prep school prospectus
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Hydesville Prep School ProspectusTRANSCRIPT
Pupil behaviour is outstanding. Pupils have excellent
attitudes in lessons and cooperate extremely well when
working in groups. The high rate of attendance reflects
their enjoyment of school and keenness to do their very
best. Pupils are proud of their school.
Ofsted Report
Hydesville Tower School is a wonderful school and an
exceptionally enjoyable place to be. We are a co-educational
independent Prep School and Senior School for children
aged 3-16 within an urban setting. We aspire for every pupil
to enjoy their education in a safe and secure environment,
whilst developing a love and desire for lifelong learning.
Education is our passion and we hold firm to our values. We
encourage responsibility, integrity, respect and appreciation.
We expect the highest standards in behaviour, uniform and
attitudes to learning. We will support each child to achieve
their best.
As two small schools on one site, we are able to care about
each child: nobody here is ‘lost in the crowd’. One of our
school’s main strengths is the quality of relationships within it.
Our teachers and support staff put our pupils first. Our ethos
is vibrant and warm, our community is strong and happy.
We offer a broad curriculum with a focus on core subjects,
bringing us Eleven Plus success in our Prep School and
GCSE success in our Senior School.
Thank you for your interest in Hydesville Tower. I look forward
to welcoming you and your children to our schools.
Mrs Fiona Hims MEd BSc PGCE
Headteacher
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What makes Hydesville Outstanding?
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At Hydesville we focus on achievement not just attainment. Education is about
far, far more than what happens inside the four walls of the classroom, and we
are very fortunate at Hydesville to have staff that recognise this. Certainly one
of the joys of teaching is drawing that academic, creative, enterprising, sporting
potential out of pupils.
We strongly believe that education is about individuals and Hydesville succeeds
because it is small enough to make sure that your child’s individual strengths
and needs are known by everyone at the school. Everyone is valued for who
they are and all are expected to participate fully in the academic and extra-
curricular life of the school.
Pupils at Hydesville learn that much of life’s successes are governed by
attitude rather than innate intelligence and that a strong work ethic will take
them far in life. Our pupils of all ages also understand that it is important
to have aspirations and set oneself demanding targets rather than easy
ones. Hydesville achieves academic success, but this is balanced by the
development of the whole pupil into a well rounded individual who can take
part in and appreciate music, sport, drama and their place in the wider world.
We welcome all pupils of any faith in the belief that we all share common ideals
and morals.
Traditional Values
The Prep School has built a strong reputation for achieving
individual excellence for each child who attends. The
Nursery is an integral part of the Prep School. This
teaching Nursery builds the foundation for entry to our
Prep School.
In the Prep School the children have the opportunity
to further develop the skills they have already learnt in
Nursery. This is also a more formal style of education
consisting of a full and varied curriculum which
encourages creativity, independence and self-confidence.
Here we concentrate mainly on the three core subjects
of English, Mathematics and Science. We firmly believe
that when your child has a solid grasp of these curriculum
areas, your child will progress at an accelerated rate in
other areas too.
Extra-curricular activities include Ballet, Elocution and
musical instrument workshops.
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Your child will have a wonderful time in the Prep School. They will be
immersed in a multitude of opportunities and be encouraged to develop their
independence in preparation for their move to senior school. Our expectations
of behaviour and effort are high but they are also realistic. Above all, our priority
is your child’s happiness whilst ensuring they reach their potential.
Traditional teaching methods complement the best of the modern with
Mathematics, English and Reasoning as the anchor subjects. Assessment,
both formal and informal, is regular to allow careful tracking of progress.
The Prep School Curriculum also includes: Science, Technology, Information
and Communication Technology, History, Geography, Art & Craft, Music,
Religious Studies, French, PE and Personal, Social and Health Education. The
programme is carefully designed to enjoyably develop autonomy in learning,
creativity and high academic standards.
A full extension programme utilises interesting classroom displays, interactive
programmes, exciting trips and speakers. Year 5 and Year 6 also use Senior
School DT and ICT facilities. There are opportunities to have lessons with
peripatetic staff who teach a range of instruments, dance, speech and drama.
Our Junior choir is flourishing.
We have pupils from many backgrounds and we promote an understanding
and tolerance of others’ beliefs and points of view.
Hydesville Prep School
At Hydesville Tower we are fortunate to have use of
outstanding local sporting facilities. We offer an extensive
variety of individual and team sports allowing every pupil
to enjoy and excel.
In PE lessons, pupils learn about fitness and co-ordination
in addition to learning new skills.
All Prep School pupils have a weekly Games afternoon in
which the major sports played are Football, Rugby and
Cricket for boys; Hockey, Netball and Rounders for girls.
The school has an extensive and competitive fixture list
with other Prep Schools.
We also promote recreational sport for enjoyment and as
such, teams and clubs are run for all abilities. To ensure
all ability levels are catered for, the house system is very
strong and an extensive programme of competitions
allows everyone in the school to participate and compete
in the array of sports on offer.
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Sport at Hydesville
Music like other performing arts subjects, can play an important part
in character development and building confidence. All of our pupils
are warmly encouraged to take up a musical instrument, either taught
by their existing instrumental teacher at home, or by one of our
visiting instrumental teachers. Learning an instrument, or joining an
ensemble, are not compulsory, but the experience is very rich and
strongly recommended.
Our Art Department is a busy and popular place. Our children enjoy
drawing, painting, print-making, ceramics and textiles. Discipline
and good studio practice are always emphasised in order to develop
a proper and controlled working environment where talented and
committed pupils can thrive. The department is well equipped and
resourced to an excellent standard, which allows pupils to express
their ideas in as many media as reasonably practical.
Our extra-curricular programme offers a range of activities each week,
before and after school. The vast majority of these are free of charge
as we consider this aspect of school life so important to the holistic
education.
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Creativity at Hydesville
In all cases we encourage parents to visit the school and children to
spend a taster day in the school. During this day staff will make an
informal assessment of the child’s ability. Children may then be offered
a place at the school. The offer may be accepted by paying a deposit,
which is refundable when the pupil leaves the school. We recognise
that everyone’s circumstances vary and that each child is an individual;
therefore, we adopt a flexible entry procedure and children may enter
the school at any time, subject to places being available.
Call Christine Phillips, our school Admissions Registrar on 01922 624
374 or email [email protected]
Hydesville Tower School
25 Broadway North, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 2QG
Email: [email protected] Web: www.hydesville.com
Tel: 01922 624 374 Fax: 01922 746 169
Joining Hydesville
Mr Green and Mrs Phill ips look forward to welcoming you to Hydesville
Hydesville Tower School25 Broadway North, Walsall West Midlands, WS1 2QGEmail: [email protected] Web: www.hydesville.com
Tel: 01922 624 374 Fax: 01922 746 169
Part of the Cognita Schools Group, the largest provider of independent co- educational education in the
country. Cognita Schools Ltd, 5 & 7 Diamond Court, Eastlake Park, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes
MK15 0DU t: 01908 396 250 f: 01908 396251 w: www.cognitaschools.co.uk. Whilst Cognita endeavours to
ensure that the information in this prospectus is accurate, complete and up-to-date. It makes no warranties
or representation in respect of this. You are strongly advised to visit us to discuss your requirements before
committing to place your child or children with us.
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