School Open Day Special

FELTONFLEET

PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Feltonfleet is a leading day and flexiboarding school set in 25 acres of landscaped grounds within easy reach of Surrey and South-West London, where boys and girls aged 3 to 13 thrive on personalised learning and the pursuit of academic excellence and emotional well-being.

What makes Feltonfleet the first choice school for so many parents is the integrity and practice of our core belief that every individual really matters, underpinned by our values-driven ethos and a strong sense of community.

Once again rated ‘excellent’ by the ISI in our most recent inspection, and shortlisted for both the ‘Wellbeing initiative of the year’ and the ‘Sports award’ in the prestigious TES Independent School Awards 2020, we know the most enjoyable personal growth comes from developing a child’s natural talents and skills. Our holistic approach and progressive curriculum seeks to develop a love of learning through the application of knowledge and the development of agile learning and life skills.

Our ethos is based upon positive learning, living and leading, alongside core values of honesty, respect, responsibility and kindness. High standards and expectations are grounded in the conviction that academic excellence and enjoyment of childhood go hand in hand. To ensure this happens everything is underpinned with a rigorous pastoral care framework which regards the well-being of every child as the highest priority. We work hard to nourish emotional wellbeing and to develop resilience and strategies for lasting mental health.

Our senior pupils reach Year 8 as happy, independent, confident, resilient, empathetic, tolerant and emotionally intelligent young people, equipped to make a real difference at their senior school and in their subsequent lives. As our pupils complete the four stages of their Feltonfleet journey, they secure places and scholarships to leading independent senior schools in a range of academic, sporting, musical and allround disciplines. They are well prepared for the next stage of their journey.

Find out more at our next Open Morning on Saturday 25th September. n

For children and their parents starting in Reception this September, it is an exciting time. With new activities, routines and uniforms to negotiate, it can also be stressful. As a parent you will be very tuned into all the newness and keen to make the best decisions to support your child. Whether your child has been in full time day care previously or this is their first experience of care outside of the home, school can feel like a whole new world to you both. So what can you do to make this transition run smoothly? How best can you help to prepare them?

Most importantly, try not get caught up in the frenzy of rumours about the supposedly academic prowess of the other children in the year group! All children will start school with quite different experiences and abilities and ages depending when they are born in the school year. Some will know the alphabet, some will be able to count to 100 and others may barely know how to write or read their name. This does not matter! In some ways the teachers would prefer children to start from a base level all together. Knowing the names of all the letters but not their phonetic sounds is of limited benefit, and can confuse the child. However, having a broad verbal vocabulary is really important and this is something you can be key in developing. There are some simple things that all parents can do for their child which will definitely make their journey easier.

READ READ READ! Little and often is ideal. Start from babyhood, reading picture books, modelling how to hold and peruse a book and always making books your goto entertainment option from the start, rather than a screen. Books in the cot, in the car, by the bed and in the TV room. Repetition is also the key and your child will happily listen to the same stories over and over, especially if you take time to encourage them to make connections between written words and the pictures. Even when they cannot read the words independently, they will start spotting letter patterns subconsciously and absorbing vocabulary. As their vocabulary grows, move onto simple chapter storybooks with less pictures and more complex story lines. Again, read each one several times over and discuss the meanings of words and storylines with them. Use newly learnt vocabulary in everyday speech with them.

Finally, model good reading habits yourself by being seen often reading a book yourself. Making choosing their next book into an exciting trip, a treat, whether buying in shops or visiting the local library. n From award-winning environmental initiatives to ethically sourced home-cooked meals and snacks, Knowle Green Day Nursery in Staines is committed to giving children the best possible start in life. For the team of professionals at the setting in Knowle Green, each child from six weeks to nearly five years is unique, and this individuality is actively celebrated. From imaginative learning spaces, state of the art ICT, toys and equipment, messy play corners and ‘role play’ areas to specialised classes to enhance learning, children’s days are filled with exciting activities which are planned around their personal interests. In the garden outside, children are encouraged to immerse themselves in activities such as vegetable planting and insect observations, for which they have gained a prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award as part of the internationally recognised Eco-Schools scheme. The award is given for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation efforts; which for the pre-schoolers includes crafting with natural materials and creating habitats for wildlife. Against a backdrop of robust Covid-secure operating procedures and cleaning throughout the day and overnight, ‘magic’ truly flourishes in the age-appropriate, protective ‘bubble groups’ at Knowle Green Day Nursery. The nursery was opened in 2000 and is part of the employeeowned Childbase Partnership.

Knowle Green Day Nursery are now taking registrations for more information please email on Knowle.green@childbase.com or call on 01784 464141. n

St. Andrew’s School was founded in 1937 and is a respected and thriving co-educational Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School, set in 11 acres of grounds near Woking town centre. St. Andrew’s creates a nurturing and happy environment in which all pupils are encouraged and enabled to develop their potential to the full. At St. Andrew’s children feel secure and confident and are highly motivated to perform to the best of their ability in all aspects of school life. Children are prepared for entrance and scholarship exams to a wide range of independent senior schools and there are specialist teaching facilities for all subjects including science, ICT, music, food technology and art. The

POTENTIAL FOR LIFE The RGS is an independent day curriculum is broad and the school places great emphasis on music, sport and the arts. In our latest ISI Inspection, (January 2016), we were extremely proud school for boys, with RGS Prep located in a leafy residential area providing education for boys aged 3 to 11 and, nearby, the RGS in the heart of the town catering for boys aged 11 to 18.to be rated ‘excellent’ in all areas. We are proud to be part of St. Andrew’s has excellent on-site a community in the heart facilities and our latest building of Guildford that is home to development project has provided ordinary boys with exciting us with a fantastic tiered seating potential. Boys are encouraged theatre, food technology room, to test, try, challenge and library, changing rooms and explore each of the boundless classrooms. Our impressive opportunities on offer. Our outdoor facilities include an all focus is on inspiring our boys weather sports surface, sports and unlocking their potential: pitches, tennis courts, cricket nets our passion is drawing the and a swimming pool. extraordinary from every individual. Come along to our next Open Morning! Book your place at: Supported by outstanding www.st-andrews.woking.sch.uk/ pastoral care and a nurturing, open-days. n welcoming environment, each individual is given the opportunity to grow and fulfil their considerable potential. An inspiring, diverse education provides the flexibility of mind, the independence of thought, and the range of transferable

FOR BOYS AGED 3-18

skills which pave the way for the challenges of a rapidly-changing world. Equally importantly, however, RGS students develop into articulate and compassionate young men who take pride in all that they do, who have confidence in themselves, and who have a desire to have a positive impact on society. From the Prep School onwards, we foster an academic boldness that is the prerequisite to curiosity and creativity – an insistence on how to think, not what to think. This is at the very heart of the RGS ethos. At RGS Prep, we provide the very best start for your son. Our pupils are brimming with enthusiasm, curiosity and energy. They are well-mannered and polite. They are individual. Most of all, they are happy. To find out more and to book a place at our next Open Morning visit www.rgsg.co.uk, call 01483 880 650 or email Prep-Admissions@rgsg.co.uk. n