Cambridge Education Guide

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AUTUMN/wiNTer 2013

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Cambridge Education Guide | 2013 | 3

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EDITORIALEditor Nicola Foley 01223 499459 [email protected]

Contributor Charlotte Phillips

ADvERTIsINgKey accounts manager Julie skeet 01223 499464 [email protected]

Senior sales executive Claire Mcgrath 01223 499461 [email protected]

Senior sales executive Lucy Nelson 01223 499451 [email protected]

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PubLIsHINg DIRECTORsAndy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450

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4 | Cambridge Education Guide | 2013

A s a brand, Cambridge is virtually unbeatable, an internationally renowned

centre of learning whose name is shorthand for everything that is the best in education.

And while the university remains, inevitably, our single most famous institution, the phenomenal selection of schools and colleges in the area – fast gaining a nationwide and increasingly

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international reputation as centres of excellence in their own right – is a huge draw for families moving into the area.

Recent league tables based on 2013 16 and 18 plus exam results placed many of our schools amongst the highest performing in the country – several in the top 20 – and, in the case of IB results, up with the best in the world.

Sparkling exam grades may be one part of the story, but it is how pupils

accomplish the journey there that really counts. While they may be handing laurels out to their pupils, schools certainly aren’t sitting on theirs. Instead, they constantly revisit the way they do things to ensure that from first lesson to final exam, pupils are encouraged to do more than they ever thought they could.

It’s about putting a premium not just on developing intellectual curiosity and independence of thought in the

welcome

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Many of our schools are amongst the highest

performing in the UK

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classroom, but developing a buzz out of it, too, encouraging pupils to discover not just what they can do but who they are.

Lessons themselves are a far cry from what many parents will remember as the chalk and talk approach. Instead, as the Stephen Perse Foundation’s website stresses, the emphasis is on questioning, discussion and debate, a holistic approach that puts the pupil at the centre of the process.

You’ll find traditional subjects with a new twist. Current developments at The Perse School include a switch to the International A level biology syllabus which the school feels is more academically rigorous. At St Faith’s School, meanwhile, languages – Spanish in particular – spill over into other areas of the curriculum like maths and history.

Out of the classroom, too, schools have never offered so much in the way of variety and choice. Sport includes not just the traditional favourites but newer options such as basketball, while the range of clubs and societies is truly mind-boggling, from rocketry and genealogy at The Perse School to bushcraft and survival at St Mary’s. Exceptional performing arts means a stream of top quality plays and concerts, which are frequently sell-out events.

However good the academic teaching and opportunities, schools’ success

starts with happy pupils. In our area, perhaps the biggest selling point of all is the quality of the pastoral care that underpins every other aspect of school life, with nurturing and caring staff who ensure that children are given the support and care they need to flourish – something highlighted in everything from parents’ comments to glowing inspection reports. No wonder property experts report soaring demand for homes close to popular schools.

And the Cambridge phenomenon isn’t just confined to the under 18s. Adult learners, too, are exceptionally well catered for with a range of institutions and courses that cater for all tastes and educational goals.

For some, it’s about developing an interest or skill for pleasure alone, whether creative writing at Madingley

Hall or jewellery making at Cambridge Regional College. For others, it’s about nailing the educational qualifications that, in earlier life, somehow got away, from catch-up GCSEs in core subjects to a full degree at Anglia Ruskin. Add a growing emphasis on flexible learning and the result is a bigger range of adult learning opportunities than ever before.

The upshot is an area teeming with educational possibilities that reach out to everyone, regardless of age, background or aspirations.

Whatever you want to learn, the chances are that you’ll be able to find someone here not just willing to teach it but with such a passion for the subject that students often end up feeling the same way. No wonder one of the reasons people move here is to get their hands on a Cambridge education.

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ContEnts

Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LY01223 353253stmaryscambridge.co.uk

Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8QF01223 403800www.perse.co.uk

St Mary’s School, Cambridge is a Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 4 to 18. Situated in the heart of Cambridge, St Mary’s offers a safe and secure learning environment for girls. The school has a unique atmosphere which supports learning and development, and fosters self-esteem, confidence and friendship.

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The Perse offers a stimulating and rounded education for boys and girls from 3 to 18. Pupils are encouraged to be intellectually curious and enjoy a huge range of exciting extra-curricular activities in a community characterised by encouragement and care, where they can be themselves with confidence. The school has a significant means-tested bursary programme.

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Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AG01223 352073www.stfaiths.co.uk

St Faith’s School is an independent preparatory day school on Trumpington Road for boys and girls aged four to thirteen. The school prides itself on its dynamic community and warm, welcoming personality. It has a reputation for excellent standards, not just academically but across a huge breadth of subjects and activities.

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ContEnts

Friends’ School, Mount Pleas ant Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3EB01799 525351www.friends.org.uk

Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1HF01223 454700www.stephenperse.com

Friends’ School is a lively, caring and vibrant community situated in Saffron Walden, a small market town close to Cambridge. Offering education from Nursery to Sixth Form on one beautiful site, which allows for a seamless transition to each stage: Nursery to Junior, Junior to Senior and Senior to Sixth Form.

