GardeTaFoy

Garde Ta Foy‘Garde Ta Foy’ (‘keep your faith’) is our ethos, our challenge and our passion.

Felsted is a place to grow and develop, to discover talents and relish

accomplishment in a close-knit community with learning at its heart.

Each individual is known, encouraged, appreciated and rewarded.

In this environment, Felstedians find faith in themselves, their school,

their peers and their mentors. Their individual strengths are drawn from

within to stand them in good stead throughout their school careers

and in readiness for the life that lies ahead.

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A shared philosophy

Headmaster of Felsted, Dr Michael Walker Headmistress of Felsted Preparatory School, Mrs Jenny Burrett

Felsted is an extended family, a lively, genuine community where each individual is cared for, nurtured and developed.

Each Phase in the Preparatory School and each House in the

Senior School is a school-within-a-school, a small and supportive

environment where Felstedians can be themselves and grow

and flourish at their own pace. Students also care for each other

and there is warmth and lasting friendship here. Pastoral care is

described by Inspectors as ‘one of the great strengths of the School... personal development is excellent; there is an excellent ethos where pupils feel valued and their welfare has the highest priority’.

We are proud of our strong and effective partnership with

parents of day students and boarders alike and there is

constant communication between the most important people

in a student’s life to ensure that care for each individual is

seamless. Many of our former families return to us with the next

generation of Felstedians, strengthening the connection even

more.

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Garde Ta FoyBelieve in us

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Garde Ta FoyBelieve in yourselfAchieving his or her individual best is each Felsted pupil’s aim. Students of all ages are encouraged to reach out and discover for themselves just what they can achieve.

By offering a broad choice of academic subjects, complemented by an

enormous range of additional activities, each individual has a wealth of

opportunities to discover strengths and develop passions and interests.

Academic attainment is supported throughout both the Preparatory School

and the Senior School by an individually focused Tutoring System, as well

as a Very Able Pupils’ programme and appropriate Learning Support.

There is excellent progression and continuity of opportunities through

the schools. The majority of Preparatory School students move on to the

Senior School because of the ‘virtually unbeatable scope to pursue multiple interests’ (Good Schools Guide 2010) and the choice of

activities is extensive, from archery to swimming, rugby to steel band.

Little wonder perhaps that Felsted students aim high but are confident and

relaxed in finding their way.

Felsted provides a long list of notable Old Felstedians and a huge diversity

of talent is reflected in the senior positions and success they have achieved

in science and medicine, the military, politics and public service, academia,

business, sports and the media.

Concentration and courage are in our students’ faces when they stay strong and grow through accepting challenge. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence are the key to success in life.

‘Doing’ teaches you the most. Keeping your nerve in an examination, on

an expedition trek, flying a glider, learning to play polo, show jumping or

playing in a demanding match is a test. Students at Felsted support one

another in taking on new challenges. They attend concerts to applaud their

friends; they are on the touchline cheering their teammates; they are there

for each other during difficult times. The staff and parents, too, accept

challenges and support students fully in their aspirations.

Felstedians are ambitious, motivated and confident, independent and

mature. They present themselves well and develop excellent leadership

and teamwork skills. Their beliefs and values are strong and they have

great personal qualities, including the ability to be compassionate and

responsive to others. Above all, our students become self-aware young

people, with an understanding of the environment, culture and society

around them and a sense of pride in the global community and their place

within it.

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Garde Ta FoyKeep your nerve

Felstedians often speak of pivotal moments during their time at the School when they were inspired to follow their chosen profession. Felsted gives a taste of what is to come.

A particular feature of Felsted life is the exceptional range and unique

combination of pursuits on offer, which allow Felstedians to become

distinctive and interesting individuals.

Sport inspires so many Felstedians. Felsted teams and individuals compete

regularly at school, regional and national level in all major sports and the

School has nurtured 18 Olympic athletes, more than 50 first-class cricketers

and national representatives in a very wide range of other disciplines.

