Surrey Occasions Spring Issue of Independent Schools
Click through the pages to see a selection of prep schools and senior schools
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King Edward’s Witley is one of Surrey’s leading independent boarding and day schools for boys and girls aged 11-18 years where first class facilities and dedicated teaching promotes high achievement in every sphere of life. Founded in 1553, the School proudly offers the IB Diploma Programme and in 2014 -15 celebrates ten years of the IB, achieving a terrific 100% pass rate in 2014 and ranking in the Top 10 of all-IB (Sixth Form) schools in the country. For 2015, King Edward’s is also running the new A-level course; ensuring pupils have a choice of routes to secure a place at their chosen university. Renowned for its ability to nurture pupils, King Edward’s curriculum extends way beyond the classroom with a wide range of sporting and creative activities. The School also has a reputation for its welcoming community and the provision of high quality pastoral care. Visit one of our Open Mornings Thursday 12th March, Thursday 23rd April and Saturday 16th May, at 9.45 am. Contact: Justin Benson + Wormley, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5SG ( 01428 686735 : admissions@kesw.org www.kesw.org
A holistic approach
Benjamin Franklin once said “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” reinforcing the importance of a holistic approach to education. Choosing the perfect school for our children needs to be a holistic exercise with many factors to be examined, many of which can be studied through careful exploration of a school’s website. The curriculum and an analysis and comparison of exam results will provide academic insight but pastoral care and discipline are also important as is a school’s bullying policy which will illustrate its responsibility to pupils. Engaging in conversation with pupils in their final year at the school and imagining your child as one of them is also to be recommended. UK Private School suggests the other factors to consider are: Day or Boarding? An increasing number of schools offer weekly boarding, where the pupil comes home at weekends. Co-ed or single sex? Do you wish your child to be
educated at a single sex school or a co-educational school. Admission Policies The school year starts in September but it is advisable to start looking at least a year in advance.
Admission Many junior schools admit pupils on a first-come-firstserved basis. Most senior schools set some form of entrance test. Discipline Is discipline stricter or more relaxed than you would expect? Your child needs to feel comfortable and motivated. Location Good air, road and rail links? Comparing schools Ask for a copy of the school prospectus and visit the schools you are considering. Class sizes Schools vary: in most prep schools, classes will be between 15-20, but in some senior day schools they may be as big as 30. Curriculum Is it broad and balanced? Examinations Exam performance reflects schools’ academic policies and a high-flying school might not suit your child’s needs.
Facilities Choose those schools with the best facilities appropriate to your child’s interests. i.e. sports, music, drama, art. Recommendation A good recommendation is always useful, but bear in mind that schools change. School fees These should be detailed on the schools websites. Specialist fees planning companies are available to help plan finances.
For more info visit ukprivateschools.com
Situated in 40 acres of glorious grounds opposite Cranleigh School, there is much to celebrate in all areas of Cranleigh Prep School life, with the Cranleigh 7-18 initiatives allowing both schools to share staffing, ideas and resources to achieve excellence. The broad and innovative academic curriculum has enabled all pupils to be stretched to their maximum potential, achieving an exceptional 70% average at Common Entrance and six academic scholarships, including an Eton King’s scholarship in 2014. The excellent coaching in the many sports on offer caters for all levels, with National achievements in hockey, riding, biathlon, triathlon, netball, swimming and athletics. Over 25 pupils currently represent their county. The creative arts are flourishing, with an inspirational art department, National acclaim for drama and seven musicians. The 32 scholarships (academic, art, sports, drama and music) awarded to pupils in 2014 to Brighton College, Charterhouse, Cranleigh, Wellington, Millfield, Bedford, Reed’s, Hurstpierpoint and Prior’s Field are a fitting testament to the many successes achieved here. Contact: Fiona Bundock + Cranleigh Preparatory School, Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QH ( 01483 542051 : www.cranprep.org
CGI Image of New Pre-Prep Adjacent to the Prep School
Newland House Builds Excellence into New Pre-Prep The face of Newland House School will be transformed in summer 2016 when it opens the doors to a new, dynamic and highly sustainable, exemplar Pre-Prep school on the site immediately next door to the Prep (main) School on Waldegrave Park in Twickenham.
Newland House has successfully delivered a progressive and outstanding education to boys and girls of local families for more than 100 years and the main school has occupied the present site since 1945. However, the Pre-Prep is currently located on a detached site in an adapted Victorian property at the end of Waldegrave Park. Its relocation next to the main school, will unite the two parts of the school for the first time in more than forty years. The new purpose-built and superior premises will also allow the school to offer additional places in Reception from September 2016 onwards.
