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Clifton College Preparatory School, Bristol

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Clifton College Preparatory School details

Address:
Clifton College Preparatory School
The Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HE
Telephone:
0117 315 7501
Fax:
0117 315 7504
Email:
lturley@ clifton-college.avon.sch.uk
Website:
www.cliftoncollegeuk.com/ NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=196
Authority:
Bristol
Admissions:
Selective
Gender of entry:
Mixed
Age range:
3-13
Number of students:
451
Affiliation:
IAPS
Last inspection:
April 2001. Read the full inspection report.

Find a school:

ISC accredited

General information

Headteacher: Robert Acheson, appointed in September 1993.

Staff: 62 (men 21, women 41).

Background: Founded in 1862, Clifton is situated on the edge of countryside in a suburb of Bristol described by John Betjeman as 'the most civilised in Europe'. The prep school occupies its own site but shares an extensive estate with the senior school which offers an indoor pool, 80 acres of playing fields, three Astroturf pitches, sports hall and a chapel. The prep school occupies a modernised Victorian building and over the past few years has opened new science laboratories, a music school and an advanced IT centre. It offers a broad curriculum and specialises in languages, with German, Spanish, Mandarin, classics, CDT and ICT taught as part of the curriculum. Pupils win many scholarships to senior schools. There is equal emphasis on sport and the performing arts. Pupils enjoy soccer, rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, rounders, swimming, tennis, athletics, cross-country, fives, squash, rackets, real tennis, basketball and fencing. The hockey team were national champions in 1999 and fives were national champions in 2000. The under-11 and under-13 boys and girls hockey teams were County Champions in 2004; three teams reached national finals. The school has a new indoor tennis centre, and reached the girls' under-14 national tennis finals in 2003. Drama is a strength. Many pupils receive individual instrumental tuition and the school's string quartet won the National Chamber Music final in 2001. The children raise substantial funds for local and national charities such as the British Children's Hospital, two children's hospices and Claremont special school for handicapped children. Close fundraising links have been established with the Bristol Charity; £20,000 raised for the care of the Bristol elderly in 2003-2004. The school is involved in a public/private science initiative with local primary schools. Ethos: 'The school places a strong emphasis on both values and adding-value across a broad curriculum.' .

Approach to discipline: 'The school is a family. Punishment and sanctions relate to the offence. Very strong anti-bullying policy. The school places quite a lot of trust in children, who are expected to take responsibility for their behaviour.'

Uniform: Blue shirt, crested tie, grey trousers/skirt, blue sweater with light-blue band, school blazer. 'Smartness in appearance is expected as a matter of course.'

Special needs: The school has a CrestEd approved centre (The Coach House) that is highly regarded locally. The school has a good learning support department with full-time staff dealing with dyslexia and dyspraxia; 'demonstrable success in terms of pupil progress'.

Inspection: April 2001: 'Clifton College Preparatory School and Clifton College Pre-Preparatory School are partner schools to Clifton College Upper School and together comprise Clifton College. They are warm and friendly schools that make good provision for their pupils. Standards achieved in most subjects are above national expectations and commensurate with the standards in IAPS schools across the country. This is particularly commendable in the preparatory school, which takes an increasingly high proportion of pupils with special educational needs and with English as a foreign language during key stage two. Both schools make very good arrangements for the care of their pupils who behave well and form good relationships at all levels. The management structure of the two schools and of the upper school is in the process of change and development.'

Secondary schools: Clifton College.

Boys' age range: 3 to 13.

Girls' age range: 3 to 13.

Before-school care: 0730-0830.

After-school care: 1600-2000.

Factors taken into account other than academic ability: Background; disrupted schooling: can we help?.

Selection procedures: Tests in mathematics, English, verbal reasoning or diagnosis of special educational needs.

Day pupils: 371.

Weekly boarders: 12.

Full boarders: 68.

Average class size (Year 5): 16.

Subjects taught at seven: 13.

Subjects taught at 11: 16.

All teachers hold teaching qualifications?: Y.

Teachers with degrees: 62.

Specialist teachers used: All subjects from Year 6.

Subjects taught in addition to national curriculum: Music, French, German, Chinese, Latin.

Sports offered: Football, rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, rounders, swimming, tennis, athletics, cross-country, fives, squash, rackets, tennis, basketball, fencing.

On-site sports facilities: Indoor swimming pool, 80 acres of playing fields, three Astroturf pitches, sports hall, indoor tennis and netball centre.

Percentage receiving instrumental tuition (Year 5): 60%.

Daily act of collective worship?: Y.

Pupils sit SATs?: Y.

SATs results provided by QCA-approved body?: Y.

Common entrance?: N.

Percentage admitted to senior schools on reduced fees: 30.

Major scholarships won: 28 to Clifton College; two to Malvern College; top scholarship to Eton College in 2004.

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