Click here for Secondary FAQ
What is the goal of the Primary Department?
The goal of the Primary Department teachers is to provide a superior education to a group of selected children who are diverse in gender, race and nationality. We aim to establish strong foundations in the academic skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, numeracy, reasoning, studying and the use of information technology and communications; and to provide the values and attitudes essential to modern living in Bermuda and a world society.
What values and attitudes are fostered in the Primary Department?
The Primary Department seeks to ensure that the school environment and curriculum fosters in each child a positive self-image, a strong self-confidence and a respect for others. Good behaviour is rewarded and children are encouraged to continually improve not only their academic but also their social skills. Children are rewarded also for their personal achievements inside and outside school. They are taught the importance of doing their very best at all times. The teachers focus on good behaviour and the positive reinforcement of it.
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What is taught in the Primary Department?
The Primary Department programme is modelled on the United Kingdom National Curriculum. This curriculum is varied and covers three core subjects: English, Mathematics and Science. These are supported by foundation subjects: History, Geography, Art, Physical and Health Education, Design and Technology, Music and Information Technology and Communications. French and Spanish are currently introduced in Year 5.
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What is the homework policy?
The Primary Department has a definitive policy regarding homework. A copy of this document, which lays down guidelines for the frequency and duration of homework, together with the respective roles of teacher, parent and student, is posted on the Warwick Academy web-site.
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What is your approach to the teaching of reading?
The Reading Programme embraces both the Whole Word and Phonic approaches and has been developed laterally so that children can have as much reading at one level as they need. Standardised testing, twice a year at the Year 3 - Year 6 level, enables us to thoroughly monitor each reader’s progress. We also test language ability from Year 1 through to Year 4 using D.I.B.E.L.S (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills).
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Do you have good computer facilities?
The school has first class computer facilities, with over 250 Dell computers distributed throughout all the Primary and Secondary classrooms and the school’s five computer laboratories.
Tuition begins in Year 1 with a focus on keyboarding skills. The progressive addition of a range of software and the teaching of information and technology communications skills then takes place to enable all youngsters to achieve high level skills before entering the Secondary Department. Formal tuition takes place in two dedicated lessons a week and further usage is made across the curriculum.
Families are encouraged to acquire a computer with Internet capability in order for both themselves and their children to connect to curriculum materials and progress details from home.
A full copy of the school’s Information and Communications Technology programme is available by request from the school.
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Do primary children use the library?
Primary children use the library with their teacher for a scheduled period once a week. Since Warwick Academy has a full-time librarian, they are also encouraged to access the library at other times to borrow books, complete project work and do research. A birthday book scheme helps to stock the primary library on a continuous basis.
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What other resources do you have?
In addition to the fourteen Primary classroom teachers and six specialist teachers for P.S H E (Physical, Social and Health Education), Physical Education, ICT and Music, 3 fully qualified Teachers’ Assistants provide support and assistance at the Year 1 level. A full-time Guidance Counsellor is on hand for parent and teacher consultation and direct student services, and Learning Enrichment is available on a consultancy basis for testing and referrals.
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Does the primary department accomodate different learning styles?
The teachers do recognise different learning styles and are very aware that each child learns in his/her unique way. They employ a variety of techniques and teaching styles in an attempt to educate every child successfully.
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What kind of assessment takes place in the Primary Department?
Promoting children’s learning is a principal aim of Warwick Academy. Assessment lies at the heart of this process.
As well as the reading / language assessments (see FAQ on reading). Standardised reading tests are given to all children in Year 2 – Year 6 towards the end of the academic year. The results of these assessments are reported to parents in the final report of the year. These results not only enable teachers to monitor progress throughout the year, and from year to year, but also influence planning and teaching techniques.
Each child receives a Progress Report in Term 1 and Term 2 and a full detailed report at the end of the academic year. To coincide with the Progress Reports, Parent Teacher Conferences are organised for Term 1 and Term 2
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What about discipline?
The school philosophy on discipline is one of positive reinforcement rather than punitive consequences. To this end, the Primary Department provides firm but friendly discipline while expecting high standards of learning and behaviour from every child.
