independent schools September 2019

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Newbury Weekly News

Elstree School

ELSTREE School is a day and boarding school for children aged 3-13 in Woolhampton, Berkshire. Set in idyllic grounds of 150 acres, only an hour by car from west London, Elstree offers a secure and stimulating environment for children to be nurtured and inspired. From September 2020, Elstree will become a fully coeduca- tional school, meaning girls as well as boys, can receive an education from Nursery to Year 8. Starting in Pre-Prep, the transition to Prep is smooth and inclusive. Proud of its rich history and reputation as a school with high academic, creative and sporting achievements, pupils from Elstree have gained places to some of the country’s top senior schools, including Bradfield, Eton, Harrow, Radley and Winchester. Forty-five scholarships and exhibitions have been awarded to Elstree pupils since 2015. While success is something celebrated, Elstree recognises that being open, compassionate and tolerant of others is equally important. Through enrichment programmes and an outstanding array of extra curriculum activities, Elstree provides an environment where both girls and boys can develop the skills necessary to thrive in today’s world. Elstree is large enough to accommodate two state-of-the- art science laboratories, a new music school, a full size all-

Dauntsey ’ s

been learned in the previous year, but at every level, pupils are helped to: n Work out how to deal with chal- lenges in their lives, such as friendships, self-confidence and peer pressure, and find ways to look after each other as well as themselves n Keep in touch with what’s going on in the world, from politics to medicine and the environment, encouraging them to form opinions based on evidence, question received opinions and think independently n Understand better the issues and opportunities they may encounter by bringing in outside speakers with experience of different issues The fact that complementary curriculum lessons are on the timetable and not an optional extra demonstrates the

importance attached to this aspect of a Dauntsey’s education. Pupils are encouraged to be aware of their individual strengths and qualities and to look after themselves and those around them. “This year in Complementary Curriculum we have learnt about friendship and relationships, we have discussed human rights, how we should treat others both as individuals and as a society. “The lessons have really made me think about issues I hadn’t considered before,” said Juliet, Third Form. Headmaster Mark Lascelles said: “Education isn’t confined to a classroom. I want our pupils to gain practical skills, to learn more about themselves and work within a team as well as enjoy a welcome contrast to the intensity of exams,”

“DAUNTSEY’S complementary curriculum is astonishingly wide-ranging, but every topic is designed to prepare pupils for a healthy, happy and successful life,” says head of department Anais Seager. Exam results are important, but there’s a lot that even the most committed school can ’t teach within the confines of GCSEs and A-levels. The complementary cur iculum exists to bridge the gap between classroom and life skills, with the aim of equipping pupils to make informed choices, whether they’re dealing with the complexity of relationships, balancing a budget or deciding where to cast a vote. The process is continuous, from personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education in the Lower School to general studies in the Sixth Form. Each stage builds on what has

weather pitch, outdoor pool, forest for outdoor learning and camping, and a lake for kayak- ing, yet with an intake of around 200, is small enough to be personal, family-focused and intimate. The school’s last ISI Inspection Report (2015) stated: “Elstree School is highly successful in meeting its aim of providing a first class all-round education, while embedding the values of hard work, kindness to others and making the most of opportunities. This is thanks to an excellent curriculum and

extra-curricular opportunities and to excellent teaching, which inspires and motivates pupils to want to learn.” Buses run daily from Hungerford, Peasemore, West Reading and Basingstoke, and the school day can be extended with after-school care provision. Elstree’s next open morning is on Saturday, October 12, between 10am and noon. To book your place, contact the Registrar by emailing: registrar@elstreeschool.org.uk or call: (0118) 971 3302.

Lessons for life

OPEN MORNING 12 October from 10am

www.dauntseys.org BOARDING & DAY SCHOOL COEDUCATIONAL 1118