A distinctive feature of John Masefield is that the average size of House tutor groups is twenty students. This means that students entering Year 7 can expect a high level of care and support from their House Tutor who has the opportunity to really get to know each child in the group. We believe that each student should have a key adult in the school that stays with them as they progress through the school.

We recognise that if a student falls behind with their Literacy and Numeracy skills then it becomes increasingly difficult for them to fully access the wider school curriculum. In our view it is essential that all students develop these basic skills early in their secondary schooling so they are fully equipped to deal with the demands of Key Stage 4. In Years 7 and 8 students can access additional Literacy and Numeracy lessons. We have developed an ambitious learning programme using state of the art software called Successmaker, which enables us to provide targeted support for each student.

We believe that it is crucial to place students in groups where they will work to the best of their ability. At JMHS our aim is to be flexible in our grouping policy and to take three factors into account: students’ ability in a particular subject, the nature of the subject and the level at which it is to be studied.  Students are set, therefore, by ability in English, Mathematics and Science from the start of Year 7, using primary school teacher assessments, results of SATS tests and other data. In Modern Languages and ICT students are set from the start of Year 8. In the Arts, Design Technology, PSHE, and Humanities students are taught in mixed ability groups. In Physical Education a variety of factors are taken into account for grouping students.  Sets are reviewed on a termly basis to ensure each student is in the best set for their aptitudes and abilities in all subjects. Parents are notified by letter of any changes.

Students have the opportunity in Year 7 to take part in a variety of extra curricular events and activities.  These include: gifted and talented events, junior arts productions, a residential team-building weekend, House fundraising activities, sports fixtures and events. 

Year 7 is a year of mixture of settling in and enjoying a whole variety of new experiences that JMHS has to offer.

Head of Key Stage Three (Years 7, 8, and 9) is Mr P Hammond to whom all queries regarding Year 7 should be made. 

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