The Stephen Perse Foundation is a group of six independent schools in Cambridge, Madingley and Saffron Walden. They provide excellent opportunities for students and achieve exceptional exam results without sticking blindly to the syllabus or cramming facts and figures – what you learn in class is only half the story.

The University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) offers part-time and short courses for adults of all ages, with options ranging from weekends right up to two-year Master’s programmes. Learn from leading Cambridge experts in the beautiful setting of Madingley Hall. Many courses are open to all, with no special entry requirements.

Madingley Hall, Madingley, Cambridge CB23 8AQ01223 746262www.ice.cam.ac.uk

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Institute of Continuing Education

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choosingnvesting in an independent school requires a fair amount of soul-searching,

starting with the financial outlay. Given that school fees are a long-term commitment, it makes sense to know exactly what it is you’re buying into.

While information about fees and exams results is easy to get hold of, families need to be looking deeper, exploring the school’s ethos and the sort of people its pupils become.

Perhaps most important of all, can you visualise your child in a particular school environment? Schools need to be not just good but right for the individual.

For primary age children, the area teams with infant and junior (or pre-prep and prep) schools running to age 11 or 13 and offering a stimulating

learning environment that is also big on nurturing qualities as well. Small class sizes, fantastic facilities and the input of specialists in subjects such as art, sport and music are the big draw for families, together with first class academic results.

Life gets more complicated when it comes to choosing a senior school. Before starting the long trawl through Internet listings and prospectuses, it’s useful to establish a few parameters first to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Is your perfect school highly academic or does it cater for a broader range of abilities? And does the teaching style encourage children to think for themselves, developing critical thinking and problem solving skills that will help them in later life, whatever career path they might choose to

follow? It isn’t just about what they learn but how they learn it – and the inspiration it sparks along the way.

Do you want a single sex or co-ed school and should it be big or small, rural, with acres of grounds or in town, potentially on a more compact site? You might want one school for more than one child or different establishments that match their personalities and interests – artistic, musical, sporty, or a mix of all three.

The way pupils’ moral development and leadership skills are cultivated is also worth thinking about. Pupils may be sports or house captains or prefects, dream up and run their own societies or clubs, organise fundraising events or take part in community initiatives, sometimes through the Duke

the right school

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of Edinburgh Award scheme, helping disadvantaged members of society, either here or overseas. Some schools go one step further and develop their own programmes, with different levels and certificates for completing them.

Good schools aren’t just focused on success, they’re also good when things go wrong. With luck, your child’s school career will be one of unalloyed success. Should the occasional blip occur – and they do, in every school – it’s also essential to find out how they are dealt with. Every school has an anti-bullying policy, for example, but how does this translate into reality? What carrots are on offer to encourage pupils to do their best – and what are the sanctions when they don’t?

Once you are clear about your priorities, you can start to match them with the schools you’re looking at.

Visiting is essential. Open days will give you an overall feel for the school, though they are often on their best behaviour, so it’s always useful to go back on an ordinary day, when it’s business as usual.

And when you’ve narrowed down the options, don’t forget to take your own feelings into account… If your instincts tell you that a school is somewhere your child is likely to be happy, they are probably spot on.

Finding the right school means giving your child life skills that go well beyond the subjects studied. Our area abounds in schools that can instil intellectual curiosity and love of learning, timeless qualities that will stand pupils in good stead whatever the future brings.

the right school

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S

SChoolSt Mary’s

t Mary’s is no ordinary school. In fact, St Mary’s is special. It offers an

extraordinary environment, ethos and education. Everything here is unique, exceptional, much loved and unashamedly tailored for girls. At St Mary’s we embra ce our girls-only roots, confident in the evidence that demonstrates girls thrive personally and academically in a single-sex education environment.

Choosing a school for your daughter is one of the most important decisions you will make. You’ll want to make sure that she will receive the best possible start in life. Evidence shows that girls in single-sex schools like ours not only gain better examination results; they also acquire important life skills which they would find harder to achieve in a co-ed environment. These include confidence, independence, the ability to lead and an instinct to succeed.

We have also remained true to our Catholic heritage and, while we welcome girls from all denominations and faiths, a strong Christian ethos and framework firmly underpin our school.

Our day and boarding provisionFriendly, home-from-home boarding facilities are available on a full-time basis for girls from Year 9 all the way through to the end of Sixth Form, and on a flexible or part-time basis for girls from Year 7. From September 2014, full-time boarding will be available for girls from Year 7.

In the last six years, St Mary’s boarding provision has been twice rated

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Outstanding by Ofsted – the highest grade that can be given.

Our international outlookAt St Mary’s we embrace globalisation, opening our doors to students from different countries and cultures, so that everyone can benefit from diversity.

We are part of a worldwide association of Mary Ward schools and have active links with our sister schools in the UK and Ireland, as well as in Germany and Australia. We also support the work of other Mary Ward schools in Africa and in India.

Our vibrant city locationSt Mary’s sits in the midst of the museums, theatres and concert halls of one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally exciting cities. We have the Cambridge University Botanic Garden on our doorstep and, of course, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, with its beautiful and extraordinary architecture and facilities.

