Admissions Information Booklet 2022/23
Achieve We develop pupils who are: • high achievers. • happy and resilient. • ambitious and respectful. • appreciative of themselves and others. • equipped with a spiritual foundation, and a strong moral code. • are ready to become positive and life-long contributors to society. Our School motto, “Quantum Potes Aude”, means to strive for the best and that is exactly what we want for our students at St Edward’s.
2 St Edward’s Cheltenham
Believe We believe in helping each pupil to realise they are truly unique and possess gifts and talents which give them unlimited potential. We wish to create an educational foundation whereby throughout their lives our pupils will always be ambitious for self-improvement and so develop beyond their perceived potential.
Strive We strive to: • provide excellent teaching, learning and outstanding pastoral care. • provide a wealth of opportunities both curricular and extra-curricular. • build a caring community. • encourage pupils to be the best they can be.
• Admissions Policy • Anti-Bullying Policy • Behaviour, Rewards & Sanctions Policy • Complaints Policy • English as an Additional Language Policy • Exclusion Policy • First Aid Policy • Safeguarding Policy • Safer Recruitment Policy School Policy documents A selection of our policy documents is available to read online via our website (www.stedwards.co.uk) including the following: On our website you can also find a full list of our other policies which are available on request. If you would like to receive copies of any of our policies please contact the School Office (contact details can be found
3Information Booklet 2022/2023 This information booklet, along with the Prospectus, describe the broad principles on which St Edward’s Cheltenham is presently run and give an indication of our history and ethos. They are not part of any agreement between the parents and the School. Although believed correct at the time of printing, certain statements may become out of date over time. Parents wishing to place specific reliance on a statement in the information booklet or prospectus should see written confirmation of the statement before accepting the offer of a place. WelcomeContents 3 Senior School: 4 Key Staff 4 Admissions Process 5 Life at the Senior School 6 School Fee Information 8 Bus2022/2023Routes 10 How to Find Us 11 Welcome Here at St Edward’s we know that choosing the right school for your child is one of the hardest decisions you will have to make. Gloucestershire is extremely fortunate to benefit from many excellent schools, both independent and state, making the decision even more difficult.
we
We
St Edward’s Senior School is an independent day school which provides an outstanding education for boys and girls aged 11-18 years. No matter what age, at St Edward’s we can support your child to fulfil their potential, academically, creatively and in sport. We encourage all our pupils to be the very best they can be by providing them with a wealth of curricular and co-curricular activities and experiences. hope that our School Prospectus and website have provided you with a window into the St Edward’s community, and that this Information Booklet answers any remaining questions you may have. If you have not yet visited us, or need any further help, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Team whose contact details can be found on page 4. St Edward’s Cheltenham, look forwarding to welcoming you soon. on
Thank you for considering
the back cover of this booklet).
our Admissions
4 St Edward’s Cheltenham Senior School Key SeniorStaffManagement Team Headmaster Mr Matthew Burke BA (Hons) Director of Operations Mr John Lewis BEd (Hons) Director of Studies Mr Christopher Reynolds BSc (Hons) Director of Pastoral Ms Alex McGowan BA (Hons) Head of Sixth Form Mr George Rodrigues BSc (Hons) MBA For a complete list of all our academic staff please visit our www.stedwards.co.ukwebsite: Admissions Team For further information about entry to the Senior School, or to book an appointment to visit, please contact: • senioradmissions@stedwards.co.uk • 01242 388555
International Applications Our entry process for International pupils is tailored to the individual pupil. Please contact our Admissions Team for further details. Further information For further information, or to book an appointment to visit, please contact our Admissions Team, on 01242 388555 or at senioradmissions@stedwards.co.uk Sixth 17-18
• Acceptance Visit We hold a number of Open Mornings throughout the year, details of which can be found on our website. Alternatively, you are more than welcome to contact our Admissions Team to arrange an individual tour with our Headmaster. Registration Registration may be made at any time to enter at any point in the academic year. Parents are requested to complete a Registration Form and return it to the School, together with a non-refundable fee of £75.
• Entry into Year 7-10 All prospective students are required to sit an online Entrance Assessment which covers English, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
• Entry into Sixth Form Entry into the Sixth Form is dependent upon GCSE performance. Candidates must achieve a minimum of five GCSEs at Level 5-9 (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics. They should also have achieved at least a Level 6 in subjects chosen for A Level. For Sciences and Maths a Level 7 or higher is recommended. Offer of Place Subject to successful completion of an Entrance Assessment, along with a satisfactory reference from your child’s current or most recent school and copies of any specialist assessments, a place will be offered. Please note that in the event of oversubscription for a Year Group, your child will be placed on a waiting list and the Admissions Team will keep you updated on any progress or availability.
