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BECOMING A HAWTHORNIAN...

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Welcome to The Hawthorns

In a wonderful setting, The Hawthorns is a remarkable School where children enjoy their childhood developing their character and the skills for life. The warmth and atmosphere of Pendell Court immediately appeal. As an outstanding day School for 2 to 13 year olds, we offer an exceptional breadth and vision for the whole child.

As the Headmaster and a father of three, I was excited by the opportunity for my own family to join The Hawthorns. The guiding principles and Christian values of the School have helped forge the three pillars of Academic Achievement, Breadth of Opportunity and Pastoral Care which support the children’s education. It is a forward looking and friendly School where hard work and excellence shine out.

Underpinning an outstanding record of academic achievement at senior schools, The Hawthorns’ academic curriculum is broad and balanced. Developing the talents of each child is at the heart of our work. Excellent teachers create high expectations and, as a result, boys and girls achieve success in a wide variety of areas. A wonderful programme of sport and the extraordinary output of art, music, drama and design and technology mean that every child has the opportunity to be challenged and to excel. A healthy balance of tradition and modernity, which has been embraced over several decades

at The Hawthorns, ensures that happy children learn and strive for excellence.

A Hawthornian boy or girl is outward looking in spirit and is encouraged to reach out and up. A rich programme of expeditions, travel and exchange helps each child to broaden his or her mind and develop an understanding of their place in the wider world.

Children are loved, feel secure and learn from both their mistakes and their endeavours. Laughter and energy abound as boys and girls, teachers and staff create this wonderful School. Characters flourish and as a result Hawthornian boys and girls leave well prepared as resilient, compassionate, empathetic and hardworking characters to become the inventors, engineers, doctors, artists, composers, leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow’s world.

Come and visit The Hawthorns and we shall be pleased to share our School and more of its work with you and your child.

A E Floyd Headmaster

The Hawthorns gives you a warm friendly feeling inside. YEAR 3 PUPIL

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Happy children learn

The Early Years offer some of the most formative, exciting and wondrous experiences in a young child’s life. We are dedicated to providing the variety of opportunities and fun that will enable your son or daughter to thrive and grow in confidence and character.

As they embark in our homely and unique Rainbow and Ark Nurseries, with small and friendly classes, caring staff identify the social, emotional and developmental needs of each child. They encourage, support and extend our girls and boys to help them discover and work towards their potential.

Focusing on three prime areas - Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development, the curriculum enables us to plan well rounded daily sessions, building on the children’s interests with a sense of safety, freedom and exploration. Foundation skills in Literacy, mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design are introduced using dedicated indoor and outdoor resources, with regular excursions into the grounds (e.g. teddy bear picnics and woodland hunts). It is a world of adventure in which the imagination knows no bounds!

When children move on from our Nursery setting, having learned through play, creativity and investigation, they are well equipped with the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to begin the next and more formal stages of their education in our Reception Year, where they are also joined by a new intake.

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Developing a Passion for Learning Hawthorn House is the state of the art home of children from Reception to Year 2 whoflourish in its vibrant and inspiring environment with a dedicated Hall, ICT suite and adventure play areas. A broad and creative curriculum engages each child who develops through guided and independent learning, with access to multi-sensory resources, mobile technology and our wonderful grounds.

Pre-Prep pupils continue to be nurtured within a secure, happy and caring atmosphere supported, extended and challenged by dedicated Form Teachers and Teaching Assistants who recognise their individual learning styles. As confidence in Literacy, Numeracy and core subjects grows, specialists are gradually introduced (e.g. Music, French and Games). A delightful Library fosters a love for books and stimulates curiosity. A mutual respect and responsibility for our natural environment are encouraged through regular involvement in sustainability initiatives.

Children are naturally inquisitive about their world and we encourage this through myriad opportunities drawing on a mix of the National Curriculum, Common Entrance syllabi, our own and the children’s initiatives. Transfer from year to year is thoughtfully managed.

The Prep School, with an intake at Years 3 and 7, provides a focus on English, mathematics, Science and Modern Languages with setting gradually introduced. Pupils’ experiences embrace the latest e-learning, written and practical projects in Humanities, Classics, Latin and Spanish, in depth study and life skills, public speaking, wider cultural links (including a French exchange) and a well thought out programme of residential field trips and visits at home and abroad. Learning outside the classroom is developed further. Use of our lake, woodlands and estate teaches children to appreciate the countryside, enjoy the outdoors and make valuable distinctions between the natural and virtual worlds. A truly rounded education!