Junior SchoolSt Mary’s Junior School is a welcoming, caring and dynamic environment for your daughter. Our Junior School is a place where she can explore and broaden her interests, build her strengths and gain her independence while developing an enthusiasm for learning, which will stay with her for life.

We are proud of our innovative and creative approach to teaching, based around a carefully developed ‘fusion curriculum’. This uses defined themes, which are interwoven across the whole school curriculum to link core subjects, and enables our girls to gain a rounded academic ability.

Our teaching approach, along with our small class sizes, allows us to provide your daughter with the individual attention that she deserves and needs, as she undertakes her learning journey. We place the utmost importance on emotional support and providing a caring

environment in which your daughter can truly learn, develop and grow.

Our broad curriculum allows our girls to explore and develop all their talents and interests so they can reach their full academic and creative potential. We have made a conscious decision to opt out of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which enables us to develop an Early Year curriculum that right from the start works in harmony with the curriculum approach across the whole school.

Our inspiring school grounds have been carefully designed to enrich the learning experience and we make the most of them by ensuring studies are not restricted to the classroom. We also regularly invite a variety of speakers including musicians, storytellers and inspirational athletes to share their drive, expertise and creativity. Many of our parents share their expertise in their fields of work by contributing to Science Week, Enterprise Week, Language Days and our Art Exhibition.

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Senior School The classrooms at St Mary’s are happy, nurturing environments, where passionate teachers inspire girls to enjoy reaching their academic potential. This is borne out by the results our girls achieve across all academic and creative subjects in their public examinations.

The number of GCSEs each girl takes varies and everyone is encouraged to aim for an achievable balance, taking into account her abilities, interests and aspirations. Final subject choices are made after an individual meeting between the girl, her parents and a member of the Senior Leadership Team and in consultation with our experienced heads of department following the Year 9 Parents’ Evening in February.

This year, 39% of our GCSE and IGCSE grades were A*s - a 4% increase on 2011/12 and an 11% increase on 2010/11. In total, 66% of our GCSE and IGCSE results were A* or A grades with nearly one in three students receiving nine or more A* or A grades.

Sixth FormSt Mary’s Sixth Form offers excellent tuition during what will be two of the most significant years in your daughter’s school career. Our staff provide support and resources to enable every student to flourish both academically and as an individual.

Life in the Sixth Form brings increased responsibility with greater freedom and the opportunity to take a lead in shaping the school community. We encourage and place a great emphasis on independence in the Sixth Form and students will learn the valuable skill of managing workloads as well as extracurricular involvement in preparation for university and future careers.

The curriculum is devised around individual choices and the teaching team works to accommodate each student’s subject combination, no matter how focused or diverse their interests.

This year, 51% of our A-level results were awarded at A* to A grade, with our proportion of A grades increasing by 4%.

A quarter of all St Mary’s A-level students achieved straight A* or A grades in at least three of their subjects. 95% of A level grades were awarded at A* to C and nearly 70% of our girls fell into the government’s ‘high achiever’ category by achieving at least ABB.

Ours is a caring and inclusive school in which we are sure your daughter will thrive and our Christian framework will provide grounding for her education, academic success and future role within society.

CONTACT INFORMATION

How to applyWe would like the opportunity to show you around our school so that you can see for yourself the wonderful environment that we have created. Please contact Assistant Registrar, Jenny Boscoe, to arrange a visit on 01223 224167 or [email protected]


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T

SChoolThe Perse

he Perse School is Cambridge’s oldest secondary school, and is

shortly to celebrate its 400th anniversary. It was founded in 1615 by Dr Stephen Perse, a fellow of Gonville and Caius College, who left a considerable sum to establish a ‘free grammar school’ for pupils from all backgrounds.

Since then The Perse has expanded to offer prep and pre-prep education, yet it remains firmly true to its historic roots. It retains close links with the University of Cambridge, and through its £1 million per annum means-tested bursary programme educates more than 120 pupils whose families would not otherwise be able to afford a Perse education.

The School, which is now fully co-educational, looks confidently to the future, having invested almost £30 million in new facilities over the last decade. At any one time 1500 children enjoy the high-quality education on offer, characterised by academic excellence, extra-curricular achievement and supportive pastoral care.

Girls and boys from 3-18 The Perse is a 3-18 school across three sites, each enjoying green and open surroundings in the southern part of Cambridge, on the doorstep of the University’s biomedical campus. Students

Three quarters of A level and Pre-U entries graded at A* or A.

A* rate at A level nearly five times the national average

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of all ages regularly head out to take full advantage of their enviable location, and academics, researchers, authors, spiritual leaders and entrepreneurs frequently visit the school to share their expertise and inspire students.

With each site only a short way from the others, older students routinely work with younger pupils, acting as positive role models and gaining leadership skills in the meantime. Cross-site activities ensure pupils are well prepared for the move from the Pre-Prep to the Prep at seven, and to the Upper at 11.

