LIFE AT ST CATHERINE'S PREP SCHOOL | JUNE 24

EXPERT IN THE EDUCATION OF GIRLS

Welcome to St Catherine’s, a School where girls with dreams become young women with vision. As a community, we ensure that the team around each child creates a secure, happy environment which encourages self-belief so each girl develops the skills to go on to achieve and succeed. We are able to provide the many exciting opportunities that come from being a School for girls aged 3-18 years with worldclass facilities including a Chapel, a purpose-built auditorium, 23 acres of green spaces, a running track, outdoor sports courts and an indoor swimming pool.

St Catherine’s Pre-School is for girls aged 3-4. Your 3 year old can play, learn, grow and develop with all the benefits of the Prep School. With a highly experienced and committed early years’ team your daughter will gain literacy and numeracy through play-based learning in a safe, secure community.

In the Pre-Prep classroom girls quickly grow in confidence and receive tailored teaching encouraging them to voice their views. In the Prep School, we have specialist space provision in Science, Music and the Arts - The WonderLab, The Soundscape, The Digital Den and The Imaginarium.

Each aspect of our teaching and learning and every initiative whether academic, extra-curricular or pastoral, is tailored to meet the needs of girls. As they grow, in the classroom and in the playground, there are no gender stereotypes and all girls have opportunities to take on leadership roles, be they ‘Wellbeing Ambassadors’ or Eco Prefects. Academic achievement in a girls-only environment attests to this. To find out more see our website: stcatherines.info/welcome/why-girls-only

Miss Naomi Bartholomew - Prep School Headmistress

In an area abundant with good Prep schools, St Catherine’s ticks the boxes for families looking for a traditional school with educational prowess that will challenge and nurture in equal measure. Very warm – in all the right ways.

The Good Schools Guide

To book a place at one of our Open Mornings, please complete the online booking form on our website under ‘Admissions’ or contact the Prep School Registrar, Sarah Waller to arrange a 1:1 tour at a time to suit you and your family.

+44 (0)1483 899665 prepadmissions@stcatherines.info stcatherines.info/admissions/joining-stcatherines

OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITIES

DIGITAL LEARNING

The Digital Dynamos ICT curriculum supports students in becoming independent, critical thinkers helping them engage safely with the online world and launching them on a lifelong digital learning path.

We aim to provide varied experiences enabling the girls to become confident in applying their digital skills to access, understand and create digital content; collaborate and share with others and become adaptable and flexible in their thinking so that they are able to transfer those skills from one tool or platform to another. From Coding Fundamentals to Google Workplace Skills, Young Coder competitions to Stop Animation and

Listen

Robotics, our girls become Digital Dynamos learning the necessary skills required to live and thrive in a world of digital innovation. Conscious, continual development of crosscurricular teaching ensure that Computing/ ICT is not seen as a stand-alone subject but informs approaches to lessons varied as French, Science and Music.

Mrs Malins, Director of Computer Science and Digital Learning has been shortlisted in the category of Primary Curriculum Leader of the Year in the Times Educational Supplement (TES) Awards 2024, in recognition of the Prep School’s Digital Dynamos ICT curriculum. This prestigious awards programme celebrates the very best of education across the UK.

Language is bought to life for the girls through activities such as entering external language speaking competitions, celebrating European Languages Day and curriculum enrichment days. These include French Day and ‘French Café’ where girls enjoy French cuisine ordering their favourite choices in French of course. The annual five day trip to France for LIII (Year 6) is also a key highlight in the calendar. In addition to French, the girls in LIII (Year 6) are taught Latin and have Taster Weeks in Spanish and German taught by specialist staff from the Senior School.

WONDER LAB

Listen to a podcast about the Science provision at St Catherine’s

I love to hear her teachers say ... ‘Sorry, we are late out, we got carried away in our science experiments!

Mrs & Dr Lowe, Current Parents

The purpose-built Prep Science ‘Wonder Lab’ was opened by space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, MBE. This amazing space facilitates experimentation, group work and collaborative thinking daily. The WonderLab has been designed to inspire the girls and ignite their imagination. Our philosophy is that scientific learning should be hands-on and occur throughout the curriculum.

