Arts and Physical Development

Music plays a vital role in the curriculum. The children learn about pitch and tempo and are encouraged to take an active part in musical activities. They experience a wide variety of music styles and periods and learn about famous composers. By developing their listening skills and their ability to distinguish different sounds, the musical programme at Hill House has lasting benefits which extend beyond the area of music and help the children to be good listeners in general. 

The children are encouraged to experiment with different art media such as paints, charcoal, pastels, and clay. They are able to develop their skills through fun art activities and are also provided with plenty of opportunities for free expression. 

Along with their love of learning we also encourage the children to develop a real sense of enjoyment and personal satisfaction in physical activities. Our physical education programme is designed to develop both their motor skills and coordination. The children learn to be aware of the space around them and to take part in physical activities with confidence. By focusing on basic skills and encouraging a sense of fairness the children develop a firm foundation on which to build their future sporting interests. The emphasis at this stage is firmly on enjoyment and taking part so that the children are able to develop good lifelong habits of health and fitness.

Individual Development

Hill House has a continuous Character Development Programme designed to foster the virtues such as sincerity, order, cheerfulness, generosity, industriousness and service to others. The programme consists of story and role-play activities along with brief discussions with the children. Regular class targets are set such as “I will invite others to join in my game at playtime” and parents are encouraged to follow up the themes at home. A regular newsletter gives ideas for activities to do together at home as well as providing details of the concepts covered in class. This practical and effective approach ensures that the efforts of parents and school are united successfully and the result is children with personal integrity and self-confidence.

Partnership with Parents

The partnership with parents, which characterises the Hill House ethos, is especially important while your child is of Pre School age. Good parent/teacher communication is crucial at this stage in a child’s education and the effectiveness and joy of early learning is enhanced when it is carried on into the home. 

At Hill House our aim is to support you in your role as parents and primary educators of your children. The influence of your child’s teacher should support and nurture the values you are seeking to pass on to your children and at Hill House we believe that this is one of the most important aspects of teaching. In addition to being excellent early years practitioners, Hill House staff strive to act as good role models for the children and to ensure that there is a real unity between home and Pre School. 

Excellent communication is the key to a successful Parent/Teacher Partnership. We make ourselves as available to parents as possible. There is an opportunity to speak to your child’s class teacher at the beginning and end of each session and we are always happy to make appointments for more in depth discussions about any aspect of your child’s development or the educational programme on offer at Hill House. 

A key element to our Parent/Teacher Partnership is the regular meeting between parents and class teacher. Each term we meet with you to discuss your child’s progress in detail. We review their achievements and together set targets for the coming term. We also take this opportunity to discuss the Character Development themes covered and to exchange ideas on how to help your child grow in both virtue and self confidence. These meetings are scheduled throughout the term to ensure that we can meet at a mutually convenient time and that we have adequate time for a thorough discussion of your child’s progress and achievements. 

The Principal is also always ready to meet with parents to discuss any aspect of their child’s development and education and parents are able to contact the Principal during the school day or at home outside of school hours.