The main focus of the Ludgrove curriculum is to build firm academic foundations and encourage a love of learning. We prepare boys for Common Entrance or Scholarship examinations to all the main public schools. We have a very successful track record of sending boys to Eton, Radley, Harrow, Winchester, Marlborough, Stowe and Sherborne, among others. We aim to realise the highest academic expectations for all the boys within a disciplined and well-structured system of proven learning techniques. First class teaching from dedicated, motivated and well-qualified staff enables us to aim high for each boy, while allowing them to develop at the correct pace.
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Our learning support team assists those with specific learning and reading difficulties, and provides help with independent study and exam techniques. The timetable for all boys includes Mathematics, English, French, Science, Geography, History, Religious Studies, ICT, Music, PE and CDT. Latin is introduced in the second year and some boys pursue a two-year Scholarship or Common Entrance Greek course.
There is an annual trip to France in the boys' fourth year during which they are fully immersed into French life. Each boy produces a diary of his experiences and is encouraged to speak French at every opportunity.
General Studies lessons, current affairs discussions and quizzes, educational visits and talks from outside speakers broaden the academic experience and there are a number of opportunities for boys to get used to speaking in public. These include:
· Poetry Recitations: Every boy in the school chooses and learns a poem to deliver to his division. The finalists recite their poems in front of the entire school. The judge of this competition is always an English teacher from a public school – usually the Head of English.
· Speeches: All boys in the top four years research and write a speech about any subject they choose. Ten finalists deliver their speeches in front of the entire School. This competition is judged by a current parent.
Full reports on academic work, Art and Music are sent out at the end of each term and an order paper indicating academic achievement and effort is sent to parents approximately every three weeks so that they can keep track of their son's progress. There are formal parents' meetings once a year for each year group, but the headmasters and staff are available at other times. Division masters and mistresses play a crucial role in supporting our academic and pastoral programme. An atmosphere of trust and mutual respect enables every boy to perform to the best of his ability and there is always someone to turn to for help.