St Paul’s Girls’ School is an extraordinary school, offering a classical yet forward-thinking education. A shared love of academic discovery is enriched by broad co-curricular provision, the kindest and most individual of pastoral care and a commitment to partnerships and service to others. As soon as you walk through the door of St Paul’s you feel its warmth and creative energy. Ours is a welcoming and vibrant community, where laughter, friendships and activity abound. A network of support is combined with a liberal ideology; we have no uniform, few rules and relationships are relaxed, yet respectful. Students are given the freedom to embrace their individuality, develop their own interests and discover their potential. A shared enthusiasm for academic endeavour lies at the heart of our school. Students are encouraged to think deeply and explore ideas beyond the curriculum. Outside of the classroom, rich and varied co-curricular provision caters to all passions and hobbies. Music and drama are open to all and are performed to a very high standard. The art studio is an oasis of creative energy and sport is played with verve and distinction. There is never a dull moment at St Paul’s! Our pastoral programme aims to help our students develop into active, empathetic leaders. I am continually inspired by the passion and dedication our students display, from the many initiatives launched by SPEAC (St Paul’s Environmental Action Committee) to the tireless fundraising efforts of the Charities Committee. Our partnerships, volunteering and service programmes are central to school life, and students are encouraged to engage with the world around them. Our bursary scheme provides us with a wonderful opportunity to offer the full breadth of our education to talented students whatever their background, and to enrich the school beyond measure with their energy and inspiration. A St Paul’s education is rich in possibility and opportunity. Over the years our alumnae have contributed significantly on a national and global stage. From access to an incredible range of visiting speakers to an extensive careers and higher education programme, an education at St Paul’s is an extraordinary preparation for life. I hope our website will give you some insight into life at St Paul’s. I look forward also to welcoming to you to one of our open days, where you will be able to discover the school for yourself. 11+ Assesses English, Maths, Comprehension, Interview

Welcome to Stockport Grammar Junior School, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere where children make friends with ease, enjoy their learning and develop confidence. This website will provide you with a flavour of our school but it is impossible to describe all the things which make it special. I hope that you will want to come and see us in action for yourself and to meet some of our happy and enthusiastic children and hear about their many achievements across such a wide variety of activities. School is about having the support, encouragement and challenge, both inside and outside the classroom, to make the most of the wide range of opportunities on offer. We pay close attention to the needs of each individual child, developing their abilities, character and confidence. We want Stockport Grammar School pupils to grow up with confidence and an enthusiasm for learning, to enjoy success with humility, to strive for high standards in everything they do without fear of failure and without feeling under undue pressure. We want them to develop consideration for others and to learn respect both for themselves and for those around them and, above all, to be happy. Underpinning our approach to school are five key values: * Enthusiasm – We approach life with optimism, energy and excitement * Resilience – We work hard and stick with things when they are difficult. We persevere when we get things wrong. * Curiosity – We are interested in things. We want to know more and find out ‘why?’ * Togetherness – We work as a team, we celebrate the achievements of everyone and we help those in need. * Respect – We think about the thoughts and feelings of others to help us be kind and make the right decisions. Academic results are high but it is also important to us that we provide a broad and enriching curriculum and a very wide ranging co-curricular offering – every week in school there are numerous opportunities for the children to immerse themselves in sport, music, drama and a huge range of clubs. Specialist teaching rooms for ICT, Science, Music, Art and Design and Technology and shared use of an all-weather pitch, swimming pool, sports hall and extensive playing fields with the Senior School ensure that the children have the very best resources to support their learning. Year 3 and Up Assesses Day in school. During the morning they undertake assessments in: * English: reading and creative writing * Maths