Children will be taught to be responsible for their own behaviour and to realise the consequences of their actions. A merit and commendation system has been devised to reward positive behaviour and to encourage children to take ownership and eventually manage poor behaviours successfully
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Guided by teachers, the children have devised their own Code of Conduct. Together they have listed behaviours that reflect a good Warwick Academy student. When problems with behaviour do arise, the staff will help each child by encouraging him/her to consider not only his/her own feelings and opinions but also those of others in an attempt to arrive at sensible solutions.
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Do you have a house system?
The House System at Warwick Academy is a long standing tradition and is used for intramural sports events as well as academic competitions. It helps to create opportunities for children to make acquaintances and friendships outside their own specific peer group.
Upon entry to the school, each child is assigned to one of the four Houses. These are Rhodes, Robertson, Morgan and Patton. If a child has an elder sibling or parental connection to a particular House he/she will usually be assigned to that House. Children remain in their Houses throughout their school career.
Weekly and cumulative House point totals are shared with the children every Tuesday in assembly when a House Cup is presented to the winning House for that week.
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Are there extracurricular activities?
The Primary School has an active sports programme augmented by after-school clubs for football, netball, rugby and running.
These clubs, run by staff and parents, are open to boys and girls from Year 4 – Year 6, and allow children the opportunity not only to improve specific athletic skills and boost self-confidence but also learn valuable lessons of teamwork and commitment.
There are also a number of non sport related after- school clubs that are run by the teaching staff and these vary on a term by term basis. As well as clubs run by Warwick Academy teaching staff there are also a number of external organizations that offer clubs to parents for a fee. The Bermuda Gymnastics Association holds a beginners class at the school on Monday afternoons for interested children in Year 1 only. BILAI provide Spanish classes for children fromY1 through to Y6. Finally the School for the Performing Arts offer ‘Theatre Arts Classes’ for children from Year 3 to Year 6 on Mondays each week.
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Is parental involvement encouraged?
The Primary School welcomes parental involvement since it is expected that all parents will take an active interest in their child's education. Staff will make themselves available on request if parents have concerns about their child's progress. If you are concerned in this way please do not hesitate to contact the Primary Office so that the matter can be dealt with immediately.
Parents are encouraged to volunteer for the many activities which occur during the school year. These include, but are not limited to: Yard Duty - morning and lunch time; Class Parent; Reading Parent; assisting with the Christmas and Summer music programmes and class trips.
Parents interested in becoming involved in the life of the whole school might consider volunteering for a position on the executive of the Warwick Academy Parent Teacher Association. This active organization raises money for special projects at the school through annual raffle sales and by hosting a variety of social events throughout the year, including a Winter Fair and Family Bingo Nights.
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What is the Year 1 admissions policy?
Warwick Academy’s admissions policy is based on a selection process rather than on a first-come, first-served system. The school’s first priority is to select a group of compatible children who will benefit from the educational programme offered by the school and, in so far as it is possible, reflect the diversity of our community.
All applicants are interviewed. Standardised screening tests are used to assess each child’s skill level in language, arithmetic and visual motor. A minimum level of proficiency in each area tested, no less than the 50th percentile, is required of candidates in order to qualify for admission to Year One.
There are, of course, far more applicants than available spaces and consequently not all children can be admitted. When the number of qualified applicants, as determined by our standardised screening tests, exceeds the number of places available, preference is given to qualified siblings and children of alumni. Thereafter, places are awarded to children in the order of their screening test results and with due consideration given to the maintenance of diversity within the school.
Fifty places are offered each year. A waiting list is used to determine subsequent additions into the class. Candidates who do not meet Warwick Academy’s admission requirements at the time of interview are invited to reapply for entry into the school at a later date. 50 places will be offered in 2010.
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What are the current fees?
The tuition fee for the school year 2009/2010 is BD$14,250. Fees for 2010/2011 will be determined by the Board of Governors in May 2010. Fees are payable in 3 equal instalments, one term in advance, and are not refundable unless a full term’s written notice is given. There is also a monthly payment plan available for those who require it. Parents can contact the Financial Controller for online payment options.
At present, financial aid is awarded only to students in the Secondary Department.
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When does the school start and is the any after-school care?
The school year begins in early September and finishes at the end of June. The Christmas and Easter holidays are each approximately two weeks long. The school day begins at 8:25 am and ends at 2:45 pm for Year 1, 3:00 pm for Year 2 and 3 and at 3:25 pm for Year 4 – Year 6. There is an after school care programme available at the school until 5:30 p.m, for which a small fee is charged.
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