The Junior School Day

School opens for early arrivals at 8.00 am, though the formal school day begins with registration at 8.30 am. Chapel, a Line (assembly), House meetings or Form periods follow depending on the year group and the day of the week.

After the first two lessons of the morning there is a break at 10.20 am when pupils can relax in their respective playgrounds. Various games and activities are provided and playgrounds are supervised by duty staff. There are a further two (Abingdon House and Lower School) or three (Upper School) lessons before lunch.

Lunch is provided for all pupils in the dining hall. The daily menu offers a wide choice of hot and cold food.

During the lunch break there is scope for various rehearsals and activities or simply for play outside. Upper School pupils are permitted to stay inside to engage in strategy games or to read and Form 8 pupils have their own games room.

During the afternoon there are a further four lessons, though on some days of the week these will be timetabled as Games lessons. The formal school day closes at 3.25 in Abingdon House, 3.30 in Lower School and 4.15 in Upper School.

There is a Late Stay facility until 5.30pm throughout the Junior School. Lower School children opt to stay in their classrooms with their teachers until 4.00pm to complete their homework before going home and in Upper School pupils can stay until 5.30pm in a supervised homework session.

Many of the clubs, activities, practices and rehearsals take place after school and these generally finish by 5.30pm. Choristers rehearse at the Cathedral after school and then sing Evensong before returning to Choir House for tea and prep. School House boarders take tea at 5.30pm and their evening routine includes a supervised prep session.