“It is our job and our privilege to give children a wide range of platforms on which they can shine and develop their passions –the only thing we ask of them is to be kind and throw themselves into all that is on offer here at Orwell Park.”
A very warm welcome to Orwell Park. We passionately believe in protecting the magic of childhood and are blessed to be able to offer our children the most stunning 110-acre site in which they can learn, laugh, explore, make mistakes and grow. Magnificent grounds, buildings and facilities are of great value, but we are more proud to be able to boast a talented and dedicated team of staff, who succeed in sparking joy, inspiration and aspiration – this is where the magic is truly brought to life. Here at Orwell Park, we love cake! The foundational base layer of our cake is outstanding pastoral care. Our ‘just right’ size allows us to truly get to know what makes each child tick as an individual, whilst our small class sizes and superb boarding provision ensure that the Orwell Park community has a truly familial ‘home away from home’ feel.The next layer of sponge that this all underpins is our core business – first class teaching and learning and academic ambition for every child. We are incredibly proud of the fact that our Year 8 girls and boys head off to leading senior schools across the country, with an impressive average of around 25 each year earning Scholarships and Exhibitions.
Parents would come to expect these first two layers in any school, although I believe that the ingredients are especially rich and tasty here at Orwell. The icing on our cake is the extraordinary range of extra-curricular activities that are on offer – the staples of Music, Art, Drama, DT and Sport alongside our unique assault course, forest school and bushcraft, an observatory, sailing and trips to India and France – the list goes on. Our belief is that the icing should be as thick as the cake itself, as this is where the boys and girls develop their character, confidence and creativity. It is our job and our privilege to give children a wide range of platforms on which they can shine and develop their passions – the only thing we ask of them is to be kind and throw themselves into all that is on offer here at Orwell Park.
Milly and I would love to welcome you and show you a bit of the magic first hand, and hope that you choose to enjoy some cake with us!
Guy Musson Headmaster
“One of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous schools we’ve ever seen” Good Schools Guide
Orwell Park is a long established co-educational prep school for day pupils and boarders. The outstanding beauty of the grounds and the historic buildings contribute to an inspiring experience which combines the legacy and traditions of the past with the dynamism and energy of the present and the future. Boys and girls are given every opportunity to be the best they can be, both in and outside the classroom. High expectations, and learning strategies tailored to the individual child, lead to high levels of attainment.
Academic achievement and pastoral care are given top priority, alongside core values such as courtesy, personal responsibility and respect for others. Children are encouraged to take on challenges, to overcome setbacks and to see failure as part of the journey to success, to develop the resilience, initiative, flexibility, creativity and collaborative skills that will prepare them for the next stage of their education and later life.
At Orwell Park pupils develop a balanced sense of themselves and a quiet self-confidence in their interactions with others.
Our Aims
• To provide for all pupils an academically challenging, inspiring and fulfilling experience
• To offer an all-round education in which happy and purposeful children can grow in confidence and self-esteem
• To encourage children to persevere when confronted with obstacles and to understand that they can develop their abilities through dedication and application
• To create a caring, trusting and supportive environment in which children show respect for each other and their environment
• To excite, engage and challenge each child, motivating them to explore and develop a lifelong love of learning, supported by teachers who are passionate about their subject and are themselves lifelong learners
• To offer to all children the benefits of a school with a boarding ethos, encouraging independence, tolerance and responsibility
• To develop in each child an increasing sense of self-reliance as they prepare for senior school, being able to question, think and work independently
• To give each child an awareness of and an engagement with the outside world and the needs of others
Founded by the Reverend Walter Wilkinson in Lowestoft in 1868, the School moved to Aldeburgh in 1870, changing its name three times – from Crespigny House to Eaton House to Aldeburgh Lodge. It then moved to its present site in Nacton in 1937 and was renamed Orwell Park. The magnificent building and grounds it now occupies were formerly owned by Admiral Vernon, 18th century naval hero, and Colonel Tomline, Victorian entrepreneur and founder of the port of Felixstowe.
Orwell Park School in Nacton, near Ipswich, is situated in over 110 acres of beautiful grounds, woodland and playing fields overlooking the Orwell estuary in Suffolk. The main Prep School is housed in an exceptional late Georgian mansion. With adjacent Pre-Prep, classrooms and specialist facilities, Orwell Park has been described as one of the most beautiful school settings in England.
