Independent Day School for Girls aged 4 -18
Junior School Prospectus Adventures in Learning
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Welcome
Mrs B M Elliott ma(cantab)
Miss D Hamalis bed (hons)
HEADMISTRESS
HEAD OF THE JUNIOR SCHOOL
Channing School is unique in providing an education based on the principles of two Unitarian sisters who, in 1885, founded a school for girls in Highgate, North London. In a changing world of uncertainty and pressure, girls find at Channing an oasis of calm purpose, where pupils of all ages are encouraged to think for themselves and to keep an open mind.
Our girls begin their special Channing journey at the Junior School where there is a great sense of community and every girl is valued as an individual.
Every member of the school belongs to a warm, supportive community and this includes all of our pupils, staff, parents, alumnae and many friends. We sincerely hope that you will be able to visit us. Many visitors comment on the indefinable ‘feel’ of the school, its very special atmosphere and unique ethos. This prospectus can only paint a picture: the people will tell you the full story!
Our dedicated staff provide a stimulating and creative learning experience in a nurturing environment, so that all the girls flourish and reach their full potential. Consequently, the girls are happy, engaged and motivated to do their best, as they learn to be independent thinkers and learners, attributes which instil a love of learning and inspire curiosity in the world around them. I invite you to come to visit and look forward to welcoming you.
I look forward to welcoming you to Channing.
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Why Choose Channing? Step behind the big brick wall that runs alongside The Bank and discover Highgate’s best-kept secret. Channing Junior School is an enchanting oasis of sweeping lawns and hidden glades just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Highgate High Street. It’s one of the reasons why our pupils are so happy here; having a friendly, nurturing and secure environment in which to learn makes the Junior School a very special place to be. At Channing everyone matters. Girls, staff and parents are valued members of a close and supportive community, one that fosters a sense of belonging and of caring for each other. Channing School first opened in 1885. In 1926 the Junior School moved across the road to occupy ‘Fairseat’, a fine Victorian home. The house has been skilfully adapted to provide light, airy classrooms, a Performing Arts Studio, Music Rooms, a Library, a practical room for Art and DT, a Main Hall and a Computing Suite. Even our youngest pupils use an iPad in class. Entrance at 4+ is selective and girls usually continue into the Senior School. There is currently no 11+ Entrance Exam requirement for Channing Junior School pupils. This allows the girls to benefit from a rich, exciting and stimulating curriculum that challenges and deepens their learning experience. In addition to the excellent academic provision for the core curriculum subjects of English, Maths and Science, the Junior School has a strong tradition of Drama, Music and the Arts. The curriculum is enriched by an extensive number of trips and outings including the much-anticipated annual Year 6 trip to an activity centre in Dorset. There are also numerous clubs during lunch break and after school, which give the girls an opportunity to develop their interests further. The happiness and general welfare of our girls is of prime importance. We provide a structured programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education which aims to build self-esteem, develop personal skills and inter-personal relationships and raise awareness about important health-related issues. A dedicated catering team provides fresh, home cooked lunches including a vegetarian option and we support local businesses wherever possible. We have a vegetable garden within the school grounds and children are encouraged to sample unusual fruits and vegetables. The Channing Association is the social and fundraising group for the Junior School. It raises money for extra equipment and facilities such as the new mini adventure playground and is responsible for many events. The New Families Tea in September is a great opportunity for families to meet each other and there is a parents’ social evening event each year for girls in Years 5 and 6 with their parents. A traditional Easter egg hunt, the Fairseat Family Day plus numerous cake sales and coffee mornings, give parents and pupils the opportunity to be part of the famous Channing community.
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The Curriculum Channing Junior School is a happy place to learn. There are up to 24 girls in each class. The school’s broadbased curriculum recognises the importance of the core subjects of English, Maths and Science and is delivered through a mix of form teaching and subject specialist teaching.
specialist teaching in French and DT. All year groups receive age-appropriate homework. We hold two parents’ evenings a year and a curriculum evening where parents learn what their daughters will be studying over the coming academic year.
Up until Year 2, pupils are taught by Form Teachers supported by Teaching Assistants (two per class in Reception).
Parent workshops are held to enable parents to support their daughters as they progress through the School.
