Independent Schools 2017

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Thorngrove School THORNGROVEwill be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018. The school prides itself on providing every child with an outstanding education, excellent pastoral care and enriching environment. This allows children to discover their own individual pathway. We believe that learning and having fun go hand in hand.

several teaching classrooms. The beautiful grounds have always been a key feature of the school. These have also been extended and now stretch over 25 acres. The children are lucky enough to have access to woodland areas and a small stream runs through the campus. The extensive playing fields are the envy of many a visiting team. An adventure play area, partly funded by the children’s school council, has been positioned beside the tennis courts and astro-turf pitch. In 2010, a Design & Technology centre was opened to provide a facility for children in Year 5 and above to work with resistant materials. In addition to this, a unique eco-garden was created just behind the senior block with chickens, raised beds and a fruit cage (much of the produce is used by the kitchens). In 2012, a new nursery was opened next to the Reception form in the main building to create a wonderful early years setting. In September 2014, Forest School was placed on the curriculum and children enjoy lessons taught by qualified staff every week. A wonderful Mongolian yur t with wood-burning stove is at the centre of the Forest School area. We open our doors to prospective parents three times a year. These open days give prospective parents a chance to see the school in action and get a snapshot of a ‘day in the life’ at Thorngrove School and meet the Headmaster, Mr King. Open days take place in October, February and May. The next Open day is on Friday, October 6, from 9-11am. If you would like to book a place, please give the school office a call on (01635) 253172.

The school nestles in Highclere, a beautiful Hampshire village situated only four miles to the south of Newbury. Children are able to start in the nursery at 2½ years old and continue through the school until they leave at the age of 13 in Year 8. Thorngrove School stands out from the crowd for a number of reasons. Everywhere you look, the children are happy, having fun in their lessons and actively engaged in their learning. It is clear that the teachers really do love teaching the children and lessons are exciting, creative and inspirational. The grounds are quite magical, beautifully kept and the best place to explore and be active in sport and play. Finally, the culture and community at the school are hugely positive. The enthusiasm and energ y of its teachers provide a catalyst for learning and exploring. Since its foundation in 1988, the school remains very much a family-friendly school at its heart. Every school should be on a dynamic journey into the future and continually developing in all areas. It is important to plan for the future and look beyond 2020. This will include initiatives in the short and long term. Exciting projects for the future include creating a Performing Arts Centre with a theatre and dance studio; creating a

beautiful Hampshire countryside to start their family and set up a school. The school was built on land owned by Nick’s father, Reg Broughton, who was well known to the local farming community and had farmed the land for many years. The school started with just 14 children (and Jacko the Labrador). Due to its success and unique

atmosphere, the school flourished and grew in size year on year. There are currently 230 pupils at the school. Over the years, facilities have been built and extended, and in 2007 an architect-designed sports hall was built. This magnificent building not only has a large multi-purpose hall, but also houses an IT suite, changing rooms and

separate facility for our Learning Support Department and re-locating our Design and Technology Centre to create a combined Arts and Design Centre. Thorngrove School was founded in 1988 by Nick and Connie Broughton, the Principals. After several years teaching in London, they decided to move out to the