children in class

Juniors

7 to 11 years

The Junior School aims to instil a lifelong love of learning whilst providing the best possible foundation for secondary schooling.  We offer all the benefits of the College’s extensive facilities within a safe, rural campus and specialist teaching, delivering all that you would expect from a first class Junior School. We take particular care to prepare children for the senior school and to ensure a seamless transition from the junior school to the senior school. The Head of the Junior School is a vital member of the College’s senior management team.

Visitors to the Junior School never fail to notice its busy, lively, and happy atmosphere and  the warmth, enthusiasm and understanding of its experienced teaching staff.

Entrants – from 8 to 11yrs – receive a friendly and effective induction to the School at whatever point they join, encouraging a strong sense of their own identity and progress.  Small class sizes ensure that everyone receives extra attention when needed and develops confidence in learning and social skills.

Boarding girls are welcomed into Bedstone House and boys into Rutter House and full details of the boarding and pastoral life are to be found on our boarding information page.

Our academic programme goes beyond the UK National Curriculum and is designed to blend seamlessly with the Senior College. Junior School staff are complemented by specialists from the Senior College, teaching French; science; design technology; music and physical education, all within specialist facilities like the science laboratories; the Murch sports centre; the art and design technology centre; ICT suites and Music School (complete with recording studio and soundproofed rehearsal pods).

Everyone is encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities both within and beyond the classroom, providing a further opportunity to discover and develop  individual talents in areas such as music (where individual tuition is available for all orchestral instruments); singing; ballet; horse-riding and more.

There is a comprehensive programme of sport with competitive fixtures in football; netball; cross-country running; swimming; rugby, rounders and athletics.  Every child has the opportunity to represent the College at school, regional and national level.  All are encouraged to handle challenges, as well as success, in all aspects of school life and after all home matches there is always an opportunity to socialise over afternoon tea in the Conservatory.

Beyond the campus there is an extensive programme of educational visits to theatres, museums, galleries, exhibitions, workplaces and other curriculum-related activities all of which are an important part of their learning experience.  Whilst the many visitors to the School include artists, writers, poets and storytellers; representatives of national and local charities and the emergency services, we also enjoy the presence of  local church leaders who are invited to talk to the children and lead assemblies.

Each year’s drama production involves everyone in the Junior School and is staged in the College theatre.  Children gain enormous self-confidence through performing on stage in costumes complete with make-up and the benefit of the College’s professional sound and lighting systems.  Music is a key tradition within the Junior School and many children play an instrument ,learn to sing, belong to the prep choir and/or perform in the informal and formal concerts that are held.