Pelican Nursery and Pre-Prep Prep Upper

Head: Sarah Waddington Head: Gareth Jones Head: Ed Elliott

Glebe Road Trumpington Road Hills Road

150 pupils aged 3-7 280 pupils aged 7-111060 pupils aged 11–18, including around 300

in the Sixth Form

Main entry point: Nursery Main entry point: Year 3 Main entry points: Years 7, 9 and Lower Sixth

Where it’s cool to be brightThe Perse is a place where pupils find subjects fascinating and want to go beyond the curriculum, and where success is as likely to be celebrated by classmates as by teachers. As an academically selective school, it follows that pupils are of above-average ability, but more important is that they are intellectually curious. They spark off one another and create a culture of healthy competition, intellectual enquiry and diligence. Teachers are passionate about their subjects and dedicated to getting the best from their pupils: they set stretching expectations and provide encouragement and support.

The ability to navigate complexity, think creatively, focus on what counts and communicate clearly and simply is at the heart of a Perse education.

Three sites, one ethosWhile each part of the school has a distinct personality, all share a common ethos and values. The journey begins at the welcoming Pelican, progressing to the relaxed yet purposeful Prep, and finally onto the vibrant Upper. M

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Choose your adventureThere is a buzz about daily life at The Perse. While the school’s academic credentials are well known, many are surprised to discover the range of its exciting extra-curricular opportunities. Pupils are spoilt for choice in music, drama, dance, sport, outdoor pursuits and vibrant clubs and societies, whether cultivating a particular talent and competing against the best, or taking part for fun. Quality time spent on the pitch, stage, trail and in the studio helps students develop self-confidence, organisational skills and resilience and, more often than not, interests for life.

From Pelicans tasting campfire-toasted marshmallows on their first sleepover, to

sixth formers embarking on a Himalayan trek, the extra-curricular programme turns a Perse education into an adventure.

Down to earth Perse students come from a wide range of social and economic backgrounds thanks to the bursary programme and the selection process, which puts academic ability and potential above all else. This diversity coupled with the school’s size means that however unconventional a child’s interests might appear, they invariably make a like-minded friend.

Students are taught to respect others’ opinions and interests, to be self-assured but not arrogant, and to ensure that while they can make a compelling argument, they also carefully consider an alternative viewpoint. The result is an unpretentious school where children can be themselves with confidence.

Caring for each otherThe school community is characterised by mutual respect, encouragement and care: students look out for one another.

All students are members of a House, which provides opportunities for them to mix with others of different ages. Form teachers, pastoral tutors and teaching assistants provide a listening ear for students and work with parents to ensure pupils are happy and successful.

The sense of solidarity extends beyond the school gates. The Perse has a very active programme of charitable fundraising, and as pupils grow older they have the chance to become involved in the local community and communities further afield, from sharing their subject expertise with primary school pupils or teaching the older generation digital skills, to working in deprived areas overseas.

CONTACT INFORMATION

[email protected] Tel: 01223 403800 The Perse offers means-tested bursaries for families who would not otherwise be able to afford a Perse education, along with a small number of scholarships.www.perse.co.uk Follow the school on Twitter @ThePerseSchool

Joining The Perse All entry points except Lower Sixth: Registrations: by 31 December in the year prior to entry.Entrance test: January of the year of entry.

Lower SixthRegistrations: November in the year prior to entry.Entrance test: End of November in the year prior to entry.

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dynamic community with a warm and welcoming personality, St Faith’s has a

reputation for outstanding standards, not just academically but across a staggering breadth of subjects and activities.

Our distinguished history – together with our reputation for pushing the boundaries of education – has increasingly made St Faith’s the school of choice for parents seeking a rounded education for their children. With a roll of over 500 pupils, we are the largest and, many believe, the best prep school that Cambridge has to offer.

Broad, inclusive and inspiring educationAt St Faith’s we provide a broad, inclusive

and inspiring education for children up to the age of 13 through a diverse and stimulating curriculum and a cherishing Christian environment which quietly underpins everything that we do.

The Good Schools Guide is highly complimentary of St Faith’s and speaks of “a child-centred educational philosophy that turns out sparky individuals with high all-round expectations and the skills to meet them”, and also that “St Faith’s does well for all but can really extend those at the top, encouraging them to achieve at a national level”.

The most recent Independent Schools’ Inspection Report commends, amongst other aspects, the high quality of teaching, excellent academic achievements, the

broad range of extracurricular activities, the effective links with parents and the special care and attention given to each individual child. Very few schools in the country have achieved such an outstanding report.

Leading facilities and spaceOur impressive facilities are set within a tranquil nine-acre site close to both the M11 and the historic Cambridge city centre. State of the art music, computing, design and technology and art departments, modern pre-prep facilities and an unrivalled sports hall complex help to keep the school firmly and confidently amongst the top prep schools in the East of England.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Warm invitation to visit We would be delighted to show you in person why we are so proud of St Faith’s. Please contact our registrar, Anna Cornell, on 01223 352073 to arrange a visit.Find out more information about St Faiths at www.stfaiths.co.uk.