Music is central to life at the School – all students sing in Chapel and

at the ‘House Shout’ singing competition, and there are opportunities to

join the thriving choirs, orchestras and ensembles. A broad programme of

concerts and musical events take place in the state-of-the-art Music School,

and visiting world-famous musicians give masterclasses.

Drama is outstanding too, with superb productions by large and dedicated

casts, many of whom take part in overseas drama tours. Professional

theatre companies perform in the School’s own theatre. Art thrives and

Felstedians go on to enjoy successful careers in art, design and architecture.

Felsted’s Combined Cadet Force is the oldest in the country and one of

the largest too. Many students complete the Duke of Edinburgh Gold

Award – a rare feat while still at school.

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Garde Ta FoyInspiring passions

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Hymns are sung with passion and students are challenged to consider their own spiritual journey and form their own beliefs and values.

Felsted is a Church of England school, with chapel at its heart. The

Felsted community has many different faiths and even those who have

no religious faith enjoy the comfort of the community coming together to

reflect on life.

Felsted is one of only two remaining independent schools to have its

own Mission Church in the East End of London, with proud links to

this Church and the young people of the surrounding area. The Mission

Church’s Ascension Eagles Cheerleading Team, composed of young people

from that area, are national champions and have performed around the

world with assistance from many Felsted students.

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Garde Ta FoyKeeping your faith

Felstedians commit to make a difference to every community of which they are a part. Loyalty is key and service is a watchword.

Felsted students are truly global citizens. The School provides a first-class

English education within an international community – up to 100 students

may come from overseas. The School has global membership of the

Round Square, a fellowship of top schools around the world that share

ideals and opportunities to broaden horizons through exchanges and

service in many countries.

Felstedians are very much a part of the local community too, assisting

with projects in schools and care homes and contributing to village life.

At the School, all students support and care for each other and

competitions flourish through diverse challenges among the Leagues and

Houses. Students learn to collaborate with each other and to value talents

and contribution, to have manners and politeness, good time-keeping and

organisational skills.

A measure of the School is the high number of families who have

educated their sons and daughters at Felsted for generations.

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Garde Ta FoyCommit to your community

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Garde Ta FoyCreating leadersAt Felsted, we believe in leadership and genuine service. By creating the leaders of tomorrow, we renew our contribution to society and at the same time develop individuals to the full.

There are ample opportunities for Felstedians to test their leadership

skills and to set an example to all. From the League Captaincies in the

Preparatory School to the School Forum and Round Square Student

Committee, House and School Prefects, our leaders have a real role to play

within the School community.

Student leadership is emphasised through every activity, whether

captaining a sports or debating team, leading the Corps of Drums, or

showing the way on expedition for a Duke of Edinburgh Award or a CCF

field day. At the School, student views are canvassed regularly and acted

upon so all are included. We expect our students to leave Felsted with

the confidence, poise and capacity to make good decisions in life, for the

benefit of themselves and others.

Felstedians are leaders or serve in many walks of life and their

achievements speak for themselves. We recognise that leadership is a

form of service to others and to ourselves and a vital part of personal

development.

Felsted is proud to produce self-starting, entrepreneurial and independent spirits.

We value the unique gifts of every individual and hope to offer high

challenge, well supported opportunities to everyone, whatever their unique

combinations of interests. Here they can test themselves and even in the

world of work, the supportive Felsted Network will continue to guide the

community through informing and engaging our students, and equipping

them with the skills and qualities they need to succeed at university and in

the world of work.

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Garde Ta FoyValue each individual

Join us. Visit our School and find out what a Felsted education would mean for you as a student, or for your son or daughter.

An excellent, all-round education. Real opportunities to develop, learn

and grow in a safe and nurturing environment where everyone knows your

name. A wonderful campus, in the heart of the English countryside but

easily accessible by road, rail and air and close to the cultural centres of

Cambridge and London. A happy and exciting place to be. Let us show you

Felsted and demonstrate ‘Garde Ta Foy’ in action.

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Garde Ta FoyFelsted

Top 25 IB School

Felsted, Essex, CM6 3JL | 01371 822600 | info@felsted.org | www.felsted.org