Academic Life

Learning at Alleyn’s Regent’s Park is underpinned by the seven learning dispositions of responsibility, resilience, reflection, empathy and humility, thoroughness and focus, courage and self-belief and imagination. We see these as forming the basis for children in ‘how we learn’ and they are woven through teaching across all subjects during each child’s time at Regent’s Park, so that children become resilient, independent, resourceful and collaborative learners.

We believe it is important that every child sees the joy in learning and takes pride in their achievements. For us, this is enshrined in our Aspiring Minds programme. Through Aspiring Minds, every child has the opportunity to explore subjects they love through workshops, talks, trips and competitions which go beyond the curriculum covered in the classroom and allow children to use their own autonomy to discover new areas of learning. Achievement is celebrated, encouraged and recognized throughout.

Pupils begin their learning journey at Alleyn’s Regent’s Park in our vibrant, nurturing and stimulating Reception classroom, following the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. Over the course of their first year at school, children are encouraged to be independent. They are provided with interactive and fun opportunities that foster key skills such as creativity, curiosity and critical thinking. Our Reception class provides a safe and calm learning environment full of colourful displays, ever-changing role play areas and plenty of games, toys, and equipment. Outdoor areas are an important part of everyday life for our Reception children, and they have a dedicated outdoor garden with bug houses, sensory areas and mud kitchen. At the beginning of the school year, our children learn through play as well as through more formal and structured lessons with the balance evolving over the year. Every child is celebrated as an individual and supported or challenged in ways which are appropriate for them. Our planned curriculum allows scope and is supplemented by ideas which follow the interests and passions of the children.

We have high expectations for all our pupils who benefit from a range of extension opportunities, including through our Aspiring Minds programme. Where we have gifted and talented pupils, we believe that they thrive best in a learning environment that provides challenge while allowing our children to enjoy learning alongside their peers.  Classroom differentiation is an important factor in ensuring the progress of these pupils. Our most able pupils will often have their work differentiated by task and will be encouraged to move on to more challenging activities. Learning activities planned for gifted and talented learners combine acceleration, enrichment and extension and they will be involved in a variety of open-ended and investigative tasks.

Alleyn’s Regent’s Park works to make sure that children with specific learning differences are identified and supported in school, so that they can achieve their potential and enjoy the full benefits of a broad and fulfilling curriculum.

Homework is an important part of independent learning and, at Alleyn’s Regent’s Park, it is designed to support the classroom learning in a purposeful and age-appropriate way. Reading and some maths form the main homework expectations in Year 1 and 2 with occasional research questions to discuss at home. In Years 3 to 6 homework is broader, preparing pupils for future learning and lessons by establishing healthy working habits and through the consolidation, reinforcement and application of skills. In Years 7 and 8, students have subject-specific homework as well as dedicated exam preparation.

Assessments at Alleyn’s Regent’s Park are one of the ways we use to track children’s progress, helping to identify those who are gifted and talented and those needing extra support, as well as providing a broader template to plan the pace and depth of learning across the classroom. Assessments are usually carried out in a relaxed and normal classroom environment, with the exception of some of our preparation for 11+ and 13+. Standardised testing is used from Year 1 to Year 6, with baseline (BASE) testing taking place in EYFS.

Our new library experience at Alleyn’s Regent’s Park Prep is designed to foster a lifelong love of reading through accessibility, comfort, and curiosity. We are re-siting the main library and introducing multiple age-specific reading nooks throughout the school – each a welcoming, less-intimidating corner where pupils can explore new stories in a space tailored to their needs. Research suggests that smaller, dedicated reading areas help children build confidence and develop a deeper connection with books, which is why we are also weaving ‘reading mindfulness’ into these cozy nooks, encouraging pupils to pause, reflect, and truly immerse themselves in their reading. By placing books in areas immediately relevant to different age groups, we ensure every child has the opportunity to find materials that spark their imagination, strengthening both their literacy skills and their joy in learning.

Our 11+ programme is dedicated to preparing pupils for highly competitive senior schools in every aspect. Whether pupils are partaking in national competitions like the Townsend-Warner History Prize, or PE units in outdoor adventure sports like rock-climbing and kayaking, they benefit from every opportunity to showcase academic excellence and strength of character. Alleyn’s Regent’s Park Prep guides pupils towards a wide range of leading senior schools in London and the UK – including Channing, City of London, Eton College, Francis Holland, Godolphin & Latymer, Highgate, Mill Hill, North London Collegiate, South Hampstead High School, St Paul’s, UCS, Wellington, and Westminster. Families also choose to progress to Alleyn’s Senior Schools, with thorough academic preparation for the 11+, 13+, or school-specific entrance exams. Regular internal assessments enable us to track each pupil’s progress and achievement, providing valuable support for the transition to senior school. Our personalised approach is designed to guide every pupil towards the environment that best suits their strengths, aspirations, and individual needs – so they can flourish academically and personally at whichever senior school they ultimately choose.