Junior School Sport
In the Junior School, pupils participate in many team sports, including netball, hockey, rounders and basketball, but we also foster individual pursuits such as swimming, tennis, gymnastics and dance with the hope of encouraging exercise for health as much as for competition.
All of our pupils experience a term of early morning Yoga, helping to wake them up and be ready for their day, improve their balance, strength and flexibility whilst having fun and learning to be body confident. Junior School pupils also enjoy a term of swimming lessons, enabling them to strengthen their individual skills.
Specialist Tennis coach, Jon Rycroft runs a Tennis Academy, offering coaching to pupils in years 4, 5 and 6 before school three times a week. We also run after school Netball and Basketball clubs.
Ballet and Martial Arts lessons are offered once a week, taught by our specialist teachers, Mrs Barlow and Exeter Martial Arts Club.
Transition to Senior School
In Year 6, the girls begin their transition to the Senior School. Although remaining with one class teacher for much of the time, they receive more specialist input from Senior School staff. They also benefit from Science lessons in the laboratories and are taught in specialist areas for Art, Music, Computing, Textiles and Food & Nutrition. Specific transition days take place in order to allow the pupils to have an early taste of what to expect in the Senior School.
Girls in Year 6 remain part of the Junior School in all areas of pastoral care and activities. They receive special privileges and carry extra responsibilities as befitting pupils at the top of their Junior career.
