Description
Merlin School is Independent Primary school in Wandsworth for kids aged 4 to 8 (Gender - Mixed )
The Merlin School, established in 1986, is a pre-prep school for boys and girls, aged 4 – 8. You’ll find us in the heart of Putney, in a beautiful Victorian house. We’re proud of its many period features, which lend the school a very special atmosphere. Our school hall, for example, used for assemblies, drama, music and dance, is the renovated ballroom.They teach in spacious classrooms in the main building and in three purpose-built cloistered classrooms at the rear of the school. For playtime, sports and outdoor learning, there is a large playground, with a safe, artificial turf surface. Each of the light, airy classrooms is visually stimulating, with colourful, interactive displays that are constantly updated.There is a vibrant buzz about Merlin where the children thrive as part of a caring community. Corridors and classrooms teem with life as we all work together. Our children leave Merlin superbly well prepared for the next stage of their school career.
Facilities
EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Merlin is fully integrated into the wider school; Reception (4-5 year olds), is part of the Lower School. Reception children have full access to the wider Merlin curriculum including specialist taught subjects. They learn indoors and outdoors and are given plenty of opportunity to explore the skills and knowledge learnt in the classroom independently, so as to develop and embed their learning while getting on with others, in a supportive, exciting and happy environment. Through our carefully designed EYFS curriculum, children can develop their creativity, imagination, problem solving, motor skills, language, confidence and independence, social skills and self-regulation, wellbeing, and the ability to have a go! We are proud of the delicate balance struck between child initiated and adult led learning, allowing for a seamless transition into Year One.
English
They encourage the children to explore their imagination and to express their ideas confidently, both orally and through creative writing. This goes hand in hand with promoting handwriting and the correct use of grammar and punctuation. We nurture a love of books at Merlin because we know that good reading skills will help the children progress in all other subjects.The English language is vital for communicating in every aspect of our lives. At the Merlin School, we strive to develop a long-lasting enthusiasm for the written and spoken word. The ability to express ideas effectively, both verbally and on paper, is key not only to success in other subjects but also to developing self-esteem, confidence, reasoning and thinking.
History & Geography
Teaching by topic adds depth to the children’s learning experience. From the Incas to Polar Explorers, Inventors to Gods and Monsters, History and Geography topics excite and inspire Merlin children and enable them to develop an understanding of the forces that shape the environment of the past, present and future.
Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE)
PSHE equips children with the knowledge and understanding required regarding how to be a responsible citizen, and encourages children to think carefully about their actions and how these can affect them and those around them. Our curriculum provides an excellent spring-board for the young child to develop in to a caring, thoughtful, helpful and productive member of society, with a strong moral compass and sense of responsibility.PSHE lessons provide opportunities for the children to put forward and to listen to the ideas of others in a supportive and safe environment. Children are taught about how to look after their own mental wellbeing and also to recognise when their peers might be struggling. They will cover why simple self-care, such as getting enough sleep and spending time outdoors with friends, is important. Merlin children develop effective strategies for knowing where, when and how to get help and they are encouraged to develop positive character traits such as resilience, determination, self-esteem and confidence.
Features
Things to note
Drama
Drama provides a forum in which to develop imagination and concentration, as well as the skills of communication and listening, movement and speech. Merlin children experience a rich variety of performances – from individual termly presentations to the class, our version of ‘Show and Tell’, to class assemblies performed to the school and parents, and full-blown musical productions in which each child has a speaking role. Original scripts have been adapted from sources such as Shakespeare, Tolkien, and the Greek myths, offering inspiration and challenge to the children.Each year, children in Reception perform a Christmas Play in the Autumn Term, Year 1 perform a Spring Term production, and Years 2 and 3 perform their play in the Summer Term.
Religious Education
The Religious Education curriculum covers the six major religions, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism, with a focus on developing an understanding of belief and faith and exposing children to the various ways in which this can be demonstrated. Children are challenged to think about ‘big ideas’ and questions in the context of faith, and the values of mutual respect and tolerance are encouraged through this subject.Merlin is a non-denominational, inclusive school which recognises and marks events, occasions, festivals, and celebrations in the calendars of a range of religions, through assemblies and in the wider curriculum, with the aim of further enforcing those positive values.
Clubs & Trips
A variety of after-school clubs are offered on a Monday for the Upper School, as well as Chess Club (at a small additional cost) on a Wednesday afternoon. All of the year groups enjoy school trips each term and topic work is often reinforced by visits to appropriate places of interest or by interesting visitors to the school.
Extra Curricular
Please check the school website link for details.
0.57 miles
