Description
Gad's Hill School is Independent Secondary school in Non-selective for kids aged 3 to 16 (Gender - 3 to 16 )
Gad’s Hill School is set in the expansive and beautiful grounds of the former family home of Charles Dickens, in the village of Higham, just on the outskirts of Rochester, Kent. The independent day School is a wonderfully happy and vibrant school, educating girls and boys aged 3-16 years in the Lower and Upper School boasting modern facilities, while retaining its famous literary heritage and many of the traditions established since its foundation in 1924.Higham is an area that is rich in culture and history and enjoys a spectacular setting between the North Downs, the Medway Towns and the River Thames. Cathedrals, castles, beaches and historic cities and towns such as Rochester with its Norman legacy and Chatham with its ancient Royal Dockyard are on our doorstep, and they make the most of our surroundings to enrich the educational experience of all the pupils.
Facilities
Kindergarten
This is where your child’s journey of discovery and love of learning begins. Children can join the Nursery (KN) setting when they are three. There is an established transition into the next step of Early Years into our Reception class (KR). Children are then ready for the next stage in their journey and move happily into K1 and then K2 known as Key Stage 1.We work in partnership with parents to ensure the very best can be provided for the children, both pastorally and academically. We place great emphasis on academic success but also the emotional and social aspects of development. We aim to create individuals that are resilient, well-rounded members of society. Manners and being a good friend are valued and recognised.From KR children have Music, Spanish, PE and ‘Music and Movement’ taught by specialist teachers weekly, and also have the opportunity to utilise our outdoor Forest School setting.
Juniors
The Juniors in the Lower School is an exciting area of the school offering an independent education for girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 11 years old. One of the most striking aspects of the Juniors is how evidently happy, bright and confident our pupils are. Children in the Juniors enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum, taught by subject-specialist teachers, which aims to nurture their interests and inspire a life-long love of learning.Whilst striving for academic excellence, they also place high emphasis on developing our pupils’ personal qualities and extra-curricular skills so that they move on to the Upper School as articulate, confident and motivated young people, ready for the next stage of their education.As they learn and grow with them, Gad’s Hill School children benefit from an exceptional level of pastoral care. Following the success of the Juniors in recent years, we are fortunate to be a two-form entry school, with class sizes of between 10 and 20 children. These small class sizes support the personalised approach to teaching and nurturing the needs of each child, whilst also offering ample opportunities for children to socialise and forge friendships.
Upper school
At Gad’s Hill, they understand that being a teenager in the modern society brings huge pressures, from exams to relationships, from navigating the risks of social media to understanding finance and the jobs market. For that reason, the students are able to broaden their horizons and take on increasing responsibilities in a supportive, nurturing community in which they are treated as individuals and held to high standards of conduct. They are passionate about the work they do to develop the independent young people who are well-equipped both academically and socially to fulfil their potential and their dreams. The small class sizes, educational rigour and outstanding pastoral care mean that whatever path our students follow, we are able to encourage and facilitate their journey – whether that leads to success at top universities, a job in the City, musical or acting careers or elsewhere.
Features
Things to note
Adventure and Opportunity
The curriculum comes to life beyond the classroom. The very own Forest School offers an exciting but safe outdoor space in which to explore and learn, while the Combined Cadet Force develops qualities of resilience, resourcefulness, leadership and responsibility. An exciting variety of trips, camps, clubs and sports enrich classroom learning for all our pupils.
Enrichment
They offer a large number of fun and engaging activities that take place each evening after school. Each term children are provided with a new timetable offering them many exciting opportunities to take part in.
Wrap Around Care
Gad’s Hill School offers both before and after school care for those children whose parents require an extended day. These facilities are run by fully qualified members of staff and offer a safe and caring environment for children outside of normal school hours. A full itinerary of before and after school activities is available on the school’s internal information system.
Creative Arts
Drawing inspiration from our beautiful estate and the heritage of the home of Charles Dickens, our pupils of all ages are encouraged to express themselves through decorative, fine and performing arts. From performing on stage in our theatre, participating in a concert at Rochester Cathedral, completing LAMDA examinations, through excellence in the art and design studios or preparing special delicacies in the fully equipped kitchens, we value and promote the joys of expression and creativity.
Extra Curricular
Please check the school website link for details.
3.23 miles