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The design for new school focuses on achieving key elements of BREEAM excellence by using sustainable solutions for renewable energy, materials and functionality, such as maximising natural daylight and ventilation. The construction frame and cladding will use timber sourced from sustainable resources, which has high thermal properties, creating a carbon neutral footprint. The school is located in a residential area so the design will also compliment the neighbouring architecture whilst integrating contemporary materials to provide pupils with an innovative and unique learning environment that utilises the latest technology. Design Features The Pre-Prep will provide a bespoke, ergonomic and sustainable teaching environment with space for pupils to learn, play and grow. Key design features of the new school include:
• Achieves the key features of BREEAM standards of excellence in sustainable building design, construction and operation • Maximised outside play space with a wide range of diverse outdoor play experiences from quiet and reflective, to active and adventurous • Every classroom benefits from a unique resource space for group work and play • Bespoke and flexible resource rooms for art, music and educational support • A state of the art library providing a child friendly space that supports independent and guided learning with access to a library garden. Room to Grow Newland House offers boys and girls from 4 to 13 years an engaging curriculum that
is broad and balanced and fosters a sense of self-confidence providing opportunities for children to reach their full potential. The school will be able to offer additional places for entry into Reception in September 2016 onwards and will cease to offer entry via 7+ Assessment following the Year 3 intake in September 2018.
Headmaster, David Alexander comments that, ‘Uniting the two parts of the school will facilitate a natural and seamless transition for younger pupils as they progress through the school and our whole school community will have an opportunity to enjoy the shared benefits that unity will bring. In the new Pre-Prep, our pupils
will flourish in a sustainable and expertly planned learning environment which allows us to explore innovative learning styles.’ Please call the Admissions Manager (020 8865 1305) to arrange to see the plans for the new Pre-Prep or email development@newlandhouse.net or visit www.newlandhouse.net.
North Elevation: Artists Impression of the Combined Prep and Pre-Prep Schools
OPEN MORNINGS at St George’s Weybridge, Surrey St George’s Junior School (3-11 years) and St George’s College (11-18 years) in Weybridge, Surrey are leading independent co-educational Roman Catholic day schools offering a values-led and perfectly balanced education for all. Our Open Mornings are taking place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 March 2015 and on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 October 2015. Book now at www.stgeorgesweybridge.com
Greenacre is a can-do school. Everyone is encouraged and supported to be the best they can, get involved, work collaboratively and enjoy school. There is a positive and supportive ethos in all areas of school life. Our vision is to treat and educate every girl as a unique individual. 2015 will bring considerable change for schools as examination and assessment systems are altered at all levels. However, the core values and principles that we aim to instil in our pupils will remain unchanged - hard work, involvement, resilience, concern for others, a sense of responsibility and many more, allowing your daughter to realise her true potential. Contact: Mrs Lindsay Redding, Headmistress Greenacre School for Girls + Sutton Lane, Banstead, Surrey SM7 3RA ( 01737 352114 : www.greenacre.surrey.sch.uk
One of the UK’s top performing schools, Hampton provides an outstanding boys-only education combining academic excellence with exceptional pastoral care. Boys leave Hampton, as well-rounded individuals with a wide range of skills and interests, and the confidence and resilience to succeed in an ever-changing world. Academically selective, results are consistently high and virtually all boys go onto elite universities. An extensive co-curricular programme forms an essential part of the balanced education which Hampton provides. Creative life is exceptional and a new Performing Arts centre supports an impressive programme of music and drama. The School also has an enviable reputation for sport and boys benefit from 27 acres of on-site playing fields, firstclass coaching and a state-of-the-art 3G sports ground. + Hanworth Road, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 3HD ( 020 8979 9273 : admissions@hamptonschool.org.uk : www.hamptonschool.org.uk
There is very little that Cranmore School does not offer: from Mandarin to Greek, or rowing to skiing, it is a unique environment for girls aged 2½ -7 and boys aged 2½ - 13. It has introduced a Forest School for younger children to support outdoor education and by age 8 pupils study Mandarin as well as French. Older pupils also study Spanish, Latin, Greek and Philosophy and there is a comprehensive programme for Sport, Music and Drama. Cranmore’s outstanding inspection report highlights its strengths across every aspect of school life: “The pupils’ personal development is supported by excellent pastoral care, based on the teachers’ good knowledge of individuals, and caring relationships.” Open Mornings: 13/14 March, 8 May Contact: Mrs H Perry, Registrar + Epsom Road, West Horsley KT24 6AT ( 01483 280340 : www.cranmoreprep.co.uk
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Scho What does Featuols re exceptional achievement by pupils look like?