The Science curriculum is diverse with a huge variety of topics to interest any budding scientist. From looking at how a garden grows, to investigating friction and travelling through our solar system to all 8 planets, there is something for everyone to discover, explore, investigate and learn.

We are extremely proud that the Prep School achieved the prestigious Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) Gold Award (Outreach) in recognition of our Science teaching and featured in the Independent Prep School of the Year Award 2023 shortlist.

Our ethos is ‘Sport for All’ and creating a safe environment for each girl to fulfill their sporting potential. All girls have the opportunity to take part in sports fixtures to maximise their sporting prospects.

Each year, there are approximately 200 sports fixtures and matches that the girls take part in. We have five specialist PE teachers who work with the girls from PPI (Reception) to LIII (Year 6):

• In Pre-Prep, girls develop physical literacy and are introduced to a variety of sports.

• Gymnastics and dance is taught from PPI (Reception) to LIII (Year 6) and culminates in our much loved House Gym and Dance Competition in the Autumn Term.

• From PPII (Year 1) the girls begin their swimming journey in our heated indoor swimming pool.

• From PPIII (Year 2) – LIII (Year 6), the girls focus on specific sports ranging from netball, cricket, football and athletics throughout the year.

Clubs are available for all abilities and the girls are given the opportunity to compete both locally and nationally in many sports. St Catherine’s has an outstanding track record in many prestigious local, regional and national events.

At St Catherine’s Prep School the girls are not only taught academics, but also confidence and a strong sense of community. The range of sports, clubs, trips and other activities gives them a huge number of amazing opportunities in a friendly and encouraging environment.

LIBRARY

There are two dedicated library areas for both our Pre-Prep and Prep girls offering bright, comfortable and inviting spaces. There are over 8,000 fiction and non-fiction books on offer to fulfil every girl’s unique interests and preferences. The ‘learning to read’ is taught in the classroom and the role of the Library is to develop the girls’ interest in reading for pleasure and to encourage them to fall in love with reading and books. Girls have the opportunity to enter various competitions including most recently The Royal Society of Children’s Science Book of the Year Award, a crosscurricular programme which aims to encourage and inspire young readers to explore a variety of Science topics - from ‘Stardust’ to ‘a Bug’s World’. The Prep School regularly hosts visiting authors, from illustrators to poets including Robin Stevens, Ross Welford, Lauren St John and hip-hop artist Karl Nova.

ART, DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY & CULINARY ARTS

Within the Art curriculum, the girls have the opportunity to work with a variety of different media in ‘The Imaginarium’ the Prep School’s creative space. Girls are encouraged to develop their techniques with creativity and through the influence of different artists which they study throughout the Prep School including Matisse, Van Gogh, Edward Bawden, Evelyn Dunbar and Henry Moore.

The Imaginarium is also equipped with kitchen facilities. The girls are introduced to programmes such as the “Farm to Fork” and “Adopt a Chef” projects which are designed to enhance their understanding of the food supply chain alongside an introduction to nutrition. The girls are also given the opportunity to make a variety of dishes and assess how these dished could be modified to increase their nutritional value and adapt to a variety of dietary requirements.

The Art@MakerSpace, the Senior’s School’s dedicated creative space encompasses Art, Textiles, Ceramics and Culinary Arts hosts an annual GCSE and A Level Exhibition. The Prep girls are invited to attend this event with their parents to provide inspiration for their next project. Our LII (Year 4) girls also enjoy ‘Dad and Daughter’ cookery sessions in this fantastic space where they are challenged to put to the test their culinary and teamwork skills.

Mrs Cardy, Current Parent

Subject-specialist teachers are passionate about their subjects and demonstrate strong knowledge across all areas.

ISI Report, 2023

DRAMA

Drama enables our students to not only build performance skills, creativity, and self-assurance, but importantly, to develop their insight into the world around them:

• In Pre-Prep, girls discover their own voice and experience stepping into the shoes of others.

