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| Grange Drive, Elmstead Lane, BR7 5ES, UK Chislehurst +44 (0)208 467 5537
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Well Over 100 Years of History Have Built the Babington House School of Today
Enjoying a peaceful suburban setting in west Chislehurst, being only 3 - 4 minutes walk from Elmstead Woods Station and within easy reach of Central London, Babington House School has a long and fascinating past.
The school was founded in 1887 in North Park, Eltham, by Madame Rossell, a distinguished Belgian lady who was particularly interested in fostering the arts for ‘young ladies and small boys’. Among her friends was the author Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay, whose family name, Babington, was adopted as the name of the School.
With supportive parental loyalty, the school moved to Chislehurst in 1959 and has since been administered as an educational trust by a board of Governors.
The present building has long been associated with the family name Bilbrough. Known as Elmstead Grange, it was built in 1876 as a Jacobean style house. It stood on a 22-acre site and was typical of the large houses of the Victorian period.
The house was originally approached along a drive from Elmstead Lane, where the lodge, with its distinctive ball finials on the roof, can still be seen. There was also a shorter drive from Walden Road. The school started in Eltham in 1887, and its name reflects the esteem its founder felt for Thomas Babington Macaulay, the great Victorian writer and politician. It moved here in 1959, when the original name of Elmstead Grange was changed to Babington House.
This was the home of Kenneth and Ethel Bilbrough from 1904 to 1940. He was the third son of Arthur Bilbrough, founder of the shipping and marine insurance company that still bears the Bilbrough name. In 1908 Arthur and his wife also moved to Chislehurst, where they lived at Camden Court, a large, early 19th century house on the Common, where Camden Close now stands.
Today, Babington House School remains an integral part of the Chislehurst community. In 1993 the school participated in the European Heritage Days programme. Initiated by the Department of National Heritage and the Civic Trust of England the programme enabled members of the public throughout Europe to explore their local heritage. The Bilbrough’s and the then head teacher, Valerie Walter, came together to organize a photographic exhibition of the Bilbrough family at Babington House School. |
| MISSION STATEMENT AND AIMS | |
| At Babington House School we strive for excellence. Ours is a secure and happy environment where individuals are nurtured, valued and educated for life.
Aims
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| 1. The full school uniform must be worn on all official occasions. No jewellery (including earrings), makeup and nail varnish may be worn in school. Hair must be neat and tidy and girls should have hair tied back where possible.
2. Pupils are forbidden to smoke, drink alcohol or use any illegal substance in school, or whilst in school uniform.
3. Damage to school property must be reported at once to a member of staff. Where items of property are damaged wilfully, or though carelessness, the pupils responsible will be required to pay for the repairs.
4. No pupil may leave the school grounds during the school day without permission. Pupils who have permission, must sign out in the book kept in the school office, and where appropriate, sign back in.
5. Pupils will be given at least one day’s notice of an after school detention so that they will be able to advise their parents of the reason for their later arrival.
6. Pupils must not run within the school building, nor must they crowd around doors at the top of the stairs.
7. The following items must not be brought into school: radios, ipods, chewing gum, matches, lighters, solvents or permanent felt tip markers. Mobile phones may be brought to school but UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should they be used on the premises. All phones must be clearly marked with the owner’s name. If a pupil uses the phone, it will be confiscated and taken to the school office for collection at the end of the day. If it is used again, the phone will not be allowed back into school.
8. No valuable items or large sums of money should be brought to school, but if unavoidable must be taken to the school office for safekeeping.
9. No pupil is allowed to sell items on the school premises.
10. All articles of uniform, personal possessions and books must be clearly marked with the owner’s name. |
| Promoting Ideals of Honesty, Integrity, Trust and Respect
The Foundation stage is the time the children spend in nursery and reception classes before they start the National Curriculum in Year One. During this period the children follow the Early Learning Goals.
A wide choice of materials and teaching strategies enable each child to become confident, independent and secure in their abilities. A love of learning is fostered by development and natural curiosity in a caring environment, where skills and interests can be developed.
At Babington House we aim to provide a caring, stimulating and hard working family atmosphere where each individual child can develop socially, morally, spiritually as well as academically. We develop the children’s awareness and involvement in the life of the school and the wider community.
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| A Broad, Balanced Approach
The children in the Prep build upon the firm foundations experienced in the Nursery and Reception years at Babington House.
The core subjects of the curriculum are thoroughly taught with emphasis on individual motivation and success; pupils benefiting from specialist teachers in some areas of the curriculum.
Each child is encouraged to take a pride in the school and their learning in order to achieve success. We are committed to an inclusive ethos based on a respect for, and celebration of ethnic diversity.
We hope to involve you as a parent in your child’s school life as we build upon the numerous skills and attitudes you have fostered at home.
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Developing New Skills and Broadening their Knowledge
Pastoral Care Babington House is renowned for its excellent pastoral care, promoting a supportive culture in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
This is achieved through small tutor groups (maximum class size 18 pupils) where the form tutor watches over the academic and personal development of the class, working closely with the Head of Pastoral Care and the Head of Curriculum, whilst the school’s House and Buddy Systems help pupils develop self discipline and concern for others.
Curriculum Our excellent academic results, for an all ability school, are achieved because staff have high expectations. Pupils are encouraged to realize their potential in a setting which is conducive to learning. The curriculum is kept as varied as possible.
Pupils enjoy and achieve by developing new skills, broadening their knowledge and growing in confidence. Girls are well informed, prepared to meet the challenges of higher education and to take leading roles in society.
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