At EIC, we are keen to encourage excellent home/school links and our approach to homework highlights our values and beliefs as a primary school. Homework is part of a continuous learning process and should be considered to be anything that is done outside of the normal school day. It should embrace and encompass a wide variety of activities, which are a response to the learning that has taken part during lessons.
Project based learning begins in Lower Primary (Year 2) and runs through to Year 6. Each year, students are given a different title or project to work on. The project based learning is split between time in school and time at home, to ensure that all students are on track and are supported with their choices. Sometimes, the project work may be in groups, pairs or as an individual. We often take into account the “Year of…” theme and give students clear guidelines and expectations to work from.
A focus on the different skills is split between the year groups:
Lower Primary (Year 2 - Year 4)
Upper Primary (Year 5 & 6)
The aim of the Protostar Award is to create a pathway and help prepare students for Year 7. By doing this, they will have an even smoother transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3. They begin the award in your last few weeks of Year 6 with the completion of the Basic Challenges. At this point, the teachers are on hand to help, guide and support the students. Over the summer holidays, students can then decide which subjects really interest and inspire them and they have the opportunity to complete the STAR Challenges.
In order to obtain The Protostar Award and be rewarded with the first of their Key Stage 3 Stars, students need to select a minimum of 2 subjects that they are really interested in and complete the criteria for the Star Challenge.
This is about the students taking the first step into going above and beyond what is expected of them - a key ingredient for success in Secondary and something that we know an EIC student should be capable of.
In the first week of Secondary, students are celebrated with the completion of the Protostar Award in a special assembly, where certificates and badges are presented.
It creates the perfect pathway to the Key Stage 3 Star Award programme.
Students will be able to take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities which are scheduled both before and after school. Our Key Stage 3 Star Awards, which run from Year 7 to Year 9, give the students the opportunity to challenge themselves by completing a project beyond the curriculum. The Star Award projects truly highlight the dedication, motivation, and hard work of our KS3 students. These projects allow students to explore topics they are passionate about, choosing subjects they love and making their work personal and creative. Whether they focus on space or cooking, each project reflects their unique talents and interests.
It's inspiring to see how committed the students are, working on their projects throughout the entire year and proudly sharing the results. Their joy and sense of accomplishment are clear when they present their work. We are incredibly proud of their creativity, determination, and the support they receive from teachers and parents.
The HPQ is designed so that a learner can explore their own personal project title and area of interest. It is a formal qualification offered by the Pearson Edexcel exam board and is equivalent to half an IGCSE grade A* to C. It is a flexible, study-based course that can help students to develop as inquisitive, independent learners by working in areas not constrained to textbooks or qualifications specifications. Students work independently supported by a mentor to plan, manage, complete and evaluate a single piece of work.
There are four unit choices available:
The HPQ focuses on skill development over knowledge, and focuses on the journey and approach you take to the project, rather than the topic studied. It provides a perfect introduction to the IPQ offered in Sixth Form.
Some of the areas being explored by this year’s group include:
The International Project Qualification is a challenging course, specifically designed to more fully equip Sixth Form students with the skills required at university level and beyond. It allows students to explore in depth a subject they are passionate about, be it a particular angle related to their chosen career path or a completely unconnected childhood hobby! The course develops key undergraduate-level skills including how to research, reference, construct detailed arguments and avoid plagiarising. As such, it is viewed very favourably by top universities and taken into consideration during the university application process.
The course runs from the beginning of Year 12 when students participate in seminar sessions on varied topics, including an introduction to ethical frameworks, sessions on critical thinking and lessons on how to research and reference. Students also have weekly one-on-one tutorials where they can discuss the progress of their project and receive personalised guidance as required.
Students are expected to submit a dissertation of their findings by April of Year 12; this must be 5000 words maximum in length. Students must also submit a research log, journalling their progress throughout the project, and an evaluation of how they feel their project has gone. The IPQ is externally assessed. Students will receive a grade (A*-E) which is equal in value to an AS grade.
Some of the areas being explored by this year’s group include:
Leading universities have recommended to us that students should be widely read and they should enjoy learning for its own sake. They should have gone beyond their A Level syllabuses and ideally they should be familiar with the history, and the key thinkers, of their chosen subjects. They should be serious-minded young adults.
Therefore, our course has the following aims:
Students should be prepared for university in the wider sense, including the aspiration to speak or debate in public, or lead a tutorial. They should be able to communicate their enthusiasm, a project or commitment they are proud of and to respond with maturity. Moreover, Horizons students will listen critically to others.
We have showcased the Horizons Department and our school's talents in recent years; we have taken part in Debating Championships at home and around the world including Dubai, Mexico City, The Hague, Bucharest and Prague. We have reached seven World finals and five European finals. We are currently back to back Under 16s & Under 19s Champions of the Costa del Sol Debating Trophy (2023 & 2024).
In the final analysis, as a direct result of their diligent work, EiC students will benefit in a plethora of ways from Horizons, such as expanding their general knowledge especially current affairs and philosophical ideas, sharpening their critical thinking skills - all combing in symbiosis to intensify their wider personal maturation.
LAMDA Examinations in acting and public speaking play a pivotal role in helping to shape the future of students of all ages. These assessments not only provide a structured framework for honing crucial communication and performance skills but also foster self-confidence, creativity, and effective expression. Whether for aspiring actors looking to break into the entertainment industry or individuals seeking to excel in various professional fields, LAMDA examinations serve to help mould assured young people. They encourage individuals to harness their unique talents, enhance their ability to convey ideas persuasively, and, ultimately, prepare them for a future where strong communication skills are key to success. To me, performance and communication are life’s key facets. Human nature is such that we have an innate need to express ideas and emotions, tell stories and relay messages to others.
The LAMDA courses train our children not only to act for the stage but to speak in public with confidence and panache. The students will, for sure, be needing one or the other of these skills in the future as university applications and employment depend increasingly on having more strings to the bow of achievements than fellow competitors.
These qualifications have indeed made the difference to students’ personal profiles over the years, giving them that extra skill set that others may lack. Our results are always outstanding and the UCAS points for the medal awards in Secondary are handy to have in the bank of assets.
There are a wide variety of clubs on offer for our Primary students. Clubs start in Year 1 and go through to Year 6. They range from swimming to rounders, arts & crafts to dance, STEM to Forest School and so much more! The majority of our clubs are free of charge, are run by our teachers and change each term. Some (LAMDA and Mini Medics) are paid as they are to gain a qualification/skill. Clubs begin straight after school until 4.30pm Monday - Thursday.
Secondary students can choose from a wide range of clubs to support and further their extra curricular interests, from sports to STEM and LAMDA to Big Ideas, there is something on offer for everyone. The majority of clubs are run free of charge by our secondary staff and offer a wonderful opportunity for students to extend their learning beyond the classroom.
Admissions will open in October for the 2025/2026 academic year.
We recognize the importance of choosing the right school for your family and we are here to help. Please take the time to read through the Admissions pages to familiarise yourself with the admissions process, but don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
When you are ready please visit the Making an Enquiry page to begin the process of joining us.