• From Form I (Year 3), LAMDA lessons are available. These are a fantastic opportunity for girls to spend more time engaging with role play, drama games, performance skills and literature including prose and poetry.

• During LII (Year 4) the girls extend their ability to express themselves physically, using states of tension, gestures, and body language to extend characterisation.

• In UII (Year 5) themes, cultures, and beliefs are core elements of learning as the girls explore Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and Shakespeare’s tales.

• In LIII (Year 6) the girls study character through script work and take monologues and duologues from ‘page to stage’. The girls’ final Summer Term comprises a huge cross-curricular project that is combines Art, Music, Drama and English to bring our LIII Production to life.

Drama at St Cat’s is an exciting creative journey to be a part of – one that helps to build the next generation of great communicators.

MUSIC

Music is accessible to all beginning with singing and percussion instruments:

• Singing and percussion instruments are introduced to PPI (Reception) and PPII (Year 1).

• The String Scheme is introduced from PPIII (Year 2) where girls have the opportunity to try 3 instruments including the Violin, Viola and Cello.

• In Form 1 (Year 3) woodwind and brass instruments are introduced.

• Ukuleles are introduced in LII (Year 4) and Music Technology in UII (Year 5).

• In LIII (Year 6) the girls have numerous opportunities to perform in School and at local community events.

Each class has at least one hour of Music tuition each week with a fully qualified specialist teacher.  In the dedicated Soundscape Music Studio, rhythm is introduced using drums, percussion, chime-bars and melodic boom-whackers. There is also a dedicated area for podcast recording and the girls have the freedom to record a variety of content from the latest news in the Prep School to their favourite music ensembles which are shared within the community.

Each girl’s musical achievements are celebrated through ensembles, concerts and solo events. Girls have the opportunity to perform in the Prep School Hall, in the Senior School 300-seat Auditorium and also at local music festivals and local community events. These opportunities are designed to encourage self-belief and build confidence from a young age.

DANCE

Girls in PPI (Reception) and PPII (Year 1) are taught Ballet as part of their curriculum. The curricular classes take place during the school day and aim to teach basic ballet technique and an awareness of the body and different ways of moving. Through imaginative, themed sessions, exploring fairy tales, classical ballet stories and links to school topics, the dance classes help the girls to harness skills in co-ordination, build their confidence and develop a greater understanding of working with others. For girls from PPII (Year 1) upwards Ballet, Modern, Tap and Jazz dance classes are offered as an extra-curricular activity taking place after school.

EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

In our recent ISI inspection, we are thrilled to announce that the School was awarded a ‘significant strength’ with our extensive and enriching extra-curricular programme. We encourage our students to become involved in a wide range of activities that broaden their interests and allow them to acquire new skills and make new friends. With over 40 extra-curricular clubs and activities on offer across Music, Sport, Drama, Creative and Skills subjects, there is something for everyone. The girls are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and try new activities, whether that be, Creative Writing, Construction, Debating or Science. It is often whilst enjoying such activities that friendships are formed with girls in other forms and year

groups. Girls are encouraged to pursue their own interests and are able to suggest activities which may develop into new clubs. The girls also have the opportunity to take on a leadership role alongside a specialist teacher.

Chess plays an important role in the life of St Catherine’s as the School has been the proud host and sponsor of the National Girls’ Schools Chess Tournament since 2013. We have a thriving Chess Club from Form I (Year 3) upwards to those who attend a weekly masterclass with Mr Andrew Martin, International Master, and our resident coach. The benefits of playing chess for young people is well documented and we see clear progress in terms of developing strategic and creative thinking, focus and mental agility.

We chose St Catherine’s as it has a strong reputation of being one of the top schools in all areas across academics and extra-curricular including Sports, Drama and the Creative Arts as we felt this would allow our daughter to participate in a wide variety of subjects and allow her to develop as much breadth as possible. The location is beautiful with new modern buildings and facilities sat alongside the older main building and chapel.

Mr & Mrs Forsyth, Current Parents

PARENT COMMUNITY

The Prep School PTA is an integral part of School life bringing together the whole of the Prep School community. The PTA Committee is made up of Co-Chairs, the Treasurer as well as other volunteer members.

