Information Prospectus 2017

EDUCATING GIRLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Information

Prospectus

Contents 01 Introduction

06 Day girls

02 Senior Leaders

07 Weekends

03 Admissions

Entry procedure Deferred entry International admissions process

07 A typical school day 08 Curriculum

04 Scholarships

04 Bursaries

08 Spectrum

Discounts

05 School fees 05 Uniform

Forms I – III Forms IV – V Sixth Form

09 The Arts 09 Sport

10 Equestrian

10 Music

06 Boarding

10 LAMDA 11 Dance 11 Co-Curricular 11 Chapel 12 Leiths 12 Dining 13 Summer School and Camp 13 Open Mornings and individual tours 14 Location and transport

introdu

Information

Prospectus 01

uction THE MERIT OF ONE IS THE HONOUR OF ALL

Our secondary prospectus is designed to give you a more detailed insight into Heathfield, but there is nothing better than seeing the school for yourself and meeting our girls, the teachers and our Headmistress, Mrs Gardiner Legge.

While we have termly open mornings you are also welcome to arrange an individual visit to the school.

If you would like to know more about Heathfield, please contact our Registrar, Mrs Isabel Hutchings, on 01344 898342 or email registrar@heathfieldschool.net

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Senior Leaders Headmistress Marina Gardiner Legge (MA Oxon, PGCE) started her teaching career in Hong Kong before moving to London and then to Heathfield School as Director of Studies. She became Head in September 2016. Prior to Heathfield she taught at an all boys’ school in London, where she was also Pastoral Head of Year. Having been a boarder herself, Marina is a great supporter of the boarding ethos. Marina studied English Language and Literature at Oxford University.

Director of Pastoral and Co-Curricular Activities Kathryn de Ferrer (MA, BA Hons, PGCE) joined Heathfield School following several years as Head of House at a large co-educational school in Surrey. Originally from New Zealand, with degrees from the USA and the UK, she retrained as a teacher following a successful career in Media and Technology, becoming Head of Drama at two different Surrey schools.

Director of Studies David Mitchell (MA, MSc, BA Hons, PGCE) taught extensively in the state sector prior to joining Heathfield School. Formerly an Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form at an outstanding school, David is highly experienced in developing learning, teaching and pastoral care.

Director of Sixth Form Jeremy Hart (MA, BA Hons) joined Heathfield School from Queen Margaret’s School near York, where he was Housemaster and Head of Year to the Lower Sixth girls. He is very familiar with the highs and lows of boarding school life, having started as a boarder at the age of 10 and having worked in boarding schools since 1990.

Director of Boarding John Gale (MSc, BSc, PGCE) joined Heathfield School in September 2017 from Mill Hill where he was Deputy Head of Pastoral. Prior to this he has held various boarding roles in a number of schools which include Downe House, Holyport College, Licensed Victuallers’ School, Shiplake College and nine years at Wellington College.

Bursar Mrs Rachel Frier, BSc Hons (Bristol), FCA, was appointed Bursar of Heathfield School in August 2015. Prior to this she was the Bursar at The Marist School in Sunninghill. Rachel started her career as an auditor for a top 10 firm before moving into industry working for the UK head offices of several global corporations in various commercial and financial roles.

Chair of Governors Tom Cross Brown MA (Oxon) MBA (Insead) retired after a career in the City, mostly with Lazard Brothers. He holds various non-executive positions, including Chairman of Pearl Assurance plc and of Just Retirement Group plc. He is currently Deputy Chairman of JRP Group plc and on the management committee of Artemis Investment Management LLP.

Information

Prospectus

Admissions Heathfield is a small boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18 years.

It provides an environment where a girl’s childhood will be happy and secure; where she has the opportunity to discover her unique passions and talents and accordingly, to develop self-belief and confidence to enable her to succeed. Life in the 21st Century demands spirit, resilience and adaptability; it is incumbent upon us to help equip her with both academic qualifications and life skills.We are ambitious for our girls and our bespoke approach enables them to succeed in many different areas.

Entry Procedure 11+ entry Applicants for places in Form I (Year 7) will be invited for an assessment day in November of the year preceding entry. This will include assessment to measure Numeracy, Verbal and Non-Verbal ability. The girls will also take part in a number of workshops and attend an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. A reference will be requested from their current school.

