ISI Report M AY 2 0 1 9
Pupils of all abilities are well-supported by a balanced curriculum that is increasingly personalised to nurture the strengths of each individual.
Pupils achieve well, in line with the school’s aims to fulfil potential and prepare pupils for life.
Social development is excellent. Pupils are confident with their dealings with adults For day pupils and boarders, the high level of participation and achievement in co-curricular and extra-curricular activity
and show high levels of empathy when supporting and collaborating with each other and their teachers.
is a strength of the school. Very good collaborative learning was observed in a range of subject areas, and this was noted as a strength of the learning culture.
Pupils are exceptionally positive in their commitment to making a difference to the lives of others and fully realise the values encapsulated by the Round Square IDEALS that encourage service in all its forms.
To read the full report please visit our website www.boxhillschool.com
www.boxhillschool.com • t: 01372 384240 • e: admissions@boxhillschool.com • London Road, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6EA
Good Schools Guide Report
OCTOBER 2019
Some key highlights from our latest review… HEADMASTER Since 2014, Corydon Lowde BSc MEd NPQH, previously school’s deputy head – as such has ‘spent my entire 40s at the school’. Before that, nearly three years’
handy overseas experience in similar role at British International School of Boston, preceded by seven-year stint at Hampshire Collegiate School, starting career at
their wellbeing for each and every child. ‘The teachers are the reason I stayed on after GCSEs’, one pupil told us – ‘they understand what makes you tick as an individual and do everything in their power to ensure you succeed’.”
PASTORAL CARE, WELL-BEING AND DISCIPLINE Commitment to democracy and leadership is visible. Boarders nominate two reps from each of the six houses to discuss issues – often food related. Head boy and girl
large state comprehensive.
lead a 13-strong pupil syndicate who supervise breaks,
Pupils interact easily with him – no sudden straightening
Known as Guardians, the superhero connotations are a
of backs or rabbit-in-headlight smiles when they spot
highly successful recruitment tool. Handover speech to
him approaching. This is not wasted on the parents,
successors an annual tear-jerker.
administer telling’s off for minor uniform infringements.
with one commenting, ‘In other schools we visited, it felt like the pupils were on parade, but at Box Hill they are completely comfortable around him’. Doesn’t teach (‘my schedule doesn’t allow it’) but regularly pops
GAMES, OPTIONS, THE ARTS If we had a pound for every time a school told us it offers a truly holistic education,
into lessons (‘to make sure they are friendly, fun and
we’d probably have our head
focused’) and is never far from sight during break times
office in the Maldives, but
and at the beginning and end of the day. ‘Very down-
whole-character education
to-earth’ and ‘really interested in us as individuals,’
really does seem to be
pupils report, while parents laud his commitment to the
the raison d’être here. It
‘development of character education’.
ACADEMIC
won’t be for everyone – the single-minded academic or ultra-competitive, for example, but for a good all-round
The paragraph below, as quoted by The Good Schools
education to find, unlock and nurture key strengths, this
Guide journalist, perfectly encapsulates our ethos:
is a safe bet.
“Tonnes of tracking, mentoring, small group (and
Sport seen as key to this approach – all major sports on
sometimes individual) teaching, lunchtime clinics,
offer (main players are netball, rugby, football, cricket
giving out of teacher email addresses and relationship-
and rounders) and lots of minor ones (table tennis,
driven steering all help. So does the fact that the school
badminton, tennis, horse riding, among others), with
promotes pupils focusing on their own growth, learning
strong teams which, crucially, are regularly readjusted
and success instead of comparing themselves to others.
to encourage widespread participation. ‘Most of us get
Ethos derives in part from membership of Round Square
a go in a top team,’ said one pupil proudly, with school
group of schools, linked to ideals of eccentric but hugely
favouring a professional approach over the win-win-win
influential educationalist Kurt Hahn, who stressed
mind set of some other local schools.
compassion coupled with ‘just do it’ mentality. Teachers’ bonds with pupils have clear in loco parentis feel and you are left under no illusion as to their commitment to
To read the full report please visit our website www.boxhillschool.com
www.boxhillschool.com • t: 01372 384240 • e: admissions@boxhillschool.com • London Road, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6EA