INTERNATIONAL GUIDE
WELCOME TO THE LEWESTON FAMILY
Thank you for your interest in Leweston School.
For over 130 years we have welcomed students from around the globe supporting them with their unique ambitions.
At Leweston we offer an environment where children feel comfortable to learn and grow, but are challenged to act and think independently We encourage them to try everything on offer so we can nurture their talents to achieve great things
We do not welcome a single ‘type’ of pupil, we embrace a wide diversity of personalities, interests, backgrounds and approaches to life Our pupils have an impressive range of talents, both academic and otherwise. We send a number of candidates to highly selective universities every year but we are equally proud of those pupils who follow a vocational path or exceed their own ambitions.
The independence, willingness to try and resilience instilled here mean that our pupils go into the world with the confidence to achieve. They have the ability to adapt, to work alongside different people in new environments and to embrace change Past pupils are now business leaders, engineers, pilots, scientists, entrepreneurs, medics working on the frontline in war-torn countries, architects, world record breaking rowers and politicians to name a few. The school is delighted to have helped them on their way by unleashing the true potential in each and every one of them.
John Paget-Tomlinson Headmaster
WHY CHOOSE A BOARDING SCHOOL IN ENGLAND?
Weunderstandthatthisisnotadecisionthatshouldbetakenlightlybut,ifyouarelookingforaneducationalexperiencethatgenuinely preparesyourchildforadultlife,thenyoushouldconsidersendingthemtoanEnglishboardingschool
Boardingschoolsofferpupilsanoutstandingeducation,supportingthemtodeveloptheskillsandessentialgradestoprogressinto university.UKboardingschoolsarerequiredtomeetstrictstandardsonthequalityoftheirteaching,studentcareandfacilities. Boardingallowsstudentstodevelopacademicallywhilstencouragingthemtoflourishasindividuals,openingtheirmindsand broadeningtheiropportunities.
AtLewestonweoffer:
Outstandingfacilities
Outstandingexamresults
Highuniversityacceptancerates
Excellentpastoralcare
Selfdevelopmentinasupportiveenvironment
Widerangingenrichmentandactivitiesprogrammes
Dedicatedcareersadviceandmentoring
Aninternationaloutlook
Lifelongfriendships
Outstandingsportingperformance
AtLewestonweprovideanexcellentlevelofeducationtostudentsaged11to18.Whilstthevastmajorityofourstudentsarefromthe UKwewelcomeothersfromaroundtheglobeandourstaffhavetheexperienceandskillsneededtosupportinternationalstudentsto success
Wehaveasuccessandthrivingenrichmentandactivitiesprogrammetoensureourstudenthavevitalexperiencesoutsideofthe classroomandanelitesportsprogrammeforthoseonapathwaytonationalandinternationalcompetition. Wehaveadedicated DirectorofInternationalStudentswhoactsananadditionaltutorandmentortostudentsfromoverseasandasupportiveand experiencedpastoralteamtolookafterthestudents’healthandwellbeing.
A STRONG FOUNDATION - YEARS 7 AND 8
LewestonSeniorSchoolstartsinYear7whenaround50studentsjoinfromschoolsacrosstheUKandworldwide.Everyoneis experiencingtheschoolforthefirsttimesoitsagoodtimetostart.PlacesinYear8aresubjecttoavailabilitybutasmallnumberof pupilswilljoineachSeptembereitheronlongtermorshortstayplacements
InYears7and8Lewestondeliversabroadandflexiblecurriculumthatensuresbalanced,appropriateandinterestinglearning opportunitiesforeverypupil.Thereisastrongemphasisonindependenceandlearningskills.Lessonsare60minuteslongandarranged inatwo-weektimetable.Pupilsstudy:English,Maths,Biology,Chemistry,Physics,History,Geography,ReligiousStudies,Computer Science,French,Spanish,ArtandDesign,Latin,Music,Drama,PEandPHSE.Inaddition,thereisaweeklyextra-curricularsession,over theacademicyearstudentswillhavelessonsin:PerformingArts,MusicTechnology,Cookery,BusinessandMarketing,ForestSchool, andEquineStudies.
Studentsaretaughtinthreedifferentgroups:oneforScienceandMaths,oneforHumanitiesandonefortheremainingsubjects.This enablesthemtomixwithdifferentpeoplethroughouttheday TheScienceandMathsgroupisacademicallystreamed
AllstudentsinYears7and8areintroducedtoTheLewestonLearner,an approachtoteachingandlearningwhichunder-pinsworkthroughoutthe School.Studentsaretaughtasetoflearningbehavioursarethekeytoraising theiracademicachievementandgetthemostbenefitfromtheirexperiences. Whilsttheprogrammewasdevelopedindependentlyitwasinspiredbythe internationallyrecognisedconceptof‘HighPerformanceLearning’(HPL) Year7and8pupilsworktowardstheLewestonLearnerDiplomawhichenables themtotracktheirdevelopmentineachskillarea.Studentscollectevidenceto showhowtheyhaveprogressedandattheendofYear8,theirfinalportfoliois submittedtotheDeputyHead,witheachpupilawardedtheirdiplomaat Bronze,SilverorGoldstandard,dependentuponthequalityofworkand progressshown.