13+ entry Applicants for a place in Form III (Year 9) will be invited for an assessment day in November of the year preceding entry. This will include assessment to measure Numeracy, Verbal and NonVerbal ability. The girls will also take part in a number of workshops and attend an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Offers are not automatically linked to subsequent performance at Common Entrance, where taken. A reference will be requested from their current school.

03 Deferred Entry at 13+ Heathfield School is happy to defer places for candidates who wish to apply early and be offered a conditional place for 13+ entry. For further information, please contact the Registrar, registrar@heathfieldschool.net or see our website: http://www.heathfieldschool.net/ admissions/procedure/ All applicants must be registered in order to attend for assessment.

Registrations for entry to Forms I and III should be received by October halfterm and by the Lent Term for Sixth Form entry. A non-refundable fee of £200 is payable.

16+ entry Sixth Form candidates will visit the school for assessment and interview.

Conditional offers are made on the candidate achieving at least six A*- C/9-4 grades at GCSE with the expectation that a minimum of a grade B /6 is attained in the subjects to be pursued at A Level. This entry requirement may be an A/7 or 8 grade in some subjects. A reference will be requested from their current school.

Occasional Places Places may also be available for entry into other year groups, subject to availability.

Offer and Acceptance of Place Following assessment and interview, offers will be made by the end of the Michaelmas Term. To accept the place, parents are required to sign the Acceptance Form and agree to the Terms and Conditions. To secure the place an acceptance deposit of £1000 is payable by all families.

An additional deposit of £11,250 is payable in addition to the acceptance deposit by the parents of pupils whose normal residence is outside the United Kingdom. Once the place is confirmed your daughter will be invited to a welcome event to aid her transition to Heathfield.

International Admissions Process Heathfield School is an English boarding and day school which welcomes girls from around the world. Just over 20% of our girls are international students.

Currently attending Heathfield are girls from a variety of countries including Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and China. We also have British pupils whose parents live overseas and international students whose parents live in the UK.

Practicalities for an International Student Heathfield School is expert in guiding international families through the official application process which enables their daughter(s) to study in the UK. For further information, please look at http://www.heathfieldschool. net/admissions/international-students/ or contact registrar@heathfieldschool.net

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Scholarships

Bursaries

Heathfield offers Academic, All-rounder, Art, Drama, Music and Sport scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+. These are open to both internal and external candidates.

Heathfield is able to offer talented and gifted applicants whose parents cannot meet the cost of fees access to a first class education through means-tested Bursaries.

• Scholars must demonstrate significant levels of academic, creative or sporting ability, achievement and potential.

The award carries with it title and prestige and gives the holder access to our scholarship programme to further her potential. There is a financial award of £250 per term.

Bursaries may be awarded to applicants to the school for any year group. Parents must have registered their daughter and be domiciled in the UK.

•

11+ and 13+ scholarships remain in place until the end of Form V when scholars may re-apply for a Sixth Form scholarship.

•

16+ scholarships are for the two years of the A Level syllabus.

• Assessment for Sixth Form scholarships takes place in February of the year of entry, and assessment for Form I and Form III scholarships takes place in November of the year preceding entry.

• Applicants will be asked to complete an application form, write a letter of application and enclose a reference from their current teacher in their chosen specialism.

• The 11+ and 13+ academic scholarship will be awarded to the applicant who performs highly in all aspects of the assessment and at interview. There will be no separate academic scholarship examination or interview. Applicants for the 16+ academic scholarship will sit an assessment and attend an interview.

• Scholarships are not means-tested and the school reserves the right not to award scholarships in a particular year.

Bursaries may be awarded in the form of a discount of up to 100% on boarding and tuition fees payable depending on the financial, compassionate or other pertinent circumstances of applicants. The costs of all “Extras” must be paid in full by the pupil’s parents.

On account of the limited funds available to the school, not every eligible application for a bursary will be successful.

Bursaries can be applied for in addition to a scholarship or on their own.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Bursar to discuss matters in confidence so she can assist and guide your application. Application forms are available from the Bursar, Mrs Rachel Frier, via bursar@heathfieldschool.net

Discounts In addition Heathfield School makes the following discounts available: • Diplomatic service – 10% • Armed forces – 20% • Siblings – 5% for second and each subsequent sister A clergy discount is also available.

Further information on scholarships, bursaries and discounts is available from the Registrar.