Acceptance On receipt of an offer of a place at the School, parents are required to complete and return an Acceptance Form, along with an acceptance deposit of £500. The deposit is refunded when the pupil leaves St Edward’s and all financial matters have been settled.
Year Group Age Year 7 11-12 years Year 8 12-13 years Year 9 13-14 years Year 10 14-15 years Year 11 15-16 years Lower Sixth 16-17 years Upper
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Taster Days for Year 8-10 Entry
• Visit • Registration • Taster Days (Year 8 to Year 10)
For students seeking entry into Year 8, 9 and 10, following the completion of the Registration Form, a ‘Taster Day’ would be arranged for your child to spend time at the School.
Admissions Process
• Offer of place (subject to successful completion of an Entrance Assessment)
The admissions procedure will typically include the following steps:
Entrance Assessments All candidates will have an informal interview with the Headmaster. A reference will also be requested from their current School.
years
7-9) Life in Lower School (Year 7-9) is all about embracing new challenges and making the most of all the activities on offer at St Edward’s. All students are afforded the space and support required to allow them to thrive in our busy, but non-pressurised environment. Students will study a broad and balanced curriculum, learning more about their own interests and talents as they move up through the School. With a focus on the philosophy and framework of High Performance Learning (HPL), all members of our community are encouraged to be enthusiastic, inquisitive and resilient as they develop the skills they need to become independent learners, confident in their ability to be high performers.
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Timings of the School Day
All Upper School students study a core curriculum of: English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Science (Double Award or Triple). Core subjects are supplemented with four further option choices from a range of humanities, languages, and creative subjects: Art & Design, Business, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, DT, Drama, Food Preparation and Nutrition, French, Geography, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies and Spanish.
In addition, all students follow a PSHE course which includes Careers and Health Education together with Physical Education. Sixth Form Our students regularly tell us that they appreciate the excellent teaching, huge variety of opportunities, freedom and responsibility they experience in our Sixth Form. Whether they have been at St Edward’s since Kindergarten, or joined us in Lower Sixth, they feel part of a busy thriving community and relish their role as leaders. Life in our Sixth Form is academically challenging. We expect our students to manage their time independently so that they can enjoy the social benefits alongside their studies. We currently offer 24 A Level subjects to choose from, as well as an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Students entering the Sixth Form are able to select 3-4 subjects to study. The majority of students initially select four subjects, one of which is ‘discontinued’ at some point during Lower Sixth, as students select the three subjects they wish to focus on and gain an A Level qualification in. Games and an Enrichment Programme are also part of Sixth Form Curriculum.
Life at Senior & Sixth Form
Early Drop Off: From 7:45am Registration: 8:30am Period 1: 8:55am Period 2: 9:35am Break time: 10:15am Period 3: 10:40am Period 4: 11:20am Period 5: 12:05pm Lunchtime: 12:45pm Period 6: 1:45pm Period 7: 2:25pm Period 8: 3:10pm Registration: 3:50pm Activities 4:15pm to 6pm
Upper School (Years 10-11) In Upper School students face greater challenges and responsibilities, not only academically but also on a social level. At St Edward’s we do all that we can to ensure that we provide the very best opportunities for personal growth and success. With a continued focus on the philosophy and framework of High Performance Learning (HPL), students continue to build the cognitive competencies that lead a young person to thrive in school and in later life.
LowerCurriculumSchool(Years
Individual Learning
The House System Students of all Year Groups are divided into one of three Houses – Fisher, Newman and More –named after Saint John Fisher, Blessed John Henry Newman and Saint Thomas More. Where possible, siblings are placed in the same House. Heads of Year and other pastoral staff retain neutrality and remain the main point of contact for pastoral issues. During the course of the school year, students earn House Points for academic, sporting, performing arts and other achievements, culminating in Sports Day, at the end of the school year. The winning House receives the coveted ‘House Cup’.
7Information Booklet 2022/2023
Co-Curricular Activities
Combined Cadet Force We are proud to have a flourishing Combined Cadet Force (CCF) open to all students from Year 8 upwards. There is an Army and a Royal Air Force (RAF) Section that provides exciting opportunities for our future young leaders.
A comprehensive programme of co-curricular activities and clubs (most of which are included in the school fees) take place at lunchtime and after school for students in all year groups. Sport Sport St Edward’s is committed to providing sport for every child, at every level and giving them every opportunity to succeed. We run an extensive training and fixtures programme each term and are committed to each team having at least one fixture per week either during the week or on Saturdays.
