Description
St Nicholas' School is Independent Secondary school in Non-selective for kids aged 3 to 16 (Gender - 3 to 16 )
St Nicholas’ is a unique all-through school where children have the chance to grow up at their own pace, and where they can let their talents and imagination run free. At every stage of their educational journey, pupils flourish. It is a privilege to be the Headmistress of such an energetic and talented school community. They have a long history of educating boys and girls together in Branksomewood, the Nursery and Infant School, and girls all the way through to 16 in our Junior and Senior School. Few schools offer the opportunity to get to know pupils so well. It is little wonder that they achieve so highly academically; nurtured and supported as they are throughout their education. The GCSE results rank amongst the best nationally and if you visit us you’ll see why.
Facilities
Nursery
They know that you want the best education for your child. At St Nicholas' Nursery School, this is achieved through experienced, well-qualified staff working with small classes. Children enjoy learning through play and are encouraged to develop at their own pace. A strong partnership between school and home enables them to make the best possible start to their education. Nursery benefit from using the fantastic school facilities with specialised teachers. They get to do some wonderful activities including forest school, music and sports lessons. Children that stay for lunch are taken to the dining room at 11.45am for a wholesome 'cooked lunch'.
Infants
At St Nicholas' School, the Nursery and Infant School have their own purpose-built building called Branksomewood. Their educational journey begins at the Foundation Stage.For the Nursery and Reception years, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage. There are seven areas of learning; Three Prime areas: Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development. These underpin four specific areas: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design.
Juniors
In St Nicholas' Junior School, Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 3 – 6) study a wide range of subjects, many of which, including French, Mandarin, ICT, Drama, Art, Music and Sport are taught by specialist teachers. The small class sizes enable form tutors to get to know each girl as an individual which we feel is highly important. Girls are based with their form teacher in their form room for some of the day but will visit specialist teachers for other lessons. Each girl has a timetable which is stuck into her desk and a copy which was brought home. Each day begins and ends with the form teacher in the form room. This time is used partly for administration and partly for sharing concerns or triumphs on an informal basis. Each girl has a school planner in which she will write her homework and any general reminders.
Seniors
They offer a broad and balanced curriculum with all subjects taught by experienced specialist staff. Throughout Years 7, 8 and 9 (Key Stage 3) they give pupils a wide range of experiences designed to help them make informed decisions about their GCSE options. The curriculum provides continuity, enabling pupils to develop their knowledge from the previous Key Stage. Pupils take half-yearly courses in Food Preparation and Nutrition and Textiles as part of Design Technology.In Year 7 pupils start learning Latin and the three sciences are studied separately. In Year 8, after appropriate reflection and consultation, pupils either continue with Latin, follow a course in Classical Civilisation or take extra English. In addition they will continue with Mandarin Chinese and Spanish or extra French and Curriculum Support.
Features
Things to note
Drama
With the professional-level combined School Hall and Performing Arts Centre, which serves as both concert space and theatre, all pupils at St Nicholas’ enjoy the many opportunities open to them both in lesson and in the various cross and extra-curricular activities on offer in the Drama department.All pupils up to Year 9 participate in two lessons of drama per week and are given the opportunity to specialise at GCSE level in Year 10 and 11. Senior Girls are encouraged to audition for the Spring Term Senior Production (past productions include “Bugsy Malone”, “Daisy Pulls It Off” and “Seussical”), whilst all the Junior pupils participate in the Junior Play.
Music
Specialist music staff and visiting peripatetic teachers deliver a comprehensive music curriculum across the school from Nursery to Year 11. There are opportunities for pupils to receive individual tuition on all of the main orchestral instruments as well as piano, singing and percussion. The Music Department consists of one large teaching classroom within the main school. This is equipped with a suite of PC’s with the latest Sibelius score writing software. There are also seven instrumental teaching rooms, four of which are located in the Music Lodge. Within the Music Lodge, there is a drum studio, equipped with electric and acoustic drum kits.
Sport
Physical Education plays a very important part in the life of all pupils at St Nicholas’ School. There are a wide variety of activities to experience both in the curriculum and after school. The pupils are taught in small working groups by specialist teachers and using top quality equipment and a range of amazing purpose built facilities. These include a full size sports hall which is fully equipped with computers, video cameras and interactive whiteboard to enable pupils to see themselves in action and learn from analysing their performance. There is an all weather astro pitch, netball, tennis courts, fields and a wooded area.
Enrichment
As a through school, they have the unique opportunity to monitor and support the progress of every pupil according to their strengths and abilities at each key stage. Offering experiences that are meaningful and child-centred is our focus, whether that be exploring the grounds during Nature and Mindfulness Walks in Early Years lessons, during Forest School sessions in Infants and Juniors, participating in the popular Duke of Edinburgh scheme, or even working alongside teaching specialists during Activity Weeks. A broad and balanced co-curricular programme develops social skills, nurtures a willingness to take risks, boosts confidence and enhances the development of leadership skills whilst also providing inspirational role models in our senior girls for the younger children in the community, continuously preparing our pupils for a life after St Nicholas’.
Extra Curricular
Please check the school website link for details.
6.51 miles