Adventurous Confident
Seekoutexperment wthandenjoynewdeas conceptsandsks
Beevenyourknowedge understandngand contrbutons
GOODSCHOOLSGUIDE
“The school has significantly grown in popularity but has retained its core ethos: a family feel school without airs or pretension where all students are noticed ‘I really like Leweston because it is small; there is a real sense of community,’ said one pupil ”
Resilient Creative Inquisitive
Remanfocusedand optmstcevenwhenyou faceset-backs
Workcreatveytosolve probemsandask‘What canIdodiferenty?
Bekeentoearnandtake responsbtyforyour ownprogresson
GOODSCHOOLSGUIDE
“As with so much at Leweston, pupils are trusted to be independent and proactive”.
GCSE - YEARS 9 TO 11
LewestonwelcomesasignificantnumberofstudentsintoYear9everyyearfromPreparatoryschoolswhichfinishattheendofYear8 Typicallytheschoolopensanadditionalclassforthesestudentsandtheyeargroupwithgrowtobetween60and70stduents.
Year9followthesamebroadandflexiblecurriculumasYears7and8withlessonsinEnglish,Maths,Biology,Chemistry,Physics,History, Geography,ReligiousStudies,ComputerScience,French,Spanish,ArtandDesign,Latin,Music,Drama,PEandPSHE,studentsare streamedaccordingtobroadabilityforallsubjects.
Year9isanimportanttransitionalyearasstudentswillstarttoconsidertheirGCSEsubjectchoicesandinsomesubjects,pre-GCSEwork willcommence.
InYear10thetwo-yearGCSEcoursestartsandstudentswillstudy10subjects.AllstudentstakeGCSEsinthecoresubjectsofEnglish Literature,EnglishLanguage,Mathematics,Biology,Chemistry,PhysicsandReligiousStudies.PupilschoosealanguagefromFrench, SpanishortheirnativelanguageplusEAL.Theyarethenfreetochooseuptothreeoptionsubjects.Ablemathematiciansmayalsotake FurtherMathematics.
LewestonpridesitselfonofferingabespokeapproachtoGCSEchoices,studentsareinvitedtoselectthecoursesthattheywanttostudy withthetimetableconstructedaroundthem.Weworkhardtoofferavariedchoiceofsubjectsand,whateverastudent’sstrengths,there willbeasuitablecombinationofsubjectsforthem.
Althoughthesearecriticalyearsforacademicstudythereisstillplentyofopportunitytogetinvolvedinenrichment,activities,clubsand thewidercommunity.Studentsareencouragedtospendtimeawayfromtheclassroomandmanyareinvolvedinschoolsports,choirs andensemblesandthepopularDukeofEdinburghprogramme
GCSE OPTIONS
English Language
English Literature
Maths
Further Maths
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
Geography
German
Religious Studies
Computer Science
French
Spanish
Fine Art
3D Design
Fashion and Textiles
Photography
Classical Civilisation
Music
Drama
Sport
CASESTUDY:YVONNE
China
YvonnejoinedLewestoninYear10fromanotherUK boardingschool.Shequicklybecameaprominent figureintheschoolwithexcellentacademicresults andaphenomenalmusicaltalent,performingon themarimbaattheschoolPrizegiving.She achievedanexcellentsetofGCSEresultswith8 grade9sand2grade8sinsubjectsasdiverseas Maths,Science,Music,Latin,HistoryandEnglish Literature.
CASESTUDY:TOMOENARA
Japan
ONE YEAR PRE A LEVEL
LewestonoffersaoneyearbespokecourseforinternationalstudentsinterestedinstudyingintheUK,immersingthemselvesinBritish cultureandgainingtheskillstoprogresstoatopuniversity.TheprogrammeisidealforstudentslookingtoimprovetheirlevelofEnglish orexpandtheirsubjectknowledgebeforejoiningtheSixthForm.
Theprogrammeoffers20-30hoursoflessonsperweekwithadditionalsupervisedstudyperiods LessonswillbetaughtinEnglishwith themajorityofclassestakenalongsideUKstudents.Eachstudent’stimetableisdesignedonarrivalaccordingtoanumberofcriteria including:previousknowledge,aptitude,careerplans,homecountryrequirementsandpersonalpreferences.
StudentsinitiallyjoinYear11butwilltransferintoYear12classesastheyprogress ThisenablesthemtostarttheirSixthFormcourses earlyspendingmoretimeoncontentandlanguageacquisition. AdvancedstudentsmaybeabletotakesomesubjectsatGCSEwhilst othersarenon-examined StudentscanalsostudyforEALqualificationsanditmaybepossibletotakeaLevel1or2ExternalProject Qualification(EPQ)inthesummerterm.