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INdEpENdENT pREp SChOOl FOR GIRlS ANd BOyS AGEd 4 - 13

St Faith’s

St Faith’s is part of the Leys and St Faith’s Schools Foundation. Charity No 1144035

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f

Friends’ SchoolAnnA ChAudhrihead

SaFFron WaldEn

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Working open Mornings

riends’ School is a school with a difference. Small, diverse, vibrant, and located

in the heart of Saffron Walden, just 20 minutes from Cambridge. Friends’ is one of only seven schools in England based on a Quaker foundation and has a tradition of more than 300 years of enlightened education for both boys and girls. The school, however, welcomes students of all faiths, offering education for students aged 3-18 with boarding from age 11.

There are Senior and Junior schools on the same site, which allows for a seamless transition between Years 6 and 7, and also the Nursery and Reception. Moreover, sharing the site means that Senior pupils have opportunities to help out in the Junior School, and Junior pupils have access to specialist teaching in certain areas of the curriculum, such as modern languages and design technology, using the staff and facilities at the Senior School.

A superb new building has recently been constructed to house the Junior School complete with dedicated ‘early years’ facilities, outdoor classroom, art room, library, computer suite and assembly hall, which offers Friends’ youngest

learners the best possible start. There is also a Forest School which is used by all sections of the school, from the youngest, to the biology A-level students for their fieldwork.

Pastoral care at the school is excellent because the caring staff get to know each pupil well and there is always a listening ear or a helping hand in both the day and boarding schools. There is also a medical centre at the school that is staffed by two qualified nurses.

The school has an excellent record of achievement at both GCSE and A level, with a wide choice of subject options available. There is an extensive programme of extra-curricular and weekend activities for boarders and day pupils in the Senior School and many popular clubs for younger pupils, including swimming club, art and architecture and photography club. Late-stay provision is included in the fees and available until 5.45pm for both Nursery and Junior School pupils.

The School has a number of mini buses, two of which serve the Cambridge area, with another taking students to and from Audley End station, Saffron Walden’s closest train station.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Visit Friends’ on their next Open Morning, call Alison Stanbury on 01799 525351, or email [email protected] for further information or to make an appointment. Friends’ School, Mount Pleas ant Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3EBwww.friends.org.uk

12 March 2014 9.30AM-12PM21 May 2014 9.30AM-12PM

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Stephen Perse

he Stephen Perse Foundation is a group of six independent schools in Cambridge,

Madingley and Saffron Walden. Founded in 1881 as the Perse School for Girls, we have always been in the forefront of education developments, providing the best opportunities for our students. You may know us as the school that inspired St Trinian’s. We are not quite like that now, but our historical roots are important to our current developments.

We already have a co-educational pre-prep and sixth form and are developing a diamond model of schooling to enable boys to join our Junior school from 2014 and our Senior school from 2018. In 2013 we merged with the highly successful Dame Bradbury’s prep school and nursery in Saffron Walden.

Our vision is to push the boundaries of pedagogy in order to equip our students to face the unknown as well as the known challenges of the future. We achieve exceptional examination results but our focus is never the exam. We base our approach to education around the needs of the individual – put simply, we always start with the child and are committed to breadth of learning all the way through from age three to 18.

Combined with talented students and the opportunities afforded in Cambridge, we have the leading results in the region at GCSE, A level and International Baccalaureate Diploma, in fact our IB results in 2013 were the joint highest in the world. We were awarded the Sunday Times Parent Power IB School of the Year in 2010 and 2013 in recognition of the amazing work of our students and teachers.

Foundation

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“IB SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2013”

We believe it is right to look first at the student’s potential. When applying to study with us you will not simply be sat in a room to answer an examination paper and then have an interview. Rather, we want to talk to you about any school experience so far and see what we can understand about how you work and think. Having lots of knowledge is great but it is not the same as the ability to use information and to think flexibly. It is often said that people need to learn to think outside of the box. We agree.

Learning takes place throughout life – children are far more than a simple list of subjects! That is why there are plenty of project days and events to enjoy, particularly in the junior years before there is any worry about examinations. Even when GCSEs start to kick in, we still have lots of opportunity for learning that is not tested and where there is no formal homework.

School years should be rich in opportunity as well as challenge. That’s why, no matter whether you are looking at our pre-preps (in Cambridge, Saffron Walden or Madingley), Junior Schools (in

Cambridge or Saffron Walden), Senior School or Sixth Form College, there is something for everyone to enjoy outside of ‘normal classes’. Join our orchestra as a beginner or as a soloist in one of our concerts in West Road Concert Halls, an act on stage in one of our libraries or in our main hall, or the Mumford Theatre perhaps. Maybe it is an overseas adventure for language learning – how does Japan take you, or maybe closer to home in Spain? What about an outreach project here in Cambridge in our local community or perhaps overseas in Kenya in our rural, partnership school?

Sport is important to us – both on our main sites and at Latham Road on our all-weather pitches. Canoeing from our jetty on the Cam (just walk through our own nature reserve to find it), hockey, cricket, netball, football or perhaps an individual or small-group sport – golf, equestrian or sailing maybe? We like to think there is a place for all abilities – we have absolute beginners and we have national champions.

We are a community of learners.

Teachers, students and support staff are all integral to realising this vision for education and all are learners. Digital technology is integral to realising our vision, although it is just one tool amongst many.

