Life in 5th & 6th Form

LIFE IN 5TH & 6TH FORM FROM SEPTEMBER 2025

Three Pathways, One Outcome

“The appeal of our approach is strong, offering families flexibility whilst ensuring that each pathway is equally valued by the senior schools that our boys may go on to attend.”

Over the course of the last few years it has become abundantly clear to us that the role Caldicott plays is clearer, yet more nuanced, than ever before. Our priorities extend beyond the fulfilment of each boy’s academic potential, to nurturing robust mental health and wellbeing, to developing soft skills which will make boys eminently employable one day, and to delivering our unique blend of both a classical and contemporary curriculum which is supported, but not overwhelmed, by digital learning.

This approach is served best with our three equal pathways through the 5th and 6th Form. Full Boarding, Weekly Boarding and Day Plus are different as they recognise the varying rates of child development. But where do those pathways lead? Whichever pathway is right for your son in the 5th and 6th Form, the full range of boarding and day schools at 13+ is available. In our first year of this approach boys have received offers from the country’s most famous Boarding

Schools, the most selective London Day Schools, the excellent schools of our local area and beyond southeast England too.

The appeal of our approach is strong, offering families flexibility whilst ensuring that each pathway is equally valued by the senior schools that our boys may go on to attend.

We were all incredibly motivated to pivot in this way when we launched in late 2023, and now our plans have materialised we think our offer will be recognised by our parents as a defining, fantastic moment in our recent history.

Warmest regards,

Jeremy Banks Headmaster

Boarding Boarding teaches camaraderie, tolerance and independence. We provide the conditions for pupils to develop their intellectual needs through participation in a range of activities, within an ethos that values effort and mutual respect. Each aspect of the school day is paced in such a way that allows for optimum rest, exercise, mental stimulation and fun.

Tom Gloster, Head of Boarding, is supported by a team of Houseparents and Matrons, including a Night Matron who offers a warm and comforting presence in the event of boys feeling unwell or having trouble sleeping.

Full Boarding A smaller proportion of boys, a mix of both British and international pupils, will remain in school for the weekend and return home (or to their UK Guardians) during exeats and school holidays. These boys will relax in the boarding house after their busy week and go for fabulous day trips on the Sunday, as arranged by our dedicated team of Houseparents and boarding staff. Boys may visit local attractions such as Windsor Castle, or travel to London, or enjoy trips to the cinema or to local sports facilities.

They are also welcome to just enjoy the grounds and the school facilities.

Weekly Boarding This option is defined as going home after Saturday afternoon fixtures and returning to school on either Sunday evening or Monday morning.

After a full and meaningful week, the boys can spend Saturday evening and all day Sunday relaxing and recharging with their family. Parents can also visit on Wednesday afternoons to watch the midweek matches and to take their son out to supper afterwards if they wish. Around 20% of the current 4th Form cohort already Weekly Board.

Day Plus One of the key benefits of Day Plus, and critically the difference between this and flexi-boarding, is that each boy has his own bed. Boys are encouraged to personalise their own space, and it also means that there is full flexibility when choosing which nights your son will stay over; whether these are synced around your son’s favourite evening activities or your own personal, family logistics. There is a games kit laundry service too, for the nights your son is boarding.

An easy-to-use booking system, accessed via the parents’ portal, allows parents to fix the two nights of boarding all term or update it on a weekly basis. (With the understanding that some activities will need to be locked in for the whole term.) Each Friday we will communicate with you about the upcoming week and by Saturday lunchtime your request will be locked in and forwarded to the boarding team.

A typical day means that Day Plus boys will finish school at 16.00, then enjoy a break and low tea, followed by supervised prep from 16.45 until 17.45. Although Day Plus boys can leave school at 16.00, our preference is for them to stay until 18.00 so that they can complete their prep at school and also benefit from the various academic clinics.

Boys staying on for the night will change for supper and enjoy the evening routine. Please note that while only boys who are boarding can access the activities, there are two exceptions to staying on after 18.00, which are Music or Drama rehearsals. In the event that a boy is involved in these two important areas of school life, they can be collected by an adult no later than 20.00.

Our Ethos In fast-changing times, Caldicott must answer the evolving needs of its pupils without losing sight of the core strengths that give us our dynamic spirit. It remains a place of academic rigour and teaching excellence. It remains a place where boys, at a critical stage of their development, are nurtured to become problem solvers and critical thinkers. It remains a place where camaraderie fuels achievement and a sense of brotherhood.

