Curriculum
The school has a very well qualified and experienced staff.
The Elmhurst curriculum incorporates the National Curriculum, which is followed throughout the school. (Key Stages 1 and 2) in Maths, English, Science and Technology (including Computer Studies), History, Geography, Art, Music and PE. However, the National Curriculum is seen only as a minimum curriculum and our own syllabus and schemes of work in these subjects are considerably more extensive. Religious Education is also taught with the emphasis on Moral Education, the principles being the same for all religions. French is taught throughout the school.
Music and drama play an important part in our broad curriculum and all boys have the opportunity of speaking and performing regularly in school assemblies, as well as appearing on stage in front of an audience of parents at least once a year to help develop their self-confidence and the ability to work in a team.
There are three school choirs (for different age groups), all three choirs will give public performances and take part in some of the local music festivals. This year the Infant, Junior and Senior Choirs gained Distinctions in their respective categories at the Coulsdon and Purley Festivals. We have an active school orchestra, which performs at the annual carol concert at a local church and we have a year end concert which is usually held at Whitgift School. There is opportunity at our Saturday morning music school for boys of seven plus to learn individual instruments such as piano, drums, violin, flute, clarinet and cello taught by peripatetic staff at very competitive rates.
All boys commence swimming lessons Year 1 and have regular weekly visits to Whitgift, Trinity or Royal Russell baths. We hold an annual Gala, normally at Trinity School.
To date Elmhurst have achieved the honour of being Croydon Primary Schools swimming champions for six years, and runners up once between 1994 and 2000 and diving champions in four of those years. Many boys swim, and win honours, at District and National level. In March 2008 the Elmhurst team came 2nd in the Croydon Schools Swimming Association gala. This year we have 2 boys that have qualified for the ISA National Championships held in Coventry.
Games are carried out at school up to the age of seven and at the Old Whitgiftians' Association grounds in Croham Road thereafter. Inter-school and inter-house matches are played in the following sports: - Football (under 8; under 9; under 10 and under 11 level), Athletics, Cricket, Rugby, Table Tennis, Tennis, Basket Ball, and Hockey. There is an annual tennis championship and an annual parents and sons golf tournament for boys in the top two years.
Elmhurst has a very strong sporting tradition.
Football is one of our major winter sports. In 2008 - 2009 Elmhurst earned the distinction of playing in two semi-finals in the Croydon League and the Croydon Cup. They also were runners up in the ISA regional 5-a-side championships, they were beaten quarter-finalists in the ISA National 5-a-side championships. In 2009-2010 our 5-a-side team went one better winning the ISA regional championship and then going on to be crowned National Champions.
Rugby is also a very active sport and last season saw our 7-a-side team reach the semi-finals of the inaugural Surrey Championships. In addition to this Elmhurst has a particular reputation as a strong cricketing school having won the Croydon Primary School cricket championship for nine consecutive years (1996 - 2004) and came second in 2005. In 2007 we regained the title winning against Trinity in the Final. In June 2008 Elmhurst became the ISA U11 National Cricket Champions and again reached the final of the Croydon Cup. In 2009 and 2010 they were runners-up in the ISA National Cricket Championships. In 2010 they also reched the Croydon Cup final.
All boys, unless medically excused, are expected to take part in normal games lessons and correct clothing must be worn at all times.
Many voluntary clubs and activities are held during the year after school on one afternoon a week. These have involved extensions of the school activities e.g. computers, games, art and crafts, sports, music, etc., and also a wide variety of other skills and interests e.g. chess, cookery, basketball, computers, gymnastics, woodwork, car mechanics, crafts, mosaic art, quiz, badminton, rugby and football.
Educational visits are arranged for all forms in the Summer Term and at other times when appropriate. Year 6 boys have an annual trip, last year we visited Liddington near Swindon.