At Heriot’s, we believe that education should do more than prepare children for the next stage of school. It should prepare them for life.
Our Junior School is organised into four distinct stages: Nursery, Lower Primary (P1-P3), Middle Primary (P4-P6) and P7. Across every stage, pupils experience a carefully sequenced curriculum that grows in depth, challenge and independence, ensuring strong progression in both knowledge and skills.
We place equal importance on what children learn and how they learn. Alongside a rigorous academic curriculum, pupils develop the communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and resilience that will enable them to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Central to our approach is a commitment to pupil agency. Through inquiry-based learning, children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate ideas, solve problems and take ownership of their learning. We want Heriot’s pupils to be curious, reflective and confident learners who understand how to think as well as what to think. As a Gold Rights Respecting School, pupil voice, respect and inclusion are woven through Heriot’s school culture.
Nursery
Heriot’s Nursery provides a warm, nurturing and stimulating introduction to learning. It offers an environment where every child is known, valued and supported. The pre-school year lays the foundations for literacy and numeracy while placing equal emphasis on creativity, communication, physical development and social growth. Through purposeful play, exploration and discovery, children develop the confidence and curiosity that underpin successful learning.
Specialist teaching in Music, Physical Education and Learning Enhancement enriches the curriculum from an early age, while outdoor learning encourages children to investigate, explore and connect with the world around them.
A particular focus is placed on developing our Early Learning Skills. Through carefully planned experiences, children build resilience, independence, collaboration, communication and self-management, creating strong foundations for future success.
Lower Primary (P1-P3)
The Lower Primary years build secure foundations in literacy, numeracy and learning habits while nurturing children’s natural enthusiasm for learning. Pupils engage in a rich and varied curriculum that combines academic, creative, physical and social experiences. Learning is active and engaging, with inquiry-based approaches encouraging pupils to ask questions, share ideas and make connections across their learning.
Alongside their class teacher, pupils benefit from specialist teaching and a growing range of opportunities to discover individual strengths and interests. Pupils develop at different rates and the Early Learning Skills programme, is designed to identify the individual needs of pupils and provide tailored support where required. In Primary 3, specialist teaching expands to include Art. A distinctive feature of life at Heriot’s is our Learning Enhancement Department, which delivers a unique programme focused on philosophy, learning skills, resilience, diversity and wellbeing. These lessons help pupils understand how they learn, develop empathy and confidence, and build the habits needed to navigate future challenges successfully.
Middle Primary (P4-P6)
Middle Primary marks an important shift in pupils’ learning journey. As academic expectations increase, children are encouraged to become more independent, reflective and responsible learners.
Investigative and inquiry-based learning feature strongly, helping pupils develop creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Specialist teaching expands to include Drama, Cultural Awareness and Modern Languages, broadening pupils’ experiences.
From P4, Mathematics is taught in sets, allowing learning to be appropriately paced and challenged. As pupils progress through the stages, mathematical thinking, reasoning and application become increasingly sophisticated, ensuring strong progression and stretch for every learner.
Learning extends well beyond the classroom. Residential experiences begin in P4 with a visit to York, bringing pupils’ Viking studies vividly to life. In P5 and P6, pupils take part in outdoor adventure residentials that develop resilience, teamwork, leadership and confidence through shared challenge and exploration.
Throughout these years, pupils continue to strengthen both their subject knowledge and the transferable skills that will prepare them for future learning and life beyond school.
P7: Leadership and Transition
P7 represents the culmination of the Junior School experience and provides pupils with opportunities to lead, contribute and prepare for Senior School.
As the oldest members of the Junior School community, P7 pupils are encouraged to model our values and play an active role in shaping school life. Many take on positions of responsibility such as House Captains, Prefects, School Council representatives, Eco Committee members, Rights Respecting members, Digital Ambassadors, and Wellbeing Ambassadors.
Academic challenge continues to increase as pupils engage in novel studies, debates, presentations, independent research and project-based learning. Mathematics continues to be taught in sets, while specialist teaching includes Modern Languages, Computing, Music, Art, Drama and Physical Education.
A highlight of the final Junior School year is the opportunity to visit The Netherlands, an unforgettable residential experience that broadens horizons, strengthens friendships and develops independence ahead of the transition to Senior School.
Through increasing responsibility for homework, organisation and independent study, pupils leave P7 as confident learners equipped with the knowledge, skills and character to thrive in the next stage of their education.
More Than a Curriculum
A Heriot’s education is about more than academic success. Through a curriculum that combines rigour with creativity, specialist teaching with inquiry, and knowledge with skill development, pupils are prepared not only for Senior School but for the future beyond it.
From the curiosity of Nursery to the leadership of P7, our aim is to develop young people who are knowledgeable, adaptable and compassionate; young people who think critically, act responsibly and approach the future with confidence.