Junior, Infant & Nursery Prospectus

Independent day and East Sussex, ENGLAND A Letter from the Executive Head “At Greenfields, students are given Welcome to this prospectus for Greenfields Independent Day and Boarding School, a member of the Independent the tools that allow them to feel really Association, set on the edge of the Royal passionate about something. Applying Ashdown Forest in eleven acres of our own woodland. these tools, they can become more than students: they have the potential to At Greenfields, we take pride in our endeavours to Though we are regularly visited by ambassadors and arm students with essential knowledge and skills for government officials from overseas countries, we living, in particular the ability and confidence to study, remain a small, family-sized school of under 200 become practitioners and operators, understand and apply any subject whatsoever, using students offering unique benefits, including a friendly, the technology of study – as discovered and caring and safe environment with zero tolerance leaders and guides in their chosen fields.” delineated by philosopher and educator L. Ron of drugs or bullying and a method of study which Hubbard – so that they can successfully follow ensures that children really understand and can whatever path they choose in life. You can read more therefore use the information they learn. At Jeff Smith about our aims in this prospectus. Greenfields, students are given the tools that allow them to feel really passionate about something Executive Head There’s something special about Greenfields – visitors – whether it’s History, or Art, or Mathematics, or regularly comment on the distinctive atmosphere Physics or any other field of study. Applying these here, the uncommon bond which exists between tools, they can become more than students: they have students and between teachers and students. The the potential to become practitioners and operators, school has a particular ethos, a rare quality of its own, leaders and guides in their chosen fields. which has been kept alive over time by many people. Contents This results in individuals who gain far greater affinity We are one of only a select number of schools to with the world around them than they could expect A Letter from the Executive Head 1 offer a continuity of from to to get elsewhere. Greenfields’ Aims 3 entrance. Students of all faiths, cultures Our Philosophy 5 and nationalities, aged from 2 to 18 receive an I hope that this prospectus will encourage you to join all-round education for life, using the Cambridge us and I look forward to answering any questions From the Head of the Junior, Infant & Nursery School 6 International Examinations (CIE) Curriculum, and relating to your child’s educational development. achieving excellent academic results. Boys and The Different Parts of the School 8 girls can join Greenfields at any age and at any time Sincerely, What Makes Greenfields Unique? 13 of year and we are open to students from all over Greenfields Theatre Company 16 the world and from all cultural, ethnic and religious Academics 17 backgrounds. Jeff Smith Early Years 22 Boarding is one big family, with students from many Executive Head 24 countries usually getting on with what needs to be Junior School 26 done almost spontaneously. Extra-Curricular Activities 31 You the Parents 32

Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 1 Greenfields’ Aims

The purposes of the school are:

To arm students with essential knowledge and skills for living, and in particular the ability and confidence to study, understand and apply any subject whatsoever – using Study Technology (the technology of study as discovered and delineated by philosopher and educator L. Ron Hubbard) – so that they can successfully follow whatever path they choose in life; and

To instil in all students the ability to communicate freely and confidently, competence, confidence in themselves, industriousness, responsibility, tolerance, and a moral and ethical compass.

2 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 3 Other aims of the school are to: Our Philosophy

Ensure that all students are happy throughout their time Provide an education with low fees at the school and graduate feeling enthusiastic about whilst maintaining a high staff to student ratio life, having developed new friendships and gained a sense of achievement in an ethical, highly productive Furnish a full educational solution from age 2 through to and motivated environment age 18, Nursery to A Levels, so that parents have Study Technology a complete pathway for their child, as has been voiced Deliver at level a formal, broad as needed by our parents The basic fact is that students fail to learn because no one ever taught them how education focusing on literacy and numeracy as well as to learn – that is, how to identify the barriers to learning and how to overcome introducing children to the Study Technology Deliver an education to children whose prior school those barriers. experience or progress may not have been adequate In the Senior School move over into tailor-made and permit such students to flourish and achieve results What are these barriers to learning? The answer is found in Study Technology. academic and pastoral programmes of study for to the level of their potential each student so that individuals are enhanced and Developed by American author and educator L. Ron Hubbard, Study Technology, encouraged to blossom, more able to achieve ambitions Mirror the maintained school calendar in terms of or Study Tech, is not just another method of study. It allows a person to learn any in careers of their choice and to follow their interests delivery where possible, providing parents with a subject successfully, empowering them to achieve the goals they have set in life service for more weeks than a normal independent for what they want to be and what they want to do. Promote individual personal development through our school Boarding provision which strives to contribute Study Technology consists of tools and techniques teachers can use to improve effectively to the school’s aim to provide students with Add educational value at every stage of students’ the learning rates of students. These same tools and techniques can be used the skills and knowledge necessary to live their lives development by students themselves to improve their ability to understand and to use the to the full materials they read and study. And it remains vital for continued learning as one Enable all young people who come to Greenfields leaves school and faces the challenges of life. Provide educational opportunities through our EYFS School to achieve their full potential in all areas, area for each child to flourish as a unique individual, whether or not they have special educational needs in The basic fact is that students fail to learn because and become confident and able in skills that underpin one or more areas, whether or not they are able, gifted their whole education. Using the EYFS learning or talented in one or more areas, and whether or not no one ever taught them how to learn – that is, programme in alignment with features of the they perform within an expected range. how to identify the barriers to learning and how Montessori philosophy and covering the seven areas of learning, regular observation and assessments are to overcome those barriers. used to plan effectively for individual needs, including those children who may need extra support. With this At Greenfields, we define successful learning the same way we define proficiency. in mind, Greenfields delivers separately to 2s, 3s and Someone who learns a subject successfully should be able to use that subject to ‘rising 4s’ (i.e. those children whose birth dates accomplish something. They should be able to accomplish it quickly, without error fall slightly outside the Reception class starting age and with good judgment. These are the ingredients for success in life – in any field in September) using separate classrooms accordingly of endeavour.