It is all about learning, it is not all about technology. The digital world is, however, a major gateway to the world of learning and to global connectivity. We rolled out iPads for all of our Senior School students in 2012 and to the Sixth Form in 2013. Dame Bradbury’s, the Junior School and Pre-Prep also use iPads and iPad minis. Our iBooks and iTunes U courses are the next phase along with app creation and coding – everyone from Juniors up is involved.



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Entrance tests for Junior School Year 3

Entrance tests for Junior School Year 6 and Senior School Years 8 and 10

Entrance tests for Senior School Year 9

Entrance tests for Senior School Year 7

Entrance tests for Junior School Years 4 and 5

Spring Concert at West Road Concert Hall**

Special open day events at Dame Bradbury’s

IB Summer Art Exhibition**

GCSE and A level Art Exhibitions**

CONTACT INFORMATION

To see how we work in practice, do come to one of our open days or get in touch with the admissions office to arrange a private visit. Your preconceptions are unlikely to last out the visit. To book a place at any of our events, arrange an individual tour of the school or to make an appointment, please contact: Ali Gallagher, Admissions RegistrarTelephone: 01223 454722 Email: [email protected] Perse Foundation, Union Road, Cambridge, CB2 1HFwww.stephenperse.com

*If places are still available, we welcome applications throughout the spring and summer terms.**These events are open to the public by prior arrangement. Please contact the Foundation Office (01223 454723 or [email protected]) for further information.

Junior School Taster Visit for boys and girls

looking at Year 3 entry and for girls looking at Year 4 entry for September 2014.

Application deadlines for Stephen Perse

Foundation Junior School and Stephen Perse Foundation Senior School*.

30 November 2013

Key dates:

13 December 2013

There are a number of places where you can find out more:

www.stephenperse.com is our main website – the ‘about us’ and ‘news’ sections are a good place to startwww.stephenpersefoundationlearning.com is our showcase of learning and our approach.www.damebradburys.com – is our school in Saffron Walden.stephenperse.wordpress.com is our principal’s blog and is an expression on the ethos or the schoolwww.youtube.com/user/TheStephenperse – our school YouTube channel.www.flickr.com/photos/stephenperse/sets – a selection of images from activities and trips on our Flickr account.stephenperse.tumblr.com – our Pre-Prep school has its own Tumblr blog feed to show the daily life of learning from our youngest pupils.

We maintain an extensive range of Twitter feeds, several of which are embedded in our website.


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DIRECTORY

Brandeston Hall Age range: 2½-13Description: An independent prep school in Suffolk for boys and girls, set in beautiful surroundings. Takes boarders.Address: Brandeston Hall, Brandeston, Suffolk, IP13 7AHTel: 01728 685331www.framcollege.co.uk/brandeston-hall

dame BradBury’s scHoolAge range: 3-11Description: An independent school in Saffron Walden for boys and girls.Address: Ashdon Road, Saffron Walden CB10 2ALTel: 01799 522348www.dame bradburys.com

steiner scHoolAge range: 3-12Description: An independent school based on the principles of Rudolf Steiner, helping individuals to discover a love of learning to last a lifetime, with a focus on creativity.Address: Hinton Road, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5DZTel: 01223 882727www.cambridge-steiner-school.co.uk

directoryfor schools

Heritage scHoolAge range: 3-11Description: An independent day school for boys and girls in Cambridge. With small class sizes and a focus on more than just good exam results.Address: 19 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JETel: 01223 350615www.heritageschool.org.uk

King’s college scHoolAge range: 4-13Description: A leading independent day and boarding school for boys and girls, just a brisk walk away from King’s College. Ideal for musically gifted children.Address: West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DNTel: 01223 365814www.kcs.cambs.sch.uk

KimBolton scHoolAge range: 4-18Description: An HMC independent school for boys and girls, located on the borders of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. Boarding starts at age 11.Address: Kimbolton, Huntingdon PE28 0EATel: 01480 860505www.kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk

tHe leysAge range: 11-18Description: An independent school in Cambridge for boys and girls. Takes boarders. Address: Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 7ADTel: 01223 508904www.theleys.net

camBridge international scHoolAge range: 3-16Description: An independent school enabling children to learn within an international environment and be exposed to other languages and cultures. Address: Cherry Hinton Hall, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge CB1 8DWTel: 01223 416938www.cambridgeinternationalschool.co.uk

sancton Wood scHoolAge range: 3-16Description: An independent girls and boys

school, housed in a beautiful building, with a focus on small class sizes.

