PROSPECTUS NURSERY
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PREP
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SENIOR
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SIXTH FORM
“We believe in the art of the possible�
Alton Convent School will surprise you An exciting, achieving school
“I believe Alton Convent School offers a combination of all that is good and exciting in education today. Our philosophy is simple: we place great emphasis on the value of pupils and the experiences they will encounter within our community. Alton Convent School has an infectious energy and enthusiasm that can be felt through the entire school. It captivates you within minutes of walking through the door. Every day is a fresh day here with its challenges and opportunities. For our pupils, life at school will never be boring but will be busy, stimulating and satisfying. As headmaster and a parent, I understand the pressures placed on young people and relish their creative energy as they confront the demands of a rapidly changing society. We take pride in the achievements of pupils as they seek to extend personal horizons and fulfil their potential. I hope that something of the spirit of the school will emerge from these pages and encourage you to come and meet us.�
Graham Maher, BA (Hons) MA, PGCE, Headmaster
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Alton Convent School will surprise you
We are a leading independent Catholic day school with a long tradition of pursuing excellence in education within a caring environment. Our guiding principles of mutual respect, development of talents and personal faith ensures that our pupils leave ACS as well educated, secure and quietly confident young people who will become the happy and balanced adults of the future.
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Early Years Foundation Stage Garden House Day Nursery The Early Years Department is part of Alton Convent School and here, as elsewhere, our faith underpins all that we do. We strongly believe that every child is a blessing and brings something special to the department. Each child is cared for and treated as an individual; no two children are the same.
Our commitment to you is to give the best possible start in life to your child, through love, care, compassion, and through a variety of exciting activities designed to encourage your child to become an independent learner. Every day is precious; we aim to enjoy them all!
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Early Years Foundation Stage Reception A child’s first year of school is fundamentally important. It’s here they start to develop attitudes and approaches that will shape their entire school career. So, everything we do in our Reception class is designed to give your child positive and affirming experiences that will remain with them throughout their time with us. Through a huge range of practical, creative activities, children learn to listen, work together and on their own, respect and care for one another, and achieve consistently. Set within our beautiful walled garden, and with access to a further 19 acres of grounds and woodland, the Early Years Department provides a wonderfully stimulating place to grow and learn. During the Summer term, children attend our Lower Prep assemblies, take part in Sports Day, and join our end-of-term outing to help them make the transition to Year 1.
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“I love the chocolate sponge and custard�. Reception child
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Preparatory
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Preparatory School Our Preparatory School is open to boys and girls up to the age of 11. It enjoys an excellent reputation for academic progress and sporting achievement, and producing confident, motivated children with a positive outlook on life.
Small class sizes ensure all children receive plenty of individual attention. Children are encouraged to study at their own pace, in ways that best suit their particular learning style. Once they reach Year 5, they’re increasingly taught by subject specialists from our Senior School. Your child’s academic development is one part of the story. The Prepatory School is full of opportunities for their creativity, sporting prowess, leadership and other personal qualities to blossom. These are enjoyable and exhilarating years that prepare children for the challenges and adventures of Senior School. In our experience these are some of the happiest days of their lives.
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“It’s all about learning together”. Preparatory child
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Senior
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Senior School Girls join our Senior School at the age of 11, and stay with us to 18. Teachers walk beside pupils, listening, advising and motivating. Our young people are secure and know that there is always someone to whom they can turn. Academic success is founded on such security.
Small classes foster a confident and independent attitude, ensuring individuals are stimulated to develop a zest for learning. Pupils consistently achieve a very high standard of GCSE examination results in all subjects.
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Senior School We believe it’s vitally important to give our girls every opportunity to develop self-awareness, belief and a quiet confidence. So as well as academic work, your daughter will have the opportunity to take part in a host of activities, including sport (whether competitive, or just for pleasure) music and drama, social events, and educational trips within the UK and abroad.
We’re proud of our reputation for producing bright, confident young women of character. Most of our pupils go on to top universities in the UK.
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“Here I know I can perform at my very best”. Senior student
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Sixth Form
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“Nine tenths of education is encouragement” Anatole France
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Sixth Form “Studying here was the best move I ever made”. Sixth Form student
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Sixth Form The Sixth Form at Alton Convent School offers outstanding opportunities for students. We offer a huge range of subjects at A level and are justly proud of our academic success – a testament to the ambition, commitment and enthusiasm of our talented girls and their wonderful teachers. We also have an exceptional record of girls achieving places at Russell Group universities, Royal Colleges and Academies, and other prestigious institutions. Girls are taught in small classes and have their own study rooms. There is daily contact with their personal tutor, who monitors academic progress, and provides care and support.
Our enrichment programme is ground breaking. With over 30 different activities, including sport, performing arts and voluntary work, it’s designed to give our girls a rounded education, and helps them to develop self-confidence, a caring attitude and a positive world view. The biennial expedition to our sister school, St Joseph’s Convent in Varanasi, India, is a real highlight: Sixth Form girls also have opportunities to visit the United Nations in New York, and take part in a pilgrimage to Lourdes with disabled children – experiences like these mould and shape the adults of tomorrow.
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Summary One cannot sit examinations in team work, courage, humility, resilience or leadership, but these qualities are nurtured here at ACS. Alongside a very successful academic curriculum, teams practise, musicians rehearse, and actors memorise lines. The buildings buzz with activity, in some cases seven days a week.
At school, as in life, we all need support. At Alton Convent School we pride ourselves on doing exactly that. Come and see for yourself what our vibrant caring community can do for your son or daughter. One model does not fit all and so we strive to ensure that pupils are given every opportunity to be the best that they can be.
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“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it� Aristotle
ALTON CONVENT SCHOOL Anstey Lane Alton Hampshire GU34 2NG T: 01420 82070 F: 01420 541711 www.altonconvent.org.uk twitter: @AltonConventSch www.facebook.com/alton.conventschool