This is an important moment for Stowe as we look ahead to the next 100 years and it is with great enthusiasm that we present our vision for the Stowe Group. Change Makers effect a lasting and positive impact on their school and society. Stowe’s history of progressive and enlightened thinking has inspired our strategic planning which has been developed in extensive collaboration with pupils, teachers, support staff, parents and governors. It is our ambition to create Change Makers: future-proofing pupils so that they are agile, ambitious and ready to face the challenges presented by a volatile, unstable, complex and challenging world. Our pupils will continue to excel in exams and will compete for places at the most competitive universities, but they will also be furnished with a tool-kit which prepares them not just for a life of tests, but the tests of life. Stowe has been sustained by the strength of our proposition: we firmly believe that everyone has the potential for excellence – the jewel within – waiting to be unearthed, burnished and then dazzling the world. Stowe is set in the most sublime surroundings and is the most perfectly preserved example of the jardin anglais. The place is infused with the spirit of the Enlightenment which balances rights and responsibilities, equality and inclusion, so that we treat each and every pupil as individuals. We are committed to academic excellence in teaching and learning and pupils routinely exceed initial expectations. Intellectual enquiry, academic curiosity and love of learning lie at the heart of education in the Stowe Group. The curriculum has been carefully designed to promote critical thinking, independent learning, creativity, innovation, breadth and depth. We stretch and challenge Change Makers to prepare them for entry to the best universities in the world and equip them to flourish and thrive as adults. The Stowe Award encourages everyone to participate in sport, art, drama, music, taking advantage of the plethora of exciting co-curricular opportunities: we want Change Makers to experience the state of flow which comes from complete immersion in an activity or task. There is a strong tradition of service as pupils develop a lasting sense of moral and spiritual responsibility within a caring pastoral environment: Change Makers consider the rights and needs of others and strive to become the best version of themselves: their aim is to make the world a better place. Change 100 demonstrates the Stowe Group’s commitment to social mobility by raising an endowment of £100m to fully fund 100 life-changing bursaries. These bursaries create transformational opportunities for pupils who would not otherwise be able to access a Stowe education. The Stowe Group benefits from this influx of talent and society gains as our Change 100 beneficiaries fulfil their potential to become Change Makers. A culture of continuous improvement has fuelled our success – a commitment to local, national and international partnerships; engaging in dialogue with all our stakeholders, responding positively to constructive criticism and using marginal gain theory to measure incremental progress; a belief that intelligence is not fixed – everyone is born curious and we learn through trial and error; learning is learnable and we can succeed and flourish if we develop the appropriate competencies and skills. The best teachers inspire their pupils by lighting fires, not filling buckets, and we take pride in our culture of coaching and mentoring – the guide by the side, not the sage on stage. Character can be taught, sought and caught when schools prioritise virtues such as grit, resilience, conscientiousness, empathy, gratitude, humility and respect. Everyone understands that it is what we are able do for ourselves which determines our levels of success: we abhor a culture of learned dependency while ensuring that pupils and staff have the support they need to thrive. Our signature Wellness Programme helps everyone develop their self-awareness and emotional health. Stowe’s talented and committed workforce is our greatest strength: teachers pass on their love of learning by providing expert subject knowledge and guidance in a safe, nurturing environment which prioritises pastoral care, personal development and individual well-being. The Stowe Group recruits, retains and develops outstanding teachers and support staff who work to deliver the Change Maker ethos: we change ourselves, then change others and together we can change the world. Places Available at 13+ 180 13+ Assesses ISEB Common Pretest

Happiness and achievement go hand in hand. Whatever her ability, tailored academic interventions by specialist staff and bespoke learning plans ensure our girls achieve. The well-being of every girl is paramount. We talk to each child daily, encouraging her to share thoughts and feelings with staff trained to recognise behavioural and emotional changes. Our Prep School’s classrooms and outdoor areas are spacious and inviting, and we have many exciting opportunities for our girls to develop their physical, social, emotional and intellectual skills through a wide range of activities. “Pupils’ attitudes to learning are outstanding, both when collaborating and when working independently.” ISI report, 2019 Girls can join the Prep School in three key intake points – Nursery (3+) , Reception (4+) and Year 3 (7+). Because girls develop intellectually and socially earlier than boys of the same age, our girls in our Prep School are never held back from their aspirations or abilities. Buoyant, confident and unafraid to fail, our girls represent the true meaning of our motto ‘towards wisdom, unafraid’. Our girls enjoy a broadly intellectual and well-rounded education. We create a vibrant, stimulating curriculum, tailored to fit the needs of the individual, ensuring girls succeed in a myriad of different subjects. A diverse spectrum of enrichment activities provide unlimited opportunity to develop new skills and confidence. We believe that all members of the school should be inspired to outperform expectations on a daily basis. The pursuit of excellence is thus a defining feature of our Senior School. This is reflected in our examination results, which place us in the top tier of independent schools nationally. We nurture our girls to attain success across the widest spectrum of activity, extending far beyond the conventional ‘academic’ horizon. In so doing, they learn the beauty of reason, the allure of the aesthetic, and the vitality of the physical throughout their secondary education. “Pupils excel across a wide range of academic, sporting and creative activities.” ISI Report, 2019 Education at our Senior School Our girls, whether they are very able or late developers, learn to navigate the landscape of the human spirit and achieve beyond the realms of expectation. Girls are encouraged to try new subjects, taking a broad-minded view of learning, and as our girls advance, they enjoy progressively more independence throughout their secondary education at our Senior School. We support them in feeling confident in their own choices and teach them the skills they need for a constantly changing world. Throughout their education, SCHS girls benefit from subject-specialist teachers and the experts who teach them fundamental study skills whilst capturing their imaginations. 7+ Assesses Maths, English, Team Building Activity 11+ Assesses ISEB Common Pretest

