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| 49 Bromley Road, BR3 5PA, UK Beckenham +44 (0)208 650 2200
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| St.Christopher`s The Hall School
Introduction |
At St. Christopher's, we have a friendly and open atmosphere in which the children are encouraged to maximise their potential and to work and play to the best of their ability. We believe that a happy, caring and secure environment is vital to the development of the child as an individual, where good manners and respect for others are highly regarded and learning is structured and fun. |
St. Christopher's provides a varied, balanced curriculum which leads to competitive entry to Independent Senior Schools at 11 years. (We do not encourage or prepare children for entry at any other age). Extra-curricular activity is also seen as essential to the community of the school. A comprehensive and varied programme accommodates as many pupils as possible. Opportunity is therefore available to all pupils to develop their interest in sport, music, drama, art and craft. |
An experienced and well qualified staff, combined with the support of the parents, form a partnership and establish a unity within which the children from St.Christopher's flourish and succeed. |
I hope the prospectus encourages you to visit St.Christopher's so that you may experience for yourself the unique atmosphere at the school. I look forward to meeting you. |
Mr. A.Velasco, Headmaster. | |
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St.Christopher's is a traditional co-educational Preparatory school for boys and girls from 3-11 years, which stands in it's own grounds in the heart of Beckenham. The Georgian building dates back to circa 1750 and remained the home of the Cator family up until 1893, when it became The Hall School, a school for girls. It amalgamated with another local school, St.Christopher's, in 1926. Today the school has been extended and updated to provide more classrooms, a specially equipped art room, school library and a superb multi-functional hall. There are two classes in each year group with a maximum of 18 children in each. In Kindergarten and Reception, classroom assistants support form teachers. |
Enid Blyton was Head Girl at St.Christopher's from 1913 to 1914, whilst Sir Edmund Hillary made the school his first port of call when he returned to England, having conquered Everest in 1953. Samuel Johnson was reputed to have spent the night at The Hall, and legend has it that Thomas Campbell composed Ye Mariners of England whilst sitting under the tulip tree, which, to this day, stands in our grounds by the lower playground. | |
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The Curriculum |
From Reception upwards children are taught English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education, History and Geography. French is also included in the curriculum from Reception as is Art, Drama, Music and Physical Education, all delivered by specialist staff.
Regular outings and trips are arranged termly to support the class curriculum. Outside guests are also invited to school to address the children on a range of topics and interests. |
Each child's progress is carefully assessed and monitored during the year. A weekly grading programme provides an ongoing record of acheievment while examinations and parents' evenings afford regular indications of academic standards. |
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The Kindergarten |
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The children start Lower Kindergarten in the term in which they are three. Classes are small, and staff to pupil ratio high. During the early years, education through activity and play is encouraged. Children in addition are taught the basic skills leading to reading, writing and number work. This fun, 'hands-on' approach provides an essential foundation on which to build as the children progress through the school. |
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Children in the Lower Kindergarten move to the Upper Kindergarten class in the September following their third birthday. The Foundation years, which include Kindergarten, has recently been inspected and given an excellent report in all nominated areas of learning.
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The Lower School (Reception to Y2) |
The children from Reception age not only cover the National Curriculum subject areas, but work to a level beyond its statutory requirements as they progress towards competitive entry in Year 6. Monitoring takes the form of S.A.T.'s at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) prior to the transfer into the Prep School at Year 3. Subjects are taught by fully qualified class teachers who are responsible for overall pastoral care. Specialist teachers take on the charge for Music, French and P.E.
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The development of reading is considered the most important discipline. We believe that children who enjoy reading are equipped for lifelong learning. St.Christopher's aims to foster this belief in every child. During the reception years from Reception to Year 2, the children progress both academically and socially in a warm and friendly environment. They become confident in their own abilities and develop into individuals in their own right. |
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The Preparatory School (Yr 3 - Yr 6) |
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From Year 3, the curriculum broadens. The core subjects of Maths, English, NVR, VR and Science are monitored especially closely as entrance to Senior schools is dependent upon performance in these areas. Regular NFER scores are published throughout the Prep school as feedback for parents. High standards are expected and achieved. Over the last two years over twenty academic scholarships have been awarded for 11+ candidates along with four music scholarships and four sports scholarships at competitive independent senior schools. Entry has also been gained to selective grammar schools such as Dartford, St. Olave’s, Judd and Newstead Woods. |
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St.Christopher's children have been either offered or accepted places at 11+ at the following schools :
Alleyn’s Baston School Belmont, Mill Hill Junior School Blackheath High School Bromley High School City of London School Colfe's School Croydon High School Dartford Grammar School Dulwich College Eltham College
Emmanuel Farringtons & Stratford House School Holy Trinity College James Allen's Girls' School
The Judd School Newstead Wood School
Royal Russell
St.Dunstan's College
St. Olave’s Sydenham High School Trinity School Wilmington Grammar School |
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