FORM 3

Form 3 is the first year within the Prep School at St. Mary’s School and children start Form 3 at age seven. Most core subjects are taught by the class teacher although specialist teachers teach subjects in the expressive arts, games and languages.

AIMS FOR FORM 3

During the year we are aiming to be:

REFLECTIVE – using skills to learn and investigate
RESPONSIBLE – develop independence
RISK MANAGERS – encouraged to express our ideas
RESILIENT – build up confidence
RESOURCEFUL – encourage organisation

As Form 3 is a child’s first year in the prep school, it is also the first year pupils are working towards formal assessments which are based on our varied curriculum.

CURRICULUM

This includes:

•    English – reading, writing (imaginary, personal, functional), comprehension, grammar, spelling, poetry and listening and talking
•    Maths – variety of maths concepts including times tables, shape, measure, addition, subtraction, division, place value   and problem solving
•    Science – linked to the Common Entrance syllabus
•    Geography – Our place in the world and Weather
•    History – Ancient Egypt and The Vikings
•    RE – study of world religions
•    PSD – citizenship, wellbeing and road/rail safety
•    Languages – French and German
•    Design and Technology – creative constructions
•    Expressive arts – music, art and drama
•    Games and PE – we have 2 X 35 minutes of P.E /games sessions three times per week. P.E. includes gymnastics and athletics. Boys have rugby, football and cricket and girls have sessions in hockey, netball and rounders.
•    Other sports – Summer Term - swimming is added to the timetable and tennis coaching is available after school.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Form 3 pupils are also involved in:

•    Junior Choir – Forms 3, 4 and 5
•    Being part of prep school Library Elves group, Eco-Committee and Pupil Council
•    Prep-school poetry recital competition
•    squad events – squad day, singing competition and squad sports events
•    Representing U8/U9 teams in fixtures
•    Middle school drama performance in the Lent term for Forms 3, 4 and 5
•    Camp Day – a day of outdoor pursuits and activities – Summer Term
•    Being part of the prep-school Tennis competitions – Summer Term

TRIPS, EXCURSIONS AND EVENTS

We try to arrange trips to link to topics, for example:

•    Samye Ling Buddhist Temple at Eskdalemuir – linked to RE
•    Local library visit
•    Chamber Street Museum, Edinburgh – linked to history topics (Egyptians and Vikings)
•    Celebration of World Book Day and Melrose Book Festival
Local walks – linked to Geography
Edinburgh Zoo trip – linked to science, classification topic