Falcons Pre-Preparatory School - Prospectus

COURAGE CURIOSITY CARE Pre-Preparatory Prospectus

About our School

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“Excellent personal development stems from the school’s determined aim to prepare pupils well for their future lives.”

ISI Inspection Report

WELCOME TO FALCONS PRE-PREPARATORY At Falcons, our focus is on boys; who they are, how they learn, and what they can become.

We aim to foster a love of learning in each boy by offering a curriculum that is broad, balanced and challenging. We have high expectations of our boys. We understand the needs of boys at their different levels of growth and maturity, and the importance of giving them time to be boys.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

Curiosity; we stimulate the natural curiosity of young boys through thoughtful and creative lessons. Our teachers tease out excellent results by asking questions which stimulate and extend learning. If a boy’s curiosity is inspired, he is excited to learn, eager to find out more and this will lead to further enjoyment in his learning.

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HEAD’S WELCOME It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys. I hope our prospectus gives you a glimpse of our school and what we have on offer for your son.

Courage, Curiosity and Care are three values we hold in high regard. Courage is an attitude we foster in our boys from their very first day, the courage to give everything a go! We teach our boys from a very young age not to be afraid of failure. Learning is not all about “getting it right” immediately; it is how we respond when things don’t work out, it is the resilience to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again that really counts.

Courage is also the strength to be true to yourself and your principles. Courage at Falcons is a vital lifelong skill.

Care is probably the most important as well as the broadest of our values. This encompasses everything we do at the Falcons Pre-Prep. Care embodies our school community. Our parents consistently tell us that the pastoral care a boy receives here is second to none. The attention my staff have for each boy is outstanding. We call ourselves the Falcons family because our school and parents form a caring and close rapport, which helps each boy thrive. We teach the boys to care for themselves as well as each other. Caring for yourself is something we include in our Learning for Life lessons and should not be underestimated. Caring for each other feeds into a sense of community and belonging both in and out of school.

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At the Pre-Prep we will guide you very carefully towards your next school at the end of Year 2. Our families access a vast array of excellent schools. These are chosen wisely and in partnership with parents, by matching a boy’s academic ability, character and personality to his recommended future schools.

Our boys achieve highly in the classroom, on the sports field, on the stage and in the music department. The children are given many opportunities to persevere and succeed at a very young age.

The only way to appreciate the type of school we are is to book a personal tour. From the moment you walk through the blue door of our old Victorian building, you will feel a sense of happiness, purpose and well-being. I am more than happy to invite you to our school to show you first hand what we do here.

Mr Andrew Forbes Pre-Preparatory Headmaster

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

About our School

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NURTURING YOUNG MINDS SINCE 1956 “Exemplary attitudes to learning contribute to the rapid progress pupils make.�

ISI Inspection Report

The school, formerly known as Falkner House Boys, was founded in 1956 and originally located in Notting Hill. In September 1989, the school moved to its Pre-Preparatory site in Burnaby Gardens and changed its name to The Falcons.

The Pre-Preparatory is the founding member of The Falcons Schools. It was followed in September 2008 by Falcons Prep.

Falcons Pre Preparatory School for Boys, Falcons Preparatory School for Boys and the Falcons School for Girls are all part of the Alpha Plus Group.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

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‘‘My teachers are always there to help but want me to try my best.”

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Year 2 pupil

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

Ethos and Values

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ETHOS AND VALUES At Falcons Pre-Preparatory, we believe in nurturing confident, resilient boys.

‘‘The Falcons is a brilliant school.

The work, the trips, the sports, the food – everything is great.”

Year 2 parent

Through our core values: curiosity, courage and care, we endeavour to share and discover individual talents whilst instilling confidence, a sense of self-worth and lifelong ability to change and adapt.

The boys feel happy and safe in a caring and supportive environment.

Our team of dedicated staff ensure excellent learning, teaching and outstanding all round pastoral care.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

LEARNING AND TEACHING 12

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Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

Learning and Teaching

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EARLY YEARS: LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS “We are extremely happy that our son has started the early years of his life under the expert guidance of really nice teachers and lovely class mates.”

Reception Parent

Boys start in our Nursery the September after their third birthday, on either a part-time or full-time basis. We have a further intake of boys into our Reception the September after their fourth birthday.

Our curriculum blends a combination of continuous provision and formal learning. A series of topics capture the boys’ interests and practical, “hands on” activities support their physical development.

Our younger boys join the older boys for many school events, learn Music, French and PE and are involved in two drama productions during the school year.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

Learning and Teaching

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YEARS 1 & 2: DEVELOPING POTENTIAL Boys are taught by their class tutor, who nurtures their academic and social development.

Music, French, PE and Games are taught by subject specialists who inspire boys to reach high standards. An extensive programme of trips and after school clubs enriches learning and introduces boys to new experiences.

