Deputy Head of Junior School

At Barbreck, we take great pride in knowing each and every girl as an individual — understanding her strengths, identifying where she can be challenged and encouraged to reach her full potential. 

We are equally attentive to where she may feel less confident, ensuring she receives the support and guidance she needs to grow with confidence.

Differentiation and extension occur every day, in every classroom. 

Our teachers carefully adjust the following elements to meet each student where they are:

• Pace: students who demonstrate mastery move through content more quickly and access more complex material.

• Depth: richer, more challenging tasks replace standard activities for students working above expected levels.

• Scaffolding: the level of support provided is adjusted to match each student's needs, with greater independence expected of more capable learners.

• Content: higher-order tasks, open-ended investigations, and enrichment activities are embedded into the regular program

As students move through the Junior School to their middle and upper years, our in-class differentiation model is expanded on through Mathematics and English groups. Additional teaching staff work alongside the classroom teacher to provide 80 minutes of small-group, targeted instruction per week in both Mathematics and English (Year 3 runs Mathematics groups only). Mathematics groups place a strong emphasis on problem-solving strategies and mathematical reasoning whilst English groups focus on developing reading and comprehension skills through targeted teaching, including novel studies.  Groups are flexible and based on current achievement, which ensures students are always learning at an appropriate level of challenge. The use of additional teaching staff ensures individual students’ specific learning needs are addressed, whether that involves consolidation, support or enriched extension activities.

For students in Years 5 and 6 who are performing at a significantly advanced level, we offer a dedicated extension program outside the regular classroom. This program is designed to provide an appropriately challenging and enriching environment for those students whose needs extend beyond what can be fully met within the standard curriculum.

We are committed to ensuring that every student is known, valued, challenged and supported. Our in-class model is grounded in research and allows our teachers to respond dynamically and immediately to student performance, ensuring no child is left waiting for challenge or support.

Ms Kate Banks

Deputy Head of Junior School