THESTEDMUND’SADVANTAGE
Years 7 and 8 are critical transition years
Some schools do not pay enough attention to this vital period in a child’s education That does not happen at St Edmund’s Our approach recognises the importance of Key Stage 3 both as a point of vulnerability and as a moment of opportunity “Vulnerability” because these years represent the start of “secondary” education in the National Curriculum and also the beginnings of adolescence “Opportunity” because if schools get their provision right in these year groups, they can not only establish strong academic habits for future years, but also, through nurturing pastoral care, rich cocurricular involvement and personal development programmes, build confidence and personal values that can last a lifetime
At St Edmund’s, Years 7 and 8 form the upper section of our Junior School
Our approach is a holistic one Pupils study a full secondary curriculum with most of their academic lessons provided by subject specialist secondary school teachers in the wonderful shared classrooms and exciting facilities of our whole school site However, their pastoral care is conducted within the caring, supportive ethos of the Junior School, allowing them to develop their self-esteem and sense of identity in a calm, gentle environment As leaders of the pupil community, our Year 7 and 8 pupils also develop inter-personal and leadership skills as Prefects and House Captains This means that the educational experience for our pupils is engaging, nurturing and fun as they begin to focus on entry to the Senior School in Year 9
Edward O’Connor Head of St Edmund’s School, Canterbury
WHYSTEDMUND’SJUNIORSCHOOL?
Our fundamental starting point is simple; do pupils feel safe and happy? This child-centred approach with pastoral care at its heart runs in our very DNA and has done ever since our founding in 1749 as a school for orphans Within our nurturing environment, we learn what makes each individual pupil ‘tick’ and we are then able to adapt our provision to both support and stretch every pupil to achieve as highly as they possibly can; both academically and personally We recognise that success is as individual as a fingerprint and so, from our data tracking of academic assessments to our wide variety of co-curricular clubs, the focus is always on the individual At St Edmund’s, all excellence is recognised and celebrated; be it music, sport, drama, academia or co-curricular and, coupled with our broad curriculum, all pupils are able to find their superpower! With pupils feeling at home in the Junior School whilst having regular access to the fantastic facilities and expert teaching of the Senior School, it is really is the best of both worlds
For our Year 7 pupils both those continuing their journey with us and those joining St Edmund’s for the first time the transition begins well before the first day of term In the Summer term prior to starting, all pupils and parents are warmly welcomed to School for Moving Up Day Parents will have an informative talk delivered by Mr Comfort and some informal time to chat with key members of staff, whilst pupils will spend time with their peers and new teachers Before school begins in September, pupils new to the school are invited in for an induction afternoon to reacquaint themselves with one another and staff, be given timetables and ensure all are ready for their first full day During the first of school, there is an extended Form time where pupils are able to ask questions and settle in and, by this time, feel at home Within the first couple of weeks, we then whisk pupils away on their residential trip to form close-knit friendships which we hope will last a lifetime
Ross Comfort Head of St Edmund’s Junior School
Mr Comfort - rac@stedmundsorguk
Mrs Ward - Pastoral, Wellbeing or Safeguarding - alw@stedmunds.org.uk
Miss Brown - Teaching and learning - jlb@stedmundsorguk
Mrs Swatman - Trips, clubs and events - ajs@stedmunds.org.uk
Mrs King - Absence and day-to-day enquiries - yk@stedmundsorguk
Mrs Stone - Boarding - dlms@stedmundsorguk
ST EDMUND’S IN NUMBERS
LowerSchool(years3-5)
UpperSchool(years6-8) Average
EXCELLENTINALLAREAS
OrlandoBloom,Actor
DanCaplan,Musician
LawrenceDurrellNovelist
MaggieCheungActress
SanjeevGupta,Industrialist
RobinJackman,Cricketer
FreddyKempfPianist
PercyMackenzieCricketer
StuartTownsend,Athlete
BernardHowlett,Soldier
AdarPoonawallaCEOSII
AdrianSnellMusician
JOININGTHESTEDMUND’SFAMILY
Boys and girls can join St Edmund’s Junior School from Year 3 (age 7) to Year 8 (age 12) While most pupils start in September, we welcome new joiners yearround, subject to availability Year 7 entry is particularly competitive, so early registration is advised
Step 1 – Visit Us
Meet the Head of Junior School, Mr Ross Comfort, and tour the school Contact
Admissions:
�� admissions@stedmunds org uk | �� 01227 475601
Step 2 – Register
Register anytime before or after a visit by completing the online registration form and paying the £180 (incl VAT) non-refundable fee Pupils must be registered before assessment
Step 3 – Assessment
Diagnostic assessments ensure pupils will thrive at St Edmund’s This includes:
Year 3: Informal assessment during taster day
Years 4-8: Taster day plus online adaptive baseline assessments
We accommodate pupils with Additional Educational Needs (AEN) where possible If applicable, formal diagnostics reports may be required, and a meeting may be arranged with our Junior School SENDCo
Step 4 – Reference & Reports
Parents to provide school reports If required, and with parental consent, we may request a reference from the pupil’s current school
Step 5 – Offer of a Place
If successful, an offer letter, Parent Contract, and joining instructions will be sent Parents confirm by accepting the place in writing
ATTHESTART
For our Year 7 pupils both those continuing their journey with us and those joining St Edmund’s for the first time the transition begins well before the first day of term
We are delighted to welcome them to our annual Year 7 BBQ and Meet & Greet, a special event designed to ensure a smooth and enjoyable start to their time in the Senior School This relaxed and friendly gathering provides pupils with the opportunity to meet their future classmates, connect with key members of staff, and explore their new learning environment in an informal and welcoming setting Parents are also warmly invited to attend, allowing them to engage with the school community and fellow families, fostering a sense of belonging from the outset Beyond simply an introduction, this event helps pupils feel more comfortable and confident as they embark on this exciting new chapter
By the time the first day of term arrives, they will have already started forming friendships, getting to know their teachers, and feeling at home at St. Edmund’s.
