Claremont Fan Court Preparatory School Prospectus

CLAREMONT FAN COURT SCHOOL

PROSPECTUS

PREPARATORY SCHOOL

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Preparatory School Prospectus 2022

WELCOME Our creative and rigorous curriculum encourages pupils’ talents, whether academic, sporting, musical or creative. The ethos of our school promotes tolerance, respect and friendship. Pupils settle in and quickly become valued members of our community.

At Claremont Fan Court, every day brings exciting experiences; this is a happy school with happy children.

We extend a warm welcome and encourage you to visit and experience the education on offer here.

“WE WERE DELIGHTED TO BE SHORTLISTED FOR INDEPENDENT PREP SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2021 ONCE AGAIN, TESTAMENT TO OUR AMAZING TEAM AND PUPILS.”

Helen Hutton -Attenborough

HEAD OF PREPARATORY SCHOOL

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TEACHING AND LEARNING At Claremont, aspirations are high and character is developed; our children embrace life’s challenges with confidence and joy.

Learners of a broadly average standard and above are well served with our gifted, talented and interested programme of engaging curricular and characterdefining activities to extend areas of strength.

We encourage our pupils to embrace every opportunity and to believe that effort and endeavour are key to progress.

Teaching is predominantly in mixed ability classes, although ability setting in mathematics and elements of English also allow the children to progress at an appropriate rate. Specialist staff for modern foreign languages, PE and games, music and technology complement our excellent class teaching team and ensure that our rounded academic provision is of the highest quality.

Our pupils consistently receive recognition for their academic performance in the form of 11+ scholarship awards, both in our own Senior School and offers made by other schools.

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Preparatory School Prospectus 2022

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THE PREP SCHOOL PORTFOLIO The Prep School Portfolio (PSP) evidences our unique blend of activities, both curricular and co-curricular, that enable our pupils to become inquisitive and active learners. It encourages the development of children who are: confident and curious; skilled communicators; creative problem-solvers; leaders and team players; and individuals who are kind and caring towards each other, their community and the wider environment.

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Preparatory School Prospectus 2022

It allows our teaching staff to use their own talents and specialisms to be creative in their approach to lessons and encourages a wide breadth of activities outside the standard curriculum. This includes anything from Magic Club to chess, coding to bushcraft, judo to cheer-leading – alongside a diverse and high-quality academic provision.

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As a tiered, measurable system, the PSP allows every pupil to experience success at their own level. Our graduation ceremony at the end of Year 6 is a joyful celebration of all that the children have enjoyed during their years at the Prep School.

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SCHOOL STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION We are a genuinely co-educational school with broadly even numbers of boys and girls in each year group.

There are two classes of approximately twenty pupils in Year 3. Three classes are available from Year 4 onwards; class sizes are typically a little smaller in Year 4, returning to full classes of twenty for Years 5 and 6. We mix our classes every year, which encourages our children to be gregarious in their friendships and welcoming to new joiners.

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Preparatory School Prospectus 2022

“OUR CHILDREN HAVE SETTLED IN SO WELL AND FELT VERY WELCOME, INSTANTLY MAKING FRIENDS AND REALLY ENJOYING THE EXTENSIVE CURRICULUM AND SPORTS ON OFFER BY THE SCHOOL” PREP SCHOOL PARENT

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CURRICULUM Our curriculum is broad and ambitious. Free from the examination agendas of end of key stage SATS and 11+, we are able to plan and deliver schemes of work designed to encourage children’s progress and development, tapping into their natural curiosity and interests. Dedicated teaching spaces for art and science, as well as specialist teachers, significantly enhances the scope of what can be achieved. Whether it be working towards their violin Prep test, their English Speaking Board examinations or taking part in a variety of inter and intra school competitions, our children thrive in an atmosphere where there are opportunities for every child to shine.

There is as a strong focus on mathematics and English at the Prep School. In addition, children enjoy languages, games, PE and music which are taught by qualified subject specialists. The expertise and facilities of the Senior School are also drawn upon to deliver drama and food technology.

“PUPILS DEMONSTRATE EXCELLENT COLLABORATION, IN AND OUT OF LESSONS, WHICH REFLECTS THE STRONG FAMILY ETHOS OF THE SCHOOL.” ISI INSPECTION REPORT, 2017

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Science and technology fuel our children’s imaginations and broaden their horizons. We are delighted to have our own science laboratory and to have secured the Primary Science Quality Mark award. Science is taught by semi-specialist teachers, all of whom have demonstrated achievement and enthusiasm in this subject.

There is a strong emphasis on the teaching of scientific process skills and learning through hands on experimentation. Clubs and competitions are provided by staff, expert parents and enthusiastic pupils.

From Year 4 onwards the children all have their own laptop which they use with increasing proficiency as a tool to support their learning and communicate their understanding. Coding is taught as part of a specialist rotation and our own IT department provides a valuable source of knowledge and expertise to help us develop the children’s skills. The school also has a wealth of equipment that can be used for specific teaching, including class sets of iPads and photographic equipment.

Technology rotations in Years 5 and 6 include: textiles, food technology and an early experience of engineering.

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ARTS AND CULTURE ARTS

WORLD AND CULTURE

Drama is taught weekly and the children develop their performance skills in drama and English Speaking Board lessons. Additionally we run annual prose reading and poetry competitions and end of year shows.

Through the delivery of these subjects, our children develop a wider understanding of themselves and their own cultural identity as well as broadening their knowledge of and respect for other cultures and traditions. Learning Spanish, French and Latin further widens the children’s empathy and sympathetic understanding of other cultures, in addition to providing a sound foundation in foreign languages.

Practising creativity helps inspire our children to become courageous, inquisitive learners. Music is delivered by a specialist teacher with a strong emphasis on performance and the pleasure of making music, our children relish in the opportunity to showcase their talents in end of term concerts and special assemblies.