All girls receive additional specialist teaching in Spanish, Music, PE and Drama, and from Key Stage 2, girls receive additional
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Science The practical hands-on teaching of Science stimulates a spirit of enquiry through encouraging natural curiosity and reasoning. We develop the skills of observation, investigation and interpretation and equip girls with a valuable knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. Science is all around us and is ever changing, so it is vital that the girls are aware of their environment, the huge advances that have been made and the challenges we face in the future. Helping the girls to understand as much as possible about Science will stimulate their imagination and their intellect and will give them a true love of the subject.
Mathematics We strive to prepare the girls with the knowledge and skills for mathematics in their everyday life. We have a strong belief that all pupils are capable of understanding and achieving in mathematics given sufficient time. We are teaching ‘Inspire’, which is a Singapore model of Maths Mastery. The girls are taught each area in more depth and with more practical resource to ensure a deep and rich understanding of each concept.
Singapore Maths (‘Inspire’) The US psychologist Jerome Bruner developed a theory that people learn in three basic stages: by handling real objects, through pictures and through symbols. The Inspire Maths programme, based on Singapore Maths, is characterised by Bruner’s theory and has become a popular and contemporary way of teaching maths. This approach teaches pupils to learn and master fewer mathematical concepts but in greater detail and focusses on problem solving skills, rather than mental arithmetic.
ICT Computing is integrated into the curriculum and underpins teaching and learning. We equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to enable them to be active participants in today’s digital world. Our pupils are familiar with and skilled in using computational technology and programming software, control, data logging technology, digital tablets and PCs in a challenging and stimulating environment both inside and outside the classroom. G I R L S E N J OY I N G S U C C E S S
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English High quality children’s literature lies at the core of the English curriculum, inspiring girls to develop as independent readers and confident writers. Starting with the Read Write Inc. phonics scheme, girls explore the possibilities of the English language through daily lessons in creative writing, comprehension, grammar, spelling and handwriting.
Modern Foreign Languages From Reception, the girls all benefit from our innovative Adelante Spanish language programme. Additionally, the girls enjoy learning French from Year 3. Our language specialists develop the girls’ linguistic skills but also foster an appreciation of the cultures and countries of the languages the girls are learning about.
Language teaching happens in all schools but at Channing the way in which Spanish is approached is different and noteworthy because it impacts on pupils in both the Junior and Senior school, on the staff and across all areas of school life. Adelante was launched in 2016 and has quickly become a defining feature of the school. Spanish is now recognised as one of the key benefits of a Channing education and the Adelante language programme is unique to Channing. The name comes from the Spanish verb ‘adelantar’ meaning to get ahead or overtake. From the moment they join us, all the girls are immersed in the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. As well as having Spanish lessons, their everyday interactions and our School environment fosters and promotes the use of Spanish and an appreciation of the country’s culture. As an example, Spanish vocabulary is used in our assemblies and PE lessons, and signs in Spanish are displayed around the School.
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History Pupils are challenged to develop their chronological knowledge in History lessons, developing an understanding of why people behaved as they did and why events happened. Pupils view and handle a range of primary and secondary sources and continue to hone their historical enquiry skills from a young age. Through History, pupils are given a context from which they can understand themselves and others.
Geography Girls gain understanding of places in the world and increase their knowledge of other cultures. In so doing, they learn respect and understanding of what it means to be a positive citizen in a multi-cultural country. Pupils learn how to use, draw and interpret maps to enable them to understand local and global environmental problems.
Religious Education We have recently rewritten the Religious Education curriculum to create a broader and more varied education. In KS1 we look at different aspects of a range of religions, such as places of worship and holy books. In KS2 each year group looks at a different religion in detail and compares them. They also think about and discuss some interesting philosophical questions.
Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education PSHE is core to our curriculum, helping our pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. We help our pupils develop morally, socially and culturally fulfilling lives and nurture the ideals of inclusion and tolerance that support a strong spiritual awareness. G I R L S E N J OY I N G S U C C E S S
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Music Our aim is to provide a stimulating, challenging and exciting environment in which to nurture and encourage musical potential. For girls who wish to start playing an instrument, string instruments are taught weekly in a group for pupils in Years 1 & 2. From Year 3, individual lessons are available on a variety of instruments and there are joint musical ventures with the Senior School as well as the opportunity to join the various bands, ensembles, groups and choirs at the school.