Orwell Park is divided into two main sections:
• Pre-Prep (age 2½ to 7)
• Prep (age 7 to 13)
Pre-Prep:
• Nursery (age 2½ to 4)
• Reception (age 4 to 5)
• Years 1 and 2 (age 5 to 7)
Prep:
• Middle School – Years 3 to 5 (age 7 to 9)
• Senior School – Years 6 to 8 (age 10 to 13)
All children have a class teacher or Tutor who will play a vital role in communication between home and school as well as in pastoral care. All children in the main school belong to a School House, and feel a strong sense of loyalty towards it. The houses are: Blue Boars, Green Dragons, Red Lions and Yellow Tigers. The House system at Orwell Park provides further opportunities for initiative, competition, responsibility and leadership, as well as another dimension to pastoral care.
Situated within the beautiful grounds of Orwell Park Prep School, the Pre-Prep is housed in a state of the art new building, containing six classrooms, a music and IT room, a Library and a spacious hall. The Pre-Prep is separate from the Prep School but still an integral part of the Orwell Park community and boys and girls from age 2½ to 7 make full use of the extensive grounds and facilities that make Orwell Park such a magical place in which to be educated.
In Orwell Park Nursery, it is recognised that young children who feel happy and secure in their surroundings will thrive as they move from home to school and take the first steps in their education. Top priority is given to ensuring that every child feels safe, secure and happy. All areas of child development (social, cultural, creative and physical) are developed through purposeful play, as children embark upon the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. A fundamental principle is that the early years of education are a partnership between parents and teacher. Parents are a child’s first educators and their support and involvement will play a vital part in a child’s early education.
We look forward to working with you!
In Pre-Prep academic standards are high, though children are always encouraged to feel a sense of achievement when they have tried their best; effort is always praised. The Pre-Prep is a secure and happy community which sets the following goals for every child:
• To develop a passion for learning
• To be committed to achieving high standards
• To foster an inquisitive mind
• To encourage independence and individuality
• To nurture a sense of citizenship
Throughout the Pre-Prep department we aim to promote unity and respect for each other in a variety of ways. We hold weekly assemblies, which follow PSHE themes such as sharing, helpfulness and citizenship, and these concepts are then reinforced in lessons and during the course of our daily routine.
Literacy and Numeracy are at the heart of our curriculum, though each term a topic incorporating History, Geography, Science, Literacy, Numeracy and Art is explored in every year group. The emphasis is on the enjoyment of learning and acquisition of knowledge through practical and co-operative activities. Children are encouraged to discover and investigate and, in doing so, their self-confidence grows.
French lessons form part of the curriculum for all children in the Pre-Prep and language learning is a strength of the school as a whole.
Children’s individual talents will be developed in music, drama, art and sport. All children are encouraged to learn a musical instrument from the age of 6 years and sometimes younger. All children from Nursery and above participate in the annual Nativity Play, Pre-Prep Play, Summer Concert and Sports Day. From Reception and above, children also participate in the annual Verse Speaking Competition and those who learn instruments perform in a Music Recital in the Summer term. In Orwell Park Pre-Prep the early years of education are a happy, enjoyable experience, where a child can develop selfconfidence, a love of learning and life!
“Exceptional behaviour, consideration for others and cooperation with each other.”
Orwell Park offers academic challenge to all children and learning support for those who need it. In the classroom, a traditional curriculum (including Latin from Year 6 onwards) is taught, using the most modern methods. The School employs motivated teachers with a passion for their subject, who will encourage academic self-reliance, helping all children in time to take responsibility for their own learning and personal organisation.
The curriculum offers breadth as well as academic rigour and all pupils in Years 3-8 have timetabled Art, Design and Technology and Drama. Children live in a digital world and at Orwell Park they are supported in their learning by Apple technology throughout the school; including two IT rooms, a Music Technology room, IT hubs in Art and Design and Technology.
Stretch and challenge is provided both in and outside the classroom and the Orangery Lectures on a Tuesday evening cover a wide range of cultural and academic subjects. Pupils of all ages are encouraged to attend and parents are invited to share the learning experience with their children.