Art, textiles and design technology are taught, largely within our own specialist art room. The beautiful work on display is testament to the quality of teaching and the pleasure that the children derive from these subjects.

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We believe that children should love and take pride in their own culture as well as respecting and understanding that of others. History, geography and religious education are taught concurrently alongside philosophy and values education.

School assemblies cover a broad range of spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues to widen the children’s awareness of the world.

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CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND SPORT Co-curricular clubs and peripatetic teaching offer a wide range of experience. On average, there are around forty different clubs available including a variety of sports; art; chess; magic; bushcraft and cheer-leading.

At Claremont we truly value endeavour and participation just as much as achievement. Hard work and participation at every level is valued in the children’s PSP.

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Weekly recognition assemblies celebrate these successes, and encourage the children to believe that the grade achieved matters less than the efforts and experiences that helped achieve this. In this way, every child can strive to do a little more tomorrow than they do today, motivated by the real sense of purpose and meaning in all that they do.

With specialist staff and on-site facilities including a full-size sports hall, multiple pitches, tennis courts and a heated pool, weekly PE lessons enhance the children’s coordination, skills, stamina and teamwork whilst games lessons and regular fixtures allow the children to compete in a wide range of traditional sports, including: Athletics, basketball, cricket, cross country, dance, fitness, football, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, netball, rounders, rugby, swimming and tennis.

Our inclusive approach gives every child the opportunity to represent the School on the sports field.

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PASTORAL CARE At the Prep School, we seek to nurture and develop human qualities such as: character, curiosity, creativity and intrinsic motivation. The way in which our children collaborate and communicate with one another; the thinking and learning skills which they bring to their school experiences all matter to us. These often invisible elements are key to helping children strive for high academic outcomes whilst preserving their emotional well-being and self-esteem.

Our pastoral care begins with a phone call to get to know your child before their first day at school and continues with an approach that will know them as individuals throughout their journey with us. Daily time is spent with their form tutor and buddy system. Our house system includes belonging to a ‘family’ of mixed age-group children. We give our children roles and responsibilities to encourage them to develop a true sense of community spirit.

Our Assistant Head, pastoral leads a team which includes specialists in emotional literacy, who offer a safe, well-being space for those needing a little extra care. The approach to ironing out those small problems that can arise is always proactive, positive and restorative, and underpinned by our values led approach.

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HOW TO APPLY All families are warmly invited to attend an open morning. To get a true sense of life at Claremont Fan Court School, tours are led by own our pupils (where restrictions allow). This is followed by a talk and a Q&A session with the head of the Prep school, Mrs Helen Hutton-Attenborough.

To apply please visit the school website and complete the Preparatory School application form which is available from the ‘How to Apply’ section of our Admissions pages.

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If there are places available in the year group you are applying for, your child will be invited for an English, maths and creative writing assessment. Assessments are based on the curriculum for the year group in which they are applying.

Once we have the results of the assessment, we will contact you regarding the outcome and next steps.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND ENTRANCE EXAMS Prep children sit an entrance examination, testing English and mathematics, for Senior School transfer in the summer of Year 5. Most children receive an early offer at this time.

In these examinations, Prep pupils are required to demonstrate a good average, or above, level of attainment and do not compete for their place.

Many of our Year 6 pupils choose to put themselves forward for scholarship; we are proud of our pupils’ achievements – 15-20% of them typically receive scholarship awards. Preparation classes are run for pupils wishing to pursue scholarship.

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FAQS HOW IS THE SCHOOL DAY ORGANISED? The playground is supervised from 8.30am and there is a soft registration window between 8.40 and 9.00am. A Breakfast Club is available from 8am. The day begins formally at 9am and teaching is organised into ten thirtyminute periods per day, some of which are taught in double or triple sessions. There is a short morning break for play and an extended lunch break, which allows time for clubs and sports practice as well as eating lunch and free play. The timetabled part of the day ends at 3.40pm.

The school day may be extended in a number of ways: supervised Prep (until 4.15pm); a plethora of after school clubs and activities; After School Care facility (until 5.45pm), which includes homework supervision and a hot meal.

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HOW MUCH SPORT WILL MY CHILD PLAY? All children have a double period PE lesson each week; disciplines are rotated on a half termly basis and include swimming, gymnastics and health related sport. Dance is taught as an additional lesson in Year 3.

Traditional sports and match fixtures are played. Year 3 and 4 enjoy one extended afternoon games session per week; Year 5 and 6 have two afternoon sessions per week.

Practice and fixtures may also run outside of this timetabled provision.

Our inclusive programme guarantees that every will child will have the opportunity to represent the School in competitive fixtures.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR TRANSPORT TO SCHOOL? Children make their way to and from school in a variety of ways: by car; school bus; walking and cycling. Cycle and wellington boot racks are available for those choosing the environmentally friendly options. We operate a swift ‘drop and go’ system in the mornings and ‘collect on foot’ in the afternoons. Those taking the school bus or attending after school clubs are supervised and seen safely to the appropriate location.

WHAT WILL MY CHILD EAT? Children bring a healthy snack from home for morning break. School lunch is an important part of the day with a choice of hot meal, vegetarian options, salad bar and sandwiches available. A choice of desserts and fresh fruit options complement the first course.

Good table manners and conversation are encouraged at the lunch table.

DO YOU OFFER PERIPATETIC MUSIC LESSONS? Peripatetic lessons are available in violin, cello, double bass, harp, guitar, recorder, flute, piano, clarinet, trumpet, bassoon, saxophone, trombone and horn.

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CLAREMONT FAN COURT SCHOOL

Claremont Drive, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9LY | www.claremontfancourt.co.uk

| 01372 467841