Information

School Fees

Uniform

2017-18 fees per term, are as follows:

Forms I – Lower VI

Senior

Lower School

Boarding

£11,740

£11,460

Day

£7,305

£7,110

(Forms III- UVI)

(Forms I- II)

The fees include class exercise books, stationery, initial print credits, accident and dental insurance, travel insurance whilst on a school trip, and the cost of all essential A Level and GCSE syllabus trips. The boarding fees include laundry and linen.

The Governing School Council reviews the fees annually and any change communicated, will be effective on 1 September.

Fees are payable termly in advance.

A £200 non-refundable fee is payable on registration.

Prospectus

The girls wear a uniform of navy blue skirt, white shirt and navy jumper, with a blue tie for girls in Forms I – V and a red striped tie for girls in Lower VI. Scholars in Forms I – V wear a plain green tie while LVI and UVI scholars wear a badge.

All school uniform can be purchased from the school outfitters, Billings and Edmonds, either in person or online at www.billingsandedmonds.co.uk Billings and Edmonds 132 High Street Eton Berkshire SL4 6AR Telephone 01753 861348 email eton@billingsandedmonds.co.uk After school, all girls change into their own clothes.

Upper VI Form The girls in Upper VI wear their own smart clothes.

Sports Kit

The sports uniform consists of navy blue tracksuit bottoms, navy blue ‘skort’, short or longed sleeved top, navy hoodie and navy knee-length socks. All sports uniform items incorporate the school name and logo.

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Boarding

Day Girls

The boarding ethos is central to the Heathfield community.

Boarding comes with a built-in social life and enables the development of close and life-long friendships.

Since day girls were first admitted to the school in 2015, this option has grown in popularity. Day girls are an integral and valued part of the school community.

Living and working together teaches empathy, respect, independence and selfconfidence. And, in the 24/7 boarding environment, learning in the broadest sense never stops. When the school day finishes, there is time for the many co-curricular opportunities and staff are always on hand to help with Prep. At the weekends, there is a busy and well-structured age-appropriate programme of sports and activities.

Boarding has changed beyond recognition but there are many misconceptions about the meaning of full boarding. Today, flexibility is required to accommodate the many demands and complexities of modern family life. Weekend exeats are frequent, there are three exeats in the Michaelmas Term and two in the Lent and Summer Terms.

There are also a couple of optional exeats in addition to the Half-Term holidays.

Education is a partnership between the family and the school. Communication is essential, Heathfield staff are accessible and always ready to provide information, advice and reassurance. Families are encouraged to support school events and to take part in school life. We regularly welcome friends and family to drama productions, concerts and sporting fixtures. Parents are welcome to take their daughters out for meals.

We believe that the quality of family relationships is enhanced by getting the balance right between school and home on an individual basis. In Forms I and II we offer the flexibility of weekly boarding where needed and for other year groups, additional flexibility is at the discretion of the Housemistress.

Each day girl is allocated a place within her year group’s boarding area where she may keep personal items and clothes. Obviously, day girls have access to all the facilities and activities open to boarders.

This flexible option allows to arrive in time for breakfast and stay on for an activity, to complete their prep or for supper after lessons. Alternatively, they may leave at the end of lessons at 4pm. Day girls are expected to honour commitments to Saturday sports fixtures but are also welcome to participate in any other weekend activities on the programme.

Transport is also available for day girls subject to area and demand from agreed drop-off and pick-up points.

Information

Weekends

A Typical School Day

At Heathfield, we believe in keeping our girls busy, active and happy and we provide a full and diverse programme of activities for the girls every weekend.

Monday to Friday

An extensive schedule of sporting fixtures takes place every Saturday morning as well as a supervised prep session.

The girls enjoy activities such as arts and crafts and other workshops, cookery, riding, yoga, spinning and other fitness sessions, movie nights in the theatre, quizzes, House competitions, discos and themed meals and evenings.

Trips and outings at weekends include visiting art galleries, museums, the Theatre, cinema, and of course to places like Laser Quest, bowling, ice skating, water parks, dry slope skiing and donut rides and theme parks.

Facilities such as the Cookery Room, Computer Room, Art Studio and the Library are open throughout the weekend and the common rooms are used for relaxation.

All girls take part in socials with boys from local independent schools: for the Lower School, this is with boys from local prep schools, and the older girls have socials with schools including Eton, Radley and Harrow.

