Prospectus

The School Prospectus can now be downloaded

If you require a paper copy, please contact the school office for one.

Click here to download the PDF file (small no images version).

Admissions

Before a child is accepted for entry to the school the registration form, obtainable from the school, together with the registration fee must be returned to the school. Where there is no vacancy and a waiting list place has been given Parents will be informed as soon as a place becomes available. Entry to the Pre-School class is dependent upon a place being offered in the main school.

Vacancies for older children do occur and the Principal will be pleased to assist such Parents.

Fees are fully inclusive. They include a freshly cooked meal every day, weekly swimming lessons for pupils in year 3 and above, sports coaching and most of the extra-curricular clubs run by school staff. Charges are made for some extra curricular activities, for example: piano lessons, golf, Tai Kwondo, which are run by visiting specialists. The full extra-curricular programme is published at the beginning of each term.

Fees
Fees may be paid termly; monthly, for which a charge is made; or by single annual payment. A discount of 3% is offered for annual payments with a further 3% for fees paid before the end of the previous term. We also offer a 7.5% discount for a third child attending the school. Parents should ask for details at the school office. Termly fees for the academic year 2008/09 are £2130.00.

A full term's notice of the withdrawal of any child is required. Failure to give proper notice will render the Parent liable to pay one term's fees, in lieu of notice, for each of their children in school.

Pre-School Fees
Pre-School fees are charged termly, in advance, on a daily rate which is pro rata to the school fees. We accept Government funded nursery sessions. The school is pleased to accept childcare vouchers from Accor and Sodexho.

Heathcote School Prospectus
Heathcote School, Danbury, Essex, CM3 4QB

AN INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL
for children aged 3 -11
Founded 1935

Principal: Mrs J. Carn
Telephone: 01245 223131
Fax: 01245 224568
e-mail: enquiries@heathcoteschool.co.uk
www.heathcoteschool.co.uk

Location
The school is situated at Eves Corner in the centre of the pleasant rural village of Danbury, facing the village green and in the heart of a National Trust and Conservation area. The main entrance to the school is located in Little Baddow Road at its junction with the A414 Chelmsford to Maldon Road. Buses from Chelmsford and Maldon stop outside the school. There is a limited amount of short stay parking on the village green and free long stay parking in Mayes Lane and at the Danbury Community Centre car park. Parents must, in the interest of the safety of all children, use the car  parks and not park outside the school.

Regulatory Bodies
The Principal of the school is a member of the Independent Schools Association and of the Independent Schools Information Service. These Associations are members of the Independent Schools Council. Heathcote School is accredited by the Independent Schools Council.

The office of the Independent Schools Association is at:-
The Boys' British School, 5 East Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1LS.
Telephone:- 01799 523619 Fax:- 01799 524892

Membership of the Association is confined to Principals of schools in which prescribed conditions of efficiency are fulfilled and which reach satisfactory standards of physical welfare as well as of academic education. Parents may thus have confidence in schools directed by members of this Association. This prospectus describes the broad principles on which the school is presently run and gives an indication of our history and ethos. Although believed correct at the time of printing, the prospectus is not part of any agreement between the parents and the school. Parents wishing to place specific reliance on a matter given in the prospectus should seek written confirmation of that matter before registering at the school.

School Hours
Pre-School 8. 40 a.m. to 3.25 p.m. Main School 8.40 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Registration for all children is at 8.40 a.m. The children must be in their classrooms by this time. Following registration and class time there is a whole school assembly with a simple nondenominational service. This service may be conducted by the children, the staff or the Principal or by a visiting minister from a variety of churches.

History of the School
Heathcote School was founded by Mrs K. Latham in 1935. The original school was located at Heathcote House on Danbury Common and moved to its present location about 1940. In 1952 under the guidance of the new Principals, Mr & Mrs T.J. Heath, the school expanded and developed and many of the traditions that they began are still followed today. Mr & Mrs R.H. Greenland acquired the school in 1977 and continued to develop and improve the facilities and curriculum to ensure its suitability to a more modern world. They led the school with an innovative and forward-thinking approach until they left in 2009.
The Prouting Family Trust aquired the school in 2009 with the determination to keep the same family ethos that the school has always had.  Heathcote School is now pleased to become part of the Holmwood House Schools Group.

