Ages 4 – 7 (Reception – Year 2)

A broad and challenging curriculum promotes curiosity, encourages resilience, and inspires a lifelong love of learning, helping our pupils to blossom into confident, independent learners. The curriculum equips children with a strong academic foundation, a growth mindset, and the skills they need succeed as both children and adults.

Pupils explore a diverse array of subjects which are taught by specialists who not only possess profound expertise but also radiate an infectious passion for their respective fields of study. They also enjoy, and make full use of, specialist facilities for Computing, Art, Design, Music, P.E, and Outdoor Learning.

We take pride in maintaining intimate class sizes, capped at a maximum of 18 children per class. This deliberate choice ensures an optimal learning environment, where each child has the opportunity to thrive and excel. Each class is supported by a Teaching Assistant who provides additional support for those who many need extra help and facilitates small group activities, ensuring that individual learning needs are met.

We truly believe our bespoke offering provides something for every child and will help them to uncover their interests and pursue their passions.

We pride ourselves on preparing our pupils for the next stage in their education. We have excellent academic credentials, supported by our yearly assessments that utilise computer adaptive testing from the Cambridge University Centre for Evaluating and Monitoring. Pupils are assessed right from their first year at school which provides us with an in-depth insight into their progress across a variety of metrics, allowing us to individualise their learning pathway as they move through school.

Many families choose to keep their children in independent education following their time at Richmond House and we make sure that all are fully prepared for the entrance examinations which take place in the January of Year 6. We help our pupils gain access to many of the leading secondary schools across Yorkshire, where we believe they will continue to flourish, with a substantial number being awarded Scholarships.

Creative Arts at Richmond House School is thriving, and our extensive provision provides children with a wealth of opportunities to expand their imagination, express themselves, and shine. All pupils are taught Art, Design Technology, Drama, Dance and Music as part of the curriculum by specialist teachers. Outside of the curriculum, the school offers several extracurricular clubs and activities.

Our artists explore a whole range of disciplines from painting to ceramics, inspired by the works of renowned practitioners. Designers engage in a hands-on learning experience that includes constructing models, crafting prototypes, and building functional objects. Pupils become familiar with a range of materials and tools, learning about measurements, accuracy, and precision. Our pupils benefit from our well-equipped Art Studio and Design Lab.

Music, Drama and Dance are an intrinsic part of Richmond House School. Children participate in a variety of concerts and performances which are a highlight of the school calendar and create memories that they, and their parents, will cherish forever. Children as young as Year 1, enjoy performing solo pieces in assemblies to an audience of pupils and staff, and do so with confidence. We are an inclusive school, and all children take part whatever their ability, and take pride in the quality of the work they produce. Individual instrumental music lessons are also available and are delivered by a highly experienced, dedicated, and inspiring team of Visiting Music Teachers.

We hold the belief that expanding our pupils’ horizons and enriching their curriculum studies beyond the classroom is of utmost importance. Each year wide-ranging trips provide practical, real-world experiences that complement classroom learning.

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 enjoy the opportunity to explore and learn about our thriving, multicultural community. As pupils progress through school, excursions extend beyond the local area, culminating in Year 6 with an immersive residential experience in the captivating French capital of Paris.

In addition to offering trips and residentials, we invite visitors from different faiths, professions, and organisations to Richmond House to run workshops and hold assemblies.

At the heart of all our endeavours lies the wellbeing of our pupils. We recognise the profound importance of pastoral care in nurturing happy, confident, and resilient individuals. We take pride in our safe and supportive environment that enables children to thrive, explore, and expand their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

At Richmond House, children are encouraged to treat each other with empathy, respect, and compassion. We believe that fostering a culture of kindness not only leads to harmonious relationships but also supports the emotional wellbeing of our pupils.

All pupils from Reception to Year 6 belong to one of the school’s four Houses which celebrate Yorkshire’s rivers: Aire, Nidd, Swale and Wharfe. The House system gives our children a sense of belonging to something bigger than their year group but smaller than the whole school.

Our community spirited approach we encourage older pupils to mentor and support younger children. We appoint Year 6 Prefects whose role is to support children in Reception and introduce playground games to Years 1 and 2.

Children leave Richmond House happy, confident, and well-prepared for the next stage in their education, and life.