Prospectus

07.00 Wake up call for Forms I – III

07.10 – 07.35 Forms I – III and LVI breakfast 07.35– 08.00 Forms IV – V and LVI breakfast 07.45 – 08.10 Forms I – III bedroom tidying

08.15 Registration for all. Forms I & II collect laptops

08.30 Chapel (Mon/Tue/Wed) or House Assembly (Thur) or Assembly (Fri)

08.45 Lesson 1

09.20 Lesson 2

09.55 Lesson 3

10.30 Lesson 4

11.05 Break

11.25 Lesson 5

12.00 Lesson 6

12.35 Lunch 1

13.00 Lunch 2

13.40 Lesson 7

14.15 Lesson 8

14.50 Lesson 9

15.25 Lesson 10

16.00 Tea

16.15 After-school activities and clubs

16.55 After-school activities and clubs

17.15 – 18.15 Supervised prep for Forms I & II

17.30 Extra-curricular time/Prep Club/Matches

18.15 Supper

19.15 – 20.15 Supervised prep for Forms I & II or activities and clubs 19.15 – 20.45 Independent prep for the rest of the school or activities and clubs

21.00 Form I bedtime

21.15 Form II bedtime

21.30 Form III bedtime

21.45 Form IV bedtime

22.00 Form V bedtime

22.30 Sixth Form bedtime

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Curriculum

Spectrum

A focus on individuality, wellbeing and happiness alongside academic rigour means that Heathfield pupils prosper and succeed both in and out of the classroom.

In addition to the wide curriculum offered

by Heathfield, the Learning Support Department (better known as Spectrum) offers an opportunity for girls to receive learning support.

Forms I to III Girls enter Heathfield at either Form I (11+) or Form III (13+).

All girls will take Art, Biology, Chemistry, Cookery, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Studies, Spanish and Textiles. In Form III, girls also have a choice of studying Latin or Classical Civilisation.

Forms IV and V All pupils take the core GCSE subjects of English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Combined or Triple Science and a Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish). Girls may then choose any three or more from the following: Art, Business, Classical Civilisation, Computer Sciences, Dance, Drama, Economics, Film Studies, Geography, Greek, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education and Religious Studies.

All girls are encouraged to take at least nine GCSEs.

Sixth Form In the Sixth Form, students will take 3 A Levels and an EPQ. Some girls will take 4 A Levels after a discussion with the Director of Studies. Subjects offered include Art and Design, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Drama and Theatre, Economics, English Literature, EPQ, Film Studies, French, Further Mathematics, Geography, History of Art, History, Latin, Leiths, Mathematics, Music, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies and Spanish.

Each girl is given guidance and advice to ensure she is ready for her next step.

These girls could be on the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Register, or require additional attention due to a variety of reasons. Many of the girls who are on the register primarily have a specific learning difficulty, the most common of which is dyslexia. Heathfield has welcoming purpose-built rooms to accommodate either individual or group teaching and the support provided is tailored to suit the individual requirements. Each girl has a Pupil Profile, formulated by the student and staff and shared with parents, setting out her strengths and weaknesses as well as her targets to be achieved. These are updated during the course of the year, whereupon new targets will be set as appropriate.

Teaching in Spectrum is primarily on a one-to-one basis, but small group classes are also offered. The number of sessions undertaken depends on many factors, but is established in consultation with parents and girls. Commercialised programmes such as Units of Sound and Mastering Memory can be offered as well as Touch Type to aid keyboard skills.

Teaching sessions are 30, 35 or 70 minutes long. Girls are not taken out of lessons but are seen before or after school, at lunch times, or with older girls in free study periods. There is an additional cost for these lessons.

The Spectrum Department also undertakes standardised testing several times a year. Initially this is carried out at the start of the academic year. This testing is completed on all girls in Forms I-III to provide a good basis as to their ability and potential weaknesses. Later in the year a standardised reading test is carried out which provides a reading age and then the same initial standardised test is completed again at the end of the year in order to track and record progress. If appropriate the department can make an initial assessment of a pupil through a recognised computer programme to ascertain a greater understanding of her difficulty and then undertake more detailed testing and apply to the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) for Exam Access Arrangements.

The department is led by a specialist teacher in SpLD working with a team of qualified staff who support in the classroom as well as providing 1:1 sessions. They prepare and deliver lessons specifically focused on the differing needs of a dyslexic or through a curriculum-based approach.

