independent_schools

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Newbury Weekly News

Reading Blue Coat School

READING Blue Coat School is a friendly and busy school of some 750 pupils. Although it values its strong traditions of scholarship and learning, the school is also forward-looking and wholly committed to preparing pupils for life. The staff make the most of the fantastic setting on the banks of the Thames in the village of Sonning and seek to create an environment that fosters the growth of self-confidence, instils the joy of learning and prepares pupils for full participation in a diverse and changing world. There is a buzz and excitement about academic life at Blue Coat, where the friendly and support- ive environment enables pupils to flourish and thrive. Academic achievement is valued highly and the school has enjoyed strong results in recent years. Learn more about the school’s results and university destinations on the website at www.rbcs.org.uk. The curriculum is designed to provide the best possible prepa- ration for life after school. Careers education runs through- out the school to help students make the right choices as they consider their options for university and beyond. In the sixth form particularly, students are given weekly careers guidance, guest speakers feature at a special higher educa- tion evening and events include a careers fair, a UCAS conven- tion and group university visits. Pupils are also encouraged to participate in a wide range of co- curricular activities, and the

Elstree School

children to discover their individual talents. The family-friendly boarding model enables boys to develop life skills that will serve them well at senior school and beyond. This is an exciting time to be at Elstree. The school’s latest ISI Inspection Report (2015) states: “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.” Home Farm is the nursery, and Pre-Prep caters for 70 girls and boys aged three to seven years. It is often the child’s first experience of school life and staff

understand how important these initial steps are. The offer of home visits and taster days prior to a child starting in the early years eases the transition between home and school. The children have the opportunity to make use of all the extensive facilities at Elstree School and children benefit from specialist PE, French, drama and music lessons. Home Farm also has an engaging woodland area where each week, the early years children spend a full day investigating and exploring the natural environment. Buses run from Hungerford, Peasemore, and Basingstoke and after school clubs are provided. To find out more, please come and visit the school at the next open morning on Saturday, May 12.

ELSTREE School, in Woolhampton is academically ambitious and provides a first class all-round education. The school has an excellent track record of boys gaining places at leading public schools, together with scholarships and exhibitions. The school comprises Home Farm, Elstree’s Nursery and Pre-Prep, and Elstree Prep. From Year 4, Elstree caters for boys only as boarders, flexi-boarders and day boys. In its magnificent 150-acre setting, children are exposed to a wide range of opportunities including music, art, DT and sport. Two state of the art science laboratories, well-equipped classrooms, a newly opened music school, a full-size all- weather pitch and spacious play areas ensure that the school offers a purposeful, stimulating and supportive environment for

school offers generous provision in sport, music, drama, public speaking, the CCF, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise and numerous addi- tional activities. Blue Coat’s new design technol- ogy centre, complete with 3D printers, further enhances the school’s impressive facilities, which also include an IT centre, a psychology and geology block, the 23-classroom Richard Aldworth Building, an extensive sixth form centre, an all-purpose

sports hall, an indoor swimming pool, a purpose-built science centre and a cricket pavilion. Blue Coat is an independent day school for boys aged 11-18 and girls aged 16-18. For further details, please contact Mrs Jane Jarrett or Ms Audrey Fernandes in admis- sions on (0118) 944 1005 or admis- sions@rbcs.org.uk. Further information is also available on the school’s website: www.rbcs.org.uk

Call (0118) 971 3302 or visit www.elstreeschool.org.uk

READING BLUE COAT SCHOOL Independent Day School • Boys 11-18; Girls 16 -18

OpenMorning Saturday28April • 9.30am-12.30pm

Register online: www.rbcs.org.uk