Sport Girls enjoy regular PE lessons each week, utilising the extensive sports facilities. Initially the curriculum includes field games, movement lessons and dance. From Year 3 girls learn to play a variety of sports including netball, cricket, football, athletics, rounders and basketball. Girls swim at a local pool.
Art & Design Technology (DT) Art and DT are integrated into the whole curriculum and form excellent cross-curricular links. In Art, girls are inspired by famous artists and paintings as well as through art workshops, stories and picture books, and visits to galleries in central London. In DT, alongside the skills and techniques, girls begin to learn the basics of physics and engineering, designing and building projects with gears, levers and circuits. In Year 6, girls also enjoy the opportunity to get involved in set design.
Drama Girls are encouraged to express themselves and develop their confidence through drama, starting with roleplay, story-telling, singing and action rhymes through to quoting Shakespeare and reciting ballads. Girls enjoy many opportunities to participate in a range of drama activities outside lessons from class assemblies, theatre visits and workshops to the very popular school productions. 10
Junior School Library We have an excellent collection of fiction and non-fiction books, which the girls can borrow. Girls visit with their class in Library lessons and girls from Years 1 to 6 can pop in during lunch break and after school.
Outdoor Learning Outdoor Learning has been found to have numerous educational benefits, including building resilience, self esteem and confidence, developing problem solving skills, giving children the ability to assess risk, enhancing creativity and encouraging a connection with nature. At the Junior School, every class uses the three outdoor learning areas to complement the curriculum. There is a mud kitchen, an outdoor classroom and a new pavilion, all of which are used in a variety of exciting ways.
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8.35 am 7.30 am
Assembly
The school day starts with the optional ‘Early Birds’ Breakfast Club, serving up healthy cereals, fruit, milk and fruit juices.
8.20 am The back doors are opened. Reception girls are escorted into the classrooms by their parents where they unpack. Girls in Years 1 - 6 make their way to their classrooms.
This is a non-denominational form of worship that takes place several times a week. It is taken by the Head of the Junior School, other members of staff and groups of girls. The girls participate in class assemblies each term and we hold Good Work and Good Manners Assemblies where girls are given the opportunity to share their beautiful work and awards with the school. Parents are invited to a performance of the class assembly twice a year.
A typical day at Channing Junior School 12 pm Lunchtime! Girls choose from a variety of tasty hot and cold foods and enjoy Meat Free Mondays. Parents can plan evening meals with the help of our on-line menus at channing.co.uk. Girls then enjoy a range of lunchtime clubs and of course, plenty of fresh air and exercise with their classmates in the Adventure Playground.
1 - 1.30 pm Afternoon lessons begin. Girls enjoy moving around the School, from DT to Art and PE lessons. The Head, Miss Hamalis, enjoys spending time with each Reception class in the first term, sharing some of her favourite books with pupils.
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10.30 am Morning Break Girls enjoy a snack of fruit, bread, flapjacks and a drink in the Dining Room and enjoy playing games in the playground. 9 am Morning lessons begin. The girls might be studying architecture in Art & Design, performing experiments in Science or even problem-solving in Maths
9 am - 3.20 pm Individual Music Lessons Girls who wish to take individual music lessons meet with their teacher. Lessons are carefully time-tabled so girls can easily catch up with any missed work.
3.10 - 5.50pm Late Owls 2.55 - 3.20 pm Home Time A staggered end to the School Day also signals the beginning of after school clubs and ‘Late Owls’, a club for girls wishing to stay until 5.50pm (4.40pm on a Friday).
3.10 pm After School Clubs Girls enjoy activities such as ballet, tennis coaching, music and various arts and crafts workshops.
Our after school care facility, where girls have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of activities and are given a drink and snack to bridge the gap until supper.