Aswellasacademicdevelopment,animportantpartoftheprogrammeishelpingourinternationalstudentsprepareandadjusttolifein theUK AsstudentsimmersethemselvesinthelifeofabusyboardingschooltheyareintroducedtoBritishlanguage,cultureand heritage.
ForthefullPre-ALevelbrochureclickontheQRcode:
TomoejoinedLewestonsPreA-levelcourse sittingGCSEsinESL,MathsandherJapaneseA level.ShereturnedafterYear11tocontinue herstudiesinJapanasherambitionisto becomeadoctor.
Whilstonlywithusforashorttime,Tomoe becamefullyimmersedinallthatLeweston hastoofferacademically.Tomoebecamepart ofthewidercommunityaroundtheschooland embracedallthatwasonoffer.
SIXTH FORM - YEARS 12 AND
13
TheSixthFormatLewestonoffersyouabroadandenrichingcurriculum.Aswellasexploringnewareasofknowledge,perhapsinnew subjects,thereareopportunitiesforwiderinteractionwithothers,forleadershipandinvolvementinthecommunityaswellasdifferent experiencesinsport,art,design,dramaandmusic.Weattachgreatimportancetotheskillsandpersonalqualitiesgainednotonly throughacademicstudybutalsothroughotheractivitiesbothinandoutofschool.Thereareopportunitiestoworkinteams,tohelp othersandtotakeonrolesofresponsibility SixthFormerswilltakepartinvisitsbothasayeargroupandthroughacademic departmentsandhaveaccesstofacilitiesthatincludeartstudios,designandtechnologyworkshops,laboratories,drama,music,sport andICT.
LewestonofferstwodifferentSixthFormqualifications:ALevelsandBTECs Moststudentstakethreesubjects,somemaytakefourbut thisisusuallywhencombiningMathematicsandFurtherMathematics.Subjectchoiceisextremelyimportant,andweunderstandthat somepupilsmayexperiencedifficultynarrowingtheirchoice.TheHeadofSixthFormandtheHeadsofDepartmentsareavailableto discusschoicesanduniversityambitions.
SixthFormstudentswilltypicallyhave10hoursofteachingpersubjectperfortnightandteachinggroupsareusually8-10studentsin sizealthoughpopularsubjectscanbemore AllSixthFormershavetheoptiontostudyforanExtendedProjectQualification TheEPQ givesstudentstheopportunitytodevelopresearchandprojectmanagementskillsinatopicoftheirchoice.AdditionalUCASpointsare achievedanduniversitieslookfavourablyonstudentswhohaveundertakenthisadditionalcourse.
ForthefullSixthFormcoursedirectoryclickontheQRcode:
SIXTH FORM COURSES
CASESTUDY:AMY
China
AmyjoinedLewestonforSixthFormtostudy Maths,FurtherMathsandPhysicsALevel achieving2Asandand1A*inthesesubjects.
SheleftLewestontostudyComputerScience andIntelligentSystemsatKing’sCollege, London.Shenowworksinfinancialservices andhasbegunapart-timeMastersdegreeat ImperialCollege
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS - COMPUTER SCIENCE
ComputerScienceistaughtthroughouttheschoolandisrapidlygrowinginpopularityatGCSEandALevel.Itisasubjectbothrelevant totheclassroomandtherealworld.
AtALevelthecoursehasclear,well-structuredassessmentcriteriaandtheexamsincludeavarietyofassessmentstyles Oneofthemost excitingpartsofthecoursethepersonalprojectofferingstudentstheopportunitytocreateasolutiontoaproblemfromanyareaof computing.
ComputerSciencecanputstudentsinastrongpositionwhenapplyingforaComputerSciencedegreeordegreeapprenticeshipandcan leadtoanumberofextremelywell-paidcareersasthetechnicalskillsgainedarehighlyvaluedbyemployers.Thismightinclude becominganappdeveloper,cyber-securityanalyst,softwareengineer,webdeveloper,gamesdesignerordataanalyst
DESTINATIONS:
King’sCollege,London
ComputerSciencewith IntelligentSystems
UniversityofSouthampton ComputerScience
KingstonUniversity
BournemouthUniversity ComputerAnimation
CASESTUDY:SELINA China
SelinajoinedLewestonforSixthFormtostudyMaths,Further MathsandPhysicsALevelachievingA*sinallsubjects.
SheleftLewestontostudyMechanicalEngineeringatImperial College,Londonandgraduatedwithbothanundergraduate andMaster’sdegree.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS - MATHS
MathsisoneofthecoresubjectsinthecurriculumfromYear7toGCSEwithablestudentstakingFurtherMathsatGCSE.
