Junior School Prospectus
‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more’ We are a high-achieving, academic and dynamic school which fosters the well-being of each individual within an exciting, challenging and supportive environment. We recognise commitment, hard work and success, setting ourselves the highest academic We are proud of our school and its Christian values, yet respect the beliefs of others in our community. We believe in social justice for all and feel a sense of responsibility for those less fortunate, for whom we provide support both locally and globally through our fundraising and community service.
The Junior School provides a vibrant and stimulating environment, where your daughter will enjoy an academically broad and balanced curriculum. Dedicated, creative and experienced teachers deliver a varied programme of study, which is designed to develop the pupils way beyond the requirement of the National Curriculum. We use a variety of teaching styles in order to ensure that every pupil makes oustanding progress in line with her ability.
AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
challenges to develop our talents to the full.
Welcome
Miss Bridget Howard Head of Junior School
The Junior School enjoys excellent academic results, which far exceed national expectations. Our Year 6 girls achieve a 100% success rate in the Senior School Entrance Examination resulting in a stress-free transition for parents and children from the Junior School into the Senior School. Proud as we are of our academic achievements, we also aim to nurture all our pupils’ individual talents outside the classroom.
We invite you come and see what our Junior School has to offer your daughter, by appointment, on a ‘Working Day Tour’ or at one of our Open Days. We look forward to welcoming you!
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Our aim is to ensure pupils become high-achieving, well-rounded, resourceful individuals, who understand the value of study and are not daunted by a challenge.
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Contents A broad and balanced education
10
We make sure they are making progress
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Working with you
14
A wealth of resources
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What makes us different?
18
Fees and Scholarships
20
Transport Links
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Years 1 and 2 In Years 1 and 2, our approach is to provide a supportive learning environment in which children are able to achieve academically high standards and to grow into well rounded independent learners. Girls are introduced to a host of activities providing them with the opportunity to achieve and gain confidence in areas beyond the curriculum.
Years 3 and 4 In Years 3 and 4, girls enjoy greater independence including their first overnight trip; participating in an architectural dig and visiting local castles. The children also benefit from visiting museums, art galleries and wildlife centres and receive visits from prize-winning authors, journalists and artists.
Years 5 and 6 In Years 5 and 6 the curriculum is broadened yet further with the addition of French, Latin and Drama along with cultural workshops to introduce the children to other languages. Both year groups enjoy a week’s residential visit, both in the UK and in France. Throughout their time at the school they are being prepared for the important exams for Senior School entry and are provided with a broad, exciting, and challenging curriculum.
A broad and balanced education Our approach provides a secure, challenging yet supportive learning environment in which AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
the children are able to achieve high standards academically whilst also developing into well-rounded individuals. The balanced approach is achieved by involvement in a host of activities which enables the girls to gain confidence in areas beyond the curriculum.
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Independent Schools Inspectorate Report
The girls learn in a positive environment where they receive Merits for academic excellence and House points for good conduct. This ensures they continually strive to develop and improve.
There are many enrichment activities with opportunities to cater for all interests, whether they be sporting, musical or creative. Music lessons are available across a wide variety of instruments and class instrumental lessons are part of the curriculum for all from Year 1 upwards. Activities available change on a termly basis and a full list is available on our website. We enjoy success in many different inter-school competitions including public speaking, Maths Challenge, music and sport. There are school teams with matches from Year 3 upwards in hockey, netball, cross – country, cricket, rounders and athletics.
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The Junior School ensures very effective foundations are laid down for numeracy and literacy but takes care that this is not at the expense of the broader curriculum which encompases a wide range of subjects.
As an independent school we have the privilege of choosing from the most up to date approaches that teaching has to offer, whilst still retaining tried and tested traditional methods. We ensure that our approach is in line with the National Curriculum framework but extend our pupils way beyond that. We encourage creativity and independent thinking, and pride ourselves on the girls’ committed and impressive work ethic.
We make sure they are making progress In order to ensure that every single girl is making good progress and achieving her potential, we use assessment methods which record and track her performance. These measurements are continually reviewed and used to inform and
All girls have different capabilities and the rate at which they learn differs too. Every girl receives the necessary input and attention by means of close monitoring of her individual progress.