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Extra-curricular Activities The Junior School offers an extensive range of clubs to enrich and support sporting, creative and social development. There are numerous clubs during lunch break and after school. A typical year’s clubs would include: Archimake Athletics
Cross-Country Running
Jewellery Club
Slam Fitness
Judo Club
Spanish
Magazine Club
Strings Group
Ballet classes
Digital Photography
Basketball
Drama
Mathematics
Swimming
Book Club
Drawing
Maths Challenge
Tennis Coaching
Brass Ensemble
Fencing
Mind Matters
Chess
Football
Netball
Windband Orchestra
Coding Club
Gardening
Orienteering
Comic Club
Gymnastics
Cricket
ICT Club
Outdoor Adventures
Yogalates
Pastoral Care The happiness and general welfare of our girls is of prime importance and all members of staff are involved in pastoral care. We encourage a safe and supportive learning environment in which everyone feels comfortable and secure. Our structured programme of PSHE (Personal, Social, Health & Economic) Education aims to build self-esteem and inter-personal relationships and raises awareness about important health-related issues, at an appropriate level for each age group. Girls have a regular session of ‘Circle Time’, a forum in which they can discuss issues of common interest and help one another. As part of the pastoral programme this helps to enhance social skills, develop selfesteem and to initiate collective responsibility. Girls also learn about citizenship, making a positive contribution to their community, about the institutions of British life and culture, and e-safety.
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The ‘Best Bits’!
Ella, Year 5 “I like drama because I love to act and it is fun to work in a team in productions.”
Elizabeth, Year 3 “I love Science as I like doing experiments and learning about volcanoes.”
Allegra, Year 5 “I like being Form Captain as I like to help the teachers.”
Bailey, Year 2
Ella-Marie, Year 6
“I like PE because I like to bat in cricket.”
“I like ICT as I love coding.”
Lydia, Year 6 “I like Gymnastics because it’s so much fun! I like doing round-offs.”
Iris, Year 2 “I like writing stories.”
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Forest School Although we are so close to the centre of London, we enjoy large outdoor grounds that enable us to hold our Forest School. Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland education. It entails regular and repeated access to the same natural space, where learning is experiential, enquiry-oriented and play based. Sessions are based on themes, perhaps an investigation or exploration, and activities are open ended. Unlike classroom-based lessons, there are no outcomes to be achieved and learning can be different for each child. Each week our Year 1 and 2 classes have Forest School sessions for a morning or afternoon in the natural wooded area at the bottom of the school grounds. This area is well sheltered with tree canopies and is inhabited by variety of flora and fauna. Sessions are led by teachers with Level 3 Forest School training and Outdoor First Aid qualifications. What are the benefits of Forest School? •
Personal and social development – improving communication skills, working with others.
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Physical activity and movement – fine and gross motor skills development.
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Resilience – problem solving and persistence.
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Confidence – self esteem, positive attitude, taking more risks, showing initiative, intrinsic motivation.
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Wellbeing – fun and enjoyment, restoration, stress reduction
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Cognitive impacts – knowledge and understanding about the world and respect for their environment.
[My daughter] always comes home from school on Wednesdays looking healthy and happy, thanks to this powerful combination of learning based on creativity and being outdoors.” Parent
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Further Information School Information •
Channing School is a day school for girls aged 4-18 years.
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The School is an independent school governed by a board of governors who maintain the school’s distinctive ethos of fostering respect and consideration for the whole range of human faiths and beliefs, following the ideals of the school’s founders.
The cost of registration is a non-refundable fee of £125.
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The closing date for 4+ applications for entry in September 2019 is 1 October 2018.
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The 4+ selection process is as follows: once registered, your daughter will be invited to an assessment. This is conducted informally, like a playgroup session. Girls work in small groups with a teacher on a variety of games and activities in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Successful candidates are recalled for a second assessment shortly afterwards, again to work in small groups with a member of staff for an hour.
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The assessments for September 2019 entry are held in January 2019. Parents will be notified of their daughter’s assessment date in November 2018.
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Assessment dates for 4+: 1st round: 7, 8, 9 & 10 January 2019 2nd Round: 18 & 21 January 2019
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Offers will be sent to parents: 28 January 2019
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Acceptance deadline: 6 February 2019
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There are two forms of 24 pupils accepted each year for Reception.
Every class is taught Drama, Spanish, Music and P.E. by specialist teachers. Once the girls reach Year 3 they are also taught French, Art and Design Technology by specialist teachers.
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A non-refundable deposit of £3,200 is required upon acceptance of a place.
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Current tuition fees for 2018-19 are £5,870 per term.
School uniforms can be purchased from: Uniform 4 Kids, 1103/1105 Finchley Road, London. NW11 0QB www.uniform4kids.com Second-hand uniform sales are regularly held at the School.
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Lunch fees are £230 (Rec - Yr 1) £285 per term (Yrs 2 - 6).
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Individual music tuition is £310 per term.
