PREPARATORY Prospectus
“Excellent personal development stems from the school’s determined aim to prepare pupils well for their future lives.” ISI Inspection Report 2012
About our School
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WHAT WE OFFER
Falcons Preparatory School for Boys is an independent school for boys aged 7-13 years, based in Richmond. We deliver a fast-paced and stimulating curriculum suited to the needs of young boys. Academic life at Falcons Preparatory School for Boys is complemented by a wide range of clubs, residential trips and educational visits, a varied sports programme, as well as music and drama that further our provision for our pupils.
www.falconsprep.co.uk
Dear Parents,
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It gives me great pleasure to introduce Falcons Preparatory School for Boys to you and to invite you to see all that our school offers. At Falcons we are committed to boys’ education. The school has a challenging academic curriculum supported by an established and effective pastoral care programme. Leavers continue to achieve outstanding results to leading schools both day and boarding schools including: King’s College, Hampton, St Paul’s, Emanuel, Brighton College and Epsom College and all achieve their secondary school goals. I would be delighted to meet you and show you Falcons Prep. All my career has been spent in education and I appreciate how important your decision is in choosing the right school for your son. I look forward very much to welcoming you. Franciska Bayliss Headmistress BEd (Hons) FRSA
Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
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‘‘The Falcons is a brilliant school. The work, the trips, the sports, the food – everything is great.” Year 8 pupil
Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
Ethos and Values
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OUR VALUES
Falcons boys are encouraged, motivated and nurtured. Our values are built on mutual trust and respect for all. All members of the school community share our four values: Individuality through fostering boys’ talents and unique skills Innovation in a fast moving and ever changing technological world Inquiry and the acquisition of knowledge through exceptional teaching Inclusivity through rewarding community relationships
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“Exemplary attitudes to learning contribute to the rapid progress pupils make.� ISI Inspection Report 2012
Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
About our School
HERITAGE
The school, formerly known as Falkner House, was founded in 1956 and originally located in Notting Hill. In September 1989 the school moved to its Pre-Preparatory site in Burnaby Gardens and changed its name to the Falcons. The Pre-Preparatory is the founding member of The Falcons Schools Group. Falcons Preparatory School in Richmond caters for boys from 7-13 years. It opened in September 2008 and continues to grow from strength to strength. Our highly qualiďŹ ed and dedicated teachers foster a caring and productive environment where boys are encouraged to develop a love of learning, a strong sense of community and the ability to make judgements between right and wrong. Our boys proceed to the next stage of their education with the conďŹ dence to succeed. Falcons Preparatory School for Boys is a member of the Alpha Group.
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‘‘The teachers are great, they are also there to guide me when I need extra support.” Year 8 Pupil
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
ACADEMIC PROGRAMME 13
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
Academic Programme
CURRICULUM
The Preparatory School prepares the boys for entry to secondary schools at 11+ and 13+ and we work in collaboration with parents to determine the appropriate route for each boy. The school prides itself on excellent teaching staff that are focused on making their subjects exciting, challenging and accessible. We work in partnership with secondary schools to determine their requirements when preparing our boys for entry. The boys are taught in sets for Maths and English from Year 5, to help meet their individual needs in these subject areas. Specialist rooms are used for teaching purposes and the school site is well resourced with two well-equipped science laboratories, a dedicated art room, an ICT suite and music rooms used by peripatetic music teachers. We employ specialist staff – all of whom are graduates in the Common Entrance subjects that they teach. We pride ourselves on the varied programme that is offered and it is this methodology that places our boys in the strongest possible position to access senior schools that are best suited to them.
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
SPORTS 17
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“Our son is thriving and skipping to school every morning – he can’t wait for the next day.” Falcons Parent
Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
Sports
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SPORT FOR ALL
Sport plays an integral part of school life for every boy here at Falcons Preparatory School for Boys. We pride ourselves on our philosophy of ‘Sport for all’ as well as furthering the boys in their pursuit of excellence. We offer a wide and varied programme from Year 3 through to Year 8. Our core sports are football, rugby and cricket and we also run extensive programmes including hockey, swimming, athletics, cross-country, gymnastics and tennis. The School has recently begun entering Ski Championships and Triathlons with great success to further enhance our programmes.
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“There is nothing better than coming off the pitch knowing you have given your all alongside your teammates.� Year 8 Pupil
Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
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COMPETITIVE FIXTURES
From Year 3 to Year 8, boys take part in competitive fixtures against other schools and although we field strong sides in these fixtures, we have an inclusive philosophy where boys are be able to represent the school in all of the core sports. Boys have the opportunity to play individual and team sports during after school clubs with a wide variety of activities on offer, ranging from table tennis and squash, to handball and chess. All boys are encouraged to take part in a sporting club of some sort and they enjoy the club atmosphere that it entails. The school has many longstanding relationships with the local community, and the sports department has created great links for the boys to participate in sports outside school to complement their sporting school life.