“Pupils’ personal development is excellent. They have a positive approach to learning which supports their overall achievement. Pupils are extremely polite, caring and exceptionally well behaved.”
ISI inspection
Our aim is to provide a stimulating environment within a mixed ability form-based structure. We seek to develop our pupils’ academic potential within a caring and supportive environment, as well as encourage their interest and participation in creative, musical and sporting activities.
The class teachers, particularly in Years 3 and 4, are generally responsible for English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Critical Thinking and Life Skills. ICT, French, PE, Music and Art are taught by specialist teachers and the children benefit from the School’s many excellent facilities.
Educational visits complement the children's academic studies. These have included Colchester Castle Museum, West Stow, Fitzwilliam Museum, Chatham Dockyard, Minsmere RSPB reserve, theatre productions, film festivals and many more. Specialists are also invited into school to run workshops with the children. These have included a Viking Day, Science workshops and visits by authors.
Every term the Middle School gets together for a morning to enjoy learning together. Themes for the morning have included Mathematics, Science, thinking and listening skills, poetry and the Vikings. Links with the Pre-Prep are strong, ensuring an easy transition into the Senior School.
The Years 6-8 curriculum includes the following subjects: Art, Classics (Latin for all and Greek/Spanish for Year 8 scholars), Design and Technology, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, IT/Computing, Mathematics, Music, PE,TPE and Science.
In addition, pupils have one lesson a week of Life Skills to support their spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development and to promote their emotional well-being. Study skills are developed further and children continue to develop their reasoning and problem solving skills in Critical Thinking lessons.The main library at the heart of the school encourages independent learning, both during the day and for boarders in the evening.
Where a child requires learning support, a team of specialist teachers, including a maths specialist, tailor individual lessons to his or her needs. An experienced Learning Support Department liaises with outside agencies and excellent lines of communication are maintained with parents, subject teachers and support staff. At Orwell Park, all children are helped to grow in confidence and self-esteem so that by the time they leave for their next school, they are more than ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
“The quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning is excellent.” ISI inspection
At Orwell Park, pastoral care is given top priority, ensuring that every child is listened to, cared for, valued and encouraged. All members of staff at Orwell Park, whether academic or support staff, have a part to play in providing for the needs of their young charges.
In Pre-Prep and the Middle School (Nursery to Year 5), class teachers take special responsibility for the welfare as well as academic progress of the pupils in their care. In Years 6 to 8 pupils have specialist subject teachers rather than class teachers and a separate pastoral Tutor, who will not only maintain an overview of academic progress over the next three years in Senior School, but also take responsibility for pupils’ pastoral needs and their well-being. Tutor groups are organised in a vertical structure (each containing a mixture of pupils from Years 6, 7 and 8), enabling younger pupils to benefit from the experience and support of older pupils. Tutors at all levels keep in regular contact with parents and make themselves readily available to discuss a pupil’s needs
Boys and girls board at Orwell Park because they want to and because they enjoy it! Boarding is a happy experience and part of the unique childhood which Orwell Park offers. The quality of care is exemplary: in the most recent ISI Inspection, boarding provision was considered excellent. All those involved in boarding care (Houseparents, Matrons, catering and housekeeping staff) are totally committed to the welfare and happiness of the boys and girls. Food is appetising and healthy. Medical care is led by the School Nurse and Matrons, with easy access to the School Doctor at the local medical practice. Dormitories are bright, spacious and clean.
Boarders at Orwell Park fall into one of the following categories, although interchange is common and welcome:
• Full boarders: who spend weekends at school; these are fully organised
• Weekly boarders: who go home at weekends
• Flexi boarders: who spend perhaps one, two or three regular nights per week at school
The benefits of boarding are many: enjoying the company of friends; a spirit of fun and adventure; a sense of ownership of the School once day pupils have left; developing self-confidence and a measure of independence; the liberation of time in which to enjoy the School’s excellent facilities; preparation for life at senior school. Boarding is also a valuable asset for parents managing busy and demanding lives, safe in the knowledge that their children are happy and well cared for.
Sport is for all at Orwell Park! The extensive grounds provide abundant opportunities for children’s games, both formal and informal. Excellent facilities range from assault course to floodlit astroturf, golf course to games pitches, swimming pool to squash courts and sports hall. Sport begins in the Pre-Prep with PE lessons for all classes, including Nursery and Reception, and hockey, tennis and netball available as extra-curricular activities to pupils in Years 1 and 2.