The Hawthorns has a unique ability to recognise the potential in a child and give them confidence and belief not only to pass exams but to reach dreams and aspirations that go much further. HARDING-ROLLS, PAST PARENT

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Building a capability for learning

The Hawthorns develops a firm intellectual base for children academically and in their attitude to learning, encouraging both independent thought and collaboration. Clear boundaries help to shape our young people into reflective listeners and confident contributors. Our commitment to the needs of each child is paramount and maximised through the high quality of planning, lesson delivery and monitoring by talented and experienced staff. Across the School our Special Additional Needs and Able Child Coordinators ensure that support, reinforcement and extension are given to individual pupils as required.

A range of assessment tools is used to measure and ensure pupils’ progress and continuity as their potential develops. Standardised and internal testing, self-evaluation and target setting help staff to build accurate profiles and pupils to produce meaningful portfolios and Records of Achievement. An open and honest partnership with parents is essential, both informally and through meetings and written reporting. Individual advice is given to you, choosing from over forty senior schools, to best suit personalities, potential and needs. Thorough preparation is provided for entrance examinations at 11+ and 13+ with excellent results reflected in a very impressive Scholarship record.

The School is innovative, forward thinking and timely in the way that it embraces change based on educational research. By instilling a lifelong love of learning, a realistic sense of self-worth and the desire to pursue areas of excellence, our pupils are well-prepared to be motivated and resourceful 21st Century citizens.

Pupils’ achievements are grounded in their exemplary attitudes to learning. INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE (ISI)

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Contributing to a Caring CommunityThe highest levels of pastoral care underpin life at The Hawthorns. Guided by our Christian ethos and motto of ‘Love God, Love thy Neighbour’, each individual feels happy, secure and valued and develops a progressively fuller understanding of themselves and others. Expectations of positive behaviour, including good manners and friendship, are made clear and reinforced from the earliest age. Learning from challenges and mistakes, as much as from successes, helps to refine each child’s distinctive personality.

In close partnership with parents and carers, our dedicated and experienced pastoral teams, supporting Form Teachers and Tutors, have direct responsibility for the well-being of the children at all levels. Teamwork days; being a member of a House ‘family’, in which older pupils take responsibility for younger ones; discussing citizenship in PSHCE lessons; organising a charity initiative; contributing to the School Council or having the chance to lead as one of our School Officers, each promote a sense of welfare and social responsibility.

When children are ready to leave, they have had the time, space and individual understanding to grow into independent, healthy and confident young people who know right from wrong and are resilient and compassionate as they take their place in the world around them.

Outstanding arrangements for pastoral care... create an atmosphere of close community amongst pupils from the very youngest to Year 8. INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE (ISI)

An active and healthy lifestyle

Our sporting philosophy is “Participation, Sportsmanship, Competitiveness.”

Sport and physical education play a large and very important part in the life of pupils here. Individual and team achievements are based on inspiring coaching, thorough and focused preparation, good sportsmanship, dogged determination, enjoyment and an exposure to a whole spectrum of competitive and recreational situations.

We are proud of the development programmes which we offer, enabling pupils regularly to reach County and National levels, with Awards gained routinely to senior schools. Our breadth and variety encompass traditional team sports (e.g. rugby, lacrosse, rounders) as well as more individual opportunities such as water sports, climbing, table tennis, chess and outdoor adventure activities.

The impressive Sports Centre caters for cricket, netball, hockey, soccer, tennis, badminton, gymnastics and basketball. A 20m indoor swimming pool, sports hall, dance studios, floodlit all weather pitch, extensive playing fields and external facilities provide exceptional opportunities for the children.

The primary role of the Sports Centre is for the use of the pupils. It also offers family membership, activity courses, children’s parties and hosts our highly successful and popular Schools of Swimming and Dance. We have a strong commitment to helping the local community as well as wider facility hire.

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A love of the outdoors

The pupils’ learning benefits from our beautiful, varied and expansive grounds which include an outdoor classroom and concert venue.

In the 1890s the gardens at Pendell Court were justifiably famous. Now they are home to an exciting range of outdoor activities in addition to simply playing in the woods. From learning traditional conservation skills, such as coppicing and hedge-laying, to belaying a fellow pupil across the high wires, there is something for everyone.

Aspects include garden and sensory trails, orienteering, team building, survival camps, pond-dipping, bee-keeping, growing fruit and vegetables and bread making. We have access also to horses, chickens, sheep and goats on an adjacent smallholding. As an ‘Eco-School’ we hold the coveted Green Flag, follow Forest Schools principles, with children leading initiatives in recycling and energy and water efficiency. Our 19th century owners would be amazed!