Mike Buchanan is Headmaster of Ashford School in Kent and has just become a farmer. He is a Governor of several HMC schools, a trustee of a children’s charity, a Registered Inspector, the Chairman of the HMC South East Division. In his recent blog Mike considered exceptional pupil status.
In a perfect world all schools would wish to ensure all their pupils receive a rich educational experience and this can be a challenge when considering the needs of their very able pupils - typically within the top 10% of the national ability range. A bit of background: independent schools, are inspected, not by OFSTED but by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Within the ISI framework, the topmost judgment for pupils’ achievement is “exceptional”; this is one step beyond “excellent”. Hence schools and parents need to know what “exceptional” looks like. In observing and evaluating lessons we are looking at the two factors and how the quality of teaching affects them. Our primary focus is on the pupils. In other words, it’s the outcomes for the pupils which are important not the manner in which they are achieved. Often the difference between “good” and “excellent” is that in “good” lessons most but not all pupils are fully and effectively engaged whereas in “excellent” lessons they are. So that covers “excellent”; what about “exceptional”?
Notre Dame, Cobham, set in 17 acres of parkland is easily accessible from the A3. The School has embarked on a multi-million pound investment programme including a professional 380seat Theatre, fully equipped six-lab Science Block, 25m heated indoor Swimming Pool and a superb Adventure Tree House. A new all-weather sports facility including a Hockey/Football pitch and six Netball/Tennis courts is planned for the end of this year. We have enhanced the Sixth Form with new social and work spaces plus additional qualifications on offer, including the prestigious Extended Project Qualification. We are now really looking forward to adding more opportunities in sports across the whole school, and also to unveiling our brand new Uniform. We operate private coaches from: Barnes, Fulwell, Mortlake, Putney, Richmond, Sheen, Teddington, Twickenham, Wandsworth, Wimbledon and all over Surrey offering flexible single or return journeys. Contact: Registrar: Anna Morgan + Burwood House, Convent Lane, Cobham KT11 1HA ( 01932 869990 @NotreDameCobham : registrar@notredame.co.uk www.notredame.co.uk
Well, I suggest, some of the key factors here are the pupils’ skills for learning, their attainment in examinations or tests, their rates of progress and their attitudes and behaviours. Achievement might be indicated by both exceptional performance relative to their ability in tests or examinations such as GCSEs and A levels or awards such as CREST, EPQ, Olympiads etc. Equally, it might be indicated by the subject knowledge and skills they display in lessons, such as a Year 6 pupil writing an original script for a play, which displays wide cultural references, an expert understanding of characters and staging well beyond the agerelated expectations. Equally, it might be indicated by significant numbers of pupils performing in sport or music at a national and international level. Or every pupil in the school playing a musical instrument at a level above normal aged-related expectations. All of these accompanied by pupils who are successful in taking personal responsibility for their learning and having highly developed skills well beyond those normally expected for their age - could they achieve at such a high level if they did not? It is important to note that the “exceptional” accolade is not reserved exclusively for those of high ability. Indeed, we expect those of high ability to achieve highly so their achievement, by definition, would be satisfactory if they did so. It’s perfectly possible for pupils of all abilities to achieve “exceptionally” as the measure is always relative to where they start from and the rate of progress they make. HMC (the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) is a professional Association of heads of the world’s leading independentschools. To access Mike Buchanan’s blog visit http://www.hmc.org.uk/hmc-blog/exceptionalachievement-pupils-look-like/
“Wisdom.... comes not from age, but from education and learning.”
Anton Chekhov
Sir William Perkins’s School embarked upon the 2014/15 academic year with a great deal to celebrate: their new Head - Mr Chris Muller – has led the school into its exciting next phase with their new building programme progressing well. They aim to build confidence, integrity and excellence in a caring, innovative and happy community so that each student leaves with the best possible chance of achieving her full potential and ready to take on the world. As shown by their usual outstanding exam results, academic success is their priority but education is about more than just top grades. SWPS believes in educating the whole person and encourage girls to get involved in the many extra-curricular activities on offer and to develop their interests and creativity and their interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills. To get the whole picture, they invite you to visit the school at one of their Information Mornings. + Guildford Road, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 9BN ( 01932 574900 : www.swps.org.uk