Mathsisamuchsoughtafterqualificationforentrytoawidevarietyoffull-timecoursesinHigherEducationanditisconsideredoneof thefacilitatingsubjectsbyleadinguniversities.TheALevelcourseteachesstudentstothinklogically,processinformationaccurately, andtounderstandandmanipulatenumbersandmathematicalprocesses.Skillswhichemployersarelookingforinprospective employees.
AtLeweston,theMathematicsCoursehasbeendevelopedinordertoprovideyouwithaMathematicseducationwhichwillbe appropriateforawiderangeofCollegeandUniversitystudies.CoursesthatrequireALevelMathematicsorarestronglyrelatedinclude: Economics,Medicine,Architecture,Engineering,Accountancy,Teaching,Psychology,EnvironmentalStudies,Computingand InformationTechnology.
DESTINATIONS:
King’sCollege,London
Mathematicswith Statistics
UniversityofLeeds MathswithFinance
UniversityofCardiff
Mathematics
RoyalHolloway
AccountingandFinance
ImperialCollege,London
MathematicswithAppliedMathematicsand Physics
Mathematics
CASESTUDY:PENNY
UK
PennyisacurrentYear13student.Shehasreceivedanofferto studyforaPlantSciencedegreeattheworld-renownedEden ProjectinCornwall.Penny’sprogrammeofstudywillseeherspend timeactivitiesinthetropicalandMediterraneanbiomes,the outdoorgardenandthecropproductionfacility,workingalongside horticulturalistsandattendingtaughtmodulesonsite fromspecialistlecturers.
TherangeofresourcesincludingEden'sownplant collectionsandgrowingenvironmentscoupledwiththe nationallyrenownedmicro-propagationresearch facility,provideaworld-classplatformforstudy.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS - SCIENCE
ScienceistaughtintheLongfordScienceCentreandthesciencesubjectsaresomeofthemostpopularintheschoolwithmorestudents goingtostudySTEMcoursesatuniversitythananyother.
AllstudentsfromYears7to11studyChemistry,PhysicsandBiology,takingGCSEsinallthreeseparatesciences.InSixthFormstudents canchoosetostudyanyorallofthethree.
Sciencecoursesareidealforthosestudentsinterestedinstudyingmedicine,veterinaryscience,engineering,computing,biological science,pharmacy
CHEMISTRY
Chemistryisanessentialsubjectfor manycareersincludingmedicine, veterinaryscience,pharmacy, agriculture,foodscienceandchemical engineering Evenforthosenot planningacareerinscience,Chemistry isahighlyrespectedALevel.
BIOLOGY
BiologyisaverypopularchoiceatALevel, partlybecauseofthemanycareerprospects itopensup:Medicine,Agriculture, PhysiotherapyandVeterinaryScienceto namebutafew Equally,Biologyappealsto studentsconsideringcareersinComputing, Archaeology,MarineBiology,Engineeringand LandManagement.
PHYSICS
ALevelPhysicsisnotjustforthosewhowant todoPhysicsorEngineeringdegrees.Itis usefulforcareersinMedicine,Veterinary Science,industry,bankingandthecity, architecture,theenvironmentandteaching amongstmanyothers.Physicscombineswell withMathematicsaswellaswiththeother scienceshowever,itmayalsobestudiedin combinationwithsubjectssuchas Geography,EconomicsandMusic
DESTINATIONS:
UniversityofEdinburgh
ChemicalEngineering
RoyalVeterinaryCollege
VeterinaryScience
UniversityofManchester
PhysicswithAstrophysics
ImperialCollege,London MechanicialEngineering
UniversityCollegeLondon
ElectronicandElectricalEngineering
BiomedicalEngineering
StGeorge’sUniversityHospital Medicine
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS - ART AND DESIGN
TheArtandDesignDepartmentatLewestonisalivelyandoriginalplacewhichoffersthepupilsanopportunitytoexplorearangeof creativeareas.TheArtandDesignCentrehouses:
3DDesignstudio
TextileStudio
Ceramicsstudio
CreativeGraphicsSuite
DarkRoom
FineArtStudio
DedicatedstudiospaceforSixthFormstudents.
