Barrow Hills Prospectus

WE ARE P R E PA R E D

f o r g r e at e r

things

A happy child is a successful child. Our children are challenged within a positive, diverse community of learners and are stretched at a time appropriate to them, helping them to aspire to achieve their individual best. Balanced with an ethos of strong pastoral care and Christian values, our children become well-rounded high achievers.

The family feel here is evident and our children benefit from being members of a small community. Staff value and understand each child and spend quality time with them to enhance their learning and confidence. The close knit community is a particular strength of the School and enables us to build warm relationships with our families.

Our extensive grounds provide excellent facilities that encourage sport, play and exploration.

Children flourish in an environment in which they are able to experiment and nurture their talents, experiencing a wide variety of activities in order to develop their abilities.

Education at Barrow Hills is for life, promoting mutual respect, curiosity of mind and independence of spirit; prepared for greater things.

Philip Oldroyd

BA PGCE

Head

“I love the outdoor classroom especially hearing the bird song.

It’s my favourite time of day”.

Jack, Year 2

AN

O UTDO O R

C U LT U R E

Thirty three acres of forest and formal gardens for learning and playing

G

reat Roke lies at the heart of Barrow Hills. A former

5

From Year 3, all pupils enjoy five hours of sport every week, plus outdoor and adventurous activities.

Arts & Crafts country house with formal gardens

designed by Gertrude Jekyll, it boasts thirty three acres of landscaped woodlands which include the Pre-Prep outdoor classroom and a fifteen acre Forest School. Our outdoor ethos develops imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness and forms an important counter balance to classroom learning.

Children develop sensory awareness, learn to recognise bird song, follow nature trails, identify butterflies and appreciate the changing seasons.

Pond dipping, leaf rubbing, growing vegetables, building hotels for insects and dens from natural materials are just some of our outdoor activities which nurture curiosity in the diverse natural world around us.

“Barrow Hills allows me a unique sense of partnership and inclusion in my child’s educational progress.”

Parent of Year 4 boy

SP E C I A L I S T ACADEMI C TEAC HI N G

A purposefully broad and engaging curriculum

W

hether learning about the explosive properties of gas or recreating a moment from the French

Revolution in Lego,

Barrow Hills children develop

knowledge and understanding in a memorable way. English, the foundation of so many subjects, develops keen, skilful and creative readers and writers. The three sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) are introduced in Year 4 with specialist teaching in purpose-built laboratories, while in Maths, modern approaches are combined with tried and trusted traditional methods.

In Art we develop creative thinking while building a strong skills foundation, whether interpreting Giacometti in wire and mudrock or making Celtic warrior shields.

“I like the interactivity of each lesson.� mia, Year 3

Our broad curriculum also includes History, Geography, RE, Thinking Skills, Latin, French, Art, Drama, Music, Design Technology, Coding and PSHE.

Pupils are supported in shaping and fulfilling their individual learning plan - staff ensure they both meet expectations and excel in areas of individual strength.

“Five of us created a blue bomb with baking soda and vinegar: it was awesome.�

Annabel, Year 7

We have a powerful ethos of activity and outdoor learning - active children are happier and focus better on learning. Our grounds, Forest School and gardens are a joy to experience. Our sports, whilst competitive for the ambitious, are fun and inclusive. All children in Years 3-8 play one sports fixture every week.

L EA D I N G -E D G E T EC HN OL OG Y

Utilising technology to enhance teaching and learning

B

arrow Hills has pioneered the use of technology in the classroom. In 2014 we partnered with Samsung

to change the way we taught, combining smart IT with traditional teaching. Children work with android tablets and S Pens connected to our high speed broadband network.

This enables teachers to use touch screen teaching and children to share and discuss projects, using tablets as exercise books, research tools and a medium for creativity.

This quiet revolution in teaching means teachers never have their back to a class. Instead, they sit with children, supporting their use of technology while information is projected via 60-inch screens in every classroom. The

“Maths is my favourite subject: I like the mental tests best.�

Matthew, Year 6

children learn to use technology safely and productively, preparing them for life in a connected, digital world.

By Years 7-8, children undertake 17 hours of common entrance examined subject lessons, per week, with a wide range of additional subjects. Space is made for selfdirected learning and the pursuit of specific interests and activities.

“We use tablets and S Pens - I never thought school would be this connected!”

Thomas, Year 7

“I like the freedom to take part in mostly anything you want to.�

Charlie, Year 8

I NDI VI DUAL

E X PRE S S I O N

Discovering personal pursuits

“In DT we use lots of tools - today we’re making dragsters

P

art of developing the whole child is discovering each child’s talents. At Barrow Hills, we maximise the

opportunities for every child to shine, whether experiencing

- mine is yellow.”

a range of sports (rounders, hockey, athletics, netball, lacrosse,

Harry, Year 5

cricket, tennis, swimming, football and rugby), participating in musical theatre, coding or exploring Roman mythology.

From Year 3 our ‘Prism’ enhancement programme gives each child the chance to participate in four activities of their choice and gain awards for their personal attainment.

Activities range from horticulture, model-making and cartoon creation to coding, cookery and science club.

Pupils enjoy a full programme of sport every week from Year 3, take part in our popular residential trips, as well as visits to art galleries, theatres and sites of geographical, scientific and historical interest.

“On our residential trip we go fossil hunting.”

George, Year 5

ON TO

G R E ATER T HI N G S

A caring, happy school where children are prepared for greater things

Barrow Hills pupils progress to leading senior schools including Bedales School, Charterhouse, Cranleigh, Guildford High School,

100%

of Barrow Hills pupils pass Common Entrance and gain entry to their first

choice senior school. Scholarships are achieved regularly, whether Academic, Sport, Art, Music, Drama or All-rounder.

Our curriculum is broad and balanced, exciting and engaging. Children work with increasing independence supported by inspiring and dedicated teachers. They develop

“38 scholarships to senior

King Edward’s Witley,

the academic skills and understanding to be successful in

schools were awarded

Portsmouth Grammar School,

examinations and in their next schools.

Royal Grammar School Guildford, Wellington College.

Barrow Hills children progress to a wide variety of senior schools. They are purposefully prepared for greater things it is a school motto of which we are justly proud.

between 2013-16 - one of those was mine!”

Gabriel, aged 13

“Barrow Hills girls and boys are always really well-prepared, fit in perfectly, and hit the ground running.�

Finding your way around Barrow Hills

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1 Main entrance

9 Tennis courts 10 Woodpecker Fitness Trail

16 St Cecilia Centre Music

24 Formal gardens

2 Visitor parking 3 Great Roke

11 Cricket pavilion

17 Swimming pool

26 Pre-Prep play area

4 Chapel

12 Sports field

18 The Slope

27 Free flow area,

5 Parent parking

13 St Joseph’s Centre Art & Technology

19 Forest School

20 Astro pitch

28 Free flow area, Kindy

7 St Albertus Magnus Science laboratories

14 Thomas More Centre

21 Orchard

29 Hardcourt play area

22 Adventure playground

30 Pre-Prep play area

8 Main hall and ballet studio

15 Staff parking

23 Outdoor theatre

31 Techo house.

6 The Lower

Junior Prep building

25 Iron Age Roundhouse

Nursery & Reception

A d m aj o ra pa ra m u r

Roke Lane

Witley

Surrey GU8 5NY

+44 (0)1428 683639

www.barrowhills.org

DESIGN BY DOWIE

We are prepared for greater things