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Cheam School, Newbury

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Cheam School details

Address:
Cheam School
Headley, Newbury, Berkshire RG19 8LD
Telephone:
01635 268381
Fax:
01635 269345
Email:
office@cheamschool.co.uk
Website:
www.cheamschool.com
Authority:
Hampshire
Admissions:
Selective
Gender of entry:
Mixed
Age range:
3-13
Number of students:
386
Affiliation:
IAPS
Last inspection:
October 2005. Read the full inspection report.

Find a school:

ISC accredited

General information

Headteacher: M R Johnson, appointed in September 1998.

Staff: 46 (men 20, women 26).

Background: 'Arguably the oldest preparatory school in the world' was founded in Cheam in 1645 and relocated to its present site in 1934. It is set in nearly 100 acres of 'magnificent' parkland offering formal gardens, extensive playing grounds and woodland in a rural setting between Newbury and Basingstoke. Its 'superb' facilities include a new science building, sports hall, ICT centre, art and design centre and music school. A new classroom block, library and music/drama school opened in 2001 at a cost of #1.3 million. Its 'excellent' sports facilities include a swimming pool, squash court, hard tennis courts and a nine hole golf course. Cheam prides itself on its 'all-round excellence' and provision of 'a broad and exciting educational experience'. French, Latin, ICT and study skills are taught as part of the curriculum, and the top set is taught Greek in their final year. Pupils have a 'wealth of opportunity' with more than 75 extra-curricular activities, 12 to 15 sports teams fielded against other schools every week and individual instrumental tuition for many. The school is 'very involved' in the local community and raises 'significant' funds for charities such as a children's ward in the North Hampshire Hospital. 'The selection process is designed to ascertain whether the child will cope with the rigours of a busy and bustling prep school. We are proud that we can cater for the average as well as the very bright pupils. Cheam is first and foremost a happy and purposeful school where children feel valued and secure.' The school is over-subscribed, receiving 1.5 applications for each place.

Approach to discipline: 'We have a clear and carefully drawn up discipline policy. School rules are posted in every form room together with other pastoral/behavioural statements such as bullying and equal opportunities policies. The school rules are governed by the statement that a breach of the rules of common sense is a breach of the school rules. There is a strong sense of community so that all pupils are aware of what is expected of them in terms of general behaviour and looking after each other. This is all supported in our daily chapels or assemblies and in our PSA programme.'

Uniform: Boys: blue cords, blue shirt, school tie, blue jumper, jacket for special occasions. Girls: Cheam kilt, blue blouse, blue jumper, tailored jacket for special occasions, blue/white striped cotton summer dress. 'Uniform regulations are strictly enforced although there is never any conflict with this as the children like their uniform.'

Special needs: A learning support team looks after some pupils who have varying degrees of dyslexia, dyspraxia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The school does not cater for any statemented children. All the learning support staff are fully qualified and work in their own dedicated area.

Inspection: October 2005: 'Cheam School provides excellent care for its day and boarding pupils. It is very well led by the headmaster who has an excellent vision for its work. Provision for physical education (PE), games, music and extra-curricular activities is excellent. Pupils attain well and make good progress across a wide range of subjects, which is aided by their very good personal development and the school?s very good links with parents. The school needs to address inconsistencies in the quality of teaching and the use of information and communication technology (ICT), the unsatisfactory provision for design and technology (DT) and the quality of its development plans.'

Secondary schools: Boys; Radley; Harrow; Eton; Marlborough.

Boys' age range: 3 to 13.

Girls' age range: 3 to 13.

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