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‘‘My favourite things are acting in the plays and using the kiln.” Year 5 Pupil
Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
Academic Programme
THE ARTS
Every boy is given the opportunity to participate in Music and the Performing Arts. Pupils can explore their musical talents through visiting instrumentalists who teach a wide range of instruments. They are encouraged to participate in choirs and music groups and perform in the major events in the school calendar. Drama has the benefit of building confidence and is also used as a tool to explore other topics taught in the curriculum. Taught by a specialist Art teacher, boys are given a solid foundation in techniques which empower them to flourish creatively as they progress through the school. A well-equipped art and ceramic studio enables boys to experience a variety of media. Regular visits and workshops provide further visual and intellectual stimulation. Falcons Preparatory School for Boys is a registered centre with Trinity College Arts Awards. The boys are able to develop their interest and skills in Art and gain a range of nationally recognised qualifications that support them as artists and art leaders of the future. Our Art provision inspires them to take part in the wider arts world. These challenges are in art forms from theatre set design to pottery, photography and poetry. Year 8 boys leave having achieved Bronze awards and they will hopefully continue their arts journey in order to achieve the Gold award. These awards are managed by Trinity College in association with The Arts Council, England.
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
Community
A CARING COMMUNITY
All boys have a form tutor who looks after their wellbeing and tracks their progress throughout the year. Boys are placed in one of four houses and they earn merits for themselves and for their house. An active Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship curriculum teaches the boys important values which are embedded in fundamental British values. Guest speakers present a range of topics including internet safety. Each year a charity is identified and supported by the boys at the school and events are arranged in support of this goal. The boys’ own views are represented though the School Council, which gives them the opportunity to comment and influence the school community.
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
Facilities
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FACILITIES
Our boys have the use of our on-site astroturf pitch for PE lessons throughout the year. We also have the use of Richmond Athletic Association’s grounds, only a stone’s throw away, for our spring term’s rugby where our school keeps up its strong partnership with Harlequins. The autumn term’s football takes place at Old Deer Park, just a short walk away, and home fixtures are played at the well-equipped Westminster Playing Fields in Chiswick. During the summer term the boys have use of the immaculately kept Richmond Cricket Club.
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
Progression
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PROGRESSION
Falcons Preparatory prides itself on being a school of choices and options. Your son can be prepared for 13+ Common Entrance to a local selective day or boarding school or for 11+ entry to a London day school. Senior school entry is highly competitive and we work closely with our parents in order to map out the best route possible for each boy, whilst ensuring he remains positive and conďŹ dent throughout the examination period.
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‘‘I enjoy the different ways we can learn.” Year 5 Pupil
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
ADMISSIONS 33
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
Admissions
ADMISSIONS
Falcons Preparatory School for Boys offers excellence in education all the way through to 13. Boys progress automatically from the PrePreparatory to the Preparatory. The school also prepares boys for both 11+ and 13+ entry to London day and boarding schools. Our guiding principle is to work with families and to support and assist our boys to transition on to their next school at the point most appropriate for them. The main intake is at Year 3 level, at age seven and eight. Occasional places are available in the remaining years up to Year 8 as and when they arise. All candidates are invited for assessment in a classroom environment before being offered a place. Assessments are in English and Mathematics, and boys are also given the opportunity to join in group activities. References from current school are requested and careful note is taken of them.
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
Falcons Preparatory School for Boys is part of the Alpha Plus Group of Schools. As an Alpha Plus School, we provide first class learning which enables our pupils to achieve their full potential in a challenging yet secure and caring environment. Our teaching combines the best of traditional and modern methods and provides access to the latest school technology. Alpha Plus Group: the Gold Standard in educational provision. Schools within the Alpha Plus Group: Chepstow House School, Davenport Lodge Nursery School, Hilden Grange School, Pembridge Hall School, Portland Place School, Rolfe’s Nursery School, St. Anthony’s School for Boys, St. Anthony’s School for Girls, Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys, Falcons Preparatory School for Boys, The Falcons School for Girls, The Minors Nursery School, Wetherby School, Wetherby Kensington , Wetherby Preparatory School, Wetherby Senior School, Wetherby-Pembridge School, New York. Sixth Form Colleges within the Alpha Plus Group: Abbey College Cambridge, Abbey College Manchester, DLD College London.
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys
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Falcons Preparatory School for Boys 41 Kew Foot Road, London TW9 2SS Tel: +44 20 8948 9490 | Email: registrar@falconsprep.co.uk