There are six core skills that underpin our curriculum, which we develop with children all the way from EYFS up to the end of Year 8: 

• Independence 
• Leadership
• Thinking and Learning
• Review and Improvement 
• Communication
• Collaboration 

At Town Close we pride ourselves on having a broad and balanced curriculum, underpinned by academic rigour, where every child can find their strengths, passions and talents. The PSB framework allows us to focus on and celebrate all of these areas, rather than just standards in a narrow range of subjects. When pupils finish Year 8, in addition to their achievements in Common Entrance English and mathematics, they receive a PSB certificate outlining and celebrating their successes and achievements in all curriculum subjects.

As pupils move into Years 7 and 8, they take part in our PSB Electives Programme, which is a one hour module a week. Each term they can pick from a different area of study to enhance their learning; some recent examples from this academic year include units focusing on Latin and Classics, Cookery, Art History and an Enterprise Challenge. Some pupils also had the opportunity to visit London as part of their Elective, with pupils visiting the National Portrait Gallery (Art History) and going to watch Hercules the Musical (musical theatre).    

In Year 8, pupils will also complete their PSPQ (Pre-Senior Project Qualification), having studied, researched and then presented on a topic area of their choosing. They are supported through this process by a PSPQ tutor who will work with them during the Spring and Summer Terms of Year 8.