High March B EACO N S FI EL D
high
expectations
HIGH MARCH
At High March we are proud to have created a caring, yet stimulating learning environment in which your daughter will flourish, achieve academically and develop into a happy, responsible individual. Since our foundation in 1926, High March has been very much a family school in which every child is valued and where traditional values underpin educational excellence. Today, just as it was then, our School motto “kindness and friendship is the rule� remains central to school life. We believe that the happiness of your daughter is paramount, and we are renowned for our pastoral care. From her very first day at High March, your daughter will be immediately welcomed into our community. We will discover her talents, nurture her self-esteem and encourage her intellectual development and confidence. At High March, all girls flourish through our broad curriculum and rich extra-curricular programme. As a result, we are an academically successful school and our girls perform exceptionally well in Senior School entrance examinations. Above all, our aim is for your daughter to leave us as an assured, well-rounded individual ready for success in her chosen Senior School and beyond. I warmly invite you to visit us to experience High March for yourself.
Kate Gater, Headmistress
High March provides a wonderfully caring environment which nurtures the girls, encouraging their confidence, self-esteem and independence Parental Survey
welcome
a warm
out
starting
HIGH MARCH
Children begin their educational journey in our warm and secure nursery environment which builds confidence and an enjoyment of learning. The curriculum is play-based. Play allows children to learn in a natural, satisfying and fun way, appropriate to their stage of development. Play provides opportunities for exploration, investigation and problem solving as well as enabling children to practise their developing skills and to use what they have been taught in different ways. Opportunities for learning in all seven areas of the curriculum are provided both indoors and outside in our Outdoor Learning classrooms. Girls may join our Nursery in the September after their third birthday and we also have a small intake into Reception one year later. There is a limited number of places for boys in our Nursery for one year only.
Since the age of three there has never been a day when she did not want to go to school. Parent
HIGH MARCH
At High March we will encourage your daughter to be excited by learning and to be fully engaged in school life. Teaching is primarily by class teachers until Year 3 with some specialist teaching in French, ICT, Music, P.E. and Swimming. Class sizes are small and each class teacher is supported by a teaching assistant so that all children have the individual attention they need. Providing the children with opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom, through a combination of traditional teaching methods and the use of technology and practical activities, is the key to our success in Literacy and Numeracy. Forest School, educational trips and specialist workshops all contribute to enhance the girls’ learning and to make education a fun-filled experience.
Every day at High March is a new adventure. Pupil
is fun
learning
potential
developing
HIGH MARCH
High March is a wonderful, happy place, bubbling with enthusiastic and motivated children and inspirational teachers. Each subject is taught by a specialist teacher from Year 4 and this creates an environment in which each girl is encouraged to reach her potential in all aspects of school life. Throughout Upper School there are two parallel mixed ability classes for most subjects, although setting is gradually introduced in English and Mathematics in order to accommodate all ranges of ability. The work is based on the National Curriculum programme of study, together with Common Entrance syllabi for English, Mathematics and Science thus allowing easy transfer to Senior Schools. Qualified support is available for children with specific learning difficulties and those children on our More Able Register are consistently challenged and stretched through diverse tasks and opportunities.
Pupils attain at high levels in all subject areas, whether academic, sporting or artistic. ISI Inspection Report
HIGH MARCH
Alongside academic success, our aim is for all girls to develop a life-long appreciation of and passion for the creative arts. To this end Art, Drama and Music are valued highly at High March for the confidence and enjoyment that they bring to the girls. Our specialist facilities and teaching create numerous opportunities for creative work. From observational drawing and painting to pottery, woodwork, photography and textiles, the girls are exposed to a wide range of media in our well-resourced Art Department. Our annual Art Exhibition is a highlight of the School year and is eagerly anticipated by the entire High March community. Drama is highly regarded at High March as an enjoyable subject which develops personal confidence. Many of the girls opt to take the additional classes which lead to the LAMDA examinations. With a dozen or so peripatetic visiting teachers, the Music Department runs three choirs, an orchestra and numerous ensembles. The majority of girls take lessons in singing or musical instruments from the vast array on offer and opportunities abound to perform at Tea Time Concerts, local festivals and School productions.