The busy calendar also includes many opportunities for parents to get to know each other within their class groups. There are a wide variety of events organised throughout the academic year including welcome coffee mornings, quiz nights, social drinks and the May Fair.

DESTINATION OF LEAVERS

Girls who have recently graduated from the Prep School in LIII (Year 6) have gone on to a variety of Senior schools. The majority join St Catherine’s Senior and other destinations include Guildford High, Lady Eleanor Holles, St Mary’s Ascot and St John’s, Leatherhead.

SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS AND EXHIBITIONS

Our girls sat for over 14 different schools, 65 offers were made and 31% of girls secured Scholarships or Exhibitions. Girls were offered Academic, Drama, Maths, Music and Sports Scholarships.

WELLBEING

St Catherine’s is a place where your daughter will grow a lifelong love of learning. Both in and outside the classroom, she will experience a range of opportunities, and discover her strengths and passions. Our expert team will cultivate those passions and from this foundation she will grow in confidence and leave our Prep School believing in her abilities and ready to embrace new challenges in senior school.

My daughter’s educational journey could not have got off to a more positive start. Her growing knowledge, curiosity about the world and new-found confidence are testament to a team of educators who know exactly what they are doing.

Mr and Mrs Vivian, Current Parents

FORM TEACHER

The role of the Form Teacher is crucial in developing a secure environment in which a strong relationship can be built between the Form Teacher and the individual girls. This relationship enables the Form Teacher to understand the interests and passions of each and every girl which in turn allows us to build the girls’ confidence and support them as they gain independence.

TUTOR GROUPS

Tutor Groups are made up of girls across all ages within the school (except for the Pre-Prep I girls who remain as a class during tutor group time). This vertical mix is wonderfully enriching for the girls as it allows them to build bonds with others in different year groups. Tutor Groups meet with a member of staff on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues often not covered in the normal school day e.g. holidays, families, friendship etc.

HOUSE SYSTEM

Girls are allocated a House (Pankhurst, Teresa and Curie) from PPI (Reception) upwards and can earn House points for effort, initiative and acts of kindness. We have a number of House competitions each year which range from netball and singing to sunflower growing! From Form I (Year 3) upwards, Form Captains and Vice-Captains are elected each term by the girls, as are House Captains. All Lower III (Year 6) girls are given Prefect responsibilities including Music and Library roles, and girls are given specific monitor positions, chosen by staff.

THE POD

This dedicated space serves as a sanctuary for reflection and relaxation and allows the girls to take a break from the demands of academic life, fostering mental clarity and resilience.

ORM TEACHER

LEARNINGSUPPORT BUDDY

BUDDY & SHADOW

All girls are assigned a different ‘partner’ or ‘buddy’ each week. By changing partners the members of the Form become better acquainted with one another which encourages wider friendship groups.

All new girls are assigned a Shadow from their prospective form who welcomes new girls and helps them settle into life at St Catherine’s.

CHAPLAIN

St Catherine’s has a Christian ethos and the girls attend Chapel once a week with Revd. Dr McNair Scott. The services are fun and interactive for the girls and are also intended to provide a place of calm during a busy week allowing time for personal reflection.

ACADEMIC MENTORING

All girls are closely monitored by their Form Teachers throughout their time at St Catherine’s. If a teacher feels that a pupil of any ability is having any difficulty in accessing the curriculum or requires more specialist support they will liaise with the Head of Academic Monitoring, Mrs Mudde, to put the necessary support in place to enable the girl to progress.

MEDICAL

If a girl becomes ill or is injured during the School day, she is seen initially by the Office Staff, all of whom are qualified in First Aid, and where appropriate are referred to one of the six qualified nurses within the medical team, one of whom is always on duty. The School also has a resident psychologist who is available to offer advice and guidance to parents and staff.

Leaders and staff successfully encourage pupils to develop a love of learning and the ability to think creatively and independently.

ISI Report, 2023

St Catherine’s Prep School Station Road, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0AY

+44(0)1483 899665

prep admissions@stcatherines.info www.stcatherines.info