I am absolutely delighted that my daughter attends Alderley Edge School for Girls. I do not think she would be the happy, confident and polite girl she is without the influence of this school. My daughter is so content at school that she cannot bear to miss a single day! Mrs Fogg Parent
We are proud of our Gifted and Talented programme which provides additional challenges and support for our girls as well as our Learning Enhancement programme which provides help when needed.
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We make sure that your daughter is assessed regularly and use InCAS assessments which provide invaluable information during the first term of each year. End of year assessments measure the progress which pupils have made throughout the year.
In Year 5 and 6 girls are prepared for the Senior School Entrance Exam in a pressure-free and positive way. The girls are confident that the success they have achieved across the board in the Junior School will allow them to make a smooth and comfortable transition to the Senior School.
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support teaching at all stages.
Our open door policy is the foundation upon which we build excellent relationships with our parents. By welcoming you into the school on many occasions, the lines of communication are always open. The person who benefits most from this
In the Junior School there is a real sense of partnership between home and school. The door is always open for you to enquire about your daughter’s progress or to consult with the staff regarding any questions you may have. Strong parent links are valued and encouraged, for we recognise the important role you play in supporting the girls within school and at home.
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positive collaboration is your daughter.
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Working with you
In order to ensure you can monitor your daughter’s progress, comprehensive written reports are sent home twice a year and there are two parents’ evenings each year. There is a strong community spirit and this is evident from the great number of parent helpers, the impressive Parents and Friends Association (PFA) input and strong parental support. Parents and grandparents are welcome to join us for important events such as Grandparents’ Day, the Christmas Fair, Summer Fete, weekly Celebration Assemblies, end of term church services and regular Activity Days. All of these events allow parents to share in school life and to see first hand the opportunities on offer for their daughters.
Our daughters love their school and we have been very happy with AESG. It is a really friendly and caring environment and the girls are very polite and well behaved. I would definitely recommend that anyone interested in this school takes a tour during the school day as the girls will give you a really good feel for the place. Mrs Reeves Parent
Above Expectations Specialist Teaching The girls also benefit from specialist teaching of French, Latin, Music and Physical Education which is all provided by teachers from the Senior School. This allows girls to make progress in these key areas and to establish excellent learning habits due to outstanding tuition right from an early age.
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We are particularly fortunate in terms of the resources available to us, which are far more extensive than you would expect to see in a Junior School.
A wealth of resources The Junior School has a far greater range of resources and specialist teaching than you would
Spirituality and Moral Development
normally find at this stage and level of education. This is due to the fact that facilities are shared with the Senior School which results in real benefits for the Junior School girls.
Enhanced Learning
Extensive Facilities Although the Junior School has its own ICT and Science room, we also use the Senior School facilities as required. The Juniors have their own, well-stocked library but are taken to the Senior library on many occasions to select books or to have library lessons to support their learning.
Being an integral part of the whole School, we have the advantage of being able to share a range of facilities including the Millennium Hall, Music rooms, playing fields, and tennis courts. Girls are also able to use the Food Technology, Art and Design Technology classrooms and Science Laboratories to enhance their learning.These resources are easily accessible to even the youngest of pupils.
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Five Chaplains work in the school to support the girls on their spiritual journeys and to help lead the worship within our community. Our Chaplains are a highly valued and integral part of our school.
What makes us different? AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
We are a school community based firmly on Christian values where self-respect and respect for others goes hand-in-hand. This creates exceptionally high standards of behaviour, compassion for others and firm friendships amongst the girls. We also encourage a spirit of healthy competition where the girls have the opportunity to be acknowledged for educational, behavioural and sporting achievements.
Independent Schools Inspectorate Report
We have a culture of praise, support and encouragement at the school. All achievements are acknowledged and rewarded, with the weekly Celebration Assembly being the highlight of the week’s activities both in and out of the classroom. Whilst enjoying the benefits of being part of a larger community, we maintain small class sizes which allows girls to receive high levels of attention and support with excellent teacher to pupil ratios. The ‘all girls’ environment creates a harmonious setting in which the pupils thrive and achieve at the highest levels. This also provides the opportunity for the girls to flourish and develop leadership skills.
