One of the biggest difficulties pupils can potentially face is the transition from Primary to Secondary school. Here, at Crypt, we have more than 50 feeder schools so our induction programme is extremely important to us.

We ensure we visit every pupil at their Primary School during Year 6 to get to know their interests and to help put their minds at ease. The boys come into the school in July, have a day of lessons and, more importantly, meet their tutor and all of their new classmates. In September the whole of Year 7 and their tutors go on a 3 day activity residential to PGL. The main focus of this is to secure new friendships and to take part in team building activities.

All boys study a broad and balanced curriulum, which includes Maths, Science and English, as well as the humanities subjects, foreign languages, Design Technology, ICT and Food Technology and PE.  In Year 9, boys will begin their GCSE courses in Science and RE, whilst other subjects will begin to teach the skills needed to succeed at GCSE level.

The House system is particulary important part of Lower School life.  We have a strong culture of praise and boys earn merits and praise cards for excellent contributions both inside and out of the classroom. Every month there is a cup for the House with the most rewards and at the end of each term there is a prize draw which everyone looks forward to! This year we have also introduced the Enrichment Challenge Award which encourages the boys to contribute to every aspect of school life, from sport and drama to raising money for their chosen charity.

At KS3, student voice is considered extremely important. Around 25 boys are involved in the Lower School Council, which meets once a month to discuss and implement new ideas around the school. This year the boys designed anti-bullying posters which are displayed in every classroom and approved the new school rugby kit. Perhaps the biggest success, however, was the Lower School curry night. The boys catered for 75 guests, designed the menu, cooked the food and waited all the tables. The night raised over £600, which is being used to redesign an area the boys can use at break time.