At the same time, Caldicott boys demonstrate compassion and selfawareness. They are eager to play their part in the community and to help address society’s collective challenges. They have the values to guide them, the determination to persevere, and the capacity to lead but, crucially, they also know how to apply those qualities in today’s world.

1 A clear set of objectives:

To nurture happy, resilient boys who thrive and face challenges with confidence.

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To provide a strong sense of community, with Chapel playing a central role in the moral and spiritual life of the school.

To deliver an inclusive and holisitic boys-only education, with sensitivity to the needs of each individual.

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To deliver an innovative, broad and academically rigorous curriculum, with the facilities and technology to enhance learning.

To live the values of our school through our work and in our relationships.

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To make the best use of our grounds and facilities to support the effective delivery of curricular and extra-curricular activity.

To use our resources to achieve educational aims but also with consideration for sustainability and the delivery of public benefit.

Bright futures Forward thinking and ambitious, our academically rigorous approach to teaching is allied to a 21st century skills-based curriculum informed by evidence-based research. Every boy is encouraged through a focus on equal opportunity while being expected to strive for the highest standards.

In tandem, boys participate in a wide range of leadership, boarding, sporting and cultural opportunities that all contribute to the development of good character and resilience. They are equipped to communicate well and challenged to think outside the box, skilfully guided to fulfil their potential.

Pastoral care As educators, we have ambitions to deliver academic success, but we also have a clear moral responsibility to provide pupils with a happy, supportive environment in which to learn.

Here, boys are known and valued as individuals. They are fortified by the friendships they forge within their year groups and across the school. They can rely on a community geared towards promoting their wellbeing.

Through further development of our tutor system under Heads of Year, we are able to give every boy the supportive platform they need to develop as an individual, achieve balance in themselves, and understand what is meant by personal success.

Activities Boys can choose from a range of internal and external (which will incur a small fee) activities; some examples include: •

Sports (judo, cricket, swimming, basketball, tennis, rock climbing, golf, squash and more)

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Coding

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Cooking

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Creative Thinking Club

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Art Club Communication & Public Speaking Skills STEM Club Creative Writing & Debate Club Academic Clinics

Daily Routine 07.00

First bell

07.15

Second bell

07.35

Breakfast

08.10

School day starts

16.15

Low tea Day Plus boys depart

16.45

Prep

17.45

Upstairs to change

18.00

Supper Day Plus boys depart Evening activities

19.30

Evening snack

19.45

Prepare for bed

20.30

Lights out

The activities that we offer here at Caldicott may go unheralded compared to the taught curriculum, but without question they play a critical role in each boy’s development, equipping them to compare incredibly favourably to other boys when they arrive at senior school. We want our boys to thrive and be happy whilst being both inquisitive and interesting. Our activity programme achieves this ambition with the rich variety of sporting, cultural and academic pursuits on offer. The culture that prevails each evening is one with a love of life, ambition, fun and camaraderie; all of which is super-charged by those activities. These are the building blocks of good character and boys in each pathway will experience its range.

- Mr Banks

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18.30

Message for 4th Form Parents Naturally we wish to offer as much support as you want or need as you make your selection from these three pathways, and here is an overview of the various events and information that we will, or have already, put in place to help you with your decision-making:

January:

4th Form Supper Engagement Event and Information Evening

February Half Term:

This informational brochure is sent

Second half of Lent Term:

Meetings and discussion with Tutors

Beginning of the Summer Term:

Email from Tom Gloster detailing activities information An online form will be sent from Lisa Botwright to indicate which of the three pathways you are choosing for your son.

Note: You are welcome to try different pathways as your son moves through 5th and 6th Form. A week’s notice will be required to move from Day Plus to Weekly or Full Boarding whilst half a term’s notice (or the Headmaster’s discretion) will be required to move from Weekly or Full Boarding to Day Plus.

23 – 27 June 2025:

4th Form Enrichment Week including the 4th Form Production, Information Meeting and an evening barbeque (more information to follow...)

Early July:

Welcome letter sent (which will include dorm information, first day arrangements, and more)

Caldicott, Crown Lane, Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire, SL2 3SL www.caldicott.com | 01753 649300 | office@caldicott.com | @CaldicottSchool