The majority of girls at the Junior School transfer to the Senior School. There is no need to sit the 11+ examination, however girls in Year 6 may choose to apply for a music award on entry to the Senior School. Form and specialist teachers will support girls with their applications wherever possible.
We ensure that summer-born girls are not disadvantaged throughout the Admissions process. Girls are assessed in groups with girls of a similar age. Scores are calculated to take into account the girls’ ages.
The Chair of Governors is Mrs Cindy Leslie. All correspondence should be addressed to: Mrs Cindy Leslie, Chair of Governors, Channing School, Highgate, London N6 5HF.
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The Headmistress is a member of the Girls School Association (GSA) and the School is part of the East London Consortium, an independent/state school partnership.
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Entry Details
At Channing, everyone matters. Staff and pupils know each other by name. Caring for others is a priority and our friendly, nurturing environment ensures that Channing girls work and play here, confident in the knowledge that they are an important part of a special community. Girls are taught in classes of a maximum of 24 and the Form Teacher takes the class for most of the lessons. Teachers are supported by teaching assistants.
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Summer-Born Girls
Further Information What We Look For At Channing
Parental Involvement
We are looking for keen young learners! An ideal Channing girl will be bright, interested and inquisitive; one who gets lost in a book but also enthused by a challenge. She will be engaged, enquiring, excited and eager to start her school career at Channing. At 4+ we look for girls keen to get ‘stuck in’ to the new activities on offer.
As a Channing parent, you automatically join the Channing Association, which is the social and fundraising group for the Junior School. It raises money for extra equipment and facilities such as the new mini adventure playground and is responsible for many events. The New Families Tea in September is a great opportunity for families to meet each other and there is a parents’ social evening each March for girls in Years 5 and 6 with their parents. A traditional Easter egg hunt, the Fairseat Family Day plus numerous cake sales and coffee mornings, give parents and pupils the opportunity to be part of the friendly Channing community.
Homework We like to encourage good habits from an early age and regular homework is one of them. From the start girls are used to taking reading activities and spellings home to complete. The work gradually increases each year. In Year 5 and 6, girls are expected to complete various homework tasks of 40 minutes each night and an hour at the weekend. Importantly for us, this gives the girls plenty of time to follow their own interests outside of school.
Monitoring Progress Ongoing, comprehensive assessments throughout the year monitor pupils’ progress. Any concerns that arise from these are discussed with the Head and parents and the Form Teacher agree an appropriate course of action. In addition to this, there are two Parents’ Evenings each year and a full report for each girl goes home before the end of each academic year. Parents are also invited to attend a Curriculum Evening at the beginning of each year, which gives parents an opportunity to meet their daughters’ new Form Teacher and find out what the girls will be studying that year. Curriculum newsletters are posted to the School website each term. In the Autumn and Spring term, girls in Years 4 to 6 take home grade sheets that outline progress made and targets for the following term.
For individual contact with your daughter’s teacher, each member of the Junior Staff makes time in their diaries each week to meet with parents. These times are published in each year group’s Curriculum Newsletters. Parents are also invited to make appointments with the Head whenever necessary.
Further Investment In The School One of the school’s key objectives is to enhance facilities for Physical Education, Sport and the Performing Arts for all Channing girls, aged 4-18. As such, in September 2012 we embarked on a £13million project to improve and modernise our site. A Dining Room extension, a new Music School and the new Sixth Form Centre and the Sports Hall (below) opened in 2015. The final and most ambitious phase was a Performing Arts Centre, which opened this year. In addition there are exciting plans for new facilities at the Junior School. The Governors and all the staff are committed to fulfilling our promise of the best possible facilities for every Channing girl, at every stage of her education.
English as a Second Language Many girls at Channing are bilingual and even trilingual. Girls who join us with English as their second language receive tailored support to ensure that they have access to the content of the curriculum. Teachers adapt lessons without compromising content, which allows girls to fully integrate with the rest of their class and learn alongside their new friends.
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Independent Day School for Girls aged 4 -18 Headmistress: Mrs B M Elliott ma (cantab) The Bank Highgate London N6 5HF T: 020 8340 2328
For all admissions enquiries, contact the Registrar on 020 8340 2328 or admissions@channing.co.uk
www.channing.co.uk
Although all statements in this prospectus are believed correct at the time of going to press, details may naturally change from time to time.