BCPS Prospectus

7/30/2019 BCPS Prospectus

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BUCKINGHAM COLLEGE

PREPARATORY SCHOOL


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A message from the Headmaster

A childs first impressions of school life will form the basis for his entire academic

and social perspective. His desire for learning and approach to school work is formed

during his first formative years.

At Buckingham College Preparatory School, we are fortunate in having small classes

where our teachers can differentiate between pupils and have time to care for their

individual needs. Accordingly, we can provide opportunities within our daily routine

to stimulate self-motivation, self-assurance and the seed of ambition. We pride

ourselves on providing a caring and supportive environment where pupils are able to

develop their skills and talents, as well as learning to show a real concern for others.

Indeed, an ISI inspection in 2011 noted that the standard of pastoral care provided

and support for pupils is excellent. This is due in no small part to our staff actively

promoting a happy and purposeful atmosphere.

Our study programme covers a seven year span from Reception to Year 6, laying

emphasis on continuity at every level. This is achieved with a system of continuous

assessment and targeting, using performance and diagnostic tests, so that pupils are

fully prepared for entry into the Independent and Grammar Schools at the age of 11.

Our impressive results can only be achieved in a school where the pupils are not only

well motivated but also feel happy and secure. This can be attributed to teachers and

parents working in harmony for the benefit of all.

We also offer a wide and stimulating range of

club activities to foster an interest in creative,

artistic, musical and sporting pastimes, as well

as providing the opportunity to develop a boys

character.

I do hope that our prospectus gives you a flavourof what is, after all, a quite remarkable school.

However, I appreciate the fact that a prospectus

can only tell you so much and nothing can really

replace a visit. If you would like to see the school

for yourself, I would be delighted to show

you round.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Laurence Smith

B.A. (Hons), M.Sc., LCP., P.G.D.E., Cert Ed.


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Our Aims

The school achieves its aim to support pupils in reaching

their full academic and social potential in a caring and

stimulating environment.

ISI Inspection Report 2011

We aim for real achievement by fulfilling pupils true academic and social

potential and by offering recognition and praise for effort and success.

We aim to provide a planned, broad, balanced and cohesive curriculum

which meets the needs of all pupils.

We aim to be caring and supportive by meeting the childrens academic,

social, physical, emotional and spiritual needs, and by exemplifying high

standards of behaviour in the way we relate to others.

We aim to work towards set targets so that each pupil will become a

balanced and fulfilled person.

We aim to work as a team by being flexible as well as encouraging and

praising others, in order to improve confidence, self-esteem and self-

awareness.

We aim for commitment by promoting an enthusiastic approach to school

life from staff, pupils, parents and governors and by providing a positiveand supportive learning environment.

We aim for continued and positive progress by frequently monitoring and

constructively reviewing personnel and their work practices to ensure a

happy and well motivated staff.

We aim to provide the best possible resources by the continuous review and

renewal of the school's needs.


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Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) precedes Key Stage One and is designed to

ensure that all children are kept healthy and safe, at the same time developing knowledge

and skills which are both broad and balanced. In doing so, it builds a firm foundation on

which to base future education and skills as well as resilience for life.

Teaching and learning in Reception and the Nursery is shaped through seven aspects that

are interlinked. These are implemented through planned, purposeful play, with a balance

between adult-led and child-initiated experiences.

The three prime areas are seen to be crucial for igniting childrens curiosity and enthusiasm

as well as expanding their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive as they progress

through the four Specific Areas of learning and development.

Prime Areas

Physical Development

Communication and Language Development

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts

Parent Partnerships

We value parents/carers as important

partners in childrens learning, for we

seek their unique knowledge,

thoughts and opinions in order to

combine with our professional

expertise. In this way, teaching and

learning can be tailored to eachindividual childs needs.

Wellbeing and Involvement

We monitor each childs wellbeing and level of

involvement in play as this provides us with useful

information to ensure they are receiving, and arereceptive to, a learning environment of the highest

quality.


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Buckingham College Nursery

The Nursery sessions are as follows:

These sessions run on a daily basis, even

through the school holidays. Hot meals and

drinks are prepared on the premises by the

staff of Connect Catering on a daily basis (all

inclusive of fees).

Session Start Finish

Morning 8.00 am 1.00 pm

Afternoon 1.00 pm 6.00 pm

All Day 8.00 am 6.00 pm

The Nursery follows the Early Years

Foundation Stage with its 7 Areas of

Learning (see opposite page). The NurseryManager, Deputy Manager and Nursery

Nurses are always on hand to ensure that a

childs progress through these areas are both

supported and continually monitored.