Information

Prospectus

The Arts

Sport

The Art Department at Heathfield continues to flourish, building on its long legacy of alumni succeeding within the areas of Fine Art, Textiles, Sculpture, 3D Design, Moving Image and Illustration, and it is no surprise that a high proportion of girls take GCSE and A Level Art & Design, with a view to continuing at Higher Education.

Sport plays an extremely important role in the life of all girls at Heathfield.

The Department has an outstanding record for successful entry to some of the most prestigious art institutions, both nationally and internationally, including Central St. Martins, London College of Fashion, Parsons (New York) and Falmouth.

The Art Department also enjoys the support of a Fashion Designer in Residence, who organises the annual fashion show, and brings additional skills to an already vibrant and exciting space. The Art Department is also very proud of its strong link with the London College of Fashion, who have recognised Heathfield School as the only School with which they have an informal partnership.

Facilities include an art library, pattern cutting room, sewing room, fine art studio, 3D sculpture room, a computer suite complete with Adobe Photoshop, and a kiln for firing glass and ceramics. We offer a variety of student workshops to supplement the rich curriculum that we already offer such as Life Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking, Millinery, Illustration and Felt making.

If you are creative and enjoy working hard and you are interested in a creative pathway such as jewellery design, furniture design, costume design, set design, fashion styling, film-making, animation, architecture, graphic design and illustration, the Art Department at Heathfield is a great place to start.

Photography Photography is taught as a separate subject to Art and Design. Photography is a popular A Level option that many girls choose to pursue as it encompasses many interests that might include Art, Film, Video, Literature, Music or Science. Students are offered as many opportunities as possible within the photographic field and the course comprises a wide range of taught skills that include contemporary digital practice, including advanced Photoshop techniques, to more traditional negative processing and darkroom development work.

There are also planned gallery visits, an annual residential trip and an end of year Private View to showcase the amazing work produced. Many students choose to study Photography at university and have gained places at Parsons New York, Manchester School of Art and LCC, London to name but a few. The Good Schools Guide have awarded the Heathfield Photography Department the ‘Best Photography at an Independent School’ award since 2009 based on the consistently high results achieved by the students.

Film Studies is ideal for those who want to be creative, but may also enjoy essay writing and might seek a career in script writing, directing, camera or sound work, advertising, marketing or even in Hollywood to name but a few. The two year course is taught using the already established photography equipment and rooms, and comprises analytical contextualisation, understanding of subject specific terminology and technical knowledge in both a practical and academic environment. A short personal production is presented as part of the final submission.

We are proud that every girl in Forms I and II represents the school in Athletics, Lacrosse, Netball, Rounders, Swimming and Tennis. In Forms III and IV there are A and B teams in most sports and at Senior level, 1st and 2nd teams.

As well as running teams and clubs in all our major sports, the department offers girls the opportunity to join a variety of clubs such as Badminton, Fitness, Football, Polo and Riding. These are open to all ages and abilities and are an excellent opportunity for older girls to coach and mix with the younger years.

There is a strong interhouse structure which gives every girl in the school a chance to represent her House in both team and individual sports.

The school has a busy fixture list in all sports, competing against schools in London and the South West including Putney High School, St George’s Ascot, The Marist, Queen Anne’s and schools further afield including Downe House, St Swithun’s and St Mary’s Calne. A full fixture list, which is continually updated, can be found on our website at www.heathfieldschool.net. It will be compulsory for weekly boarders who are selected to represent the school to attend fixtures.

Heathfield girls also go on to represent Berkshire in both Athletics and Lacrosse and some gain Regional and National honours.

There are regular sports tours to the USA and the school competes in the British Schools’ Ski Championships in Flaine.

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Equestrian

Music

Heathfield has a growing reputation for equestrian disciplines and runs a full equestrian programme including show jumping, polo, dressage, hacking and military riding. Girls train locally at venues including Berkshire Polo club, Coolhooves Polo academy, HK Polo academy, The HAC and Windsor great Park, with professional coaches.

Music is a particular strength at Heathfield and the opportunities for experienced and novice musicians and singers are extensive.

Most pupils leave their horses and ponies at home, but we have had several girls keep horses at livery locally. It is possible with special permission from Heathfield to include specialist training at home for high-level competitions.