Aims and Objectives
The school is committed to achieving a high standard of academic and sporting excellence through the endeavours of the children and staff working together as a team. This is demonstrated by the high level of success that the children enjoy every year. With this in mind the school aims to provide a curriculum that fulfils and extends all children, whatever their abilities, in both social and academic attainment. At the same time it is also our intention to discover and develop the personal areas of excellence contained within each child. The integration of traditional and modern methods of learning, together with full utilisation of the latest technological advances in education, ensure that our children are fully equipped to progress into the modern technological world. The school is, nevertheless, very aware of the need to balance our activities to provide a broad curriculum.

Curriculum Teaching
Methods

Teaching methods used in the school provide a sound, all-round education based upon established and proven methods of teaching. These teaching methods, apparatus and theories are incorporated into the lesson structure and activities where experience shows them to be effective and beneficial. Following sound preparation in class the children visit places of educational interest, where practicable, to reinforce, develop and extend the classroom teaching. Within school, regular workshops are held and these, together with visits from acknowledged experts such as poets, artists, historians, writers and musicians, demonstrate to the children the practical uses of the theoretical texts that they are studying.

Reading
Reading is the most valuable skill learned in school and ensures the foundation for success in both education and life. It is not surprising, therefore, that this skill is given such a high priority in the teaching curriculum of the school. Reading is taught using phonics, word recognition and varied texts appropriate to the developmental stage of the child. The texts that are introduced to the children depend upon their progress, confidence and familiarity with the subject. It is important to develop all of these reading strategies equally. This the school is able to do using the expertise of its staff and the many and varied techniques available.

Although the school has a core reading scheme, several schemes may be integrated to help the children to progress easily through the reading levels encountered. In the lower school each child is heard to read every day. As the children become more fluent they will be moved into reading groups enabling them to progress more rapidly through the reading scheme. From this time the reading groups are heard to read every day. In their final years at the school the children will progress beyond the reading scheme and are guided, through the school library and set books, into a wider appreciation of children's literature. Suggestions for home reading are made through additional reading lists

The school regards the involvement of Parents in the education process as being of paramount importance. A continuing dialogue between Parents and teaching staff ensures the successful development of the child.

ThePre-School Department
Within the school grounds is the Pre-School department. Children enter when they are three and it is usual for them to attend on two or three mornings each week. As they mature their time
may be extended gradually, with the agreement of the school, to a full week of attendance subject to availability. Our teaching draws upon the proven principles of Maria Montessori, although other teaching methods are used where it is beneficial to do so. The children learn through a mixture of creative play and informal teaching methods. The children are, of necessity, taught individually and reading is encouraged and developed at a pace suited to each child. The syllabus of the Pre-School department is carefully structured to extend and develop each child and to prepare them for the Kindergarten class. Group and social bonds formed at this time usually remain throughout their time in the school. A termly report of each child's progress is given and Parents are invited to attend the school Open Evening.

Kindergarten
Children in Kindergarten experience and enjoy a new world of formal and investigative learning. The children are taught using Froebel, Montessori and more traditional teaching methods and the children are encouraged to explore their world through a mixture of academic, musical, creative and artistic pursuits. Reading progress is communicated daily to Parents through a record book that is used to re-affirm and extend the day's work. Project work and creative activities combine the skills in a visible demonstration of each child's progress. Models and classroom displays are an additional demonstration of the progress of the children. Parents are encouraged to visit the classroom, after school, to see the children's work. Maths is generally taught by traditional methods throughout the school, although in Kindergarten it is, of necessity, very practical to ensure that developing minds comprehend the reasoning behind the ideas being taught.

The Kindergarten curriculum also the Foundation Stage areas of Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Creative and PSHE which include Science, Music and Movement, Drama, Computers, French, History, Geography and Scripture. Many of these subjects will be taught in a cross curricular syllabus which combines elements of all parts of the curriculum.

Form I to Form V
The children leave Kindergarten in the September after their fifth birthday and progress to Form I. The syllabus in these classes is steadily expanded to develop and extend the children's increasing mental, physical and artistic development. From Form II the children will be gradually introduced to specialist teaching where it is shown to be beneficial. Examinations, course unit tests and set homework begin in Form II. In all classes Teacher's Assistants are available to help the children when they are seen to be necessary.