Parents of boys in the Nursery who wish their sons to transfer to the Preparatory School

should submit their sons for an assessment in December prior to entry. The second siblingqualifies for a 25% remission of fees and a third, 50%.

The Buckingham College Nursery is coeducational and comprises two rooms, the

Caterpillar Room and the Butterfly Room, with its climbing frame and secure, enclosed

play area. As it is situated on the same site as Buckingham College Preparatory School, thechildren in the Nursery have access to the schools facilities.

The numbers are small (no more than 21 at any one time) which means that all the children

necessarily benefit from a warm and friendly environment which that entails.


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A Rich and Varied School Life

Music

Music plays a very special part in school life. Pupils are encouraged to take up an

instrument as early as Year 1 and between 60% and 70% of Junior School boys play one ormore orchestral instruments.

All boys are invited to perform in assemblies or at the annual School Concert, and those

who have passed Grade 1 or above, audition for the school orchestra.

The Choir has also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the CLIC Sargent Cancer

Fund.

The Director of Music and his peripatetic staff ensure that boys sit grade examinations

regularly.

Expressive Arts Week

The Expressive Arts Week in the Summer Term attracts entries from pupils in a wide

variety of categories, including music, model-making, drawing and painting, creative

writing, poetry reading and cookery.

Club Activities

The School offers over twenty extra-curricular activities covering all year groups and a

wide range of sports as well as a number of recreational and creative pursuits.

A Breakfast Club runs from 7.30 am. until 8.00 a.m. every day, followed by an Early

Birds Club until 8.15 a.m.

A Homework/Activity Club is also open daily to all pupils after school until 6.00 p.m.

All clubs are free of charge with the exception of Speech and Drama, Judo and theBreakfast and Homework/Activity Clubs.


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Drama

Boys are given every opportunity to perform in dramatic productions. Every class presents

its own assembly each term and there are Infant and Junior plays at Christmas. The Year 6

boys produce their own Leavers Play in the Summer Term.

Art

Art is an integral part of school life, with boys work displayed throughout the School, both

on display boards and in the communal theme corridor. Every year, a number of boys have

their paintings selected by the Royal College of Art for the Young Art Exhibition in aid of

Cancer Research U.K. and subsequently displayed in their gallery.

Sport and Recreational Activities

Sport maintains a very high profile at the School, with boys having the opportunity of

representing the School in many sports.

Football, Rugby and Hockey are played during the winter months and Cricket in thesummer, all at Under 9 and Under 11 levels. For all field sports boys are taken by minibus

to the local Harrow Town Sports Club, a matter of minutes away.

Judo continues to thrive with approximately one third of the school population taking part.

Grading sessions are arranged on a regular basis.

Staff organise the Inter-School Championships/Gala in cross country and swimming as well

as an Inter-House swimming gala and Infant and Junior sports days. House competitions,

involving all sports except Judo, are keenly contested.


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A Broad and Balanced Curriculum

The Curriculum

The following subjects are taught in every school year group Mathematics, English,

Science, Geography, History (Understanding of the World and Humanities, respectively, in

Reception and Year 1), R.E., Music, I.C.T., Art, P.E., Games and Swimming (exceptReception). Additional subjects such as D.T., French, Spanish and Verbal Reasoning are

introduced when appropriate.

Infant pupils (Reception to Year 2) are taught predominantly by their class teacher for

reasons of bonding and familiarity. They are then introduced to subject specialists in

preparation for entry into the Senior Independent and Grammar Schools. Year 5 boys are

taught Mathematics in one of two sets.

Assessment

Performance and diagnostic testing support

the teaching programme, with standardised

assessments in English, Mathematics and

Verbal/Non Verbal Reasoning taking place

during the first two terms for Years 3 to 6.

Years 1 and 2 have their own internal

assessment. Junior pupils all sit internal

examinations in seven major subjects at the

end of the Summer Term. These objectivemeasures of ability allow us to monitor

each boys progress.

Curriculum Development

Curriculum Development Meetings, heldweekly after school, allow staff to discuss

and evaluate subject areas. The Director of

Studies ensures that short, medium and longterm plans are in place and systematically

reviewed. Curriculum Outlines are provided

to parents at the beginning of each term.

Languages

From the age of five, boys learn French from a specialist teacher and in Year 6, Spanish.

Annual trips to a linguistic centre also encourage them to become multi-lingual.


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I.C.T.

Our I.C.T. Specialist ensures that Information Communication Technology plays a majorrole in curriculum content and every boy receives at least one lesson per week. The

Reception and Year 1 classes also have frequent access to the adjacent Computer Room

whilst Years 2-6 are provided with laptops in order that I.C.T. can be taught in any numberof subject areas. All boys also have restricted access to the Internet as an invaluable

educational resource.