DESTINATIONS:
BournemouthUniversity
GraphicDesign
Fashion
ComputerAnimation
ArtandDesign
CommercialPhotography
CentralStMartins
ProductDesign
PerformanceDesignand Practice
UniversityoftheArts,London
FashionMarketing
FashionDesignandDevelopment
UniversityfortheCreativeArts
FashionPromotionandImaging
FINE ART
Sculpture
Installation art
Lens-based media
Printmaking
Painting and Drawing
PHOTOGRAPHY
Portraiture
Landscape and still life photography
Documentary photography
Experimental imagery
Editorial photography
Animation
3D DESIGN
Architectural design
Sculpture
Product design
Jewellery and body adornment
Exhibition design
3D digital design
Designs for theatre, film and TV
Environmental/landscape/ garden design
FASHION AND TEXTILES
Painting and drawing
Textile Art
Interior Design
Print and surface embellishment
Garment construction
Studio and fashion photography
CASESTUDY:HAZEL
HongKong
HazeljoinedinYear10andstayeduntiltheendofSixthForm. Hazelimmersedherselfintheworldofperformingartsand music,playingleadrolesinschoolproductionsincluding Six and Les Misérables,andachievingherABRSMDiplomaonpiano andsinging
DuringapodcastrecordingwithLeweston’sHeadmaster,Hazel saidthatstudyingatanEnglishschoolenhancedherskills enablinghertoaccomplishmanyofherachievements
DESTINATION:Music ManchesterUniversity.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS - MUSIC
MusicandDramaarepartofthecurriculumforYears7,8and9.Anexceptionalteamofvisitingmusiciansgiveinstrumentaltuitionin voice,pianoandorgan,woodwind,strings,brassandpercussion.LessonsaretaughtintheMusicSchoolwhichprovidesanensemble room,twomusicclassrooms,instrumentalteachingrooms,GCSEandALevelMusicworkspaceandarecordingstudio.
Therearemanyhigh-profileperformanceopportunities,insideandoutsideofschoolandinstrumentalensemblesincludingstring ensembles,BaroqueGroup,FluteGroup,RecorderConsort,WorshipBandandJazzBand.
TheschoolhasanoutstandingrecordintheAssociatedBoardandTrinityCollegeexaminationsuptoDiplomalevel.Lewestonhasa particularreputationforsacredchoralmusic.PupilsinYear9andaboveauditionforaplaceintheprestigiousScholaCantorumwhich singsattheschool’sweeklyMassandatfestivals,concerts,weddingsandotherservicesnationallyandabroad LewestonoffersMusicatGCSEandALevel.Studentswillstudyperformance,composingandappraising.Musicisavocationalsubject, andisessentialforthosewishingtopursuetheirformalmusicalstudiesatuniversityormusiccollege.Anyoneconsideringacareerin themusicindustry(fromconcertperformingandartsmanagementtomusicaljournalism)wouldbenefitfromthecourse Musicisalsoa relevantA-Levelforthoseintendingtopursueadegreeoutsideofthesubject.AlluniversitiesrateA-LevelMusichighlyasanacademic qualification,andpaststudentshavegoneontostudymedicine,artandvariousscienceswithMusicasoneoftheirALevels
DESTINATIONS:
RoyalSchoolofMusic MusicConservatoire DurhamUniversity MusicandLiberalArts
Sorbonne
MusicandMusicology
RoyalWelshSchoolofMusicandDrama Music
UniversityofManchester Music
“No one is homesick. I would say it is impossible at Leweston there is too much to do”
ENRICHMENT AND ACTIVITIES
AsastudentatLewestontheopportunitiesareendlessandweareproudtoofferstudentsexcitingopportunitiestodeveloptheir horizonsandexpandtheirlearningexperience.
Therearelunchtimeandafter-schoolclubsandactivitiesforallages,somearedirectlyrelatedtothecurriculum,somearedesignedto promotesocialawareness,ortoenhancephysicalskills,self-relianceandteamwork Otherswillextendknowledgeoftheworld The commonfactoristhattheyallmakeanessentialcontributiontoastudent’sdevelopmentandeducationinthebroadestsenseofthe word Studentsareencouragedtogetinvolvedinasmanyaspossibleastheyaregreatwaytomeetnewpeopleandmakefriends Theprogrammeischangedeverytermandadditionalactivitiesareaddedeveryyeartoensurethereissomethingforeveryone.Students areencouragedtosuggestfutureactivitiestobeincluded.
SOME OF THIS YEAR’S ACTIVITIES
Maths Challenge
Debate Society
Oxplore
Chess Club
Italian Club
CREST Bronze
History of Art Club
Book Club
Film Club
Song Writing
Jazz Band
Rock Band
Community Orchestra
Choral Society
Baroque Group
School Production
Interactive and Sensory Theatre
Head’s Essay Society
Rhetoric
Open Art Studio
Sketchbook Club
Football
Running Club
Sailing
Yoga
Shooting Club
Fencing
Laser Run Club
Golf
Riding and Horse Care
Inadditionthereareanumberoftripsandvisits,studentsparticipateindaytripstohistoricsites,museums,galleriesandnatural featurestosupportthecurriculuminHistory,ArtHistory,Geography,English,BiologyandClassics.Thereareregulartheatretripsfor pupilsofalllevels.OurchoirmakesregularconcerttoursbothintheUKandabroadandwehavesportstoursandaskitripeverytwo years.
Theschoolalsohasalongtraditionofoutdoorpursuitsandmakesfulluseofitsbeautifullocation.TheTenTorsChallengeisopento SixthFormandseesteamsofsixstudentsnavigateroutesoverDartmoorinundertwodays.PupilscanalsoenrolontheDukeof EdinburghBronzeAwardatYear9,SilveratYear10andGoldinYear12.TheAwardfocusesonpersonaldevelopmentcommitment, independenceandresponsibility.Itiswellregardedbybothuniversitiesandemployersandcansupportfurthereducationapplications.
