E N T R A N C E E X I T

At 13+, over 90 per cent head off to the senior school (no entrance test required) Parents seeking alternatives (often due to relocation) feel well supported ‘We celebrate the wide selection of excellent schools our pupils go on to,’ says head Uppingham, Denstone College, Rugby, Eton, Harrow, Shrewsbury and Oundle all feature

No sooner had we driven down the long, well-tended drive and walked up the sweeping steps of the grand Georgian hall than we were met by three wise men. And no, we don’t mean the senior leadership team. These chaps were pre-prep pupils all costumed up for the nativity play. Accompanied by Mary, Joseph and all manner of angels, stars, innkeepers, shepherds and cattle, these tinies – with face paint and wide grins – looked a festive delight. It turned out not to be the only drama on our visit – the school’s front hall, with its leather sofas and log fires, hosted LAMDA exams all day – one apprehensive young thespian after another taking their turn. ‘Drama,’ exclaimed an older pupil later on, ‘is brilliant here – it never stops!’ The school has its own real deal theatre, where we watched pairs of year 7s immersed in role play Some year 3s and 4s even gave us a spur-of-the-moment rendition of songs they were performing in their next play, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – and older years also do their own plays

Throughout the school, facilities are impressive The purpose-built pre-prep has an enticing green play area with tunnels and moulds (think Tellytubby land), while inside roomy, light classrooms are well decorated with pupil work (and not just the best) –themes include animals in the dark, life in year 1, campfires in forest school and stainedglass windows In classrooms, pupils were itching to tell us what they were working on – joining words for year 1s: ‘And!’ ‘But!’ ‘Who!’ they each called out with pride

Academics are ‘based around the individual child and what they’re capable of –no comparisons to others,’ say parents Stretch without push, and positive reports, they say Maximum class size of 18 French taught from reception, with Spanish and Latin added in year 7

‘Ooh la la!’ exclaimed the French teacher when a pupil answered her question about the weather (très froid et brumeux). Smattering of specialist teaching from nursery (music, drama, sport), increasing year on year until year 5 when everything is taught by specialists and setting is introduced in English, maths, French and science – ‘very helpful because you don’t want to go too fast or too slow,’ mused a pupil.

In a science lab, a teacher produced a tray of various foods ‘How could they be preserved?’ she enquired Every hand shot up In ICT, pupils were gathering data on farming – ‘geese for me!’ exclaimed one girl Meanwhile, Skellig, by David Almond, was in for a drilling in a year 7 English lesson, while another English set were busy writing short letters to the government regarding the execution of British soldiers in WW1. Head is working on the curriculum becoming more cross-curricular. Turnover of staff too high, say parents, but ‘the ones coming in are very good.’

‘My, my, haven’t you grown?’ came a booming voice from the learning enhancement department – and then a second time! – giving us cause to question whether we should have accepted the home-made biscuits served up in the head’s office earlier. To our relief, the head of the department was rehearsing his Santa role for the Christmas fair. The department is packed with games and fun-filled resources, alongside tables and computer areas, to help with eg maths and English boot camps Oneto-ones and booster groups also available (costs extra from year 5) Supports a range of mild learning difficulties, with dyslexia topping the chart ‘Very positive handling of everything that comes from my child’s autism,’ added a parent Four EHCPs when we visited A speech and language therapist visits weekly But the facility doesn’t just promote its wares to those who are ‘struggling’ – it’s open to anyone trying to reach their ‘personal success’, whatever their starting point Touch typing and emotional literacy both popular Excellent neurodiversity display, reminding passers by that eg Billie Eilish has Tourette syndrome

Dedicated room for EAL too, complete with clocks of the world

The modern Charles Jennings music school (named after Handel’s librettist) would be the envy of many secondary schools Long lists of orchestras, ensembles and choirs on the noticeboards ‘The head of music wants everyone, and I mean everyone, to learn an instrument!’ said one pupil – and around a quarter do, including a good few playing the harp. Watch this space for more of a battle of the band feel, plus more music tech – the department is currently felt to be a touch too highbrow. House music popular.

Art boasts a large light-drenched studio and masses of talent, with around 12 art scholars in year 8. We were blown away by a twisted piece of wood that one pupil had meticulously filled in with blue gemstones and ceramics – spectacular. Textiles, fine art, sculpting all popular, with pupils about to make Christmas cards on our visit. Year 3s upwards use DT machinery, and lap it up, looking quite the part with their overalls and goggles. Greenpower is well-liked, with pupils racing at different circuits some weekends.

As with the senior school, very sporty Hockey is king, with football and cricket also popular No rugby Tennis, cross-country, netball (girls only) and swimming also taught –the pool is great, although the exterior and changing rooms let it down (next on the refurb wish list apparently) Many of the more serious swimmers board as school happy to ferry them around Fabulous Astro, football and cricket pitches and a vast (for a prep) sports hall. Pupils in years 7 and 8 head up to the senior school to train with higher-level coaches. Fine if sport isn’t your thing –‘My son isn’t sporty at all, but it hasn’t held him back.’

Marmite reaction to Saturday school – ‘it can be very tiring for the year 5s,’ felt one parent. But head believes it allows rich pickings for enrichment, as well as competitive sport. ‘It is what it is,’ shrugged an acquiescent pupil.

Clubs and societies 4-6pm daily – pupils can stay for tea, as well as be dropped from 8am in the mornings to complete the wraparound circle. Chess, knitting, languages, Marvel movie club, sport and swimming among the staples – head looking to move away from ‘a mishmash list’ to ensure ‘the skills genuinely complement classroom learning’ Debating club a hit –they’d been discussing space exploration tourism: a waste of money or not? The confidence of pupils is a credit to the school –nobody gets het up about speaking out here

In the glass-walled dining room, we discussed with friendly pupils the merits of summer vs winter birthdays over a tasty fish and chip lunch Food is fantastic and table manners immaculate – ‘it’s one of the reason we chose the school,’ said a parent Pupils asked us questions too – always wins brownie points