Highfield Preparatory Prospectus My First Class Education
#MyFirstClassEducation
Welcome to Highfield I am very proud to say that we are the leading independent girls’ school in Maidenhead, providing both Pre-Prep (Nursery to Year 2) and Prep (Year 3 – 6) education; through a team of skilled, motivated, and dedicated teachers and support staff. Small class sizes enable our team to be responsive to the needs of the individual girl, ensuring continuity and progression for all. Our curriculum is broad, well balanced and enriched by a varied and interesting programme of extra-curricular clubs and activities. As a result, our girls are refreshingly independent-minded and confident. Our school offers exceptionally high quality education for girls, valuing achievement in an atmosphere of happiness and warmth. Girls are motivated to work and play to the best of their abilities; they flourish academically because we encourage them to think for themselves and trust their own judgement.
“ A celebration of girl power, this ‘family’ oriented school is producing fearless females in a non hothousey environment.” Muddy Stilettos – School Review
Highfield Preparatory School is a very happy and vibrant community where there is an absolute commitment to providing the girls with first-class pastoral care. I would be delighted and privileged to show you around our school and talk to you about how wonderful it is!
Joanna Leach Headteacher
School History Highfield has been providing high quality education on the same site, in the heart of Maidenhead, since 1918 and is located in a Victorian building with outstanding facilities. Founded by Miss Evelyn Hadfield in 1918, the school operated as a PNEU (Parents National Education Union) school until it was made into an Educational Charitable Trust in 1966. We believe that learning in school has to be fun and we are founded on the guiding principles of Charlotte Mason, a forward-thinking educationalist of her era. Miss Mason’s philosophy was that all children are individuals and should be treated as such.
“ My daughter has grown into a fully rounded, grounded young person, who rises to challenges, and is considerate of others.” - Parent
Why Girls? We are experts in girls’ education at Highfield Preparatory School and provide the girls with an exceptional platform to develop self-belief and the confidence to succeed. There are many reasons to choose an all girls’ school but the first must be that it is a place where girls take centre stage in every activity, and that they can express themselves freely and develop higher order thinking skills. Girls’ schools enable them to grow and mature at their own pace. Here at Highfield we believe that we should encourage all our girls from a young age to take on leadership roles. This is something we do very well as our girls have lots of opportunities to take the lead, whether it is being a school councillor, a house leader or a sports captain. Our large, inspirational mural in the top playground celebrates great female leadership from Marie Curie to Ada Lovelace to Malala Yousafzai. It is important that we expose our girls to all kinds of female role models from different eras and different walks of life. Girls today should become their own role model and, as it says on our mural, ‘be what they want to be’ and follow their own path, nobody else’s!
“ Highfield has a strong culture of pastoral care and it’s a happy environment which pushes girls to achieve their best without being a ‘pushy’ school.” - Parent
Our Community Highfield girls are confident, independent, resilient and articulate, and display a can-do attitude. They love to get involved, show great commitment to their activities and enjoy each other’s company. Whole school activities and house events ensure the girls work well together, developing a sense of teamwork and awareness of the entire school community and beyond. Parents are encouraged to be involved in school activities, building a lasting partnership with all members of staff and establishing strong links between school and home. Our Parents’ Association is very active, organising social and fundraising events. The level of parental engagement is a real strength of our school.
Early Years (Nursery & Reception) Our Nursery and Reception Department has a long established reputation for excellence. At our last inspection, the early years’ classes were graded excellent in all categories. Right from joining Nursery in the term they turn 3, we provide girls with an environment that lays a foundation for a lifelong love of learning. We believe it is paramount that our girls are taught in a happy, safe and stimulating setting where they feel free to explore, discover and investigate new things and are encouraged to reach their full potential. Fully qualified, experienced and caring teachers and support staff engage the girls in their learning with the addition of specialist teachers for Music, PE, Swimming and French. We work in partnership with parents, recognising that they are the first and best educators of their child.
 
“ I got here in Year 2 and have been here for 4 years... it’s been the best 4 years of my life.” - Pupil
Lower School (Years 1 – 2) Girls in the lower school delight in learning creatively through our vibrant and interesting curriculum. We have exciting new topics each term which are tailored to the girls’ interests, enabling them to lead the way in their learning. Girls take part in daily discreet phonics sessions and develop confidence and fluency in reading, writing and maths. Our ongoing assessment ensures that each child makes excellent progress. Our girls spend most of their day with their class teachers, however, they also thrive with specialist teachers in Music, French, Swimming and PE. In addition, there are many opportunities for our girls to follow their interests in a variety of extra-curricular clubs including Judo, Ballet, Computing and Sewing to name a few.
Upper School (Years 3 – 6) Girls are encouraged to question, discuss and reason across all areas of the curriculum as they begin to develop into more independent and responsible learners. Their natural curiosity, alongside a challenging curriculum enables each and every girl to make progress. In Years 5-6, girls are taught by subject specialist teachers in English, Maths, Science, Computing, Music, Spanish, French, Games and PE. D&T, Art, RE, History and Geography are taught by form teachers through their topic lessons. A key strength at Highfield is our pastoral care and House structure. We pride ourselves on proving a secure, supportive and inclusive community for girls, preparing them well for what life holds ahead. Each girl is seen as the whole person. Therefore, as well as achieving academic success every girl is given pastoral care through PSHE sessions and a nurturing programme. Through this pastoral support, the girls build resilience, which will be with them for a lifetime along with their love of learning.