Strength and Conditioning
Duke of Edinburgh
Ten Tors
Global Action Nepal
Cookery Club
LEaD PROGRAMME
TheLewestonEnrichmentandDevelopment(LEaD)programmeisdesignedtodevelopSixthFormersastheseniorstudentleadersofour community.Theprogrammeofferstheopportunityforstudentstoengageinarangeofexperiencesbeyondtimetabledstudieswhile providingthemwiththetoolstogrowasexpertsinintellectualandpracticalways.LEaDactivitiesaredividedintothreeseparate strandsandacrosseachterm.
Community–activelyengagingininitiatives,activitiesandeventsthatsupporttheschoolorlocalandwidercommunity. Opportunity–takingaleadinorganising,runningandparticipatinginactivitiesandeventsthatdevelopemployabilityand transferablelifeskills,personalattributes,physicalfitnessandsportsability,healthandwellbeing,socialresponsibilityand anappreciationofcultureandthearts.
Expertise–developingacademicpotential,skillsandknowledgethroughparticipationinsubjectandnon-subject-related extension/super-curricularactivities,post-ALevelpreparationsessions(e.g.UCAS),study-skillstraining,academic competitionsandsocietiesandtheEPQ.
Studentsengageinallthreeoftheseareaseachterm(exceptinthesummertermofUpperSixth),settingtargetsandrecordingprogress
AllstudentsareexpectedtomeetthequotaofLEaDactivitiesthroughouttheirtimeintheSixthFormhowever,thosewhogoaboveand beyondwillbeconsideredforaLEaDProgrammeDistinctionaward
EXAMPLE LEaD ACTIVITIES
Organising a charity event
Visiting the elderly in the local community
Supporting a Year 7 tutor group one day a week
Taking part in the peer mentoring scheme
Volunteering in the nursery or prep school
Joining the Sixth Form mentoring scheme
Taking part in budgeting skills activity
Setting up a new sports club
Competing in a House competition
Organising an event for other students
Completing Ten Tors and/or Gold Duke of Edinburgh
Attending and participating in a university interview workshop
Undertaking the Extended Project Qualification
Participating in the Head’s lecture series
Attending university open days as part of the UCAS process
Entering a national competition in chosen discipline
Producing marketing content for the school
Organising and participating in a debating competition
Learning a new language
CAREERS AND UNIVERSITY SUPPORT
p p p p
AdedicatedFutureDirectionsDayandMMIassessment
Guidanceanddetailedsupportinwritingtheirpersonalstatementthatfullycapturestheirdevelopment Conferences,seminarsandvisitsandcontactwithcurrentprofessionals
Helpinchoosingwhichcoursesuitstheirlearningstyleandambitions
SupporttoprepareforUCAT/BMATandinterviews
OXBRIDGE PROGRAMME
Studentswhoaspiretostudyatthemostcelebratedacademicinstitutionsaresupportedfromthevery startofSeniorSchool.FromtheRhetoricSocietyinYears7to9,throughtotheScholars’SocietyinYears 10and11andHead’sEssaySocietyintheSixthForm,weencouragetheiracademicambitionsand developtheirconfidenceindiscussingtheories,conceptsandideas,withincreasinglevelsofcomplexity andindependence.Studentstakepartin‘Oxplore’livedebatesandOxford’sOutreachProgramme,as wellasreceivingindividualadvicefromtheCareersAdviser,allofwhichareaimedatmotivatingour mostacademicallyablestudentstoconsideranapplicationtoOxfordorCambridgeUniversity.From Year11upwards,theOxbridgeapplicationprocessbecomesmoreformalandbespokeinvolvingarange ofactivitiesandevents,alongsideacomprehensiveprogrammeofcareerseducationandsupportwith Universityandapprenticeshipapplications.
DESTINATIONS FROM 2023 and 2024:
LONDONSCHOOLOFECONOMICS
PoliticsandPhilosophy
DURHAMUNIVERSITY
PoliticsandModernLanguages
UNIVERSITYOFNOTTINGHAM
NaturalSciences
Philosophy,PoliticsandEconomics
UNIVERSITYOFEXETER
BusinessandManagement
PoliticsandModernLanguages
HistoryandAncientHistory
UNIVERSITYOFGDANSK
Medicine
UNIVERSITYOFCARDIFF
BiologicalSciences
UNIVERSITYOFBRISTOL Geography
UNIVERSITYCOURSETYPES2015-2024
GOODSCHOOLSGUIDE
“Its small size and low-key Catholicism create a supportive family atmosphere where pupils can thrive.”
