It began as the junior school to Mount St Mary's College, founded by the Society of Jesus in the 1840s. It was established as a separate prep school in 1939, when it moved to Barlborough Hall, a Grade 1 listed building dating back to 1583. The Hall retains much of its original character; the chapel and many teaching rooms are in the central building, while the Jacobean stable outbuildings and domestic quarters house the early years department, the theatre and gym. Like the senior school, it was originally a boys' school but has been co-educational for some 30 years. There are close links between the two schools, providing a shared vision of education for children throughout their school life; almost all pupils go on to Mount St Mary's. The school has a strong family atmosphere. It aims to offer a curriculum which is academically challenging while also recognising the child's emotional, social, physical and spiritual development.
Pupils: Age range 3–11, 254 day pupils (130 boys, 124 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3–11. Entrance is not academically selective: own entry assessments and interview. 2 classes (of approximately 14) throughout. No special skills or religious requirements.
No scholarships or bursaries.
15+% are doctors, lawyers etc; 15+% in industry and commerce. Over 60% live within 30 miles.
Headteacher: Mrs Wanda Parkinson, in post since 1998. Educated at St Wilfrids RC High School, Featherstone, and London University (geography and music). Previously Head of Lower School at the school, Deputy Head at St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Castelford, and Assessment Co-ordinator at St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Pontefract. Teaching staff: 14 full-time, 5 part-time. Average age 40.
Pupils take Key Stage 2 assessments and entrance exam for own senior school. All pupils achieve Level 4 standard in Key Stage 2, 50% achieve Level 5. Some 10% gain entrance scholarships to their secondary schools.
90% of pupils go on to the linked senior school, Mount St Mary's.
All National Curriculum subjects taught; specialist subject teachers introduced at age 7. Special provision: SEN provided by 1:1 teaching, small group support and setting throughout the school. Languages: French taught from age 3, Latin from 9. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. All pupils (from age 3) have access to computers both in classrooms and in internet suite.
Instrumental exams may be taken. Musical groups include 3 choirs, orchestra, brass group. Pupils have performed in Jesuit Joint Schools Concert. All pupils involved in school drama productions (Pirates of Penzance, Wizard of Oz recently). Specialist art facilities. Music, drama, dance and art all offered as extra-curricular activities.
Sport is included in the curriculum. Compulsory sports: rugby, hockey, football, netball, PE, cross-country, swimming, athletics, rounders, cricket. Optional: tennis, archery. On-site gym, pool, netball courts and playiing fields; access to Olympic athletics track at senior school. Teams for main team sports involved in fixtures against other schools. Activities: Pupils aged 7 upwards encouraged to take part in 2 activities a week; range of 15+, eg baking, technology, craft, word games, plus orchestra and sports activities.
Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses: Competitive houses. School councillors, appointed by their peers; librarians and sports captains, appointed by staff. Religion: Catholic. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Exchanges with local primary school; provides music and drama for some local venues. Cultural link with primary school in Zimbabwe. Bikes and scooters not allowed in school. Meals formal and compulsory; pupils not expected to bring their own food to school. School shop. Most pupils travel to school by car; school bus service, including for those attending after-school activities. Some supervision available before and after school (7.45am – 5.30pm).
Run by Dan Westmoreland c/o the school.
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