1. To provide a relaxed and secure environment for its pupils, one in
which pupils are happy coming to school.
2. To ensure that each child achieves full academic potential.
3. To provide a well rounded education ensuring that the wider
academic curriculum and extra curricular activities are regarded
as crucial in a child's education.
4. To achieve a harmonious and positive working relationship with
its parents based on mutual confidence and trust.
The school is accredited by the Independent Schools' Joint Council and is subject to regular inspections. The most recent inspection was in the summer of 2002. The overall summary of the report reads, "
One of the aims of the school is to develop each child to his or her fullest potential. This can only be achieved in a situation that emphasises a disciplined approach to school work. Teaching is carried out in a formal, traditional manner but one which also incorporates modern teaching aids. Homework is set every night.
The curriculum of the school is designed to create well-rounded children. Thus, whilst 50% of the curriculum is devoted to the core subjects of maths, English and science, all children have weekly lessons in drama, music, art and design, information technology, history, geography, French and physical education/games. Additionally, the school offers a range of extra-curricular activities including a dance club, theatre club, fencing, outdoor pursuit holidays and continental ski trips.
Academic success is measured by examination performance. This is a fact of educational life, whatever the merits and de-merits of such a system of evaluation. Children must, therefore, from an early age be gradually introduced to examinations. It is emphasised that the criteria for judging a child's examination results is not simply the examination mark, but also the teachers' comments which serve to advise parents as to whether the mark measures up to a child's innate ability and potential.
Until 2008, the school entered its pupils for the national curriculum tests at the age of 7 (Key Stage 1) and at the age of 11 (Key Stage 2). Whilst, as an independent school, there was no statutory requirement to do so, the school deemed it to be a useful guide, both to parents and the school. Increasingly, over recent years, this has not proved to be the case. At Key Stage 1, fewer pupils are sitting the formal examination; instead they are being awarded grades on their teacher's assessment which obviously serves to make any comparison of standards questionable. At Key Stage 2, pupils will be allowed to re-sit the examination if their performance is below teacher expectations, again making comparisons highly questionable. Notwithstanding the fact that the school was always in the top 14 schools nationally, it was decided to cease entering pupils since the original objective of doing so was no longer being achieved.
The moral, intellectual and social development of children is the joint responsibility of parents and school. Both share the common goal of fostering the child's development and it is essential that there should be the fullest possible cooperation and communication between school and parents. The formal channels provided by the school include written reports and parent-teacher evenings, but the formal channels can, on occasion, prove inadequate since problems and queries can occur at any time. Consequently, the headmaster and each member of staff are always happy to see parents. By telephoning the school, appointments will be arranged usually on the same day. The school considers it to be of crucial importance for parents to have the confidence to approach the school immediately a problem or query presents itself.
Infants
Children enter the infants in the September following their fourth birthday. There are three classes in the infants - reception, year one and year two. Each infant class has a form teacher. The form teacher is assisted in a number of ways; a qualified teacher assists with the reading programme, specialist teachers assist in science, French, drama, music and games.
The maximum number in each infant class is 22. In the majority of lessons, a support teacher is available to assist both low and high achievers.
Juniors
There are four years in the juniors - years three, four, five and six. In each year there is a maximum of 30 pupils, but all teaching is in groups of average size of 15. There is no streaming and each group is taught by the same teachers, covering exactly the same curriculum and set the same homework.
Throughout the juniors the children are taught by teachers specialising in one subject, on occasion two subjects.
The school places great emphasis on the individual and provides considerable small group and one-to-one teaching to those children experiencing problems or who have been absent through illness.
Education after
The school's curriculum is such that all the children are equipped to tackle the full range of examinations at eleven plus. The majority of pupils opt for the two local
Parent-Teacher Association
The school has a thriving association. Fund-raising activities are organised and the proceeds have added substantially to the school's facilities. The main impact, however, of the association and its major contribution to the school has been in the organisation of social events which have enabled parents and teachers to meet in an informal atmosphere.
Lunches
School lunches are compulsory and hot lunches are prepared on the premises. A choice of meals is offered, including a salad bar. Weekly menus are made available for parental perusal.
Fees
Fees can be paid termly or alternatively by twelve monthly banker's order. There is a 10% reduction for the second and subsequent children in the same family.