Established in Central Harrow at the end of the nineteenth century, Quainton Hall is an IAPS Preparatory School for children between the ages of two and a half and thirteen. We have our own Nursery for girls and boys from two and a half to four, our Pre-Prep for girls and boys from four to seven and our Middle and Senior School for girls from seven to eleven and boys from seven to thirteen. Boys continue on to take 13+ entrance examinations and transfer at the end of Year 8 to a range of senior schools, mostly in North and North West London, though some go further afield and into boarding, where desired. To assist them in doing this, they undertake the Common Entrance (CE) curriculum, starting in Year 6. Professional contact with a range of possible feeder schools for girls at 11+ has been made and support for them to make a successful transfer at 11+ will be as thorough as it is for our 13+ boys.
Quainton Hall provides a broad and balanced education, within a secure and caring environment and with a definite Christian ethos. Our children are valued as individuals and their learning experiences are stimulating. We recognise that children need to feel safe and secure in order to be motivated to learn. However, our curriculum is designed to do much more than prepare children for the next stage in their education; we teach skills and foster attitudes and values which will be of lasting benefit throughout their lives. We provide an extensive extra-curricular programme of activities, visits to places of interest and we invite speakers and theatre groups into school during the course of the school year.
Creativity, communication, teamwork, determination and a sense of the value and dignity of others are just some of the attributes we prize at Quainton Hall and where children grow to develop an understanding of the wider world, of those in need and have opportunities to raise funds for a range of charitable causes.
The life and work of the school is planned to enable children to shine in those areas and activities that s/he is good at and to reach their full potential as far as is able. All members of staff have this objective as their aim. We also encourage the notion that learning is fun and that the acquisition of knowledge brings its own rewards.
All that we do is conducted in an atmosphere and ethos that is personal, caring and family -orientated. We promote good order and self discipline, consideration and tolerance towards others as well as personal motivation and group endeavour.
St Joseph’s Park Hill School is a small, co-educational Roman Catholic Independent Nursery and Prep. School, catering for children from the age of 3 to 11.
It is set in beautiful landscaped grounds on the outskirts of Burnley, close to the M65.
The school, which was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1913 in the centre of town, moved to its present site in 1957.
St Joseph’s Park Hill has a strong Catholic ethos yet we welcome families of all faiths.
Our recent ISI Inspection Report stated that:
“The spiritual, social and cultural development of the pupils is excellent…pupils feel the core values of love and caring are a tangible presence..”
At St Joseph’s Park Hill everyone is valued and we are proud of our warm, friendly and caring ethos. Our children grow and develop within a positive and mutually respectful atmosphere.
The Inspectors stated:
“The excellent personal development of the pupils is supported effectively by the strong pastoral care shown by staff, fulfilling the school’s aim of providing a nurturing environment which promotes high standards of behavior”
Committed and enthusiastic staff ensure that teaching is challenging and that all needs are catered for. High expectations, small class sizes, a strong emphasis on English and Maths and a broad and Creative Curriculum ensure that all our children flourish and achieve well. Pupils are prepared for entrance exams to Grammar Schools and we have strong links with other Secondary Independent Schools both locally and further afield.
The Inspectors stated:
“Their (the children’s) good achievements are due to the effective teaching they receive, their extremely good attitude to learning and the excellent relationships they share with the staff.”
Children at St Joseph’s Park Hill are encouraged to take part in a wide variety of curricular and extra curricular activities, including Drama, Music and a range of sporting activities. Specialist teachers are employed by the school in order to deliver the best possible educational experiences for our children.
A thriving Before and After School Club and a popular and action packed Summer School play a large part in the life of the School.
Relationships with parents are excellent and there is a busy calendar of events throughout the year for families and for adults, to raise funds or simply to “get together!”
Many children come to us by recommendation from past and present parents and “word of mouth” and children who transfer to us settle quickly into school life.
. Our Mission Statement states that
“we prepare our children for the challenges of the future”
A St Joseph’s Park Hill child is confident, articulate and embraces challenge!
A New Head for Badminton School
Badminton School is pleased to announce that Mrs Rebecca Tear will succeed Jan Scarrow who is retiring next summer after 15 highly successful years as Headmistress.
Mrs Rebecca Tear is currently Deputy Head of Wycombe Abbey School, in Buckinghamshire. Prior to that she spent many happy years at St. George’s Ascot, where she held several academic and pastoral responsibilities.
She read Chemistry at Exeter University, before undertaking a PGCE at The Institute of Education, University of London, where she is now completing an MA in Educational Leadership.
Mrs Tear is passionate about helping girls to develop a broad and balanced set of skills and interests. She is equally supportive and understanding of boarding; not only has she run a Sixth Form Boarding House, but she has boarded herself and her children currently board at their prep school, so she appreciates it from several perspectives!
She says that after her recent visit to the School, “The friendly atmosphere and my conversations with students, staff and Governors left me with a really positive impression of Badminton. The girls showed an enormous pride in their school, as well as the ability to be reflective and analytical in their thoughts. To lead such a strong and distinctive community is an exciting prospect and I am very much looking forward to taking up the post in September 2012”.
Jan Scarrow said “I am absolutely delighted that the Governors have found such an excellent candidate as my successor and we are all very confident that Badminton will continue to flourish under Rebecca’s leadership. I am looking forward to working with Rebecca, to facilitate a smooth handover for next September.”