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In the Junior School, form teachers monitor very carefully the personal well-being and academic progress of individual pupils and provide excellent support and guidance, working closely with committed staff. The quality of relationships between staff and girls and their peers is outstanding. An ethos of positive encouragement in the Junior School has led to these excellent relationships.
Children are encouraged to have a voice and we place great emphasis on being supportive, we also have a designated mediator to provide caring and professional advice when necessary. The importance of helping others less fortunate than ourselves is an integral part of the Junior School. Each year we choose a charity to support and the girls also actively support national charities such as Comic Relief and Children in Need.
Thank you for everything that you do for the girls and especially our daughter. AESG makes every girl feel special and important – this is rare to find in both a school and its staff. The Halwani Family Parents
Admissions Overview for the Junior School
The Junior School is for girls aged two to eleven years. Girls aged two to four years form our Early Years Department, girls in Years 1 and 2 form the Infant Department and girls in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 form the Junior Department. AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
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Fees The current fees for those girls joining us in the Junior School are as follows: Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 £2,172 per term
Application Procedure
Scholarships and Bursaries
Open Days
If you would like to visit the Junior School, please contact the School Registrar, Julie Bedigan to book an appointment. If you would like to apply for a place, please complete the enclosed application form and return it to us at your earliest convenience. An admission fee of £75.00 is payable at this time.
For many years, Scholarships have been offered in our Senior School and Sixth Form.
Our Early Years and Junior School Open Days are being held on:
The admissions policy and all other school policy information is available on our website www.aesg.co.uk.
Year 3, 4, 5 or 6 £2,609 per term The fees include school lunches and personal accident insurance.
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Please note: The fees listed are for academic year 2013 – 2014, and are subject to an annual review. Additional Children Should you have subsequent children joining the school and your first child is paying full fees, you will receive a sibling discount 10% – Second Child 20% – Third Child 50% - Fourth Child
Early Bird Club and After School Care The school offers an Early Bird Club and an after school Funtime Club. The Early Bird Club runs daily between 8.00am and 8.25am where the girls will be registered, offered toast, milk or water and escorted to their class room for the start of school. This club is free of charge and open to those girls in Reception and throughout the Junior School. The AESG Funtime Club is open from 3.30pm until 5.45pm for full sessions. Children can also attend part sessions from 3.30pm – 4.30pm. There is an additional charge for Funtime Club. For further information about Funtime Club, please view www.aesg.co.uk.
We are keen to reward girls who show academic potential and in recent years we have offered Academic Scholarships in the Junior School for those girls entering Year 3. The award is open to both internal and external candidates, and a Scholarship day is held in January each year when candidates will be assessed in Mathematics, English and Verbal Reasoning. Further details and application forms can be obtained from the School Registrar, Mrs Julie Bedigan. The number and value of Scholarships will vary from one year to another and are awarded purely on school references, academic performance in the Scholarships Examinations and interviews. A small number of Bursaries are awarded annually and are subject to review during the summer term for the following academic year. Each application is considered on an individual basis. For more details, please contact the School Bursar, Pauline McGill.
Saturday 12 October 2013 from 10.00am – 12.30pm Saturday 15 March 2014 from 10.00am – 12.30pm In addition, we offer working day tours and Taster Days at your convenience.
Transport Links Situated on the A34 Bypass in Alderley Edge, we are easily accessible by car, train and bus. The location of Alderley Edge Railway station, directly opposite the school, also helps to open up access for our girls with regular direct trains to Manchester and Crewe. We work with several private hire companies and the minibus and coach routes bring students to and from school from a wide area. The stops en route are flexible and we try our utmost to accommodate girls joining the school and to find options which will work for all.
Alderley Edge School for Girls, Wilmslow Road, Cheshire, SK9 7QE T. 01625 583028 F. 01625 590271 E. schoolmail@aesg.co.uk www.aesg.co.uk Registered Company No. 2659703 Registered Charity No.1006726