THESCHOOLDAY
Timetable
School starts at 8 30am Please use the Giles Lane car park Pupils can arrive no earlier than 8 00am when supervised duty begins but must be at school by 8 30am for registration All children are supervised from 8 00am
- 09
Head’s Line (Mon), Chapel (Tues & Thurs), Lower School/ Upper School Line, House Meetings or Form Time (Weds), Form Time (Fri)
WraparoundCare
Breakfastclubruns730am-800amandisavailabletoallpupilsBookingin advanceisessentialandpupilswillhavetheoptionofacookedorcontinental breakfastinourDiningHall
AfterSchool,LowerSchool(Years3-5)childrenmaystayintheirclassroomswith theirFormTeachersinaformalprepsessionfrom330pmto400pmThosenot collectedat400pmwilltransfertoourLateStayservice
UpperSchool(Years6-8)childrenshouldleavetheschoolsitepromptlyattheend oftheschooldayunlessinvolvedinaformalschoolactivityorLateStay TherearetwooptionsforourLateStayprovisionThesessionrunninguntil 530pmincludesateaofsandwiches,adrinkandbiscuitsThesessionrunning
PASTORALCARE
Our teachers are subject experts and consistently deliver high-quality lessons to all. We recruit a variety of staff members from across the 2-18 school to implement our bespoke curriculum. Our passion is to nurture a love of learning in all and to help our remarkable and passionate children reach their goals and achieve what they never thought possible.
Alex Ward, Deputy Head
Yourchild’swellbeingisatoppriorityatStEdmund’sSchoolandwetakeawholeschool approachtoourdeliveryofexceptionalpastoralcare,creatingtheethosofhappiness and confidence that culminates in better engagement and the improved academic achievementoflearners–allencompassedwithinthewarmfamilyatmosphereofthe school
Centraltogoodpastoralcareisthestrongrapportbetweenstaffandpupils,made possible by small class sizes and shared experiences gained through a lively programmeofclubs,activities,tripsandtours
EverypupilbelongstoaForm,whichisapastoralunitandistheresponsibilityofa teacherortutorwhohasoversightofacademicprogress,socialdevelopmentandthe generalwellbeingofthepupils Theyareusuallyparents’firstpointofcontact,andtheir emailaddressescanbefoundintheParentHandbook Parentshavetheopportunityto meetthemduringthefirsthalfterm
Naturally we want to protect and support our pupils, helping them to develop into healthy,fulfilledandresilientpeople,ensuringtheyfeelsafe,growinganinstinctwithin themtocareforthemselves,andbynurturingtheirownpastoralskills,weencourage themtocareforothers,toactthoughtfullyandcompassionately Inaddition,wehave twoPastoralAssistantswhoarealwaysavailableforpupilsoverseenbyMrsWardwho alsoworkscloselywiththeSENDdepartmentandourin-houseSchoolcouncillor Our varioussafespacesinschoolsuchastheLearningEnhancementblock,thewell-being corridor,oursensoryroomortheMedicalCentreofferareasofsolaceforpupilswhen required
“The school staff are always so lovely to both of our children and always go over and above what is expected of them, and it is without a doubt, the reason why they absolutely love their school.”