PE lessons continue in the main school, alongside a games programme which prepares boys and girls of all abilities for a full fixture list of matches against other schools. On match days, as many as 25 teams are fielded to represent the School.
Our major sports are:
Boys: Rugby, Hockey, Cricket
Girls: Hockey, Netball, Cricket
Many other sporting activities take place at various times in the School year: athletics, badminton, cross country, eventing, football, golf, karate, sailing, skiing, squash, swimming and tennis. Young sportsmen and women from Orwell Park have achieved a considerable measure of success outside school, gaining scholarships to top senior schools and playing at county, regional and national level. Boys and girls enjoy their sport for various reasons: the coach journey, the match, the tea afterwards or the joy of being a member of a team. Whatever their motivation, sport is genuinely for all at Orwell Park!
“Sports teams achieve high levels of success locally and nationally in a wide range of sports.” ISI inspection
Music is a central part of life at Orwell Park: from singing in morning assembly to instrumental lessons for the vast majority of pupils; from regular choir practices to rehearsals for a concert or musical. Specialist musicians teach the full range of orchestral instruments, as well as harp, accordion and bagpipes. Twenty-two ensembles, including wind band, jazz band and orchestras, meet every week. Regular recitals prepare for outstanding annual concerts and every year there is a 'Battle of the Bands' in which pupils perform in the widest variety of rock bands. Facilities for music are outstanding, with thirty-five practice rooms, twenty pianos, including a Steinway Model D, and advanced Music Technology resources.
Orwell Park pupils who perform at advanced level have been selected for The National Children's Orchestra, National Children's Choir and National Youth Choir and regularly perform with distinction at the Suffolk Festival. Many also win music scholarships to senior schools. All instrumentalists are prepared for Associated Board and Trinity examinations, and many too win music scholarships to senior schools. Professional musicians are frequently invited to play in the beautiful setting of the Orangery; these concerts are enjoyed by pupils, parents and guests alike.
There are many opportunities to sing at Orwell Park: in Pre-Prep, Probationary and Senior Choir, the Choral Society and Schola Cantorum. Children and adults also combine every year to perform as a large-scale Chorus, accompanied by professional musicians. Recent works have included Mozart’s Requiem, Rutter’s Magnificat and Jenkins’ Armed Man Pupils also have the opportunity to perform in an annual Play or Musical.
Art
Orwell Park is extremely fortunate in having excellent facilities for Art. In a well equipped Art room, boys and girls of all ages are encouraged to express themselves creatively, sometimes in a structured environment in which skills are taught and absorbed; sometimes, and more often, with freedom to explore, experiment and just enjoy art materials. The Art Department is a place where boys and girls are always welcome: the doors are always open! Regular displays of pupils’ work across a range of media, including ceramics and photography, and exhibitions by professional Artists, all help to inspire young children. Every opportunity is taken to exhibit pupils’ work: in The Big Draw, displays of ceramics and sculpture, painting scenery for the School Play, the Young Art East Anglia competition or in an outstanding Summer exhibition, itself the culmination of the year for the Art Department. Art Scholarships to senior schools are won on a regular basis.
ISI
“Pupils’ success in art, music and drama is considerable.”
inspection
Design and Technology is well resourced but, above all, a very popular subject at Orwell Park. After all-important lessons on safety in the workshop, boys and girls begin the design process, learning a range of skills including technical drawing, CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Machining), which they then apply to the process of making. In the making process, they will work in the fields of: electronics, enamelling, hydraulics, materials, metalwork, plastics, pneumatics, structures and woodwork. They enjoy the fun and satisfaction of making bridges, castles, coat hooks, garden forks, hanging basket brackets, hydraulic toys, jewellery, key rings, model boats, pencil racks, self propelled vehicles, tack-hammers, trowels… and much, much more! The department is now branching out with new technologies and is making use of its own 3D printer and embedding computer chips into pieces of work. Pupils in the DT department have been very successful over the years in winning scholarships to Senior Schools. Former pupils build on their success at Orwell Park and achieve excellent results in GCSE, A Level and beyond.