Form VI
The children in Form VI are given greater responsibility and help with the day to day running of the school. From this year group are chosen the Head Boy, Head Girl, their deputies and prefects and monitors of the school. In this, their final year at the school, each child is prepared for the examinations for entry to the senior school of their Parent's choice. The school will give Parents every assistance in choosing a suitable secondary school for their child. The 11+ examination is also taken during the course of this year and specific preparation for this examination is undertaken both during the school day and at a dedicated Saturday morning school.

Creative Activities
A great many art forms and creative activities are available to the children from an early age. In Pre-School and Kindergarten much importance is attached to the discovery and inventive use of the many and varied media available to the children for use in creative work and play. These activities, supervised and guided by the staff, teach the children the properties and functions of an expanding range of materials. As the children progress through the school they refine and develop the skills learned and apply them to more complex designs and compositions. Their work may reflect class lessons in a range of subjects or may simply be completed for their own pleasure. Design Technology plays an important part in the children's development with several design challenges being set during their time at the school. The children are encouraged to enter competitions at all levels and their entries have won prizes in both National and local competitions. The children's work is always on display throughout the school and Parents are encouraged to visit the school and classrooms to view the children's work.

Design and Technology
Design and Technology is the translation of an idea into a working model. The children are given a project into which are incorporated several required design features. The choice of materials is their own and will be made with reference to their experience to date. More importantly the solution to the problems encountered will also be their own and the completed model will be unique to the child. Design and Technology begins in Pre-School with self-assembly parts and continues throughout the school, often using historical inventions as a basis for study. A display of the completed working models will be exhibited for Parents to see at the end of the project.

Computing and ICT
There is a fully equipped classroom for the teaching of computer literacy and the computer room has an interactive whiteboard and an ISDN line with e-mail facilities for every child. The school has its own extensive web site to which the children contribute on a regular basis. The computing facilities of the school are constantly reviewed and updated and we continue to evaluate and introduce new technology as it becomes available. The Pre-Prep  classes have three interactive whiteboards and the Prep School have two in their classes. Each class, from Kindergarten onwards, has a computer lesson each week as part of the class timetable. Additionally the computer room will be used as a resource centre for further investigative work for other subjects on the curriculum. From Form ll onwards the children have laptop word processors available to them on which they can learn the basics of word processing and which are available for them to take home to complete homework assignments. All classrooms are equipped with multimedia computers for the children thus allowing individual extension work in all areas of the curriculum.

Information Technology
The technology that has evolved rapidly over the last decade must be made available to the children if they are to compete successfully in today's world. The three separate subjects of Science, Computers and Technology are firmly integrated in the subject of Information Technology. The children are given every opportunity to use and understand this diverse subject through class lessons, adventure/technology visits and holidays and through computer assisted design. The extraction and use of information gained is an important part of the subject. The school also recognises the value of IT in the teaching of the children and there are many pieces of equipment in daily use throughout the school, from simple digital cameras to interactive whiteboards. The use of this technology naturally forms part of the curriculum.

The Library Resource
Reading is one of the most pleasurable skills that can be learned. It requires of the reader the use of concentration, comprehension and imagination; all useful life skills which, for study, must be developed to the highest level. In return this skill gives limitless pleasure and knowledge. It is a skill that must be practised regularly to ensure that full extraction of the information presented is gained. Each class has an individual library of over 200 books that the children read for pleasure after their class work has been completed. The school library contains in excess of three thousand books on all subjects and at a level suitable for the ages of the children. The books are constantly updated, reviewed and replaced. Children borrow books from the library to read at
home and for class and individual project work. The children and staff also have an extensive video library for reference and pleasure.

Games and Physical Education
The school believes that Physical Education is a vital part of the curriculum and the children are encouraged to experience and learn many different skills through the wide variety of sports and games taught. There is a competitive House system and the games played by the school include football, netball, cricket, rounders, tennis, swimming, athletics, basketball and cross-country running. The school has competed successfully at local, area and national level in swimming, football, netball, cricket, athletics and cross-country running each year, for over ten years. An introduction to other sports such as short tennis, basketball, hockey will also be given The school believes that every child should learn to swim. Forms III, IV, V, and VI go swimming every week as a curriculum lesson. Children may also gain awards through the Amateur Swimming Association during their lessons in the swimming pool.

