Head Junior Years & Middle School - Esmeralda Zerafa​

At Chiswick House School and St Martin's College, we believe that every child is unique and deserves the best education possible.

At Chiswick House School and St Martin’s College, we believe that every child is unique and deserves the best education possible. Our vision revolves around the child at the centre of learning, as we strive to instil 21st century skills that will equip learners to be independent lifelong learners.

Starting from the Early Years, we focus on nurturing creativity and providing a supportive environment for children to learn and grow. As our young one’s progress to the Junior Years and Middle School, we continue to cater for tailor-made learning paths, seeking to develop a growth mindset that enhances resilience and empowers our learners to be confident problem solvers.

Our learning programmes are varied and rich; they focus on the core areas of learning, complemented and strengthened by the expressive and creative arts, digital literacy, physical development, and cultural competence. Individualised learning paths are further supported by specialist initiatives such as the Higher Achievers programme, accredited by the National Association for More Able Children in Education, focus groups, and the Alternative Learning Programme.

Throughout their journey in the Junior Years and Middle School, we encourage pupil-initiated learning by adopting a project-based approach together with other innovative pedagogies like maths mastery, which embraces critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication. We ensure that pupil voice is given central importance and we enable it throughout our daily routines, as well as our Student Councils.

We are also proud to have a solid learning beyond the classroom programme, which is designed to allow learners to develop a broader understanding of the world around them and to learn skills that will help them succeed in our ever-changing world. As part of the programme, learners are immersed in nature through Nature Matter Days. They are also encouraged to learn in real-life contexts through a wide spectrum of cultural and educational trips. We strive to build strong vertical and horizontal connections with national and international organisations through these trips and beyond. During the Junior Years these are mainly local visits, but throughout their years in Middle School, our learners are also given the opportunity to join international trips. These memorable experiences also develop confidence and independent skills.

We have a robust social and emotional learning programme and a wellbeing team that values the importance of supporting the developing child as each one blossoms individually. We believe that happy and healthy students are better learners, and we seek to create a supportive environment where our pupils can thrive.

At Chiswick House School and St Martin’s College, we firmly believe that families are crucial contributors to ensuring that each child embarks on and enjoys an optimal learning journey. Our families are regularly invited to attend various activities during which learners showcase their work, perform, and celebrate their achievements. Through our family focus groups, we ensure that our community spirit is continually strengthened.

We look forward to welcoming you to our community and to helping your child achieve their goals.

Middle School Level 6 | Level 7 | Level 8

Programme

The curriculum is designed to give as wide a range of study as possible in order to tap and develop each student’s full potential.

The emphasis at this level is to offer a broad programme which ensures the acquisition of basic skills as well as exposing the students to exciting cross-curricular experiences. The pastoral care aspect appears in a very strong but discreet manner.

The Educational Programme is broad-based and offers a variety of well-structured experiences through:

The Outdoor Learning Programme 

Throughout their Middle School years, learners will participate in several outdoor learning experiences that offer a whole new approach to learning – one that transfers learning outdoors. The main aim of this initiative is to engage and further strengthen our students’ learning experience by linking the outings organised to specific topics and learning outcomes that are covered in the various learning areas offered at the College. Students visit places of educational interest throughout the scholastic year. These visits, which include Live-ins and educational trips abroad, are important as they support the school academic programme.

The Connected Learning Project Programme in Middle School

As from the scholastic year 2022-2023, St Martin’s College embarked on an exciting new journey that brought together all the teaching and learning taking place in the Middle School years. The Connected Learning Project programme explores, interlinks, and embeds the teaching and learning in the Middle School subject areas to practical projects that deepen our learner’s knowledge and understanding of the world around us. These projects take place across the subject areas offered in Middle School and they offer our learners the opportunity to put into practice skills, knowledge, and competences widely available through the abundant access to information and life experiences we are all exposed to. It is through such deepened learning and deepened connections that the Connected Learning Programme strives to tap into the diverse interests shared by our learners

Project-Based Learning and Flipped Classroom Approaches

At Chiswick House School and St Martin’s College, we are committed to the ongoing professional development of our staff to ensure the best educational experience for our learners.
 
During the scholastic year 2023-2024, many of our educators participated in international training programmes focused on innovative teaching methods, such as project-based learning and flipped classrooms.
 
Project-Based Learning – The training equips educators with innovative teaching strategies that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Project-Based Learning (PBL) encourages teachers to design lessons that are interactive, hands-on, and connected to real-world scenarios. This training ensures our educators are well-prepared to create a dynamic classroom environment where students can thrive.
 
PBL empowers learners to engage actively, think critically, and develop key skills like collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. By exploring their interests and applying knowledge to real-world scenarios, students find learning more meaningful and enjoyable. This approach not only boosts academic performance but also prepares students for future challenges by fostering a love for lifelong learning.
 
Flipped Classrooms – This model embraces a modern teaching approach that enhances student engagement and learning efficiency. The training provided our educators with the skills to effectively implement flipped classroom techniques, where traditional lessons are assigned as homework, freeing up valuable class time for interactive, hands-on activities. This shift allows our educators to foster a more dynamic and student-centered learning environment that encourages critical thinking and active participation.
 
Our students benefit greatly from the flipped classroom model as it promotes active participation and deeper understanding of the material. By engaging in collaborative projects and discussions during class, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This approach also allows for more personalised support from teachers, catering to individual learning needs. Overall, the flipped classroom model makes learning more enjoyable and empowers students to take control of their education, setting them up for long-term academic success.
 

NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education)

We are proud to be part of the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE), an organisation that supports schools in providing high-quality education and appropriate challenge for all learners, particularly the more able and talented. CHSMC has been recognised with this prestigious accreditation since 2018, reflecting our ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, and ensuring every child reaches their full potential.

 

LEVELS & AGES

School Hours

Our School Hours for Middle School Level 6 | Level 7 | Level 8

Uniform Requirements

Find detailed guidelines on Middle School summer and winter uniform requirements. Click the download button below to access the complete uniform list.

After School Programmes

School of Performing Arts

The courses aim to develop vocal and physical expression, stimulate imagination, nurture ensemble work and strengthen concentration skills.
Learn more

Useful Links