A knowledgeable visitor said to me recently: ‘Lots of schools talk about how they preserve childhood through 11+, but you actually do it’.
It was so gratifying to have public affirmation of our aspirations for the girls. Taking advantage of the choice that 11+ affords, they move on to a plethora of prestigious senior schools. Note – always the right school, with the child’s personality and profile at the centre of school decisions.
However, we will not, and do not, sacrifice childhood on the altar of ambition. Every girl’s life continues to be enriched, as it has been from Reception upwards, by a curriculum broad in span and ambition.
Yes, the cornerstones of any school curriculum are there: building expertise in English and Maths remains at the core. Yet, each girl has immersion in STEM, Technology, Music, Art, Sport, Drama, Languages, Humanities, and excitingly now, Chess and Philosophy.
Teaching and Learning are driven by our Making Thinking Visible programme, adopted from Harvard’s Project Zero. All of this is supplemented by our extensive clubs’ programme. The girls are invited to have a go, take risks, unfettered by arbitrary limits or the spectre of perfectionism.
Recognising that striving and challenge need to be nurtured by a culture of kindness, understanding and self-regulation, our bespoke pastoral curriculum – the St C’s Way – builds the girls’ formidable powers of reflection and altruism. Habits for learning and life.
Such breadth of experience ignites passions for a lifetime and the opportunity culture for girls within the school allows them to nurture agility, problem solving and resilience. They truly believe #thisgirlcan.
A happy transition to senior school is the culmination of what we call our ‘seven-year plan’, expert academic and pastoral education bringing each girl to their primary peak in Year 6.
St Christopher’s is truly irresistible – please come and see for yourselves!
Mark Maddocks
Head