In Years 1 and 2, the boys are expected to become more independent and act as role models to the younger boys. In their final year at the Pre-Preparatory, all boys are given responsibilities, such as House Captains, Librarians, Prefects or Special Helpers.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

Learning and Teaching

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“Our son is thriving and skipping to school every morning – he can’t wait for the next day.”

Year 1 Parent

SPORT: AN INTEGRAL PART OF A BOY’S EDUCATION Our boys are introduced and partake in a number of different sports during their PE lessons. Games lessons cover our core sports of football, rugby and cricket, with the Year 2 boys competing in fixtures and tournaments throughout the year.

At Falcons Pre-Preparatory, we take great pride in our philosophy of “Sport for All” and in our many sporting achievements.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

Learning and Teaching

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SELF-EXPRESSION THROUGH ART AND DRAMA By showcasing their talents in a variety of performances during the year, our boys acquire poise and self-confidence.

Class assemblies are highlights on a termly basis and many of our boys learn musical instruments too. Art and Drama are continuously celebrated and the boys are encouraged to take part whole-heartedly.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

Facilities

OUTSTANDING FACILITIES

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Our Victorian building offers excellent facilities, carefully tailored to the needs of younger boys.

Classrooms are light and airy, fitted with modern technology to enhance learning. Our school hall hosts daily assemblies and PE lessons. We have specific facilities for music, learning support, a purpose-built library and computing suite. Lunches are prepared fresh in our on-site kitchen by our skilled chef and her team.

Our playground is used daily for play, outdoor learning and for afternoon clubs. Our games field is the nearby Westminster Playing Fields with a vast range of pitches catering to many sports. Swimming for Year 1 and 2 is at Brentford Fountain Leisure and drama performances are at the Watermans Theatre.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

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A Caring Community

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A CARING COMMUNITY

“Excellent pastoral care boosts the pupils’ confidence and academic progress.”

ISI Inspection Report

We are a warm, caring and friendly school where boys enjoy learning and are encouraged to be self-confident, hardworking, well-mannered and considerate to others. Boys are placed in one of four houses and earn house points for achievement, effort and good behaviour.

Certificates are awarded each week in assembly and the Golden Falcon is won by the house with the highest number of house points that week.

Respect and tolerance is highly valued and we celebrate a multi-cultural and richly diverse school community.

Our parents have many opportunities to be involved in the school life.

Our active Parent Association promotes and runs many school events and activities.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

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Progression

CHOICE AND PROGRESSION

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At Falcons Pre-Preparatory, we partner with families to identify the right school for every boy.

Our progression process begins in Year 1, when parents are invited for a consultation with the Head and Year 1 teachers to discuss the vast range of schools available at the end of Year 2. We know our boys and families very well and take into account their character, aptitude and aspirations when recommending their next step.

Many of our boys continue to our Preparatory school in Richmond where they have preferential entry. A number of our boys sit the 7+ exam for selective London day Schools. Families are fully supported and their boys are prepared by our teachers to achieve their first choice school.

Every year, our boys secure offers from the most competitive Prep schools in London. Boys joining our Preparatory school in Richmond go on to take selective exams at 11+ and 13+ moving to prestigious London day and boarding schools.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

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Admissions

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ADMISSIONS All boys will be invited for an informal assessment or a “come and play� session in the younger years.

We invite the boys to spend time with us to see them in our school environment. They partake in fun group-based activities as well as Maths and English lessons. References from current schools will also be requested as part of the admissions process.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

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‘‘I love coming to school to play with all my friends.”

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Reception pupil

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

www.falconsboys.co.uk

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys is part of the Alpha Plus Group of Schools.

As an Alpha Plus School, we provide first class learning which enables our pupils to achieve their full potential in a challenging yet secure and caring environment. Our teaching combines the best of traditional and modern methods and provides access to the latest school technology.

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Alpha Plus Group: the Gold Standard in educational provision.

Schools within the Alpha Plus Group: Chepstow House School, Davenport Lodge Nursery School, Hilden Grange School, Pembridge Hall School, Portland Place School, Rolfe’s Nursery School, St. Anthony’s School for Boys, St. Anthony’s School for Girls, Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys, Falcons Preparatory School for Boys, The Falcons School for Girls, The Minors Nursery School, Wetherby Kensington, Wetherby School, Wetherby Preparatory School, Wetherby Senior School, Wetherby-Pembridge School, New York.

Sixth Form Colleges within the Alpha Plus Group: Abbey College Cambridge, Abbey College Manchester, DLD College London.

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

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Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys

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Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys 2 Burnaby Gardens, London W4 3DT Tel: +44 20 8747 8393 | Email: admin@falconsboys.co.uk