It is housed in two buildings, both next to the associated senior school. The Elms, home to the pre-prep department, has classrooms overlooking the school gardens with a safe, fenced-in play area. 2 Brookside is an attractive Victorian building, housing girls aged 7-11, which includes a science lab, ICT suite and music tuition rooms. The school has a reputation for pastoral care, raising self-esteem and supporting the teaching of each individual child; great emphasis is placed on independent learning. There is a good variety of musical groups and of clubs and activities. The great majority of girls transfer to St Mary's senior school.
Pupils: Age range 4–11, 188 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7. School looks for ability rather than results: entry through own exam for age 7 and above, by interview for younger girls. 2 classes throughout (of approximately 18). No special skills or religious requirements.
4 scholarships for entrants at age 7, academic and non-academic. Average extras £600 for individual music tuition.
Headmistress: Mrs Deirdre O'Sullivan, in post since 1997. Educated in Ireland and at universities of Cork and Cambridge (accounting, economics, law, mathematics, education). Teaching staff: 17 full-time, 10 part-time.
Pupils take Common Entrance if required; SATS not taken. Some 10% gain entrance scholarships to their secondary schools.
80% of pupils go on to St Mary's School, Cambridge; transfer is automatic.
All National Curriculum subjects taught; emphasis is on independence in learning. Specialist subject teachers introduced at age 4 for some subjects and increasing after age 7. PSHE, citizenship etc, regarded as crucial to the broad and balanced education of pupils, particularly in the spiritual, moral, cultural and social context. Special provision: Support available throughout the school. Additional English and support for those who are not native English speakers. Languages: French taught from age 4, Spanish from 9, Latin from 10. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. All pupils have access to computers from age 4, and within all subjects.
50+% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. 10 musical groups, including orchestras, choirs, chamber groups, brass and wind groups. All pupils involved in drama productions; under age 7, each year group involved in a Christmas production; age 7+, each class produces its own play annually. Music, drama, dance and art all offered as extra-curricular activities.
Compulsory sports: netball, tennis, hockey, swimming. Netball and tennis courts on site, playing fields nearby, swimming off-site. Netball and hockey teams compete with local schools. Activities: Girl guides and choirs sing in communicty events; nativity play for local nursing home. Some 10+ clubs and activities, eg computers, craft, chess, woodwork, pottery, design.
Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses: Competitive houses. House captains, prefects, monitors; all positions rotated during the school year so every girl has the opportunity to take part. Religion: Catholic. All girls attendance religious worship but are not expected to participate. Social: Joint trips, language days and concerts with local schools. Trips abroad for pupils age 9-11 eg to Florence, Athens, Paris. Pupils allowed to bring own bike/scooter to school. Meals formal and compulsory. Most pupils travel to school by car or school bus service (includes a park and ride scheme). Some supervision available before school (from 8am, before registration at 8.45am).
Aims to solve all problems through dialogue, in a calm supportive atmosphere. No punishments.
Run by Mrs Deryn Coe, c/ o the school.
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