Our English curriculum has a direct focus on developing reading, writing and communication skills across all subjects. Our girls are actively involved in their own learning journey. They are encouraged to explore the excitement of the unknown, and create new possibilities by asking questions that extend their knowledge and understanding. Working both independently and in collaboration with others across all curriculum areas promotes the importance of speaking and listening skills.
From a young age, our girls are immersed in a wide range of rich, high-quality literature. Our dedicated Librarian, alongside the form teacher, encourage pupils to select books that challenge, excite, and help our girls to develop confidence in themselves by igniting a passion for reading. Opportunities for writing are interwoven throughout the curriculum; from creative story writing in Drama, diary and recounts in the role of a famous figure in History, to planning, designing and cooking a dinner menu in CDT. Writing for a purpose is powerful, engaging and real.
Mathematics at Maltman’s Green is based on a growth Mindset and a ‘We Can’ attitude. We firmly believe that all children have the potential to broaden their understanding of mathematical concepts through a mix of quality teaching and intelligent practice, children learning together, and targeted support and intervention.
Through a creative, inter-disciplined curriculum, based on real-life examples, we equip our girls with a uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world. These tools include logical reasoning, problem solving skills and the ability to think in abstract ways. Our approach is to promote the enjoyment and curiosity of mathematics, without fear of making mistakes, instead using them as unique learning opportunities.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities are threaded throughout our curriculum, developing the girls’ creative and critical thinking skills.
Whether studying and classifying Flora and Fauna, investigating the effects of gravity by flying parachutes, predicting, planning and carrying out experiments using the Bunsen Burner, researching genetics or creating their own microorganisms, Science at Maltman’s Green is exciting and engaging, fuelling the girls’ natural curiosity to explore the world around them.
We have a dedicated Science laboratory used for practical experiments and extensive grounds include meadows, hedgerows and wooded areas for practical investigations. The Discovery Garden and greenhouses are used by the girls for pond dipping and the study of ecosystems.
Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics activities are threaded throughout our curriculum, teaching and developing the girls’ 21st Century skills which are encompassed in the four ‘C’s: Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking. These skills will put them ahead of the competition in their future education and careers. We believe it is important to address STEAM from an early age and practical experiments are introduced from as early as reception, allowing the girls to learn through personal exploration. This may be designing a boat to float, building a simple bridge using crafting materials and using an elastic band to propel motion – all enjoyed by the girls in Pre-Prep. As girls move up the School they benefit from dedicated STEAM lessons and specialist facilities, such as a Science Lab, STEAM Lab, IT suite, Design Technology classroom, Art rooms and Maths rooms, which all help to propel their STEAM learning.
The goal at Maltman’s Green is to make our girls more than just consumers of technology. We strongly believe that ICT should not replace valuable, traditional skills, such as handwriting, but should add a new and exciting dimension to learning. We equip our girls with a broad range of skills to prepare them for the future. Whether it be through developing an understanding of how digital systems work, using a range of software on a variety of devices or facilitating the girls’ ability to develop their ideas using IT, our pupils gain a number of experiences that strengthen their capability, from Nursery through to Year 6. The School promotes a cross-curricular approach to ICT & Computing, including extra-curricular lunchtime clubs and after-school coding clubs for pupils.
We ensure that our hardware and software competes in a rapidly evolving landscape. This includes various types of mobile suites as well as multi award winning interactive screens and interactive white boards in every classroom. Internet Safety and Safeguarding is of paramount importance and we have a robust monitoring system of pupil internet access.
The girls become competent in a wide range of applications including cloud based solutions for collaborative exercises and homework, computer coding using block based code and text-based coding, animation and video, desktop publishing, various forms of data handling, learning graphics packages and music production principles.
Throughout the School, there is software appropriate to each age group and their needs, encouraging a dynamic approach to teaching and learning.
In History, we create a stimulating and fun environment where pupils can gain an understanding of the past in relation to themselves, their families, their community and the wider world. By learning about their heritage we can help our girls make better sense of their changing world. Visits are made to places of historical interest, such as Hampton Court Palace, and the girls participate in exciting workshops at school, such as Roman and Egyptian Day, further bringing their study of History to life.
