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Junior School

Lifelong Love of Learning

We believe that our School is a very special place. Our idyllic setting in the Yorkshire Dales gives life at Giggleswick a real sense of adventure and discovery, where children have the space and freedom to grow as individuals and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Boys and girls from the age of three up to eleven flourish in the busy, vibrant and supportive community where the happiness and progress of every child is an absolute priority. Our pupils benefit from small classes, specialist teaching and excellent IT provision, allowing us to provide a tailored learning programme for each child. We welcome day pupils across all years and full and flexi boarders in Years 5 and 6. The boarding ethos of the wider school creates a unique homely atmosphere and the extended day allows children the time to develop their individual talents and passions in sport, music, drama or art.

We set high academic standards to nurture all levels of ability, with a strong focus on personal and social development and helping young children to become independent learners. We were also delighted to be voted ‘One of the UK’s Top 10 Best Value Prep Schools’ by The Telegraph, acknowledging our outstanding teaching and learning facilities alongside highly affordable fees. Above all, it is the character that we encourage in every young learner at Giggleswick that makes our school so unique and special. We nurture their natural curiosity, creativity, passion and enthusiasm to help them to become accomplished, confident and respectful individuals and give them the best start in life.

“How can they bear to tear themselves away from this happy place in the Yorkshire Dales?” Tatler Schools Guide

Where great journeys begin

Curious Skilled Aware Passionate Creative Pro-active Resilient Assured

The Giggleswick Learner

Our Learner Profile defines the character that we encourage in our Junior School pupils. We were delighted to have this acknowledged in our recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

“ The School successfully achieves it aims of providing a supportive and stimulating education that instils confidence in its pupils. They respond wholeheartedly to the School’s guiding principles of respect, participation and excellence.” Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) 2015

Curious actively enquiring

Skilled preparing for the next stage

Aware caring and responsible

Passionate enthusiastic and motivated

Creative imaginative and original

Pro-active becoming an independent learner

Resilient learning from mistakes

Assured confident and friendly

A spirit of adventure and discovery Children are naturally curious, questioning and creative with a real enthusiasm for learning. Our aim is to nurture these young enquiring minds, firing their imaginations both in the classroom and outside.

Curious The school day is filled with stimulating activities and enthusiasm is found in every classroom. The School’s beautiful countryside setting inspires a sense of freedom and spirit of adventure where children can learn by experience and get closer to nature with hands-on practical lessons in our forest school, garden and nature areas.

Classes are small, attention is individual and children enjoy the benefits of specialist teachers and dedicated facilities for music, science, languages, drama and art. We also share the excellent facilities of the senior school, which includes an indoor swimming pool, a 250 seat theatre, design and technology workshops and School Chapel.

Regular trips and visits We often venture out to visit museums, exhibitions and local places of interest to support the children’s learning. Recent visits have included Magna Science Museum, a Buddhist Temple, Ilkley Literature Festival, The Lakes, Sizergh Castle and Quarry Bank Mill.

Curious – actively enquiring

Not just a school, but a community The well-being of pupils is a priority and Giggleswick is renowned for its happy, caring and supportive community where children feel safe and secure and parents are actively involved. Our boarding ethos and the House system creates a unique family atmosphere and the School’s Christian values promote a caring and respectful environment. Day pupils, flexi and full boarders all enjoy the close-knit community with friendship and sharing across all years. This openness and positivity provides the perfect foundation for nurturing happy, confident young learners.

We encourage parents to get involved in all aspects of the School and there is a busy programme of sports fixtures, concerts and plays to enjoy with plenty of social events supported by an active Parents Association. Communication with home is also important and parents can keep in touch through our weekly newsletter and a live news stream via the Giggleswick App.

Daily bus service To help busy, working parents and families travelling from across the region, we provide daily bus services on 7 routes covering a 45 minute radius of the School. Areas include Kirkby Lonsdale, Grassington, Skipton, Ilkley, Colne, Clitheroe and the Lune Valley.

Aware

Aware – caring and responsible

Building confidence and character At Giggleswick we place particular emphasis on the personal and social development of each child, building confidence, character and a strong sense of responsibility to give them the best start in life. We want every child to feel confident in the classroom and at ease in the company of others. Our happy and caring environment encourages them to express their thoughts and feelings knowing that they will be valued. We also help them to learn respect, rewarding good manners, kindness and a caring attitude to those around them.

Taking responsibility is equally important. That’s why we give children a role in school decision-making through our School Council, Pupil Leadership Team, Digital Leaders programme and our Eco Committee. We also encourage pupils to help each other through playground buddy schemes and First Aid training.

Assured “Team spirit and trust thrive within the school’s friendly community. Pupils were keen to report that theirs is a trusting and friendly school. Courtesy and kindness prevail throughout the setting and behaviour is exemplary.” Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) 2015

Assured – confident and friendly

Creative Freedom to think, create and grow Initiative and self-expression informs every aspect of life at the School and we encourage every child to be imaginative and original. We adopt a ‘Creative Curriculum’ from Key Stage 1 right through to Year 6, allowing pupils to take ownership of their learning. The Junior School provides a supportive environment where children feel confident in developing their own ideas and beliefs and they are inspired to become independent learners. We allow time for self-reflection to help them learn positively through their own experience. There are also timetabled sessions for critical thinking and philosophy for children.

