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Godstowe Preparatory School, High Wycombe

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Godstowe Preparatory School details

Address:

Godstowe Preparatory School
Shrubbery Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 6PR

Telephone:

01494 529273

Fax:

01494 429009

Email:

head@godstowe.org

Website:

www.godstowe.org

Authority:

Buckinghamshire

Admissions:

Comprehensive

Gender of entry:

Mixed

Age range:

3-13

Number of students:

326

Affiliation:

IAPS

Last inspection:

October 2002. Read the full inspection report.

General information

Headteacher: David Gainer.

Staff: 44 (men 5, women 39).

Background: Founded in 1900 by Dame Frances Dove, Godstowe is set in 10 acres of wooded grounds within reach of London and Oxford. It was the first British boarding preparatory school for girls and is part of a foundation that includes Wycombe Abbey, Benenden and St Leonards; 19 girls won awards, prizes or scholarships to senior schools in 2005. Girls are prepared for 11+ to grammar schools and 13+ Common Entrance level, with 100 per cent of girls gaining entry to their first-choice senior schools. Godstowe accepts both day and boarding pupils, and takes boys to the age of seven. Class sizes average 16 pupils, taught by subject specialists in all areas by the age of 10. An 'enrichment curriculum' offers 100 free after-school activities to girls and boys of all ages. The school day has been extended from 7.30am until after supper in the evening. Children have the chance to try many exciting and challenging new pursuits, including fencing, jazz choir, indoor climbing and radio-controlled racing. Homework is supervised by subject specialists, and children may stay for supper with the boarders. The e-curriculum will see pupils discovering new skills and talents to give them extra confidence in the classroom. The school has specialist facilities for sport, music, technology and the arts. French and RE are taught as part of the curriculum, with older pupils also learning Spanish, Latin and skills enhancement. Tuition is available in Chinese and Japanese. The school has four choirs, a chamber group, orchestra and several ensembles, and 80 per cent of pupils learn to play an instrument. Pupils participate in netball, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, athletics, hockey, cross country, climbing, ballet, yoga, martial arts, fitness training, rounders, stoolball, orienteering, gymnastics, golf and squash. The school lacrosse team, including under-11 and under-13 girls, recently completed a lacrosse tour to the United States, winning all but one match. Outdoor activity weeks provide opportunities to pursue abseiling, water skiing, sailing, canoeing, surfing, archery, cycling and horse riding. The school has welcomed representatives from many charities resulting in several fundraising projects. Donations in excess of £8,000 have been made in 2005 to national and local charities. Boarding life is focused within three houses, each recently refurbished. Each house has four resident staff and 30 to 36 boarders, aged between seven and 13; most are full boarders, with some weekly boarding. Year 8 senior girls have their own boarding house. Ethos: 'The school aims to foster within its pupils the values of courtesy, sensitivity and responsibility.' .

Approach to discipline: The school rules are in place to ensure that pupils' behaviour in school shows respect and caring towards their peers and staff.

Uniform: Winter: grey skirt, grey-and-white/shirt or red polo shirt, red v-neck sweater, navy cloak (gabardine raincoat in pre-prep). Summer: red-and-white striped dress and shirt (senior girls), dress, blazer, boater. Pupils should wear school uniform at all times.

Special needs: The school provides two rooms, two full-time specialists, three part-time specialists, and one English teacher for group work. There are 130 one-to-one tuition sessions and 17 small-group sessions a week. There are outside visits from speech and language therapists and occupational therapists for pupils with dyspraxic difficulties.

Inspection: October 2002: 'Godstowe is a good school with some very good features. Many pupils achieve good academic standards. The personal development of the pupils is very good and the pastoral care by the staff is excellent. The pupils behave and respond well in lessons. The boarding provision makes a very good contribution to the quality of education provided. Parents are very pleased with the school and acknowledge its many strengths.'

Secondary schools: Wycombe Abbey School (12 pupils); Queen Anne's School (9 pupils); St Edwards School (4 pupils); Headington School (3 pupils); Malvern Girls' School (3 pupils).

Boys' age range: 3 to 7.

Girls' age range: 3 to 13.

Before-school care: 0730-0815.

After-school care: 1530-1830.

Selection procedures: Admissions are by order of the waiting list, where applicable.

Day pupils: 322.

Weekly boarders: 25.

Full boarders: 82.

Average class size (Year 5): 16.

Subjects taught at seven: 12.

Subjects taught at 11: 16.

All teachers hold teaching qualifications?: Y.

Specialist teachers used: Music, games and design technology from age of four; French from age of five; art, mathematics and science from age of seven; all subjects from age of 10.

Subjects taught in addition to national curriculum: English as an Additional Language, Spanish, Latin, classical studies, PSHE, technology (incorporating design technology, food technology and textiles).

Sports offered: Netball, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, athletics, hockey, cross country, ballet, yoga, martial arts, fitness training, climbing, rounders, stoolball, orienteering, gymnastics, fitness, dance, golf and squash.

On-site sports facilities: Lacrosse, hockey and rounders pitches, Astroturf, tennis courts, netball courts, athletics track including long-jump and high-jump, 40-foot climbing wall, indoor heated swimming pool, wooded cross-country course, large sports hall.

Off-site sports facilities: Local golf courses and squash courts.

Percentage receiving instrumental tuition (Year 5): 80%.

Daily act of collective worship?: Y.

Pupils sit SATs?: N.

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

Common entrance?: Y.

Percentage admitted to senior schools on reduced fees: 28.5%.

Major scholarships won: Bedgebury: musical. Benenden: sports, Spanish prize. Cheltenham Ladies' College: music, art. Headington, academic, music. Marlborough: junior art exhibition. Oundle: academic, music, design technology. Royal Masonic: academic. Sherborne Girls': art. St Edward's: art. Westnobirt, music. Wycombe Abbey: academic, open.

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