Founded in 1900 and a member of the Girls' Day School Trust. It shares with the associated senior school a 9-acre site in north-west London. The junior school has its own self-contained area and facilities, including art and music studios, science laboratories and an ICT suite with a computer for each girl. The school is successful in Key Stage 2 assessments. It also encourages pupils to participate in the wider community. There are playing fields and a swimming pool on site; all chilldren are taught swimming from age 3. Almost all pupils transfer to Heathfield senior school.
Pupils: Age range 3–11, 158 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4. Entrance is by assessment within a classroom setting. 1 class (of 20) throughout. No special skills or religious requirements.
No scholarships or bursaries. Extras include £150 per term for eg music. Lunch included in nursery fees but charged seperately from age 4.
15+% of parents are doctors, lawyers etc, 15+% in industry or commerce. Over 60% live within 30 miles.
Head: Mrs Carole McCulloch, in post since 1976. Educated at Cockburn High School and Leeds University (English and history). Previously taught in the school. Teaching staff: 9 full-time, 2 part-time. Annual turnover 0%. Average age 30.
Pupils take SATs and Common Entrance at age 11. 70% of pupils achieve Level 5 in Key Stage 2, 30% Level 3.
99% of pupils go on to Heathfield senior school.
All National Curriculum subjects taught. Specialist subject teachers introduced from age 3. PSHE, citizenship etc is covered in discussion and circle time. Special provision: SEN teaching available. Languages: Spanish taught from age 3, Latin and Mandarin from 10; French optional from 7. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Pupils from age 4 have access to ICT suite.
Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. 3 musical groups, band, choir, string group. Carol singing and singing at local pantomime night. All pupils involved in school drama productions (eg Wind in the Willows recently, age 7-11). Music, drama and dance all offered as extra-curricular activities.
Compulsory sports: tennnis, netball, swimming, athletics. On-site sports field, netball and tennis courts and swimming pool. Local prep school swimming champions; netball team successful in fixtures. Activities: 10+ clubs and societies eg ICT, maths, chess, art, games, choir.
Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses: Competitive houses. Head girl, school council, form captains, elected by pupils. Religion: Interdenominational. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Pupils allowed to bring own bike/scooter to school. Meals (cafeteria style) are compulsory; pupils not expected to bring own food in to school. Most pupils travel to school by car; a school bus service but not after eg matches. Some supervision available before and after school (7.30am to 6pm).
School aims to make discipline a learning experience. If a pupil failed to produce homework on time, there would be a discussion with the pupil and the work then completed; if a pupil was caught stealing, the parents would be involved, resulting in detention or exclusion.
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