The St Edward’s Excellence Programme and Scholars (STEPS) is an integral part of our commitment to support and develop our most talented sporting pupils. The programme is designed to stretch and challenge our elite performers both in their physical performance and in their tactical play. Music Music is a very exciting part of the School, and we are fortunate in having a large number of dedicated peripatetic teachers offering lessons in most musical instruments and musical theory. There are a range of musical ensembles to be part of including Choirs, Orchestra and Concert Band. Major performances held during the year include the Carol Service in Tewkesbury Abbey and the Pump Room Concert in the Spring Term. Informal concerts are held after school at regular intervals throughout the year. Drama In addition to regular curriculum Drama lessons, a main whole school production is staged during the Spring Term each year. If the project is appropriate, sometimes we offer separate Lower School and Upper School productions. Private Lessons are available in Speech and Drama, which take place before and after School and at lunchtimes. Pupils have the opportunity to pursue the Grade Examinations of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and to take part in the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts. DofE The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme (DofE) is voluntary and available to all students from Year 9 and above. Our Award programme is hugely popular and we are very proud to have one of the highest completion rates in the UK. On average 95-98% of students complete their Award, compared to the 55% national average (DofE National Statistics March 2020).
Individual Learning offers a wide range of learning support for students at St Edward’s. This includes support with Literacy, Numeracy, examinations and personal organisation. We recognise that a student of any intellectual ability may have a specific learning difficulty. We provide expert, sensitive support and teaching with an excellent track record in enabling students to fulfil their potential. Lunches Healthy lunches are included in the school fees and are served in our purpose-built refectory, The Canopy. Hot meal choices include both meat and vegetarian options, along with filled jacket potatoes. There is also a self-service salad bar, as well as a choice of freshly-made sandwiches, baguettes, bagels and wraps. Any specific dietary requirements can be catered for.
• CCF & Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme Students opting to join these will pay an annual charge.
Extras School fees are normally inclusive of all extras except for academic and social outings e.g. theatre visits and seminars; residential trips; voluntary purchase of additional GCSE and A Level text books; and the following extras:
• Public Examinations: Parents should budget for approximately up to £550 when a child is taking GCSE and AS/A Level examinations for examination fees.
• Design Technology Materials GCSE and AS/A Level - Students will be charged (at cost price) for a Standard Stationery Kit once the course has started. Coursework practical projects will have to meet a budget (set at the beginning of the course). Some students will be asked to pay the cost price for materials which exceed the budget.
8 St Edward’s Cheltenham Year Group Termly Fee Annual Fee Year 7 £5,325 £15,975 Year 8 £5,530 £16,590 Year 9 £5,735 £17,205 Year 10 £6,305 £18,915 Year 11 £6,305 £18,915 Lower Sixth £6,305 £18,915 Upper Sixth £6,305 £18,915 Termly School Fees School Fee Information 2022/2023 Registration & Deposit (per child) • Registration Fee (non-refundable): £75 per child • Deposit: £500* *An enhanced deposit and administrative fee may be required for non-UK resident families. For more information please contact the Admissions Team. Our School fees include a healthy and varied lunch choice. Please refer to the School website to ensure that you have the most up-to-date fee schedule: sions/fees-and-charges/www.stedwards.co.uk/admis
• Breakfast and Break-time snacks: All school lunches are included in the cost of fees. However, students are able to purchase their own snacks from the Canopy at breakfast and break times if they wish.
• Art & Photography: Students taking these subject at GCSE or A Level may be required to purchase materials used in their work.
• Individual Learning (IL) and English as an Additional Language (EAL): Tuition will be charged on the school bill in accordance with the School’s Special Needs Policies. Fees for the tuition are currently £32 per 40 minute lesson and these will be billed in arrears. These are likely to change in line with fee changes.
• Private Tuition: Music and Speech & Drama tuition can be booked privately with the School’s visiting teachers. A lesson request form is available from the school website, and in the back of this handbook. All visiting teachers are self-employed and as such set their own rates and terms of business. Please ask individual teachers for further details.
The School insures all students for personal accidents. Insurance cover is 24/7/365 mean ing that it will cover students all year even when they are not at School. Personal Effects Parents are responsible for providing their own personal effects insurance (including laptops, sports clothing and equipment, calculators, watches, bicycles, clothing etc.). Valuables including musical instruments must be handed in for safe custody and not left unattended in lockers, classrooms or changing rooms.
Insurances
Payment of Fees School accounts may be settled by bank transfer, credit/debit card or Direct Debit. Payments are required to clear in full on or before the first day of term. Direct debit payments are required either termly, on or just after 1st September, 1st January and 1st May or monthly, on the 1st of each month. There is no additional charge to pay monthly. Invoices for each term are issued half a term in advance. So, for example, parents will receive their invoice for the Spring Term fees in the second half of the Autumn Term. A 1% discount is applied for all payments received prior to the end of term in which the invoice is issued. So following on from the previous example a 1% discount would be applied on the Spring Term fees if payment was made prior to the end of the Autumn Term. Direct Debit is the preferred method of payment as it is the simplest way to pay your school fee bills and make sure your account is up to date. To pay by Direct Debit, you will need to instruct to your bank/building society to pay the School variable amounts from your account. The instruction needs to be variable because the payments can alter from term to term depending on the activities your child takes part in and any changes in fees. Payment by credit or debit card can be made over the telephone by calling 01242 388567. There is no charge applied to paying by card.
