Lower School Prospectus

ST JOHN’SSCHOOLLEATHERHEADLOWER SCHOOLPROSPECTUSstjohnsleatherhead.co.uk



CONTENTSThe Lower School at St John’s ....... 5Curriculum ...................................................... 7Pastoral Care ................................................ 11Day and Boarding ...................................... 13Sport ...................................................................... 1 5Co-curricular ............................................... 19The School Day ............................................ 21Getting to and from school ........... 23 1

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The Lower School at St John’sThe Lower Schoolwill be an integralpart of St John’s.From September 2016, St John’s will be introducingan 11+ intake into Year 7. Together, Years 7 and 8 atSt John's will be known as the Lower School.The Lower School will be an integral part of St John’sand will be housed in the refurbished east wing ofthe School's main building. The purpose designedand highly attractive Lower School House willinclude common rooms, work areas, multi-mediaspaces, changing rooms, an outside recreational area,reception and offices. Assemblies and events willtake place in our beautifully restored Old Chapel.The Head of Lower School is responsible for therunning of the Lower School on a day-to-daybasis, overseen by the Headmaster. There will alsobe a matron and team of experienced tutors.Pupils will be taught in the School’s classroombuildings including the brand new state-of-the artScience Centre.The set sizes will be small so thatall children are fully supported and challenged intheir work. 5

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CurriculumAt St John’s we seekto instil academicrigour and developa love of learning.Pupils in the Lower School will follow animaginative and dynamic curriculum. At St John’s weseek to instil academic rigour and develop a love oflearning that the children will take with them as theyprogress through the School.The curriculum will allow choice and a breadth ofopportunity. Pupils will be encouraged toexplore their own talents and interests.The coreelements of English, mathematics and the scienceswill be balanced with humanities subjects andmodern languages. Pupils will also explore thecreative disciplines.We want our pupils to explore ideas. Anemphasis, therefore, will be placed on discussion,debate and active learning.Whilst it is importantthat the pupils study individual disciplines, we alsowant them to make links, draw parallels andunderstand a wider perspective.At St John’s, we believe that learning should be exciting. 7

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Pastoral CareST JOHN’S ISRENOWNED FORITS OUTSTANDINGPASTORAL CARE.St John’s is renowned for its outstanding pastoral care.The Head of Lower School will have a pastoraloverview; every boy and girl will have a tutor.The tutor will act as champion and mentor.He or she will always be on hand to offerencouragement and support. Such care gives thepupils confidence and helps lead, amongst otherthings, to academic success.We welcome close parental involvement andparticipation. Indeed, the on-going dialogue betweena tutor, pupil and parents is of great importance.The School nurtures leadership and, as such, allpupils will have an opportunity to develop theseskills. Our senior pupils will act as mentors.Our house system, of which the Lower School willbe a part, is an outstanding feature of St John's. Itis centred on a promotion of identity, pride and,above all else, a sense of belonging. 11

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Day and BoardingDAY, WEEKLY ORFLEXI BOARDING;WE OFFER FLEXIBILITY,YOU HAVE CHOICE.St John’s is a local school.We offer day, weeklyand flexible (flexi) boarding to our pupils.Boarding offers the fun, independence and friendshipthat pupils enjoy, and it is our duty to supportmodern family life in the best way that we can.Weekly boarding allows pupils to stay at the Schoolfor five nights each week. Boys and girls who chooseflexi boarding can stay one or two evenings per weekon any night they wish.Lower School boys and girls will be able board ina boys’ or girls’ boarding House on the samebasis as the other pupils at the School.Day, weekly or flexi boarding; we offerflexibility, you have choice. 13

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SportWe are keen topromote excellencein sport.We place a great emphasis on sport andphysical exercise.Participation in team sport is an important part ofevery child’s development.We are keen to promoteexcellence in sport and provide a team for everyboy and girl. A set of competitive fixtures in rugby,football, hockey, netball, cricket and tennis withother schools will ensure that the pupils enjoy teamsport to the full. This list is not exhaustive, webelieve in offering sports to suit all children and,therefore, we will give Lower School pupils theopportunity to try other sports from fives androunders to rowing and sailing.Two afternoons each week will be dedicated forGames. Fixtures will take place on Wednesdaysand Saturdays.Pupils in the Lower School will benefit from theexpertise of specialist coaches.Their aim is todevelop talent in every child and instil a love ofsport in all pupils. 15

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Co-curricularBoys and girlswill take part inactivities everyafternoon.We believe in an all-round education for everychild. The activities programme will be a focal pointof the day. Boys and girls will take part in activitiesevery afternoon.The Lower School pupils will benefit from the widerange of activities available to senior school pupilsfrom adventure training and shooting to music,drama and dance.There will be an element ofchoice and pupils will be encouraged to pursue theactivities that interest them.St John’s believes that school trips are important tothe intellectual, social and personal development ofpupils. A wide range of Lower School trips in termtime and the holidays will be offered.Lower School pupils will have a number ofmusical opportunities such as instrumental lessons,singing, and playing with the various Schoolorchestras and ensembles.There will also be fullopportunity for all Lower School pupils to beinvolved in performance drama. 19

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The School DayThe Lower Schoolday will be tailoredto the needs ofthe pupils.The Lower School day will start with registrationat 8.40am. Pupils will be able to be dropped offfrom 8.00am.There will be four lessons everymorning and lunch will be taken at 12.15pm.On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday there will bethree lessons after lunch, with sport on Mondayand Wednesday afternoons. A wide range ofactivities from photography to golf will be on offerevery day from 3.30pm to 4.10pm.The day for Lower Third (Year 7) and UpperThird (Year 8) pupils will end every day at4.10pm. The day for the other year groups in theSchool finishes at 5.15pm.The boys and girls will have the option to stay inthe Lower School House for supervised studyor additional activities.There are no lessons onSaturdays at St John’s.The Lower School day will be tailored to theneeds of the pupils. 21

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Getting to and from schoolWe are fortunatein that transportto and fromthe School is sostraightforward.St John’s is particularly well-placed as far as railand bus services are concerned; Leatherheadrailway station and local bus stops are both ashort walk away.In addition to public transport, the School currentlyoperates bus services at the beginning and end ofthe day. Pupils will be able to stay for a homeworkclub until the school buses leave at the end of thesenior school day. Further details and updates onschool bus routes will be available on the St John’sSchool website.We are fortunate in that transport to and fromthe School is so straightforward. 23

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St John’s School 26Epsom Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8SPT +44 (0)1372 373 000stjohnsleatherhead.co.ukRegistered Charity No: 312064