Performing Arts
Music through the School Music is a very important part of the school curriculum. In the lower school music and movement, musical games, percussion and rhythm exercises form the major part of the music lessons. A wide range of infant instruments and sounds, including computer composition, is available to the children.  The school also has a very active and impressive recorder group. More formal music making is introduced gradually to the children, as they expand their musical abilities, with the children learning to sing complex pieces and to play an ever-increasing range of instruments. During the course of the year composers, ensembles and soloists will visit the school to work with the children to extend their musical skills. Each year the school gives a concert containing a variety of musical items and in which every child takes part. The children are often invited to sing in professional productions and they have appeared locally in ‘Carmen' with semi and professional companies and have frequently sung at the Royal Festival Hall and the O2 Arena in children's concerts.

Speech and Drama
Speech and Drama lessons, as part of the curriculum, take place in every class and help to develop imaginative play as well as widen the child's vocabulary. From Form II onwards the children are prepared for entry to choral speaking examinations and for local competitions. Children will often perform short plays in class for Parent's enjoyment and every child, from Pre-School to year VI, is involved in the school play. This is always a musical play performed in the Spring Term. The importance of this activity and the confidence that it gives to the children cannot be over emphasised. The older children will help to design and paint the scenery. Classes will also perform Special Assemblies throughout the year.  Parents are always invited to these very enjoyable performances.

Dancing
Formal dancing lessons take place during the lunch hours as an optional club where a fee is charged by the dance teacher. A variety of dance forms are  taught and the skills learned are of great benefit to the children throughout life. Dances from the lessons are often incorporated into the school play and other school productions.

External Visits and Visiting Lecturers
Staff take the children to museums, art galleries and to other places of interest. Visiting lecturers and craft demonstrators will visit the school to show the children a wide range of interesting artefacts, lifestyles and talents. These visits broaden the children's knowledge and add a new perspective to the class lessons The school also invites poets, writers, artists and musicians to visit the school and to conduct workshops with the children. These are usually interactive and frequently involve the whole school.

General Information

Discipline
A high standard of discipline is expected of the children, both in their schoolwork and in their behaviour. Politeness, good manners, self-discipline and awareness of others are important virtues and the school expects Parents to support them in the maintenance of good discipline. There is a well-tested system of disciplinary action within the school and one that the children understand. All Parents are given a copy of the Positive Behaviour Policy that describes our attitude and actions in the event of misbehaviour on the part of a child. Action taken may be anything from a small community service through to demerits and detentions. Repeated breaches of discipline will be dealt with by the Principal initially and in consultation with the Parents where necessary.

Homework
Homework is used to reinforce the classwork of the day or to test whether a child has retained a process learned at some previous time. Homework begins in Pre-School with reading practice and is gradually increased as the children progress through the school. Each subject set should take no more than 30 minutes. Homework is not an optional subject on the curriculum and must always be returned within the time period set. The discipline learned by completing regular homework will stand the children in good stead for the rest of their academic lives.

Examinations and Reports
Written reports on the children's progress in Pre-School, Kindergarten and Form l are given at the end of the school year along with two Open Evenings, one in the Autumn term and one in the Spring term.  Additionally Parents are encouraged to visit the classroom to see the children's work for themselves. Daily progress at this formative age is communicated by short notes in a Home/School book. This book may also be used by Parents for information transfer to the teacher. Children in Form II and above have one written report at the end of the school year as well as two Open Evenings, one in the Autumn term and one in the Spring term. Examinations are held twice yearly in November and June. The mid-year examinations are in the core subjects only (English, Maths and Science). The end of year examinations are in all subjects. The staff will also give course unit tests, at suitable times in the syllabus, which allow them to evaluate the children's knowledge and retention of completed topics. The school has a number of Open Evenings in November each year where all Parents are invited to come to the school to discuss their children's progress. Open Evening is held just after the November examinations and the children's results may form part of the discussion.