THE SUPPORT TEAM
TUTOR
Allstudentshaveatutorwhowillactastheirfirstpointofcontactforacademicqueries.Tutorsmeetstudentsonadailybasisandwill trackacademicprogressandofferassistancetokeepstudentsperformingattheirbest
HEADOFYEAR
EachyeargrouphasaHeadofYearwhohasoverallresponsibilityforthetutorteams Theyarethe'keystone'pastoralleadersfor studentsandfrequentlyliaisebetweendifferentdepartmentsandteams.This'joinedup'approachisimportantforidentifyingand supportingpupils'pastoralneedsinthemosteffectiveway.
DIRECTOROFINTERNATIONALSTUDENTS
Lewestonhasamemberofstaffdedicatedtolookingaftertheinternationalstudents.Theyoverseetheplacement,academicprogress andcareofeachstudent,liaisingcloselywithotherstaffandparents.
CAREERSADVISOR
Ourdedicatedcareersspecialistprovidesstudentswiththesupportandguidanceneededwhenmakingapplicationstouniversity.
WELLBEING
Wehaveadedicatedwellbeingteamwhohelptomakesurethatstudentsarementally,emotionallyandphysicallyhealthy.Theteam workcloselywiththestudentsandteacherstoensuresupportisthereforanyproblemtheymighthave.Theteamincludesadedicated PastoralLeadwhoistrainedtosupportyoungpeoplewithissuessuchasresilience,friendshipissuesandemotionaldevelopment
BOARDING
Theboardingteamplayasignificantroleinthestudents’livesandincludeadditionaltutoror'Florin' Thesearemembersofthe academicstaffwhomeetwithstudentsonceaweektoprovideextrapastoralandacademicsupportandadvice.
PUPILMENTORS
ManySixthFormstudentstrainaspeermentorsafterwhichtheyarepairedwithanewpupiljoiningtheschoolwhentheyprovide friendshipandadviceduringtheirfirsttermatLeweston.Occasionallyamentormayworkwithapupilwhowouldspecificallybenefit fromthesupportofanolderpupil.
HOW TUTORS CAN HELP
Advise on the right subject mix
Encourage students in taking on new challenges
Help to balance the demands of work and extracurricular activities
Suggest study skills to help work more effectively
Suggest time-management strategies especially around coursework deadlines and exams
Support at study reviews and meetings
Help to set realistic goals
Contribute to and collate school reports and be available at Parents' Evenings
Help with CVs, personal statements, references and planning next steps
Write references for university or job applications
Encourage the development of ideas and opinions
Offer a sympathetic ear
LIFE IN BOARDING
BoardingisanintegralpartoflifeatLeweston UnlikemanyotherschoolsLeweston’sboardinghousesareinthemainbuilding occupyingdifferentwingsoftheManorHouse.Thiscreatesahomefromhomeatmospherewhereacademic,dailylifehappens ‘downstairs’andboarding,familylife‘upstairs’.Thismodelensuresthatdayandboardingpupilsarefullyintegratedastheyspend wholeschooldaytogether.Thesestrongfriendshipsarereflectedinthenumberofdaypupilswhojointhebusyafter-schoolclubsand arewelcomedtoeventsintheweekendactivityprogramme.Thisalsoallowsallboarderstogettoknoweachother.WhilsttheHouses areself-containedareaswithdormitoriesorstudybedroomsandcommonrooms,thereisstrongfeelingofconnection.Weprovide sharedspacesfordifferentagegroupstomixandforthegirlsandboystocometogetherforactivitiesandgames.Thisisparticularly goodforsiblings
Years11to13havestudybedroomsbutyoungerboarderscompletetheireveninghomeworkinthebeautifulPensabeneLibararyina supervised‘prep’session.ThisensuresthattheHousesremainarelaxed,funenvironmentawayfromsomeofthepressuresofacademic life
EachhousehasaHousemasterorHousemistresses,supportedbyateamofAssistantHouseparentsandGAPAssistantsaswellas Florins,academicmembersofstaffwhospendonenightperweekintheboardinghouses.Ourtightknitboardingfamilymeansthat pupilsandstaffknoweachotherwellandthereisastrong,supportiveatmosphere.Thismakesourboardersfeelconfidentandsecurein theirsurroundingsandrelationshipssothattheyareabletoflourishpersonally,sociallyandacademically.
Itisourstrongbeliefthateveryonehasgiftsandtalentsthattheycanshare,soboardersareencouragedtotakeonrolestohelpeach other.TheBoardingPrefectleadsateamofseniorboarderswhoadviseandassistboardersofallages.TheBoardingPrefectalsochairs thetermlyBoardingCouncilwhichactsasaforumforideasanddiscussionaboutboardinglife.YearRepresentativesplayasignificant roleinsuggestinganddiscussingchanges,sothateveryone'sideasarefairlyrepresented TheyreporttotheBoardingPrefectand attendBoardingCouncilmeetings.TheInternationalBoardingCommitteeactsasaforumforinternationalpupils,organisesand promotesworldfestivals,liaiseswithinternationalpupilsinothersschoolsandtopromotesintegration.