Everyone participates in drama, music, art, design and sport to encourage selfexpression and help build their confidence and determination. In music, pupils create their own compositions and in art we work with different materials, including ceramics, to give children the opportunity to not just appreciate art but also consider how it makes them feel.

All pupils in Years 1 and 2 learn a stringed instrument as part of the Foundation Strings Scheme. In Years 3 to 6 over 75% of pupils take lessons on at least one instrument.

Creative – imaginative and original

Happy children make successful learners Our pupils are enthusiastic, full of life and eager to learn. Everyone is encouraged to take part, support each other and throw energy into everything they do.

Passionate At Giggleswick we take learning beyond the classroom door using play, participation and teamwork as an important part of their early education. Our extended day allows us to offer a broad curriculum which includes music, drama, arts and crafts, specialist sports coaching and outdoor pursuits. We focus on each child’s interests, creating an environment that’s full of fun and energy, helping them develop a real love of learning.

Children also benefit from an extensive enrichment programme. Musical ensembles, ballet, speech and drama lessons as well as academic enrichment from maths, reading, writing and memory challenges all help to nurture the wide range of talents of our pupils. They participate in over 14 clubs and activities every week and everyone enjoys being part of a school sports team from Year 3 onwards with regular fixtures.

The Giggleswick App The Giggleswick App provides a live stream of news on pupil and school activities every day, sharing events as they happen and celebrating achievements and success. The App is viewed over a thousand times a day.

Passionate – enthusiastic and motivated

Making their mark on the world We think itâ€™s important that our pupils grow up aware of the needs of others, learning respect, responsibility and an understanding of the wider world. We encourage all children to develop a sense of responsibility and an inclusive attitude towards each other. They learn to think about others with regular fundraising and charity projects. They also learn a respect for nature, caring for our pet chickens and guinea pigs, planting flowers and vegetables and watching them grow.

Playing an active role in the community is important to us. We get involved in local events like the Big Sing, Water Aid and organise our own Fairtrade event each year. We also partner with many local schools, sharing lessons, literacy workshops, performances and our facilities including the Sports Hall, Chapel and Richard Whiteley Theatre.

Pro-active

Visiting authors, illustrators and athletes We regularly invite visitors to the School to provide talks and workshops that inspire our pupils and inform their outlook of the world. Recent visitors have included Curtis Jobling (creator of Bob the Builder), Tom Palmer (Author), Ross Davenport (Olympic swimmer) and Stephen Waterhouse (Illustrator).

Pro -active â€“ becoming an independent learner

A little determination goes a long way At Giggleswick our pupils discover just how much they can achieve if they are determined to succeed. We encourage children to be positive, adventurous and help them to achieve beyond their expectations. Achievement gives children an enormous sense of pride and self-worth. Whether itâ€™s a residential trip to The Lakes, a tough sporting fixture or a music exam, our staff are always on hand to listen, help and support. They encourage each child to aim high, move out of their safe zone and achieve more than they think they can.

We think practice and perseverance is hugely important and is built into our daily timetable. In our extended day, children also find plenty of opportunities to train and compete in sport and develop the confidence to perform at music concerts, arts festivals and in drama productions.

Resilient Achievers Assemblies We celebrate the achievements of pupils together in Assembly every week, whether their successes came in or out of school, on the sports field, in the art room or on the stage.

Resilient â€“ learning from mistakes

Preparing them for the next stage We are proud of our academic record but even more important to us is the reputation we maintain for developing confident, independent learners, ready for the challenges of senior school. Most of our pupils move on to join Giggleswick’s Senior School and each year around a third of them win academic, all-rounder, sport or music scholarships. We also prepare children for entry to any senior school of choice.

But success is not just about grades and entrance exams. Our broad curriculum and co-curricular activities embrace all talents and all levels of ability, focusing on personal development to nurture children who have the social, moral and digital skills required to achieve in the next stage of their learning.

Skilled Pupil Progress Reports Twice a term we issue Pupil Progress Reports (PPR’s) to keep parents well informed on their child’s progress and achievements, giving targets for improvement in all subject areas.

Skilled – preparing for the next stage

Giggleswick School â€“ next steps

Next steps Contact us Phone +44 (0)1729 893 100

Email juniorschool@giggleswick.org.uk

Website giggleswick.org.uk/junior

Visit us Tours and visits

Taster days

We welcome family visits all year round, organised at a time to suit you. Meet with our Headmaster, teachers and pupils, and take a tour of the School.

The best way to experience Giggleswick is to join us for a day and combine it with an overnight stay if you are interested in full or flexi boarding.

Open Mornings

Events

Open Mornings are held throughout the year. Please check the website for dates and details of our next event.

Families are also welcome to attend our school events including plays, concerts and sports fixtures. Itâ€™s a chance to get a real feel for the School and meet other parents and pupils.

Stay and Play We organise regular free sessions for parents and carers of children under five to join us for some fun activities, meet other parents and chat over a cup of coffee. Check our website for our latest dates and details.

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The Giggleswick School App is availalable to download. You can find it on the Google Play store and the Apple App Store.

Giggleswick School, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 0DE tel: +44 (0) 1729 893 000 email: admissions@giggleswick.org.uk

www.giggleswick.org.uk Giggleswick is a registered charity no 1109826 The contents of this publication are correct at the time of printing. However changes may be made in due course for educational or other reasons.