Alongside this a wide diversity of clubs offers everything from textiles, model-making, cookery, Mandarin, judo and squash, to web design, engineering, pop video production, geocaching and environmental art. These bring relaxation at the end of a school day, extending children’s interests, fostering friendships and giving staff a creative outlet too!

I really love working in a School where the grounds offer so many opportunities to take the children outside. Whether that is bird watching or building a bug hotel, these go way beyond the curriculum.MISS JO HILL, HEAD OF SCIENCE

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Creativity and Performance

The School’s Gold Artsmark Award illustrates the value we place on the visual, creative and performing Arts. Within and beyond the classroom opportunities in Music, Art, Drama, Dance and Design Technology ensure that every pupil can find involvement, pleasure and success in his or her aesthetic growth. In both the Pre-Prep and Prep the disciplines of ceramics, drawing, painting, print making and textiles are embraced. Pupils progress to work with metals, acrylic, wood, and computer generated design alongside practical woodland skills.

Our strong and inclusive musical tradition encourages children to listen, appreciate, develop technical proficiencies and perform. Choirs, ensembles (e.g. brass, woodwind, string, percussion, guitar and jazz) and our orchestra provide enjoyment and focussed preparation, stretching children’s skills, with concerts, festivals and events spread across the year. Music technology plays an important part too.

Drama is likewise pursued in the curriculum through formal and informal situations. From Pre-Prep nativities with an end of Year 2 play, and Year 4 performing in the round, to full scale productions and outdoor performances in the Upper School, the children push the bounds of musical theatre both on and backstage. These are blended with Form entertainments, poetry recitals, English Speaking Board exams and a range of enthusiastic inter-House competitions.

As one of the leading providers in the area for dance tuition (e.g. Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Latin, Tap and Ballroom) children both participate and excel in displays, choreography and termly exams (based on the ISTD syllabus) leading to success in local and West End shows. The Hawthorns has a well-deserved Scholarship reputation in the Arts and our most talented pupils join the National Youth Ballet, National Children’s Choir and Orchestras.

The staff gave me such inspiration and support, helping me to balance my love of dance and musical theatre with my academic studies. EMILY, PAST PUPIL

I can still remember my first really creative piece of writing at the School, which helped inspire me to become a journalist. The School prepared me well for my career, and the family atmosphere and support always encouraged us to do better.TORIN DOUGLAS MBE (OH)

Inspired to make a difference

The Hawthorns School was founded in 1926 by Dudley and Christopher Bull who exemplified the strong family values at its core and left us a wonderful heritage. When summing up the School, the warmth of our family atmosphere and care for the individual are paramount. “It really is a School in a million.”

As Hawthornians move on, they are well prepared for the next stage of their schooling. They leave having benefitted from an enriched preparatory education to become generous, polished and socially at ease young people with exciting and challenging futures.

Hawthornians regularly take up positions of responsibility at their senior schools. They pursue careers and vocations in all walks of life, contributing to communities across the world. Our diverse alumni include a former Lord Chief Justice of England, a Platinum Disc winning songwriter and a paramedic, who now trains our own staff!

We have lively and dedicated Parents’ and Old Hawthornian Associations that play a key role in the School’s life, together with The Hawthorns Foundation. A popular Parent and Toddler group in the Rainbow invites prospective pupils and parents to enjoy friendly sessions that ensure a happy start to school life.

Further details about these and other specific aspects are available on request. We hope that you will come to see what makes a successful Hawthornian. You will not be disappointed.

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The Hawthorns is so much more than a School …

SOER, PAST PARENT

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The Hawthorns School, Pendell Court, Bletchingley, Surrey, RH1 4QJEmail: admissions@hawthorns.comwww.hawthorns.com

For further information or to arrange an appointment, please call the Admissions Secretary on 01883 743048.

Registered charity 312067

The School is owned by The Hawthorns Educational Trust Limited, a registered charity administered by a Board of Governors. The Headmaster is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools) who, together with the Head of Pre-Prep and Senior Management Team oversee day-to-day management. Regular Independent School Inspections and our own self-appraisal procedures ensure high professional standards.

This brochure and the description herein do not form part of any contract, although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy.

The Independent Associationof Prep Schools

mailto:admissions@hawthorns.comhttp://www.hawthorns.com/

Becoming a HawthornianWelcomeHappy children learnDeveloping a passion for learningBuilding a capability for learningContributing to a caring communityAn active an healthy lifestyleA love of the outdoorsCreativity and performanceInspired to make a differenceContact