9Information Booklet 2022/2023
Late Payment of Fees Direct Debit is the School’s preferred payment method as it will ensure that fees are never late. However, should fees not in paid on time, the School reserves the right to charge interest on the outstanding balance in line with Terms of the Parent Contract. If parents foresee problems with paying fees on time, they should contact the School. Sibling Discount Sibling discounts are available where a family has three or more children attending the School at the same time. A third child will receive a discount of 20%. Fourth and subsequent children receive a discount of 40%. Sibling discounts are not available in the Kindergarten Notice of Withdrawal To withdraw a student from the School, a parent must give a full academic term’s notice in writing to the Headmaster. Notice to any other member of staff, will not be accepted. In lieu of such notice, a full term’s fees at the rate prevailing at the time of leaving are payable. (Please note that this applies to all years in the School, including the transition from Year 11 to Year 12).
School Fees Refunds The School is unable to refund fees if a student is away from School for any reason. Parents who are interested in insurance cover should contact their own brokers or insurers for advice.
Fee Increases The annual fee increase for September will normally be announced at Easter. However, the School reserves the right to alter the fees by notice in writing before the start of any term.
Route 2:Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-theWold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford, Northleach, Andoversford, East End Route 3: Ashton Keynes, South Cerney, Cirencester, Rendcomb, Colesbourne, Sandy Lane Route 4: Gloucester Cattle Market, Innsworth, Churchdown, Shurdington, Leckhampton Route 5: Nailsworth, Amberley, Stroud, The Camp, Birdlip Route 6: Hoo Lane, Tredington, Woodmancote, Southam, Pittville Route 7: Montpelliar, Train Station, Westhall Green, Hatherley Ct Road, The Park/Lauriston Park, Leckhampton Road Route 8 (mornings only): Southam, Train Station, Lauriston/Sir Charles Irving Close, Osprey Road/Moorend Park Road
A timetable with fares and information about how to book is available to download from the school website. All enquiries about routes and booking on to the routes should be made direct to the operator, Pulhams Coaches, which is responsible for the operation and administration of the service. Please do not contact the School for travel information or booking requests for the Pulham routes. Pulham’s dedicated school transport team can be contacted on 01451 820369 or at accounts@pulhamscoaches.com.
Routes 6-8: St Edward’s runs its own bus routes which current serve the north of Cheltenham although routes may change in line with demand. For more information about tickets and timings, please visit our website. Parents who live within reach of the routes are encouraged to use the bus service, as this helps to reduce the car congestion within the grounds at peak times in the mornings and afternoons.
There are eight bus routes available: Routes 1-5: Routes 1 – 5 are run in partnership with three other Independent Schools in Cheltenham. The service is operated by Pulhams Coaches.
Pulhams is prepared to be flexible. If parents have queries about the day-to-day matters of timings, routes or fares, they should contact the company to see if their personal requirements can be accommodated. Return routes on the Pulhams Services run at the end of the School day, and there is also the option of a later 6pm service on these routes for any students wishing to remain at School for co-curricular activities.
10 St Edward’s Cheltenham
Bus Routes
Route 1: Broadway, Toddington, Winchcombe, Gretton, Gotherington, Bishops Cleeve, Racecourse (Lexington Square)
How to Find Us
11Information Booklet 2022/2023
Cirencester Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 8EY Tel: 01242 338555 From the town centre: Follow the A40 signs for Oxford. You will approach a fork in the road with Holy Apostles Church directly ahead, turn right, following the A435 for Cirencester. The entrance is on the right approximately 100 metres after Chancel Way. Approaching from the A435 Cirencester Road: The entrance is 50 metres on the left after the traffic lights at Sacred Hearts Church. Approaching from the A40 Oxford - from the A40, turn left into Copt Elm Road until you reach a mini roundabout, turn right onto Lyefield Road. You will reach a set of traffic lights by Sacred Hearts Church, turn right on Cirencester Road, the entrance is 50 metres on the left.
Updated August 2022 Cirencester Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 8EY Tel: 01242 388555 Email: www.stedwards.co.ukreception@stedwards.co.uk facebook.com/StEdwardsSchoolCheltenham/ For all the latest updates take a look at our Social Media Channels: @StEdwardsChelt | @SportStEds | @StEdsHeadmaster stedwardscheltenham | sportstedwards