For more information on Study Technology please visit the Applied Scholastics website www.appliedscholastics.org

4 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 5 From the Head of the Junior, Infant & Nursery School

Greenfields Junior, Infant and Nursery School uses the to the next thing, which evolves in the later Junior Study Technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard, which years into scrupulously structured checksheets and Children in the Early Years Foundation class-based lessons to ensure that educational value at its core consists of spotting and remedying a range is added to each child. Stage thrive when introduced to of barriers which can get in the way of real learning. appropriate tools and activities, and this By the time a child is ready to enter the Senior School, continues in Reception and the Infants, he or she is prepared, excited and looking outward. We have learned that young children can be taught the where much depends on the class basics of how to study at an early age. As they grow teacher’s dedicated observation of each older, this truly makes the world a playground of ideas These include having a proper balance between the Our first requirement has to be a curriculum, or and accomplishments for them. person as they grow and change. significance of what is being studied and its mass or outline of work, which is both academically sound and reality; proceeding with each student along a proper yet open to the sensible use of all of the above. In gradient that is neither too steep nor too shallow for the Cambridge curriculum, as we carefully implement that student; and making sure that each and every each part of it, step-by-step, we can see that our student understands what he or she is studying so use of Study Technology is both enhanced and Beryl Garside that they can think with it and apply it. encouraged. Head of the Junior School We accomplish the above regularly in the Early Years Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage thrive Foundation Stage, Infants and Juniors by a clever and when introduced to appropriate tools and activities, ongoing use of particular skills: observing when a and this continues in Reception and the Infants, young child needs to see or touch or hear what he where the class teacher’s dedicated observation or she is learning about, incorporating lots of reality follows and records the achievements of each child and outings and activities in early learning, watching as they grow and change. In the Juniors, children a child’s development carefully so that the individual gradually become ready to take a piece-by-piece progresses at his or her own pace, and ensuring that approach to learning, fully grasping something and new words and terms are clarified in ways that young seeing how it fits into the whole before moving on children can easily grasp.

6 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 7 Our History Junior, Infant and Nursery and Senior Schools. They are overseen by the Board of Governance made Greenfields is a local and international, non-selective, up of a Chairman and Trustees who have overall non-denominational mixed school, welcoming responsibility for the school, and the body called Trust students between the ages of 2 and 18, of all faiths, Management who work in the school on a daily basis. cultures and nationalities, located in Forest Row, near East Grinstead, Sussex. It was founded in 1981 in response to parent demand for a school using the Independent Schools Association educational methods (known as ‘Study Technology’) Greenfields is proud to be part of the Independent of L. Ron Hubbard. For more information, go to Schools Association, one of the oldest associations www.appliedscholastics.org for British Independent schools, founded in 1879.

Charity Status Its membership includes Heads of 301 preparatory, senior and all-through schools. It exists to provide As part of a charity with students from different professional support to Head Teachers and offers backgrounds and faiths, local and international, a wide range of sport and cultural activities to the Greenfields keeps its school fees low in order students in the 301 schools it represents. There is to be accessible to as many children as possible an annual Art Competition, a Drama Festival, Essay The charity also provides a free tutoring service competitions for all age groups and national ISA in East Grinstead. fixtures arranged for Athletics, Cross-country, Gymnastics and other sports. We regularly participate The Head Team in the Athletics and Cross-country regional, and sometimes the national, events. The school has a Head Team, consisting of an Executive Head Teacher and the Heads of the

The Different Parts of the School Apart from the conveying of essential knowledge and skills for living, the priceless ability and confidence to study, understand and apply any subject, and an environment in which children of all ages are encouraged to communicate freely and confidently, at Greenfields we strive to ensure that all students are happy throughout their time at the school and graduate feeling enthusiastic about life, having developed new friendships and gained a sense of achievement in an ethical, highly productive and motivated environment.

