Independent Schools Feb 2020

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Newbury Weekly News

Thorngrove School

and so much more. Children can also take part in wider school events such as Sports Day and World Book Day. Every year the school runs a literary festival where famous writers are invited to run workshops, talk about the writing process and, of course, the books that they have published. Due to demand, the school has decided to increase its provision by creating two nursery classes that will be housed next to each other with a washroom between them. The two nursery classes will have direct access to the outdoors and the ratio of children to staff will be kept deliberately low. Sessions are flexible with both morning and afternoons available with or without lunch. There is also wrap around care available for working parents. Drop off is from 8.15am and pick up can be as late as 5pm. From Reception class, a breakfast club is also available from 7.30am. You really must come and see for yourself. Although the school is having a School Open Morning on Friday, March 6, from 9am-11am, there is also a Nursery Open House on Saturday, March 14, from 10am-noon, where you can meet the team and see for yourself the beautiful nursery setting. Call (01635) 253172 to book your place with the registrar Bev O’Brien.

THORNGROVE’S Nursery is an exciting place to be. Children can join the nursery once they are two-and-a-half years old and later move up to the reception class, which is just next door. There is always a happy buzz, with loads of activities and challenges for the children to ‘have a go’ at and enjoy. Thorngrove’s team of experienced teachers and teaching assistants actively support the children in their learning. The ratios are kept low so that the child can be assisted, nurtured and encouraged to foster a love of learning. The curriculum is an exciting one with ballet, music and movement, PE, French and Forest School taking place during the week. Ballet is taken by Miss Holly, and boys and girls enjoy these lessons, which focus on building up core stability, balance, self-discipline and working together. The school has its own woods where its qualified Forest School teacher is on hand to guide the children in their creative play, well-being and above all having fun. Recently, the nursery children have participated in the Big Schools Birdwatch run by the RSPB. The school even has its own pair of egrets (white heron) that paddle in the stream that runs

through the middle of the school campus. Children at this age must take risks. However, Thorngrove children do so in a warm, caring and safe environment. The children have some amazing opportunities and can use all the facilities of the ‘big school’

other pupils from Reception to Year 2. Teachers sit and eat with the children to encourage good manners, healthy eating and socialising. Food at Thorngrove is yummy and as much as possible is locally-sourced – meat is

supplied by Vicars Game of Ashhampstead and fresh fruit, salads and vegetables are supplied by Heritage Fine Food Company in Coate, Wiltshire. Once fuelled up the children can then enjoy playing in the adventure play area, which has a muddy kitchen, climbing frame, sandpit, digging area

while being part of a cosy environment. It is truly the best of both worlds and the bespoke curriculum allows each child to develop at their own pace. Lunch is a social affair and the children walk down to the New Hall where they sit at tables with

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www.thorngroveschool.co.uk/open-mornings

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The Mount, Highclere, Newbury, RG20 9PS, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1635 253172