EXAMPLE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Mini Golf
Ringo Rides
Bowling
Caving
Falconry
Laser Tag
Zorbing
Go Karting
Archery
Bath Christmas Market
Roman Baths
Exeter Cathedral
Jurassic Coast Trip
Salisbury Cathedral
Corfe Castle
Alton Towers
Ice Skating
Cinema
Wellness Weekends
Flip Out!
Mug Painting
Escape Rooms
Splashdown
Dance
Kayaking
Swimming and Inflatables
Afternoon Tea
Fishing
GOODSCHOOLSGUIDE
“Sport is a cornerstone of Leweston. Like so much of the school, it’s approached with a sense of inclusivity - fixtures are for all, not the rarefied few”
SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
SportisanimportantpartoflifeatLewestonandtheschoolhasanexcellentreputationatalocal,nationalandinternationallevel.The schooltakesgreatprideinitsinclusiveapproachandallpupilsareencouragedtopursueanysportthatintereststhem Theyaregiven supporttodevelopandachievetothebestoftheirabilityandcompeteatthelevelofcompetitionthattheyaspireto.Theprogrammeis designedtopromotepositiveattitudestophysical,mentalandemotionalhealthwhichwillremainwithpupilsfortherestoftheirlives.
Allofthemainstreamteamsportsaretaughtaspartofthecurriculum,alongwithawidevarietyofindividualdisciplines Studentsare regularlyselectedforDistrict,CountyandRegionaldevelopmentcentresinHockey,RugbyandNetball.LewestonalsodominatesCrossCountryrunningatCountyandRegionallevelandmanyofourathletescompeteattheNationalAthleticsFinals.Thereisanextensive swimmingprogrammewithregularcoachedswimsessionsthroughouttheweekcateringforbeginnersandeliteperformersalike. LewestonisoneofonlynineGBPentathlonTrainingHubsintheUKofferingcoachinginallaspectsofModernPentathlon:running, swimming,fencing,shootingandOCR TheschoolhaseliteathletesworkingtowardsOlympicrepresentation
Theschoolalsohasitsownequestriancentre,theLewestonChedingtonRidingAcademyofferingliveryandlessonstostudentsfrom beginnertonationalcompetitionlevel.LewestonhasbeentheNationalSchoolsEquestrianAssociation(NSEA)RegionalPointsLeague Championsforsixyearsinarow
Thereareadditionalsportingopportunitiesviatheactivitiesprogrammewhichregularlyprovidesfencing,shooting,running,strength andconditioninganddevelopmentswimmingoptionsinadditiontootheropportunitiesonrotation.
SPORTS AT LEWESTON
Hockey (Boys and Girls)
Netball
Rugby
Cross Country
Swimming
Cricket
Gymnastics
Athletics
Tennis
Riding
Fencing
Laser Shooting
Pellet Shooting
Laser Run
Biathle/Biathlon
Triathle/Triathlon
Pentathlon
Football (Activity)
Strength and Conditioning (Activity)
Yoga (Activity)
Basketball (Activity)
Volleyball (Activity)
LEWESTON CHEDINGTON RIDING ACADEMY
TheLewestonChedingtonRidingAcademyopenedinNovember2024providingtheschoolwith20stables,aflood-litarenaanda dedicatedclassroom TheschooloffersarangeofliverypackagesattheAcademyaswellridinglessonssuitableforallagesandabilities ThereareopportunitiesforpupilstospendtimeattheAcademythroughouttheday,helpingtocareforthehorsesandridingandhorse careareofferedaspartofthecurriculum.
TheCentrehasstronglinkstoChedingtonEquestrian,aworldclassfacilitywhichishometoOlympiccompetitors Chedingtontookfour horsestotheParis2024OlympicsandcamehomewithaSilverMedalinindividualeventing.Byinvitation,pupilshaveaccesstotheir elitetrainingfacilitieswhichincludecompetitionjumps,dressagearena,largeindoorschool,indoorlungepen,grassdressageandjump arenas.ThereisalsolargeXCschoolingfieldcateringforBENovicethroughtoAdvanced.
LewestonisaseriouscompetitorinequestriansportandpupilsofallagesregularlycompeteatNSEAevents.In2023theschoolwonthe NationalSchoolsEquestrianAssociation(NSEA)RegionalPointsLeaguefortheseventhyearinarowandgainedthemostpointsofany competingschoolinthecountry.PupilscompeteinDressage,ShowJumpingandEventing.GBYoungRiderEventingCoachandChef d’EquipeEmmaFisherisinvolvedasamentorandtrainertotheequestrianteam,providingpre-performanceworkshops,sports psychologyandmentalwell-beingcounselling.Eventer,NanaDalton,isengagedasourteamcoachandleadstrainingsessionsforall abilitiesofridersintheirprogressionthroughtheeventinglevels’.Theschoolorganisesitsownin-housefitnessprogrammeswith Pilatesforridersandvisitstocompetitionyardsandvenues
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