We regularly play polo against local schools including Eton and Harrow and we attend the National Schools’ Polo Tournaments throughout the year. For these tournaments we hire polo ponies.

Heathfield has teams and individuals competing at various levels of show jumping, dressage, hunter trials and one-day events throughout the year.

We have a Senior Choir for Form III upwards, a Junior Choir for Forms I and II, an Orchestra, a Flute Ensemble, a Brass Ensemble, an A Cappella Group and a Band. ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) exams and Trinity College London music exams are offered and girls are supported in preparing for and taking these exams.

We also provide an impressive range of lessons taught by visiting peripatetic teachers. These include the piano, guitar, strings, woodwind, brass, percussion and the harp; girls are encouraged to take music examinations and involve themselves with the different orchestras and musical groups on offer.

The Choir and Classics departments enjoy a biennial European tour, the next one being to Athens in October 2018.

LAMDA

Speech & Drama and Musical Theatre

Heathfield runs a full LAMDA (Speech & Drama and Musical Theatre) programme.

The students take classes in the Theatre and in the Studio. Classes are provided by teachers from Envy Performing Arts (in association with local dance school NVSDD).

Envy Performing Arts/NVSDD is recognised as an accredited school by the Council for Dance Education and Training and in 2017 won the dance school of the Year award (200+ student category) LAMDA Speech and Drama students follow the LAMDA syllabus and have the opportunity to take exams in Verse and Prose, Acting, Devised Performance, Spoken English, Mime, Public Speaking and Reading for Performance from Grade 1 to Grade 8/ Gold Medal. LAMDA exams take place three times a year with Grades 6 - 8 awarded UCAS points.

LAMDA Musical Theatre (Acting, Singing & Movement) students follow the LAMDA Musical Theatre syllabus and can take Solo, Duo or Group examinations. They have the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills in Musical Theatre – not just in acting, but also in singing and movement.

Information

Prospectus

Dance

Co-Curricular

Chapel

Heathfield runs a full Dance programme. Students take classes in a purpose built Dance Studio fitted with ballet barres, mirrors and harlequin dance flooring.

Classes are provided by teachers from the award winning Envy Performing Arts (in association with NVSDD).

Heathfield offers an extensive and varied range of co-curricular clubs, societies and activities which includes after-school clubs, sports, trips and visits and guest speakers along with a huge range of creative and sporting sessions.

At Heathfield we recognise that as our students develop and grow they need to come to terms with their spirituality too.

Classical Ballet students follow the RAD syllabus (Royal Academy of Dance) and have the opportunity to take graded and vocational examinations. Lessons can also be taken as a recreational activity.

Dance GCSE is a new two year course which is suitable for girls in forms III or IV. Classes are held at an off-site venue in Ascot.

Concerts and shows are put on throughout the year giving the girls an opportunity to perform their examination routines and specially choreographed works before an audience of parents and friends.

Each term, a different selection of activities and clubs is offered after school. The list is wide-ranging and changes termly, depending on the interests and requests from girls throughout the school. Some are run by staff while others are led by senior students and prefects. Activities include art and craft clubs, charity work, creative writing, debating, drama, film clubs, kayaking, language clubs, mathematics, science clubs, textiles, walking and, for Upper Sixth, wine tasting.

The Athena Society for girls in Form V and above runs a series of events featuring outside speakers, dinner discussion groups, and other discussion forums on a range of subjects. Following the requests from Form I and II girls, a junior Athena division has started, to discuss and raise awareness of key issues both in the political arena and the broader community.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is offered at Heathfield. By Sixth Form, girls are encouraged to enter for the Gold Award. Once completed, the award is treated by many universities and employers as the equivalent to another A Level and as evidence that the individual has drive, determination and good organisational skills; all highly prized personal qualities.

The Chapel provides a place of peace and quiet reflection where that spiritual development can begin. Our Chapel is often at the core of people’s memories of the school when they leave, and the place they come back to first when they return to visit.

Dedicated in 1904, the Chapel was built in the Victorian Gothic style with collegiate seating. Chapel follows current Anglican practice, yet it is a place for all the school community regardless of faith or belief.

The Chaplain is a central figure in school life, leading Chapel services during the week, on Sundays and on special occasions. He is around the school, getting to know the girls in a variety of settings, whether through musical or dramatic events, teaching, sports fixtures, visiting year groups or Confirmation preparation. He is available to offer pastoral care for all members of the present school community and the school’s extended community.

