School Life
There are approximately 1,100 students aged 11 to 18 in the Senior School. Students join the Senior School either continuing their path from the Prep, or in Year 7 (11+) or Year 9 (13+).
Whenever children join, there is a broad and challenging curriculum for them to relish. As a school we believe in lessons that have both pace and rigour as defining characteristics. We believe that academic excellence is a product of our approach to active and independent learning, with practical tasks and problem solving enabling our students to develop their understanding in the deepest sense. Enthusiasm and excitement are key, as is providing the stimulus for discussion and debate.
Pupils love to be challenged and have an insatiable curiosity about the world around them. Parents are welcomed into the school to support the curriculum. There are Curriculum Evenings for parents to learn about our approach to particular subject areas and how they can best support their children at home; we firmly believe that children do best when school and home are working in true partnership.
Students can arrive on site at the Senior School from 8am or 8.30am. Registration is at 8.40am and afterwards pupils are off to assembly or have Form Time. Lessons are 45 minutes long with pupils in all years enjoying a full range of subjects across the school day. Year 7 students attend lessons in their Form groups, but from Year 8, pupils start getting put into Sets for their subjects. Pupils across all age groups benefit from specialist teachers across most subjects. Drama, sports and the arts are integral to our diverse curriculum and pupils may be moving from Science in the fully equipped laboratory to PE in our state of the art Sports Centre.
There are both lunchtime and after school co-curricular clubs and activities for all pupils throughout the week. There is a huge choice of food at lunchtime, both hot and cold options with all dietary requirements catered for. The day ends at 4pm.
Students may travel to and from school using the extensive coach service, with coaches running at 4.15pm and 5.30pm.