Address: 2 St Paul’s Road, Cambridge CB1 2EZTel: 01223 471703www.sanctonwood.co.uk

King’s elyAge range: 3-18

Description: A co-ed day and boarding school in the cathedral

city of Ely. One of the oldest schools in the world, it offers a nursery, reception class, junior and senior school, plus an international schoolAddress: Barton Road, Ely CB7 4DBTel: 01353 660700www.kingsely.org

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DIRECTORY

St Bede’S School Age range: 11-16 Description: An inter-church school particularly serving C of E and Roman Catholic families in the region. Address: Birdwood Road, Cambridge CB1 3TD Tel: 01223 568816 www.st-bedes.org.uk

Framlingham collegeAge range: 13-18Description: An independent college in Suffolk for boys and girls, set in beautiful surroundings. Takes boarders.Address: College Road, Framlingham, Woodbridge IP13 9EYTel: 01728 723789www.framcollege.co.uk

camBridge UtcAge range: 14-16Description: A brand new technical college opening in 2014 designed to train and inspire tomorrow’s scientists.Address: The Deakin Learning Centre, Addenbrooke’s, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQTel: 01223 969004www.utccambridge.co.uk

hillS road Sixth Form collegeAge range: 16-19Description: A highly-regarded state sixth form college for boys and girls, providing students with a broad education in preparation for a university placement and future career.Address: Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8PE

Tel: 01223 247251www.hillsroad.ac.uk

camBridge regional collegeAge range: 16 and aboveDescription: One of the largest further education colleges in the region, with excellent facilities. Offers a range of apprenticeships, adult learning and higher education courses.Address: Science Park Campus, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2QTTel: 01223 418200www.camre.ac.uk

impington Village collegeAge range: 11 and aboveDescription: A respected state school, with an outstanding sixth form and state-of-the-art sports facilities.Address: New Road, Impington CB24 9LXTel: 01223 200400www.impington.cambs.sch.uk

camBridge centre For Sixth Form StUdieSAge range: 16-19Description: Through creating a personalised, fair and supportive environment, CCSS helps prepare students for further education and adult life beyond.Address: 4-5 Bene’t Place, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1ELTel: 01223 716890www.ccss.co.uk

St andrew’S collegeAge range: 16-19Description: A co-ed independent sixth form college with boarding and day places.

A level, GCSE and University Foundation Courses offered.Address: 89 Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1AWTel: 01223 358073www.standrewscambridge.co.uk

BellerByS collegeAge range: Not specifiedDescription: An experienced international college, helping students achieve their potential and access some of the top universities. Set over two campuses. Address: Queens Campus, Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LUTel: 0800 6345522www.bellerbys.com

la danteAge range: AllDescription: An Italian and English cultural study centre, offering courses and workshops by highly qualified tutors.Address: The Lodge, Hawthorn Way, Cambridge CB4 1BTTel: 01223 315191www.ladante-in-cambridge.org

Schoolblazer.com

Description: a leading supplier of high-quality school uniforms and sportswear, using high-performance materials to ensure durability and washability. Free name-tagging. register online, choose your product(s), place your order and they’ll be delivered to your door.www.schoolblazer.com

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ADULT

hile nationally there’s been a drop in the number of adult learners, you’ll

hear little in the way of pessimism from organisations in our area.

Even though in Cambridge itself fewer adult learners have been signing up, with numbers down by 3,000 across the East of England as a whole, there’s a distinctly upbeat mood.

Flexibility is growing and there’s been substantial investment in facilities, including £80 million over five years at Anglia Ruskin and £23 million at Cambridge Regional College (CRC).

Add the greater range of courses and flexibility of learning options than ever before and the sense of optimism isn’t hard to understand.

Anyone seeking a mind-expanding experience in our area is spoiled for choice. And for the many time-short, commitment-heavy locals the news is even better, with opportunities for online and distance learning – one of the most significant recent developments – enabling those with work or family responsibilities, who would struggle with conventional college-based programmes, to plan their study round their lives.

Students at Anglia Ruskin University have a choice of 300 short,

undergraduate and post-graduate courses across its three campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford and Peterborough, including 50 distance learning options, while at Hills Road adult education students can, for the first time, enrol online, making the process quicker and simpler than ever before.

Everywhere you go, the breadth of ways to learn is matched by the subjects on offer. At Hills Road, qualifications on offer range from GCSE and IGCSE essentials covering English, maths and Spanish, to an AS line-up that now includes Latin, AQA level 2 to 4 in counselling and a brand new Access to Bioscience course.

You can gain Higher National Certificates and Diplomas at CRC, which come complete with a low price tag, ensuring welcome affordability at

a time of general belt-tightening. At Madingley Hall, home of the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education, the breathtakingly wide menu ranges from two-year master’s degrees to summer schools, with International Relations, creative writing and English amongst the subjects on offer. More accessible options include certificates in everything from philosophy to evolutionary biology, equating to a first year undergraduate programme, while diplomas and advanced diplomas

education

adultEduCation

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Going back to school can broaden horizons

or fulfil a long-held dream

are on a par with second and final year degree study respectively.

Why study? For some, it’s about acquiring formal qualifications to move their lives in new directions. For others, it’s about getting the chance to explore a subject or topic in more depth. Not for nothing are business-related courses increasing in number and range. You only have to look at the entrepreneurial spirit that’s been driving so much of our area’s recent growth to understand their appeal.

At Hills Road, courses on building your own website and InDesign for beginners – software designed to give a professional edge to publications – are amongst those proving a hit with students. At CRC and Anglia Ruskin, too, budding business magnates are also increasing in number.

For many students, going back to school again isn’t just about broadening educational horizons but about fulfilling a long-held dream, making more of a much loved hobby – or acquiring a useful skill.