“High quality art and design displays illustrate the impact of this exceptional provision on the learning of pupils.” ISI inspection
Drama
It is our belief that drama will enhance the skills of communication while building self-confidence, expression, concentration and sensitivity. A strong culture of performance runs throughout the School with plenty of opportunities for pupils of all ages and levels to be involved: in Pre-Prep there is the Nativity Play for Nursery and Reception and the Year 2 Play; the Middle School Play offers an opportunity for pupils in Years 3-5; the Year 6 Outdoor Production sees the whole group performing outside in the gardens and the Senior School Play alternates annually between a musical and a play for all Year 7 and 8 pupils.
Musical events, revues, drama clubs, poetry recitation, public speaking and reading competitions further augment pupils' opportunities to perform.
Boys and girls at Orwell Park enjoy a wide range of activities outside the classroom in addition to an extensive sports programme and varied cultural pursuits including art, music and drama. Activities take place every day during term time; regular trips are also organised to theatres, museums and other places of interest. Excursions and expeditions which are always fully subscribed are organised during school holidays. A typical range of activities during term time might include:
• Air Rifle Shooting • Ballet • Ceramics • Clay Shooting
• Community Service • Footgolf • Garageband
• Golf • Horseriding • Judo • Model Making
• OPS Challenge • Outdoor Games • Puppeteering
• Sailing • Squash
The School’s extensive grounds are the perfect setting for camping and campcraft and the assault course offers fun and challenge.
The extensive range of trips have included visits to: Colchester Castle, RSPB Minsmere, the Henry Moore Museum, Houses of Parliament, Science Museums and Sutton Hoo. We also have various residential trips throughout the year such as Sports Tours, Ski Trips, and the Year 5 PGL, Year 6 activity week including canoeing and scubadiving. Year 7 go to Normandy in the Summer term whilst Year 8 visit the Ardèche.
“A stimulating extra-curricular programme enhances the richness of school life for all pupils.”
ISI inspection
Children have the opportunity to take on meaningful leadership roles throughout their time at Orwell Park, for example sports team captains. At the top of the school the Head Boy and Head Girl have a key role in setting an example to their peers and the younger pupils and their duties include welcoming visitors to the school and addressing the whole school community on Speech Day. Senior pupils also act as Prefects and Sub Prefects, House Captains and Assistant House Captains, Dormitory Captains and Peer Listeners, as well as members of the School Council, the Boarders’ Forum, Catering Committee and Pupils’ Academic Focus Group.
We are keen to develop inclusive leadership opportunities for all children and the Orwell Park Challenge allows them to test their resilience, perseverance and self-confidence, with an expedition to Norfolk in Year 6 and the Brecon Beacons in Year 7.
Children are encouraged to think of others, including those less fortunate than themselves. Each year the school supports a local, a national and an international charity and the pupils, in particular the School Council, take the initiative in organising fund raising events, whether it be a school swimathon or making and selling cakes for The Great Orwell Bake Off.
“Pupils have excellent social awareness… They feel responsible for their school, responding positively to opportunities to take on roles of responsibility.” ISI inspection
All children enjoy considerable success in their final Common Entrance and scholarship examinations in Year 8, large numbers winning awards to their senior schools.
We work closely with parents to choose the senior schools appropriate for your child.There are many factors to take into account: academic standards, pastoral care, extra-curricular opportunities, geography, siblings, boarding or day. The most important consideration is to find a school where your child will be happy and will have the opportunity to be the best they can be.
Orwell Park pupils regularly go on to a wide range of schools nationally and locally, including:
• Ampleforth • Benenden • Cheltenham Ladies’
• Culford • Eton • Felsted • Framlingham
• Gordonstoun • Gresham’s • Haileybury
• Harrow • Heathfield • Ipswich • King’s Canterbury
• The Leys
• Marlborough • Millfield • Milton Abbey
• Oakham • Oundle • Radley • RHS • Rugby
• St. Mary’s Ascot • Stowe • Tonbridge • Tudor Hall
• Uppingham • Wellington • Winchester • Woodbridge
• Wycombe Abbey
“Pupils follow a broad and demanding curriculum, consistently gaining their first choice place in competitive entry to senior independent schools. Each year a considerable number are awarded academic, sporting, creative and music scholarships.” ISI inspection
