WELCOME!!!

New Hall is one of the oldest Catholic schools in England.

The school was founded in Liège in Belgium in 1642 by Susan Hawley, who also formed the English Community of the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre. The Community’s spirituality, rooted in the Augustinian tradition, has a special emphasis on the Resurrection, prayer, community life, hospitality and service to others. The faith which lies at the heart of this foundation remains essential to the character of the school today.

Initially the school offered a Catholic education to girls who were denied this in England in the Post-Reformation period. In 1794, the French Revolutionary Wars forced the nuns to leave the Low Countries. The school reopened on its present site in 1799.

Approached from a mile-long tree-lined avenue, the main building occupies the magnificent former Tudor palace of Beaulieu. In 1517, the estate was aquired by Henry VIII, who greatly enlarged and enhanced the building and called it Beaulieu.

The Royal Arms of Henry VIII are now to be seen in the school Chapel. For many years the home of Mary Tudor, New Hall was subsequently granted to the Earl of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth I. Oliver Cromwell later procured the
estate for 5 shillings.

Today the spacious campus provides continuous education from 3-18, with excellent purpose-built facilities. While continuing to draw on its rich heritage and to maintain its traditional values, the school has also evolved to meet the needs of the modern age.

Mission Statement

We believe that New Hall, a Catholic boarding and day school, enables students to meet confidently the challenges of the wider world. Here students of all traditions are educated in an environment where academic excellence is achieved. This is brought about in surroundings where relationships are based on the Gospel values of trust and respect.

Aims of the School

The school aims:

• To give students an experience of life in a Christian community:
- affirming each individual as a unique part of God’s creation
- nurturing in each person a sense of dignity and self-worth
- fostering caring relationships, a sense of team spirit and respect for others

• To inspire students to develop their God-given gifts and talents to their full potential:
- intellectual
- spiritual
- social and emotional
- aesthetic and physical

• To provide a broad and balanced education, rooted in the school’s Catholic foundation,
which is responsive to and supportive of the needs and aspirations of the individual:
- fostering intellectual curiosity, a desire to seek truth and a life-long love of learning
- enabling students to discover their own strengths and weaknesses, to learn from ‘failures’ and
to develop the self-discipline and determination to persevere, in order to pursue their goals in
a rapidly changing world

• To enable staff to be aware of the values and vision of the school and to give them
support and encouragement to carry out their professional duties

Maximising Students' Ability

At New Hall, we are aware that each and every student has individual learning requirements, so we seek to provide the maximum possible flexibility within the curriculum in order to meet students' varied needs. Our long experience of education has shown that in order to help students do their best, a balance has to be achieved between ensuring that each student feels secure and providing them with sufficient challenge to stretch their abilities. We encourage students to take ownership of their learning through high expectations and clear opportunities for extension work.

Highly Qualified Staff

Our teachers are well qualified and highly committed. Their goal is to communicate the excitement of learning so that pupils respond with eagerness and enthusiasm.

New Technology and Traditional Skills

Changes in the world of work mean that it is vital that every student be competent in the use of technology. The school has recognised this and invested heavily in the latest equipment. Students use computers to research topics, log data and present solutions. We believe that technology is a tool to aid education and to prepare students for life in the 21st century. Students also need to develop competence in more traditional skills. The library is a multimedia resource centre with access to the Internet as well as CD ROM computing facilities. It is also open to students late into the evening. Here students can learn to use periodicals, to skim and scan books and to extract information from a variety of sources. Boarders also have access to the Internet during the evenings and at weekends. Our new radio network also allows VI Form students who possess a lap-top computer, to access their files and the filtered Internet service from their rooms.

Boarders also have access to the Internet during the evenings and at weekends.

The Able Student

Differentiation within subject areas means that each student is provided with appropriate strategies in order to identify their unique learning styles. Individual learning programmes ensure that able students are given every opportunity to extend their learning, both within and beyond the curriculum. Staff at New Hall are keen to ensure that the whole person is developed, as well as the achievement of academic excellence, thus a wide range of extra-curricular activities are always on offer.

Meeting Individual educational needs

Some students may need extra support in their studies. The Learning Development Department offers help and guidance to these students through a programme of small group tutorials and in-class support. Assistance from staff specialising in this area enables every student to make progress. Individual education plans are drawn up across the curriculum to meet the particular circumstances of students on Stages of Assessment. These are designed to encourage improvement so that each student can see their progress and feel proud of their achievements.

Careers and Higher Education

The school pays great attention to helping students prepare for university and the world of work. There is a programme of guidance led by the Head of Careers and the tutors, who have particularly strong links with the wider community. We believe that all students are entitled to comprehensive, up to date information on education, training and employment opportunities. The school recognises that students need a variety of knowledge, work experience and specialist support in order to make informed choices.

School Policies

Copies of all school policies and the complaints procedure are available on request.