The aim of Geography is to teach an understanding of our global location, natural environment and how people affect and change it. Through fieldwork in our Woodland School, day trips and residential activities, qualified tutors guide the girls’ interest in coasts, geology, freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. To further enhance learning, visiting speakers come to talk to girls about their personal experiences in different parts of the world. Looking at global responsibility and citizenship, we work to draw on the girls’ own experiences, leading them to become more aware of the world around them and our potential impact on our environment.
All major world religions are studied, and debated, throughout the school. We encourage the girls to learn both about and from religions, reflecting on their own thoughts, beliefs and opinions, and developing respect for others. The girls develop their own ideas about critical issues and understand the importance of these in the lives of others. These studies aim to develop respect and tolerance for other cultures and religions, preparing girls for their future working lives.
At Maltman’s Green, we teach French as a Modern Foreign Language (MFL) to all children from the age of two as part of the School curriculum. Early exposure to languages at a young age has many benefits including improving problem-solving skills and creative thinking. Games, songs and role-play encourage the girls to try new techniques, mimic sounds and speak without inhibition. Our pupils reach a high standard in all four areas: Listening and Responding; Reading; Writing; and Speaking. By the time they move on to their senior school their confidence in French gives them a distinct advantage.
We further enrich our MFL opportunities by offering Spanish, German, Italian and Mandarin as additional subjects. These are taught in small groups, or on an individual basis, through our extensive extra-curricular programme.
Our language learning is inclusive and enjoyable for all. The curriculum encompasses learning about French life and culture. We encourage our girls to take control of their own learning and to share their experiences and knowledge gained from holidays in French speaking countries. An annual trip to France for Year 6 ensures the pupils have real-life experiences to extend their conversational French, including a trip to the market and meeting their French pen-pals. Read about the 2019 trip here.
Art and Design Technology have a unique, visual, tactile and sensory language.
Art encompasses drawing, painting, colour theory, mixed media, tie and dye, collage, textiles, three-dimensional models, sculptures, still life, abstracts, life drawing, paper sculpture, weaving and basic printing techniques along with more advanced screen printing, silk painting, pottery and the added ingredient of the girls’ creative powers and imagination.
Meaningful cross-curricular links are made along with a knowledge and understanding of the world’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
In Design Technology, pupils’ confidence and competence in a range of designing and making skills, as well as their understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, are developed. We encourage pupils to reflect on and evaluate, past designs and technology, while looking to design new ideas for the future.
Our inspiring Music lessons include singing, performing and composing. We have a wide range of instruments to enthuse and excite the girls, including a grand piano, variety of percussion instruments and electric keyboards. There are also a number of practice rooms available for individual lessons and rehearsals.
Emphasis is placed on public performance and all girls have the opportunity to take part in at least one production a year. The girls also have the opportunity to develop performance confidence through musical solos during lessons – affectionately known as ‘mini-concert time’ – and in Music Assemblies.
As part of our outreach programme, groups of girls visit local residential homes to perform small musical concerts including carols at Christmas, and songs and instrument performances at other times of the year. The Chamber Choir and Maltman’s Belles ensembles are regularly invited to perform at various local events including the annual Chalfont St Peters Feast Day and Gerrards Cross Summer Fair.
Drama threads throughout our whole curriculum. Games and activities build confidence, improve vocal skills, physicality, innovation and unlock the imagination.
In the Prep School, our girls can further explore their thespian tendencies in extra-curricular speech and drama clubs, working towards LAMDA Solo Introductory, Verse and Prose or Acting examinations once a year.
Year 4 embrace an all-singing, all-dancing production at the end of the Spring Term and Year 5 enjoy ‘Play in a Day’. The final highlight of the Drama calendar is the delightful Year 6 leavers performance.
All our productions take place in our Lapraik Hall, a multi-use performance space which is home to a fully equipped, state-of-the-art lighting and sound system.