St Edmund’s parent
THEHOUSESYSTEM
The competitive house system is a bedrock of the Junior School community
Each pupil is allocated to one of four Houses: Becket, Roper, Marlowe and Chaucer Houses are named after important local figures, which encourages the children to learn a little more about local history Each pupil is allocated to one of four Houses during our Boater Ceremony'
Being part of a house enables great teamwork and friendships across year groups, with older children acting as mentors to the younger members Each house chooses a charity, and each year children work together to raise both awareness and funds
Throughout the school year, pupils are given a chance to shine in traditional inter-house competitions including chess, debating, general knowledge, a spelling bee, maths, singing, drama, swimming, the triathlon, and sports day; and more unusual pursuits such as baking and a FIFA league
SCHOOLVALUES
ACADEMIC LIFE
Our mission in the Junior School is to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, creative thinkers and world leaders; to foster in all a love of learning that runs deep
Our curriculum is broad and flexible and allows every child to express themselves and face new and enlivening experiences: the nuance and beauty of modern art, the rousing crescendos of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the chance to play team sports on a twice-weekly basis or the journey of selfdiscovery through their favourite books Pupils learn to solve problems, develop new perspectives and, through creativity, to influence how others think, feel or live their lives
HOMEWORK
Pupils are expected to become more independent in their learning, and this is reflected in the setting of prep (or homework) each day This will take many forms, including tasks, challenges and written work that is designed to reinforce what has been learnt in the classroom A Year 7 pupil will receive 2 pieces of homework per evening, and is expected to spend half an hour on each though they normally have a number of days within which to complete the work The habits and skills that students learn in Year 7 are those that will staywiththemthroughouttheirsecondaryschoolandfuturelife
SUBJECTS
From Year 7 our pupils are offered a wide range of subjects
CO-CURRICULAR JOURNEY
Led by the Assistant Head Co-Curricular, the co-curricular programme at St Edmund’s offers a rich and diverse range of opportunities that complement and enhance academic life whilst promoting a pupil’s personal development We believe that children should not only receive a high-quality education within the classroom but should also have the chance to develop the interpersonal and life skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world
CLUBS
There is a weekly programme of lunchtime and after-school clubs managed by the Co-Curricular Co-ordinator and this changes each term Details of clubs and activities are posted around the school and sent to parents, as well as being advertised to pupils at the start of each term via our EVOLVE app
We expect every pupil to take part in at least one weekly co-curricular club or activity, though we hope that some will enjoy being involved in considerably more
Example of the Junior School Clubs calendar for the Lent term
SPORTS
Sport at St Edmund’s is for everyone We want pupils to know how to make the most of their individual talents, building on their strengths and natural abilities We encourage them to form positive habits and to experience social and competitive engagement, which will lead them to continue with sport and physical activity in their future lives For pupils who excel in Sport, our boys and girls teams are highly competitive seeing regular success in both league and cup competitions
YEAR 7 DATES FOR ENTRY IN 2026
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are awarded on merit to the highest achievers in competitive examinations and assessments Candidates who win awards have outstanding ability and the school undertakes to nurture, recognise and celebrate that talent Our school is an ambitious, purposeful environment where pupils embrace the opportunities offered to them and specialise in areas where they have particular strengths and aptitudes
Whilst there is certainly kudos in being recognised as a scholar, there is also considerable commitment if awarded We expect our scholars to contribute to the community by setting high standards and being identifiable as role models for those qualities we believe are integral to success: organisation, commitment, resilience and persistence are just as important as ability
11+ SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
SCHOLARSHIPS KEY DATES
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
Friday 3 January 2025
Academic at 11+ | Drama 11+ | Music 11+ | Sport 11+
Art 11+ | Dance 11+
ASSESSMENT
Week commencing Mon 20 January 2025
Academic 11+ | Drama at 11+ | Music at 11 + | Sport 11+
Art 11+ | Dance 11+
BURSARIES&OTHERFEEREMISSIONS
Originally founded to provide a free education for the fatherless sons of the clergy of the Church of England and the Church in Wales, St Edmund’s now accepts applications from sons and daughters of the clergy,towhoma25%discountisoffered
Bursariesaregrantedonameans-testedbasistoexistingStEdmund’s families who experience hardship, and there is a limited means-tested bursaryprovisionforfamilieswhoarenewtoStEdmund’s
Childrenofformerpupilsmaybeentitledtoatuitionfeeconcessionup to a maximum of 10% If other remissions (eg scholarship award, bursary), equate to 10% or more then no further discount will be awarded
Members of the Armed Forces receive a remission resulting in 10% of the boarding fee being payable by the family (in addition to the MOD CEA)
Sibling discounts are also available for third and subsequent children ofthesamefamilyintheschoolatthesametime
ApplicationsshouldbemadetotheBursarinwritingorbyemail onbursar@stedmundsorguk
REMAINING CONNECTED
Termly Academic Reports
Moving up day in the Summer Term
Year 7 parent teachers evening are held twice a year
Fortnightly newsletter
Mr Ross Comfort has an open door policy and is happy to hear from you.
Year 7 induction day in September
Your child’s form tutor is always a phone call away
Social Media - we have a dedicated Instagram account @stedsjuniorschool which features news and updates through out the week
We also host informal parent events for specific year groups, including:
Wine Tastings
Quiz Nights
Coffee Mornings Parent Talks
KEY INFORMATION
UNIFORM
St Edmund’s School operates an online uniform service with www schoolblazer com This service provides all items of uniform together with name tag application
MEDICAL CENTRE
The St Edmund’s Medical Centre provides care with skilled nurses and a school doctor holding bi-weekly surgeries, ensuring prompt treatment for all pupils
CATERING
To help pupils thrive, they need nutritious meals and a positive attitude toward food Our caterers, Holroyd Howe, provide fresh, locally sourced, and sustainable meals, including breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks We accommodate special diets and work with the Medical Centre to support pupils with specific needs
MINI BUSES
St Edmund’s runs an in-house transport service with MIDAS-accredited, first-aidtrained drivers Spaces are limited, so early booking is advised Visit our website for routes or email transport@stedmunds org uk to reserve a place