Library

Boys have ample opportunity to use our well-stocked Library which is upgraded

continually. Those chosen as librarians have responsibility for its efficient running.

Religious Education

Christian doctrine is delivered in all

curriculum areas by a specialist teacher but,as a Christian school in a multi-ethnic

society, we also recognise and value other

faiths. In consequence, pupils have the

opportunity of celebrating festivals such as

Eid, Holi, Rosh Hashanah and Chinese New

Year as well as Christian holidays. Four

morning assemblies each week are times for

corporate worship and opportunities for

boys to read or perform in front of theirpeers. There are also staff and class

assemblies on a regular basis.

Learning Support

The School sets particularly high standards

in all areas of education but appreciates that

a few pupils may experience mild learning

difficulties. For these boys, a specialistteacher provides individual programmes of

study both in the classroom and in the

Learning Support Department.

Homework

Homework is an extension of the school day. It promotes self-discipline and self-organisational skills. Reception pupils receive ten minutes per night, increasing to one hour

and ten minutes for boys in Year 6, and their homework diaries are expected to be signed

daily by parents.


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A Supportive and Caring Environment

Pastoral Care and Discipline

The School prides itself on the pastoral care it provides. Small classes, and a relatively

small school population, ensure that staff know boys individually and can monitor theirbehaviour and academic progress easily. Staff are on duty at all break-times and daily staff

meetings allow them to discuss the welfare of individual pupils.

Staff have a number of disciplinary sanctions at their disposal, from the loss of Golden

Time at the end of a week to in-School and out-of-School detentions and report sheets. It

is rare, however, for matters not to be resolved at an early stage. All incidents are recorded

and are scrutinized by the Headmaster.

Captain of the School, School Prefects, House Captains and a Games Captain are appointed

at the beginning of the academic year and Form Captains appointed half-termly.

Parents Evening and Reports

The Home-School partnership at B.C.P.S. is a

very strong one. Parents are kept up-to-date

with their sons progress in the form of twice-

termly grading sheets as well as reports at theend of the Autumn and Summer Terms.

Although Parents Evenings are arranged

during the Autumn and Spring terms, staff are

always available to discuss any issues with

parents either before or after school.

The Society of Parents and Friends

The School is fortunate in having thesupport of a lively and hard-working

Committee who organise a variety of

events such as the Christmas Fair, QuizNight, Bollywood Night and, of course,

the Summer Fte. These events raisefunds towards equipment and projects to

enhance the lives of all the boys.


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Charities and School Council

Boys are committed to supporting various charities throughout the year.

In school we have a very active and committed School Council. Every year, two pupils fromeach year group are elected on to the School Council, and they help run, organise and

manage different fund raising activities for charity.

School Trips

Junior School boys may take part in over 20 trips

during the school year, including a five day

residential trip in the Summer term for boys in

Years 3-6.

The school operates two minibuses, enabling boys

in all year groups to enjoy a variety of trips inlocations far and wide.

They help support many different charities such as

Children in Need, Operation Christmas Child, Red

Nose Day, Sports Relief, Marie Curie Cancer Care,

St. Lukes Hospice and Harrow Christmas Care.

They are an important part of the student body and

they work hard for their chosen charities.

For the children it really helps to develop empathy

and makes them appreciate difficulties that others,

less fortunate than themselves, may be goingthrough.


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Our Location

The Preparatory School occupies a deceptively spacious site on Rayners Lane, a few

minutes walk from Rayners Lane tube station (Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines). It iswell served by bus routes H9, H10, H12 and 398.

Buckingham College Preparatory School

458 Rayners Lane

Pinner

Middlesex

HA5 5DT

Telephone: 020 8866 2737

Email: [email protected]

Part of the E. Ivor Hughes Educational FoundationRegistered Charity Number: 293623 Company Number: 1975995

Buckingham College School Buckingham College NurseryBuckingham College

Preparatory School


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Information Sheets

This prospectus is intended as a guide only and does not form part of any contract. Although every

care has been taken to ensure that the information is correct at the time of printing, the School

reserves the right to amend terms and conditions from time to time. Parents wishing to place

specific reliance on a statement in the prospectus should seek written confirmation of that statement

before accepting the offer of a place. Buckingham College Preparatory School expressly excludes

any representation or warranty (expressed or implied) to the fullest extent possible.


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Buckingham College Preparatory School

458 Rayners Lane

Pinner

Middlesex

HA5 5DT

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