Junior Years
Your Guide to School Life
Welcome to Junior Years
In Junior Years (age 10-13), your son will discover a deep love of learning in an environment where his natural curiosity is encouraged to grow.
Throughout these early years, and beyond, he will be supported in line with his needs, growing in confidence as he learns new skills and develops strong working habits that will see him flourish here at Whitgift.
He will learn to think critically and independently, to become a good listener as well as speaker, and to develop a global outlook that is socially aware. Digital literacy will also form a key component of his education, preparing him well for the challenges that lie ahead.
Outside the classroom, through our House system and broad co-curricular programme, he will have the opportunity to explore new interests alongside boys of different ages and backgrounds. As well as enriching his school life, and providing the opportunity to make long-lasting friendships, this will help your son develop a healthy confidence and teach him the values of respect, tolerance, and resilience. These values are central to the culture of our School community.
News & Events
Our Stories
Junior Years Gallery
THE LONDON MYRIAD ENSEMBLE
This exclusive Lower First Form workshop and performance is a really exciting chance for all students to get involved in learning how to create music to compliment a production. The Ensemble has been visiting the school for several years and these British composers are inspired by modern or traditional classics. In late 2019, the boys were excited to take on the scrumdiddlyumptious writings of Roald Dahl for their performance.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Whitgift has some excellent facilities and the DTE Department allows students to handle a number of tasks and projects, so you can expect to have many interesting new artifacts sent home!
LOWER SCHOOL PLAY
The First Form play is always a much anticipated event for parents in the Junior Years. The plays chosen are vibrant and colourful with some exceptional acting. Many of the students who take to the stage have never performed in a live show before and families are often surprised when their involvement uncovers a particular talent! Here is a scene from the dramatic and fun filled Jungle Book and in February 2020 they took on the terrifying game of cat and mouse, or farmer and Fox, in Fantastic Mr Fox.
JUNIOR HOUSE SYSTEM
There are 10 Houses in Junior Years, all names after trees. Lower First, First and Second Formers work together on different challenges that test all apptitudes and abilities. If you have an older sibling or parent who attended Whitgift, you will be placed in the same house as they were so keeping up traditions.
LENT COLLECTION CONCERT
This concert celebrates the array of musical ensembles and solos across the School and, for some First Former pupils is their first live performance for parents, which we hope will inspire them to continue on their musical journey.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Games and Physical Education are regular parts of the timetable, helping younger students to develop healthy attitudes to exercise. The First Form Sports Day is a hugely popular event in which each Junior House competes to win the prized cup.
CREATIVITY
Art in the Junior Years is all about exploring new themes and finding out about different mediums and techniques used by artists over the centuries. In the above image, First Formers are using ink rollering to create their designs. Whitgift is lucky enough to have beautiful grounds and some interesting wildlife which also provide an inspiring environment to channel creativity.
COLLABORATION
There is a huge benefit for all parties when older Whitgiftians support the development of those in the Junior Years. The House System achieves this well, with students from all Forms interacting on a weekly basis. In addition, regular competitions or challenges involve older Whitgiftians mentoring and offering academic support to younger students.