The school provides first-class facilities. These include: 6 full-sized laboratories for Science; 3 large Information Technology suites, wireless internet access for students and staff accross the school, a beautiful and well equipped library, as well as a Modern Languages "Linguatek" and various Art and Design studios.
Each Department has spacious and well equipped classrooms with IT facilities and the school has interactive whitebaords available for use around the school.

“My daughter is a different child. Boarding at New Hall has given her the best of both worlds. She is independent during the week and at the weekend we have a great time together.” Parent of a Year 8 student

The four boarding houses offer their members a strong sense of identity and opportunities to forge new friendships. The boarders enjoy a relaxed, homely environment and the support and care of a dedicated and enthusiastic staff team. All boarders may have single study
bedrooms from age 8 onwards, though younger boarders often prefer to share in rooms with 2 or 3 others. All boarding houses have their own kitchen, well-equipped common rooms, internet access and a library of books and DVDs.

""I decided that boarding could be fun. I think it makes me much more independent. I would not want to be the sort of person who rings their mother every time they have to make decisions. On Saturdays, I am busy with athletics, shopping and study. On Sundays, which I consider to be a day of rest, I join in the church service at 10.30 am and, after a special Sunday lunch, I find I have time to read and relax". Year 7 student.

"Living with other people is fun and I have formed strong friendships over the years I have been here." Sixth Form student.

"Boarding enables me to make the most of all the school facilities, for both work and relaxation." Sixth Form student.

In Pre-Reception we aim to provide a happy, stimulating environment with emphasis on the all-round development of children.

The Pre-Reception, opened in September 2004, accommodates up to 32 children and is staffed by a teacher in charge, a Deputy Manager and a team of NNEBs and Teaching Assistants.

The curriculum in Pre-Reception is organised into six areas of learning and all activities work towards achieving the Early Learning Goals:

The curriculum at New Hall Preparatory School is based mainly on the National Curriculum, but offers a greater diversity and choice. All pupils study English, Mathematics, Religious Education, Science, History, Geography, Art, Technology, Music, Physical Education, French and Information and Communication Technology. Latin and Drama are offered to older pupils. Music plays an important part in the life of the school and children are encouraged to join an excellent choir and orchestra. All pupils have access to an attractive, well-equipped library. Pupils are able to take advantage of the extensive grounds and well-resourced teaching facilities. We have excellent sporting amenities which include a 25m 6-lane indoor swimming pool; 10 floodlit tennis/netball courts; indoor sports hall; floodlit national standard Astroturf Hockey pitch and athletics track. All pupils are able to enjoy physical activities through the curriculum and in competitive games. The Preparatory School's philosophy is based very much on regarding each child as an individual with his or her own particular needs and requirements. We have a mixed ability intake and aim to build upon each child's particular strengths. We feel that, by offering a broad curriculum and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, we can give every child the maximum opportunity to achieve their potential. It is important that communication between home and school is good and we hope that you will find us an open and approachable school, keen to discuss with you any aspects of your child's education. By visiting us you will see our school in practice, thus enabling you to make an informed choice when considering schooling for your child. Please seek further information and come and see for yourself the educational opportunities which we can offer.

Admissions Process

Most girls and boys join New Hall School at 3+, 4+, 11+ and 13+. There is also a Sixth Form intake at 16+. Students may also join at other times, but we do not accept students into Year 11 and Year 13. We are looking for girls and boys who are academic, have interests outside the classroom (be it in drama, music, art & technology or sport) and who are going to contribute fully to the life of a boarding and day school. We try to make the procedure for applying for a place at New Hall School as straightforward as possible. If you have questions about any aspect of our admissions procedure, please do not hesitate to contact Miss Elizabeth Dodd, Registrar, who will be pleased to assist. You will also find information on the website www.newhallschool.co.uk. We appreciate that choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. When considering New Hall School for your daughter or son, you are advised to make an enquiry as soon as possible and to register your child. The best thing to do is to visit us, whether on an Open Day or at a time convenient for you, when you will have the opportunity for an individual or group tour with a student. During your visit, you will meet either Katherine Jeffrey, Principal, or David Callender, Headteacher of the Preparatory School, or another senior member of staff. We hope that you experience first-hand the happy atmosphere at New Hall. You may take the opportunity to explore the magnificent grounds and exceptional facilities and, of course, to meet the students and staff.

Summary

Step 1: Request a prospectus either online or by contacting the Registrar

Step 2: Attend one of our Open Days and/or arrange an individual or group visit to the school

Step 3: Complete the Registration Form and return with one off registration & assessment fee of £80
(NB New Hall Preparatory School pupils are not required to re-register for admission to the Senior School; children may be registered from birth)

Step 4: In the year prior to admission, New Hall will ask for confirmation of your child’s attendance at the relevant assessment day

Step 5: New Hall will request a reference/report from the Headteacher of your child’s school/nursery

Step 6: Assessment

Step 7: New Hall will send you a letter to confirm any offer and scholarship award

Step 8: Confirmation of place and payment of deposit