Welcome to Sutton Grammar School, a thriving state-funded selective school situated in the centre of Sutton, with excellent transport links by bus and train. We take 135 boys each year into Year 7, and the vast majority will stay at the school for seven years. Other students join the school in the Sixth Form; each year, we plan to take about thirty extra students (boys or girls) into Year 12. The students get excellent results in academic exams, but just as important is that they leave the school confident, articulate young people. They have a balance of qualifications, skills and experiences that prepare them well for entry to leading universities and professional careers. Our school puts the nurture of its students’ welfare on par with the nurture of their intellect. We value breadth in studies; there is strong support for the arts and sports and for students maintaining a broad range of subjects throughout their time at the school, including in the Sixth Form, where four subjects at A-level is the average load for each student. Extra-curricular activities are a noteworthy part of school life. There are many opportunities to participate in music, drama and sport, and we have a large voluntary CCF. You can learn electronics in early release time and do STEM projects in Key Stage 4. Our students also produce several high-quality publications and multimedia work. We have enjoyed great success in national competitions in science, technology and maths. One feature that contributes to the very positive ethos within the school is our size. The dedicated staff know the boys well, and fantastic pastoral care is given the proper priority to ensure that boys are stretched academically but are cared for as well. Where it is needed, there is expertise in supporting special needs. This is an excellent school for academic students – kind, inclusive and dynamic, with many opportunities for personal development. Every one of our students and their parents are proud to be a member of our community. Places Available at 11+ 135 11+ Assesses Selective Eligibility Test (SET)

Sutton Valence School (SVS) has been inspiring pupils since 1576. Our greatest strength is our community. Staff, pupils and parents enjoy mutual respect and kinship that allows each individual to embark on a unique educational journey; a journey fuelled by self-confidence, hard work and high academic standards. Pupils have been inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Sutton Valence School since 1576. We are very proud of our history, but we also look keenly to the future. From the School’s opening until now, our greatest strength is our community. The relationships enjoyed between staff, pupils and parents allow us to craft an educational journey that is individually suited to every pupil. If we feel supported, cared for and recognised for what we are, then we will feel comfortable pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone to discover the limits of our ability – these are our primary aims. It is only through this process that we can truly achieve. Through the high expectations and standards we set, all our young people are encouraged and helped to go further than they had thought possible in their academic, co-curricular, community and leadership journeys. We want them to become confident, civilised, tolerant and open-minded individuals who possess a love of learning and a strong sense of self-discipline along with a set of values reflecting our principles as a Christian Foundation. Each will have taken a slightly different journey by the time they finish their School education, but our ultimate destinations for all are the same: that they will work hard to fulfil their true potential and add value to their lives. All of us in the SVS community have strengths and weaknesses, but it is our unique qualities that add to the overall strength of the whole and in recognising this we uphold our ethos: a community where each cares for all and individuality is cherished. Year 3-6 Assesses Assessment with the Academic Deputy Head, involving Reading, Spelling, Mathematics and Non-verbal Reasoning. 11+ Assesses ISEB Common Pretest

Sydenham High School, GDST, is an independent day school for girls aged 4-18 years. The school was founded in 1887, becoming one of the last schools to be opened by the Girls’ Public Day School Trust. Set in the leafy suburbs of South East London, we pride ourselves on enriching young minds in a way that will endure a lifetime. The school’s original Anglo Saxon motto, ‘Nyle ye drede’, means ‘fear nothing’ and underpins all that we do. Sydenham High is selective and diverse, welcoming girls with wide-ranging talents and backgrounds into a close community that is large enough to offer choice and flexibility but compact enough to ensure that no girl is overlooked. At Sydenham High academic excellence goes hand in hand with pastoral excellence. Creating an aspirational environment for our pupils is one of our foremost aims and the provision of a first-class education is paramount. As a high achieving school, we strive to ensure that every girl reaches, or exceeds, her potential by offering exceptional learning opportunities which harness individual strengths. Self-belief and happiness, alongside a ‘can do’ approach to every aspect of school life, enable our girls to thrive and succeed and they leave us equipped with the skills and confidence to prosper in their future lives. We believe our pupils deserve the highest standards of classroom practice, as well as exciting, challenging and enriching co-curricular opportunities, in an inspirational environment where they can be themselves and learn to be independent, resilient and confident. Girls at Sydenham High are ambitious and open minded, with the inner strength and self belief necessary to outstrip all expectations. They are also well rounded, intellectually curious, down to earth and happy. Above all, our school is simply bursting with warmth, creativity, talent and excellence in all that we do.  Places Available at 11+ 90 11+ Assesses English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning

The Academy School began in 1997, based on the principle that children should first and foremost be happy. We are a family school for boys and girls, where every child arrives each morning excited about the day ahead, and goes home animated by what they have done and learned that day. We cultivate a lively spirit of freedom alongside responsibility, so that our children learn to value themselves and others as individuals. Children can enter the Academy School from the age of six. Our principal points of entry are into years 2, 3 and 7 although we can admit children into other groups depending on the availability of places. Our aim is that every child should feel safe, secure and understood, and we know that children whose emotional and intellectual needs are met are most likely to meet their full potential academically. We have a strong record of children going on to their preferred senior school (often with scholarships), and we are proud that we are known as much for our confident, happy children as for our traditional academic excellence. Do come and visit us: we welcome prospective parents at any time during the academic year. We can also arrange for your child to spend a morning or afternoon here.

The school’s focus is on families and children, with a strong emphasis on pastoral care.  Learning is individualised, with importance placed on concrete experiences. Whilst all of our classrooms are equipped with Chromebooks, iPads and interactive boards, traditional skills such as reading, handwriting and phonics, are valued and are taught daily.  We regard these skills as essential tools, but the focus is always on creative thinking. Playtimes are carefully planned and resourced so that children have the opportunity to immerse themselves in play.  We are a school full of happy, thriving children who excel academically. Our History The Children’s House was set up in 1973 by a group of local parents, to provide high-quality early years education in Islington. It was originally run in a parent’s home and then in St Stephen’s Church in Canonbury Road.  Following various fund-raising schemes, the current Nursery building on Elmore Street was purchased. Parents wanted to build on the Nursery provision and in 2005 we leased a Victorian school building on King Henry’s Walk and opened the Upper School. Today  Our present-day Nursery is in Elmore Street and caters for children ranging in age from 2½ to 4 years.  The Upper School in King Henry’s Walk, houses our children from Reception to Year 4. Our first Year 3 cohort started in September 2022 and we will grow organically year-on-year to a full Prep School. School expansion details can be found here. The Nursery consists of two enormous open-plan rooms; one downstairs for the youngest children and one upstairs for pre-reception children.  The children belong to small classes with a teacher and a teaching assistant.  As well as a wide range of activities and learning opportunities in the school, they enjoy a variety of weekly outings, which provide regular access to outdoor learning.  These venues vary throughout the year and include the Almorah Community Garden, King Henry’s Walk Community garden, soft play at Queensbridge Leisure Centre and The Upper School playground. The Upper School has five light-filled classrooms, an enclosed playground and the use of the neighbouring church hall.  We are fortunate to have an Astro pitch and Adventure playground close to the school and also use nearby leisure centres for sports and PE.

Our vision at Crossley Heath is rooted in our core values: Self-belief, Respect, Purpose, Responsibility, Challenge and Aspiration. We are a warm, inclusive and diverse community where every child and young person is much valued.  We are committed to securing the well-being and mental health of everyone in our community and are proud to offer outstanding care through our pastoral and well-being team. We are very proud of our students who achieve highly academically and engage in a multitude of creative, sporting, cultural and character building pursuits. In December 2021, we were delighted to be included in the Sunday Times Parent Power guide top 150 schools and be ranked 5th best state school in their North of England category. The Crossley Heath Sixth Form is a small, inclusive and vibrant community where students and teachers enjoy working together in order for everybody to realise their potential.  Our goal is to provide our young adults with the skills and knowledge necessary to look after themselves and thrive in the wider world. We have high academic aspirations and foster integrity, independence and teamwork. Students are encouraged to think critically, to make well informed choices, to consider the views of others and to demonstrate strength of character. Students are valued as individuals and expected to treat each other with kindness, sensitivity and respect. We genuinely care for and support each other here. We like to laugh and have fun together and value student ideas and creativity highly, as well as encouraging active participation in the life of the school and its local community Places Available at 11+ 180 11+ Assesses English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning

The Duke of York's Royal Military School (DOYRMS) is not a disciplinary school.  It is a modern mainstream school with a rich military ethos and heritage. The word 'Military' in the School's title denotes the long-standing connection that the school has with the British Armed Forces, enabling the children of serving personnel to have a stable education during their parent's regular postings.  Established in 1803, the school began at what is now the Saatchi gallery in London. Originally co-educational, the School became all boys in 1825 at which point full Regimental Colours were awarded to the School by King George the IV.  The move to Dover happened in 1909. Originally educating children from forces families to join the military, the school changed in the 1960s, when it was brought in line with independent schools (sport, prep, Saturday morning schooling) and children from military families were encouraged to go to University.  In 1994 the School welcomed girls back and in 2010 it became an academy, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence.  There is no longer any need to join the Military from the School and Dukies go into many diverse careers. We offer a traditional syllabus of GCSEs and A-Levels. We pride ourselves on being a non-selective egalitarian school, which offers a fully rounded education developing character and resilience in our students.  DOYRMS has its own RSM, who overseas the traditional ceremonial aspects of the school, and takes students for Drill and Parade. Part of his role focuses on encouraging Dukie leadership, and organising trips away such as Borneo and the Himalayas. The School also has a Director of Military Music, who is in charge of a 70 strong student military band.   DOYRMS is a state boarding school which means that education is provided for free by the state. Parents only pay for the boarding costs. We welcome applications from students who hold a British or Irish passport or have leave to remain in the UK.

The Hall School provides exceptional teaching to some of the brightest boys in London to develop in them the skills for a lifetime of learning that will stimulate rewarding, diverse and distinctive lives. I feel very fortunate to lead a school with such a great sense of community, with staff and parents motivated by a strong desire to care for our boys and provide them with every opportunity to flourish. As a staff, we are ambitious for our boys academically and we are proud of the range of senior schools they go on to. Yet, just as importantly, we realise the significant role we play in preparing the boys for the future beyond their next school, through nurturing their adaptability to new learning environments as much as through specific subject knowledge. Our goal is to help Hall boys acquire and secure formative ways of learning for this ever-changing wider world. That is why our approach to learning has an emphasis on collaboration and discovery. That is why we allocate more time to the sort of co-curricular activities like drama, debating and art that nurtures confidence, creativity and communications skills. We have invested in sports facilities at the Wilf Slack Playing Fields to encourage the learning of skills associated with teamwork and resilience through sport and games. That is why we aim to keep our boys’ feet firmly ‘on the ground’ in promoting an understanding of the world around us, starting with London, the global city in which we are situated. Tolerance of others’ viewpoints and beliefs is encouraged through engaging in local culture as much as learning about issues in the wider world through current affairs lessons, assemblies and charity work. Opportunities to become involved in action within the local community in Camden are plentiful. Boys appreciate the uniqueness of our locality through taking part in joint activities with local primary schools and outreach groups. This approach stems from the vision of those who nurtured the school in its early years. Former Hall headmasters like Gerard Wathen and Paddy Heazell were challenging thinkers about education, who created a distinctive school for their pupils, from the pink blazers to the culture of ‘courteous questioning’. They understood that a school based in Belsize, with a catchment area drawn from the families of vibrant north London, should embrace the progressive Hampstead values. Originality and curiosity have always been at the heart of the experience of being at The Hall and such values take on increased relevance as educational experiences for the modern world are tailored to suit each boy. There can be no ‘typical’ Hall Boy leaving our doors at the end of Year 8 – each emerges as an individual, certainly with many strengths to be cherished, but also with self-awareness of particular personal characteristics requiring further refinement. Whilst the composition of The Hall community now reflects the cosmopolitan nature of London, these values remain at the core of school life: we celebrate behaviours revealing integrity, confidence, responsibility, endeavour, curiosity, originality, tolerance and courtesy in all members of our community. The results can be seen among members of our alumni, gathered at the school’s 130th Anniversary events, who came from an impressive range of professional, cultural and entrepreneurial backgrounds and spoke of the special legacy of a Hall education. People like Oliver Sacks, neuroscientist and polymath, the Rt. Hon. Oliver Letwin MP and Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Most strikingly, they lead distinctive lives. Places Available at 4+ 50