The productions that Year 6 do are AMAZING. Pupil
creativity vibrant
classroom
beyond the
m
HIGH MARCH
Girls relish the exciting challenges, trips and experiences that take place throughout the year. Throughout the School the children enjoy opportunities to widen their knowledge through day trips, visiting workshops and residential educational visits. Recent experiences have included outings to Hampton Court, the Science Museum, the National Gallery and Verulamium. In Year 5 the girls experience their first residential trip when they spend a long weekend away at an outward bound activity centre. As well as encouraging team building and leadership skills, the girls enjoy learning new skills such as abseiling, archery and climbing. This is followed in Year 6 by the highly popular ski trip to Austria and a visit to France.
The trips are always interesting and fun and everyone treats you like we’re all one family. Pupil
HIGH MARCH
Fitness and sport are integral to the curriculum and your daughter will be given every opportunity to take part competitively. From Reception upwards every child swims at least once a week in our state of the art indoor, heated swimming pool and there are numerous opportunities to swim in small group lessons, squad training, galas and fun swimming sessions after School each week. Netball is our main winter sport, with our A, B, C and D teams enjoying considerable success in matches and tournaments against a range of local and national state and independent schools. Athletics, rounders, cricket, football, hockey, dance and gymnastics are also taught, with additional opportunities for sports such as judo and tennis included in our Activity Programme. Clubs such as gymnastics and modern dance enable the girls to develop further their particular interests. Personal fitness is encouraged through our very popular triathlon club, with the girls competing in local and national competitions.
Sport is a major priority in my daughter’s life and she has been an active participant in a very successful, highly competitive sporting schedule at High March. Parent
sport
for all
step
the next
HIGH MARCH
We take great care to identify the right Senior School for your daughter, where she will flourish. High March has as its cornerstone a strong academic tradition and excellent results are achieved in the County Selection Tests.
Pupils achieve high levels of success in entry to Secondary Schools, including gaining outstanding results in Grammar School entry tests. ISI Inspection Report Girls are also prepared for the Common Entrance Examination to Senior Independent Schools. For many years, all who have taken the Common Entrance Examinations and individual Senior School Entrance Examinations have been successful in gaining places to their first choice school. In addition many Academic, All-rounder, Art, Drama, Music and Sport scholarships have been awarded to a range of boarding and day Schools. The Headmistress meets individually with all parents when their daughter is in Year 5 to advise on a suitable Senior School and possible entry for a scholarship.
Pupils are highly confident and aware of their strengths, approaching their studies with resilience and self-discipline. ISI Inspection Report
HIGH MARCH
We look forward to meeting you soon This prospectus has given you a glimpse of the extraordinary opportunities for personal and academic growth on offer for your daughter at High March. However, it can never be a substitute for experiencing that ‘special something’ first-hand. With friendship as a core value at High March, it is no surprise that we pride ourselves on the warmth and sincerity with which we welcome visitors and friends alike – and we would love to welcome you too. Come and enjoy one of our upcoming Open Mornings or arrange an individual visit and we can explore together how High March could be the best choice for you and your daughter.
Kate Gater, Headmistress
When I leave High March, I will carry with me some of my greatest memories. Pupil
We are leaving with such a warm and wonderful appreciation for all that High March stands for and gives to all the girls. Parent
I love all my friends at High March and you know without saying that kindness and friendship is the rule.
High March B EACON S F I EL D Headmistress: Mrs Kate Gater MA, PGCE High March School • 23 Ledborough Lane • Beaconsfield • Bucks • HP9 2PZ Telephone: 01494 675186 (School Office) Registrar: 01494 685743 • Email: admissions@highmarch.co.uk
www.highmarch.co.uk