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Leiths Certificate in Food and Wine Heathfield is delighted to offer the Leiths Certificate in Food and Wine as an option to girls in the Sixth Form.

The five-term course teaches a wide variety of practical and professional cookery methods and the basic skills necessary to become confident, capable and efficient cooks. A certificate that is recognised in the food industry is awarded to those who pass the final examination and continual assessment. The professional nature of the course requires consistent effort and full attendance.

Dining We take food seriously at Heathfield and our catering standards are high.

We employ independent school specialist caterers The Brookwood Partnership to create healthy and varied menus which are cooked and served by their staff in-house. Girls are offered a choice of food at each meal including hot meals, vegetarian options and salads. They are also encouraged to make their own suggestions about items they would like to see on the menu and to offer regular feedback on catering.

Brookwood actively supports the Planet Matters initiative by using fresh, seasonal foods wherever possible, reducing food waste and recycling and saving water, power and resources.

They also buy British products wherever possible.

Information

Prospectus

Summer School and Camp

Open Mornings and individual tours

Attending Heathfield Summer School and Camp is not only great fun but an ideal way to experience life at an English boarding school for both international and British students considering boarding at Heathfield and for local girls joining as day pupils.

We hold termly Open Mornings for girls and their families.

Our International Summer School has been run as part of Heathfield School for over 40 years. Each summer, we welcome overseas girls aged 8 to 17 from more than 30 different countries. In 1993 we added a Summer Day Camp for local girls and then expanded this to include a Boarding Camp.

The courses are staffed by qualified and experienced teachers and specialist activities staff. Pastoral care is first class; the school nurse and housemothers supervise the girls’ welfare and an excellent staff-to-student ratio ensures high levels of supervision.

Heathfield Summer School provides an education of the same high standard as the main school and the course is inspected and accredited by the British Council. It is an opportunity for international girls to hone their language skills. Students enjoy a well-balanced programme which comprises 20 English lessons (15 hours) per week in the mornings, with levels from beginner to advanced, and an exciting range of sports and activities in the afternoons and evenings.

In many of these activities, overseas students are joined by the British Summer Campers and so have plenty of opportunities to practise their English. Girls also go on three excursions a week to places of interest including London, Windsor, Oxford, Salisbury, Stonehenge and Stratford-upon Avon, and to places of entertainment such as bowling and theme parks. Airport transfers at the beginning and end of the course are included.

Girls aged 14 + with a good level of English can also participate in a special course, English with Style, in the final week. In addition to English lessons on British life and culture, they will have workshops in style and fashion, modern manners and wellbeing and will also go on two special trips.

Please have a look at the website: www.heathfieldsummerschool.co.uk and for more information email: summerschool@heathfieldschool.net

Our Open Mornings are a chance for you and your daughter to tour the school and meet our staff and current pupils. You are also welcome to arrange an individual visit to the school for a tour and to meet with the Headmistress.

If you would like to attend an Open Morning or make an appointment please send an e-mail to registrar@heathfieldschool.net giving your full contact details, or call on 01344 898342.

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Location and Transport Heathfield School is in a central location close to major motorway networks, rail connections and airports.

The school is just nine miles from the M4 (J10) and five miles from the M3 (J3), and 50 minutes by train from central London. Heathrow Airport is 30 minutes away and Gatwick Airport is 60 minutes by car. When using a Sat Nav for directions to Heathfield, please enter the postcode SL5 8BH, which will take you to the main entrance of the school on London Road. For detailed instructions on how to reach us, please contact us on 01344 898343.

B3017 M4 Jct 8/9

A332 Slough, M4 Jct 6

A329

A529 - A329 (M) M4, Reading

Ascot Race Course

A322

A3095

A329

A322

B3017

A329

A332 B3430

A1(M)

A41 Tring

M40

Hemel Hempstead High Wycombe

M25 M1

Ascot Station

A332

Harlow

A322

A406

To M25 M25

Reading

M4

J10

Ascot

Bracknell

M25

LHR

Jct 3

LONDON

J3

M3 A3

Guildford

Redhill

M23 A24

LGW

M25

3 M A21

A322

Heathfield School London Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 8BQ, United Kingdom Incorporating St Mary’s School Wantage

T: +44 (0) 1344 898342 E: registrar@heathfieldschool.net W:heathfieldschool.net