Drama Highfield values the individuality of each pupil, understanding the importance of creative selfexpression. We offer many opportunities for our girls to enjoy Drama, and ensure Dance and Drama are integral parts of our curriculum. Our specialist teachers offer expertise and guidance, so that each pupil can make the most of their lessons. Weekly LAMDA Drama lessons are also undertaken by a number of children as part of the enrichment curriculum. In the lower school, class assemblies and plays provide an early opportunity for girls to develop their self-confidence, allowing them to flourish in an encouraging environment. Upper School girls learn performance skills through mime, improvisation and scripted performance. Our Upper School play is one of the highlights of the year, where every girl has the opportunity to participate in a fully staged musical drama.
“ The lessons are really interesting and fun at the same time”- Pupil
Music At Highfield, we love music – it is a part of our day and a part of our life at school. We passionately believe that music is an intrinsic ingredient of a rounded education. That’s why every girl at Highfield receives a generous allocation of class music lessons, delivered by an experienced, specialist teacher. Girls are encouraged to learn an orchestral instrument. We have a large school choir, a chamber choir, an orchestra, a Year 3 beginners’ recorder group, and instrumental chamber groups are formed for special events. Highfield girls have gained music scholarships to many independent senior schools; individuals have won medals in local music festivals and county competitions for their solo performances, pupils have successfully auditioned for the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain and the results of the Associated Board Music Examinations are peppered with merits and distinctions – a witness to the excellent teaching from our strong team of instrumental teachers.
Sport The physical development of all girls is a key objective of the school, and this has led to some outstanding achievements at both county and national level. Every girl from Reception to Year 6 is involved in a full programme of sports activities including netball, hockey, swimming, athletics, rounders, gymnastics and dance. They are encouraged to develop their individual capabilities in all sports. The generous allocation of curriculum time and use of first class facilities within the school and the local community, help us to maintain an unrivalled reputation for excellence in sport. There is a full programme of weekday fixtures that take place in each of the three terms against local schools, as well as in District, County and National tournaments, including competing in major IAPS competitions. Some girls have tasted success, winning national competitions, with some having gained county and national team placements.
100% OF OUR GIRLS GO ON TO THEIR CHOSEN SECONDARY SCHOOL.
“ My daughter left Highfield feeling confident and resilient, ready for the next challenge of secondary school. I have a happy, thriving daughter who has been inspired and as a parent, I couldn’t ask for more!” - Parent
After Highfield Moving on to senior school is a really important time in the life of our Year 6 girls, and to achieve the very best for them, we assist parents with the decision making process. We talk to parents, as early as Year 4, about the best option for their daughter, using our detailed knowledge of each girl and the schools in the area to help with their decision making. As a result, we regularly celebrate 100% acceptance at the leading independent secondary schools in the area. Our girls are often awarded scholarship placements, including sports, music and academic. We also support the girls who choose to take the Transfer Test (11+) for entry into Grammar schools such as Sir William Borlase, Wycombe High, Beaconsfield High and Kendrick School.
© Tempest Photography
Our girls go on to a variety of schools: The Abbey School, Reading; Luckley House School; Queen Anne’s School; Marist Senior School; Claires Court School; Leighton Park; Wycombe High (11+); Sir William Borlase (11+); Beaconsfield High (11+); Kendrick School (11+); Newlands Girls’ School; and Holyport College.
And there’s more… WRAP-AROUND CARE Our school offers Breakfast Club from 7:45 in the morning and The Den after-school club, with a light tea, until 6:00pm.
Admissions Process Your daughter’s exciting school journey starts here! Joining Highfield Prep should be a seamless process as outlined below.
KISS AND DROP
1. Please call us to arrange a meeting with Mrs Joanna
A ‘car to school’ drop-off is also available from 8:25am where you can drive up the front door and let your daughter out of the car straight into the school, where she will be welcomed in by a member of staff.
2. Complete a registration form to be sent to the Registrar,
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES We have numerous clubs including sport and music, but also activities as diverse as judo, computer programming, gardening, Mandarin, football and sketching. HOLIDAY CLUB PROVISION You don’t need to worry about finding care over the school holidays and half terms as we use Wise Owls, whose holiday club is based from our school, to provide excellent cover.
Leach, our Headteacher and tour the school or attend one of our Open Mornings. Please call our Registrar on 01628 624918. with a non-refundable £100 registration fee, which will be acknowledged in writing.
3. Approximately 4 months prior to starting, you will be
contacted by our Registrar to confirm your acceptance of the place offered.
4. Once a place has been confirmed and accepted, all
relevant joining information will be sent. A Parental Contract (incorporating the school’s terms and conditions) needs to be signed and a deposit of £500 paid.
5. Your child will be invited for a morning visit to their new class the term before they start at Highfield Prep. They don’t need to come in uniform but your daughter is welcome to if you have already bought it.
6. Join the Highfield family where we know you will be
welcomed and your daughter will make friends for life!
In the event of a waiting list, girls will be contacted as soon as a place becomes available. A registration fee needs to be paid before being placed on the list.
To book your place please call us today on 01628 624918 Or email office@highfieldprep.org
www.highfieldprep.org Located at the top of Castle Hill, Maidenhead. Two minutes from the train station.
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