Cranbrook College Prospectus

CRANBROOK COLLEGE

Cranbrook College is a place where your son can thrive and reach his full potential, not only in the classroom and on the sports field, but as a well-rounded and confident individual

Learning for Life The college was founded in 1896 and has strong traditions combined with a firm focus on equipping pupils to meet future challenges. We welcome boys aged 4–16 from a variety of cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. They work – and play – in harmony to create a lively and dynamic school.

Our individual approach The first thing that most people notice when they visit Cranbrook College is the happy atmosphere and you can be sure of a very warm welcome. Our teachers enjoy their work. The small class sizes mean they can get to know their students so well that each child receives all the individual help, advice and

support that he needs. Standards are high and examination results are outstanding.

It is our aim that each young man leaving Cranbrook is well educated but also well presented and courteous, with a concern for others. Our leavers are highly regarded by local schools and colleges and several boys have won sixth form scholarships at leading independent schools.

Modern facilities, many opportunities Modern, well-equipped classrooms complement our state-of-the-art facilities for Information Technology and Science.

Cranbrook College enables every pupil to develop his interests and skills and to

experience a broad range of opportunities.

Sport, art and music are among the College’s strengths which can provide lifelong challenges and pleasure.

See for yourself A tour of the school is essential to get a real feel for its atmosphere of academic purpose, the quality of the educational environment and our family-friendly approach.

Do come and see for yourself. We would be very pleased to meet you and your family and to give you a taste of life at Cranbrook College. Please contact our Registrar on: 020 8554 1757 who will happily arrange your visit.

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MISSION STATEMENT Cranbrook College is a caring community. We promote high standards and provide opportunities for success, personal development and the widening of individual talents and interests.

We aim to serve the needs of our pupils by providing a full and rounded education which:

• Promotes independent learning and teamwork alike

• Equips boys with the academic foundation for their chosen career

• Develops self-confidence and initiative

Our students will also be able to respond to the demands of a constantly changing society, while holding firmly to traditional values.

• Raises awareness of social and cultural diversity

• Fosters self-discipline and responsibility

• Stimulates respect for others

• Enriches pupils by creating a wide range of co-curricular activities, clubs and out of school visits

religious life Cranbrook College is multi-denominational and welcomes boys from all the major world religions. In Religious Studies, boys learn about their own religion and the beliefs of others.

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To encourage understanding and tolerance of different faiths and cultures, visits are made to local churches, mosques, temples, gurdwaras and synagogues.

Assemblies take place in the Pre-Preparatory and Junior schools, as well as a formal assembly for Junior and Upper School boys once a week, where a variety of spiritual topics and themes are considered.

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The commitment to the success of our students begins at the very start of their scholastic life at Cranbrook

The early years Pre-Preparatory School

Boys may enter the Reception class in the September after their fourth birthday.

Class sizes average 12–14 pupils, so teachers can get to know each boy extremely well, and help him to develop his strengths and remedy weaknesses. At this stage, teaching focuses on developing pupils’ literacy and numeracy skills.

Checking progress We carry out regular checks and tests on progress and ensure that appropriate tasks are set and support given where needed. By the end of this foundation stage, boys generally have a reading age well ahead of their actual age and will have grown in confidence in speaking and listening. Boys also start

studying Spanish in Reception, adding to their awareness of language.

The facilities include an interactive “Smart” board and a library dedicated to this age group.

Music and singing are important too, and each year all the boys take part in a musical production based on the Christmas story.

In break time, supervisors and staff ensure that boys can exercise and play safely and with consideration for others.

Gaining new confidence and skills Sport is taught at a local leisure centre by the college’s physical education staff. Top class facilities and teaching mean that by the age of seven, your son will learn new skills and gain confidence in his physical abilities.

Meet the teachers As a parent, you are welcome to call in to see your son’s teacher by appointment or less formally before or after school. Regular meetings between teachers and parents take place each half term and you will receive a full written report at the end of every term.

Music is also taught by a specialist, and each Pre-Preparatory class goes to the college’s ICT suite for lessons in Information Technology.

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In the national tests for 11 year olds at the end of Key Stage 2, Cranbrook boys regularly achieve outstanding results

The next steps Junior School

Our broad curriculum, combined with subject based teaching prepares boys for life in the Upper School. However, although Junior School pupils start studying more specialist subjects, there is still a strong emphasis on the ‘basics’ – literacy and numeracy skills.

A wide range of subjects In addition to literacy and numeracy, Science is taught along with Geography, History, and Religious Education. In Year 6 all boys use

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the laboratory, where they can carry out experiments. Art and Music are taught by specialists, as are ICT, French, Spanish and Physical Education.

Learning outside school Learning carries on outside school. We arrange visits to places of interest, helping to reinforce the work done in class and providing opportunities for boys to learn teamwork and other social skills.

Residential visits are made to Burwell House in Cambridgeshire and Stubbers Adventure Centre in Brentwood, with day visits to Greenwich and the Thames Barrier, The Ragged School and Colchester Zoo among many other educational trips.

