Lower School Curriculum

Building Strong Academic Foundations from Years 1 to 6

At Tower College, our Lower School curriculum is carefully designed to nurture academic excellence, inspire curiosity and develop key life skills in children aged 5 to 11. Through a combination of structured learning, imaginative teaching and personalised support, we ensure every pupil is well-prepared for future success.

Our curriculum goes beyond basic requirements. While grounded in the National Curriculum, it is enhanced to reflect our high expectations and broad educational philosophy. Pupils benefit from a dynamic and balanced programme that supports both intellectual and personal development.

A Broad and Balanced Curriculum

Our Lower School curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, encouraging pupils to discover their talents while building depth of knowledge and understanding in core academic areas.

Core Subjects

English – Developing fluent reading, accurate writing, comprehension and effective communication
Mathematics – Focusing on number fluency, problem-solving, logical reasoning and practical application
Science – Encouraging investigation, discovery and an understanding of the natural and physical world

Foundation Subjects

History – Developing awareness and understanding of the past
Geography – Fostering curiosity about the wider world
Art and Design – Promoting creative expression and visual literacy
Design & Technology – Introducing practical skills, innovation and hands-on problem-solving
Music – Building rhythmic awareness, listening skills and performance confidence
Physical Education (PE) – Supporting physical development, teamwork and healthy lifestyles
Computing – Developing digital confidence, coding fundamentals and responsible online behaviour
Religious Education – Encouraging reflection, respect for others and spiritual understanding
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) – Promoting emotional wellbeing, citizenship and resilience
Spanish – Developing an understanding of other languages, cultures and traditions.

Lessons are taught by class teachers and specialist subject staff where appropriate, particularly in music, languages and sport.

Teaching Philosophy

Our teaching in Lower School is centred around the belief that children thrive when learning is engaging, challenging and supported. We aim to:

Encourage independent thinking and problem-solving
Promote discussion and collaborative learning
Support creativity alongside academic rigour
Adapt teaching methods to meet individual learning styles
Provide timely feedback to help each child progress with confidence

We believe in setting high expectations while nurturing self-belief. Teachers maintain regular communication with parents to ensure each child’s development is understood and supported at home as well as at school.

Stretch and Support for Every Learner

Our small class sizes allow teachers to tailor lessons to the needs of each pupil. Those who need extra support benefit from individual or small-group intervention, while more able learners are challenged through deeper questioning, extended tasks and independent study projects.

We promote a growth mindset across the curriculum – encouraging pupils to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes and persist through difficulty.

Enriched Learning

The classroom curriculum is enriched with visits from guest speakers, educational outings and themed topic days. From museum trips and historical workshops to science challenges and creative writing competitions, pupils are encouraged to see learning as exciting, relevant and rewarding.

In addition, our Lower School enrichment programme includes clubs such as science, art, sport, music, choir and nature, which complement and extend curriculum learning.

Preparing for Middle School

By the end of Year 6, pupils will have developed secure knowledge across all core subjects, alongside a readiness for more specialist teaching and subject choices in Middle School. Our curriculum ensures that children leave Lower School as confident, independent learners with a strong sense of self and a desire to succeed.

To learn more about life in Lower School, visit our Lower School page, or speak to our Admissions Team by contacting office@towercollege.com or calling 0151 426 4333.

Let me know if you’d like this version adapted for a downloadable curriculum guide or prospectus insert.