The blend of the practical and creative is also exemplified by CRC’s most popular courses amongst its 6,000 part-time students – plastering, photography, plumbing and jewellery making.

So whether it’s a bicycle maintenance course at CRC or an insight into creative writing, offered at Hills Road as well as Madingley Hall, our local adult learning establishments quite definitely aren’t standing still. Mind you, with high energy options including yoga and ballroom dancing (both on the menu at Hills Road) nor are their students.

adultEduCation

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A

Institute of Continuing Education AT MAdInGlEy HAll

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A

Dates for your diary 13 January 2014: New weekly classes begin 21 January 2014: Public lecture: ‘Imagination: the door to identity’ 16 March 2014: Afternoon of free events in the Cambridge Science Festival 1 April 2014: Applications open for part-time Certificate and Diploma courses 1 April 2014: Application deadline for part-time Master’s degrees 17 April 2014: Open day at Madingley Hall

re you searching for a part-time or short course in your local area? Would you like

to study with the University of Cambridge but aren’t sure where to begin? Perhaps you’re looking to progress your career with a part-time qualification?

The Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) offers you a chance to study at the University of Cambridge. It offers hundreds of courses for adults of all ages, with options ranging from weekends right up to two-year Master’s programmes.

• Flexible study options allow you to combine classes with other commitments

• Many courses are open to all, with no special entry requirements

• Choose from a huge variety of academic subjects, from ancient history to astronomy

• Learn from leading Cambridge University lecturers and researchers

• Study at Madingley Hall, a beautiful 16th century mansion near Cambridge

Contact us today and speak to one of our friendly advisors to find the right course for you.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact us• Online: www.ice.cam.ac.uk/2014 • Telephone: +44 (0)1223 746262• Email: [email protected]

AT MAdingley HAll

AdvERTIsEMENT FEATuRE

Institute of Continuing Education

What our students say“I would encourage anyone to

get into Madingley. It does not judge you on what you have or haven’t got as qualifications. It listens to the concerns of those like me who lack initial confidence and it has opened up for me the world of English literature.” JMcG, Diploma in English Literature

“Studying with ICE provides an enjoyable opportunity to engage with up-to-date academic ideas in a variety of disciplines, with like-minded people, guided by enthusiastic and knowledgeable lecturers.” LS, Certificate in Genetics

“The Madingley environment is unique, providing excellent teaching, superb food and the opportunity to meet people with diverse interests in the most beautiful, peaceful surroundings.” BR, weekend student

How to find usThe Institute of Continuing Education is based at Madingley Hall (CB23 8AQ), three miles west of Cambridge. It is easily accessible from the M11, A14 and A428, and London airports, with ample free parking. See www.ice.cam.ac.uk/directions.

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dirECtory

Hills RoadDescription: A well-regarded centre of learning in Cambridge, offering classes in recreational, academic and vocational subjects. Classes include arts, languages, tech subjects and hobbies Check site for details on enrolment sessions.Address: Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge CB2 8PETel: 01223 247251www.hrsfc.ac.uk

CRCDescription: Study part-time on a range of courses, from leisure to professional qualifications. Make use of their modern facilities to enhance your skills, gain a professional qualification, start a new career or ease yourself back into education. Classes include DIY, British Sign Language, beauty and more.Address: Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2QTTel: 01223 418200www.camre.ac.uk

directoryof Adult Education

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dirECtory

Parkside FederationDescription: Courses run in the evenings, daytime and at weekends, at various locations throughout the city. Address: Parkside Federation, Parkside, Cambridge CB1 1EHTel: 01223 712600www.parksidefederation.org.uk

oPen UniversityDescription: Get back into education at the Open University, which has its East of England headquarters in Cambridge. Offering face-to-face, email, online and phone-based tutorials in around 600 subjects.Address: Cintra House, 12 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1PFTel: 01223 361851www3.open.ac.uk

First intUitionDescription: For CIMA, ACCA, AAT and ICAEW courses, taught by staff with a wealth of experience in accountancy training.Address: 35 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1NTTel: 01223 360405 www.firstintuition.co.uk

anglia rUskinDescription: Offering continued professional development courses in health, education, social care, science and technology. Full and part-time.Check site for details on open daysAddress: East Road, Cambridge CB1 1PTTel: 01245 686868www.anglia.ac.uk

alliance FrancaisDescription: Group classes, private classes, conversation classes and more, designed to help your knowledge of the French language.Check site for details on enrolment. Address: 60 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1LATel: 01223 561854www.alliance-cam.co.uk

la dante Description: An Italian and English cultural centre, offering courses and workshops by highly-qualified Italian tutors, plus wine tastings, Italian cooking courses and other cultural events.Address: The Lodge, Hawthorn Way, Cambridge CB4 1BTTel: 01223 315191www.ladante-in-cambridge.org

sPanish amigos Description: Specialising in teaching everyday Spanish, Spanish Amigos in Cambridge was set up by Lory Peresson.Address: 47-51 Norfolk Street, Cambridge CB1 2LDTel: 07882 404064www.spanishamigos.co.uk

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www.bright-publishing.com www.cambsedition.co.uk

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Cambridge Education Guide

Documents

Transcript of Cambridge Education Guide