In the national tests for 11 year olds at the end of Key Stage 2, Cranbrook boys regularly achieve outstanding results.

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As well as preparing students for work experience in Year 11, we provide help in selecting their sixth form colleges and schools

Moving up a gear

Upper School

By the time they reach the Upper School, boys will have a good grounding in the curriculum already established in the previous years. All boys study main subjects for the first three years, including English, Mathematics, Science, French, Spanish, Geography, History, Religious Studies, ICT, Art, Music, Physical Education and Games.

At the end of Year 9 pupils are entered for the Key Stage 3 tests, where results are consistently high.

Getting results In the final two years of the Upper School, boys study for their GCSE examinations. The core

subjects, which everyone must take, are English, English Literature, Mathematics, Science and at least one modern language. The remaining subjects are selected from a range of options.

Most boys leave with nine GCSE passes.

Most pupils leave Cranbrook for their first choice destination at leading schools and colleges, including the selective grammar schools. In recent years a number of sixth form scholarships have been awarded to Cranbrook boys at prestigious independent schools.

Personal development and careers support Personal and Social Development (PSD) is taught throughout the Upper School and at Key Stage 4 we provide careers guidance and support. This stage marks a turning point for our pupils and as well as preparing them for work experience which takes place in Year 11, we provide help in selecting their sixth form colleges and schools.

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Matches against other schools offer competition and individual talent is encouraged through taking part in galas and tournaments and at county and national championships

Activities for everyone There’s something for everyone in our wide and varied sports programme. Two fully qualified staff teach throughout the school and all boys learn to swim and take part in football, hockey, basketball, cross country running, cricket and athletics. Sailing takes place after school and there are opportunities to learn to ski. We use the best facilities available, including local leisure and water sports centres and outdoor grass and all weather pitches. The school’s two minibuses take boys to the venues and after school clubs.

Matches against other schools offer competition and individual talent is encouraged through taking part in galas and tournaments organised by the Independent Schools Association and at county and national championships.

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Creative arts Art is taught by a specialist from Year 4 upwards, while younger boys learn skills through their class teacher. Every pupil takes Art until the end of Key Stage 3, after which it is available as a popular GCSE option.

Music begins in the Pre-Preparatory School and is taught by a specialist throughout Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. As well as singing, boys learn to make music on a range of instruments appropriate to their age. Visiting teachers enable boys to learn an instrument – lessons are available in violin, piano, guitar, percussion, woodwind, voice and brass. There are many opportunities to perform and enthusiastic learners are encouraged to play in ensembles and take the Associated Board examinations.

The Pre-Preparatory and Junior Schools each present an annual musical production in which every boy appears. The summer concert, with its eclectic mixture of styles, gives many boys the chance to play or sing in public. The show features music from every genre, including classical, rock and jazz.

Taking centre stage Musical theatre productions give boys the opportunity to act, while Upper School students take part in public speaking contests at local and national level. Cranbrook boys are very successful in this important training for future life and the school debating competition is always keenly contested.

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Beyond THE CURRICULUM Throughout the school there are opportunities to see places of interest through visits which support the curriculum and open up the wider world. For example, PrePreparatory pupils visit theatres, museums, a fire station and a zoo.

Junior boys make several day visits each year and every two years take part in an activitybased holiday which presents mental and physical challenges. In the Upper School, students regularly visit art galleries, law courts, historical sites and field centres.

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Independent learning A fiction and reference library enables boys to explore their personal interests and stretch their imaginations.

The ICT suite is available outside lesson times and students are encouraged to continue their studies through individual research.

Healthy eating A freshly prepared, nutritious lunch is served each day, the cost of which is included in the school fees. All tastes are catered for, with a

wide choice of hot and cold meals including vegetarian options. At morning break Junior and Upper School boys can buy healthy snacks from the tuck shop. Fruit and a drink are provided to Pre-Preparatory pupils at a small extra cost.

Medical care Routine injuries are treated by staff who have up-to-date first aid training. A qualified nurse is available to help with more serious injuries and ongoing medical needs.

Tel: 020 8554 1757 Fax: 020 8518 0317 Email: info@cranbrookcollege.org.uk www.cranbrookcollege.org.uk

The School is well resourced and enjoys the benefit of belonging to the Cognita Schools Group, the largest provider of independent co-educational education in the country. The Group owns over thirty schools across the country, covering the age range 2–18.

Cognita, 2 Eskan Court, Campbell Park, Milton Keynes, MK9 4AN Telephone: 01908 396 250 www.cognitaschools.co.uk Whilst we endeavour to ensure that the information in this prospectus is accurate, complete and up-to-date, we make no warranties or representations in respect of this. You are strongly advised to visit the school to discuss your requirements before committing to place your child or children with us.

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CRANBROOK COLLEGE Mansfield Road Ilford Essex, IG1 3BD