Parent Information Evenings
Each year, at a suitable point in the term, Parents of children in Pre-School, Kindergarten, Form ll and lV are invited to come to the school where the staff concerned will give a talk about the coming year and what it is expected that the children will be doing. Parents find these evenings very helpful in resolving their concerns for the success of their children. For Parents with children in Form V there is a special evening that is devoted entirely to the children's transfer at age 11 to secondary school. At this meeting the schools available are discussed together with methods of application to ensure a successful transfer.

Uniform
The school uniform is designed to be smart, comfortable and practical. No deviation in style, colour or material is permissible, except in exceptional circumstances, and then only with the express permission of the Headteacher. The uniform lists given to Parents prior to joining the school will assist in ensuring that the correct uniform is obtained. All uniform must be clearly named, using only woven nametapes, to ensure that lost uniform can be returned to the owner.

Newsletters
The school regularly sends Newsletters to Parents to keep them informed of forthcoming events and important dates in the school year. Class newsletters are also sent to Parents on a termly basis so that Parents will know what is happening within their child's class.

The School Website
The school website contains all the necessary dates and information that Parents need to know.  It is regularly updated and shows a wide variety of life at Heathcote School in the different classes through a range of photographs that Parents can access.

Medicines
There are times when a child is well enough to return to school but has yet to finish a prescribed course of medicine. The school is quite willing to give orally any medicines, prescribed by a doctor, to a child. Under no circumstances is any child allowed to keep any medicine in school without the knowledge of the staff.

School Lunches
A lunch is provided each day for every child in the school. We provide a varied menu following the latest Government quidelines and using as many fresh ingredients as possible. The food is appetising and designed to appeal to the children whilst giving Parents the confidence that their child is having a good, balanced meal at lunchtime. No rebate of school fees is allowed for children who are unable to have the normal school meals. Drinks are provided at lunchtime for the children to drink with their meal.

Equipment
The school provides all of the textbooks, exercise books and equipment that the children will need. From Form II onwards Parents are advised, at the beginning of each year, what additional equipment they should provide for their children. Parents are expected to check regularly that the children's equipment is still complete, named and in good working order.

Clubs and Activities
There are a variety of clubs and activities available to the children. Some take place during the lunch hours and others are after school. All children may join these clubs when they are old enough. There may be a small charge for these activities to cover the costs of materials used or to purchase new equipment.

Learning Difficulties
The school is able to help children with learning difficulties and, where appropriate, they will be screened for dyslexia and for the Irlen Syndrome©. The school has two qualified Irlen screeners on the staff. In the event that a child should need specialist help the Parents concerned will be invited to the school to discuss the methods available for resolving the difficulty. We are fortunate in having access to a specialist teacher for learning difficulties and the school runs a diagnostic screen on all children to prepare for any difficulties that a child may have.

Fees
Fees may be paid termly; monthly through ‘Holmwoods TermTime Credit' fee service or by single annual payment. A discount is offered for annual payments. Parents should ask for details at the school office. A full term's notice of the withdrawal of any child is required. Failure to give proper notice will render the Parent liable to pay one term's fees, in lieu of notice, for each of their children in school.

Pre-School Fees
Pre-School fees are charged termly, in advance, on a daily rate that is pro rata to the school fees. Heathcote School Pre-School is only for children who will transfer to the main school. Any child who is unable to continue to full time education at the school must leave the Pre-School at the end of the term. Where a child is in the final term of Pre-School education and is unable to continue, the Parent, in lieu of proper notice, must pay a full term's fees, at the main school rate. At the same time the child must leave the Pre-School immediately. A refund of any unused Pre-School fees will be given.

Registration and Admission
Before a child is accepted for entry to the school the registration form, enclosed with this prospectus, together with the registration fee must be returned to the school. Where there is no vacancy and a waiting list place has been given Parents will be informed as soon as a place becomes available. Entry to the Pre-School is dependent upon a place being offered in the main school. Vacancies for older children do occur and the Registrar or Principal  will be pleased to assist such Parents.

The Next Step........
We feel sure that having read this prospectus you will want to visit the school and see what we can offer your child. Why not visit the school website at :-

www.heathcoteschool.co.uk

Please telephone the school to make an appointment to meet the
Principal and staff.

Come and see the school at work and play.

We all look forward to meeting you.

Mrs Jacey Carn
Principal.