8 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 9 Early Years Foundation Stage Greenfields Sixth Form Ages 2 to 4 Ages 16 to 18 (Years 12 and 13) Our EYFS area concentrates on the individual child. In the Greenfields Sixth Form, students develop By delivering separately to 2s, 3s and ‘rising 4s’ (i.e., independent learning skills and study Advanced Levels those children whose birth dates fall slightly outside in selected subjects leading to a set of examinations the Reception class starting age in September) using which can qualify them for university entrance almost different classrooms according to age, we can cover anywhere in the world. the required areas of learning with much more attention on individual needs, including helping those children who may need extra support. All Year Round English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Children then move to the Reception class, where they Greenfields accepts students from all over the world become confident and able in skills that underpin their for its English as a Foreign Language courses. In whole education, setting them up for their first year of response to demands from overseas parents, and with schooling in Infants in Year 1. their understanding and participation, individual long-term students from other countries are Infant Classes encouraged to progress through a Cambridge EFL Ages 5 to 7 (Years 1 and 2) curriculum to a suitable point before commencing other academic studies. Short-term students are In the Infants (Years 1 and 2) we begin to deliver a formal, welcomed throughout the year and study English broad education focusing on literacy and numeracy while also engaging in outings to British historical sites building on skills already learnt in the Foundation area. and other activities.

Junior Classes Greenfields is perhaps the only independent school in Ages 7 to 11 (Years 3 to 6) the UK to offer short-term and long-term EFL courses throughout the year. You can read more about our In the Juniors (Years 3 to 6) we continue to build on English as a Foreign Language service later in this that basic education as well as introducing children to prospectus. Study Technology. Year 6 students then graduate into Year 7 in the Lower Seniors.

An English as a Foreign Language class is available for Greenfields is a local and international, certain Infants and for the Juniors. non-selective, non-denominational mixed school, welcoming students Senior School Ages 11 to 16 (Years 7 to 11) between the ages of 2 and 18. In the Lower Seniors (Years 7 to 9, ages 11 to 14) students get an all-round, basic education in a wide range of subjects. This gives them the experience and Boarding information necessary for them to choose the subjects Boarding takes in boys and girls from all over the in which they want to specialise as they move from world, aged between 11 and 18. Boarding, with its Year 9 into the Upper Seniors in Year 10. international flavour and emphasis on pastoral support, contributes effectively to the school’s aim to provide Students in the Upper Seniors (Years 10 and 11, students with the skills and knowledge necessary to ages 14 to 16) move through tailored programmes live their lives to the full, teaching responsibility and in chosen subjects towards examinations at the end encouraging group contribution. of Year 11. Many then choose to graduate to the Greenfields Sixth Form to continue their studies.

10 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 11 What Makes Greenfields Unique?

Study Technology The school strives to give Year 9 the widest possible choice of subjects ready for their examinations in Year As outlined above, the school’s philosophy is based on 10 and beyond, in alignment with its aim to provide Study Technology. The use of Study Technology is tailored, individual support. Greenfields uses annual what makes Greenfields so different. In the United assessments provided by Cambridge International Kingdom, it is, at this writing, the only school that uses Examinations for quality control purposes, and it – though around the world it is used by hundreds individual teachers use other formal and informal of schools to the benefit of students now numbering assessments to ensure that students are making in the millions. Applied standardly, Study Technology progress within the school year. Greenfields School produces remarkable improvements in a student’s ability respects every child and young person as an individual which is reflected in the results he or she obtains. and aims to give them opportunities to explore and realise their potential in their development of Fees academic, sporting, creative and social skills. Greenfields delivers an independent school education with exceptionally low fees whilst maintaining a high We respect every child and young staff to student ratio, furnishing a full educational person as an individual, and we aim solution from age 2 through to age 18, Nursery to A Levels, so that parents have a complete pathway for to give them opportunities to explore their child. Apart from generous discounts in the early and realise their potential in the years, Greenfields Upper Seniors students are entitled development of academic, sporting, to a 5% discount for every year they have spent in the Junior, Infant and Nursery School, up to a maximum creative and social skills. of 30% off.

For more information on this contact Admissions and The Student Consultant ask about ‘Greenfields New Fees Scheme’. The Student Consultant is a role separate from that of the Heads of Schools which oversees the spiritual, Qualifications Division and Adding moral, social and cultural development of the students.

Value to a Non-Selective Intake Pastoral care sessions encourage students to become Being non-selective, Greenfields Senior School also involved in decision-making processes and ensure they provides facilities to support and encourage students are listened to in school, as well as helping students by concentrating on adding educational value at learn how to argue and defend points of view. Our every stage of their development. Children whose ethics and morals system is overseen by the Student prior school experience or progress may not have Consultant, whose full-time role includes ensuring been satisfactory are often taken in so that they that all values are actively promoted. Her office helps can be permitted to flourish and achieve results to students to understand how perceived injustice can be the level of their potential. An entire division called peacefully challenged. Collectively, we ensure school Qualifications ensures that they are helped through rules and expectations are clear and fair and daily help each stage of their education with one-to-one students to distinguish right from wrong. assistance available as needed.

12 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 13 The system assists students to respect the law and to observe and confront their own behaviour and that the basis on which it is made and brings students to of others, encourage responsibility to be taken for understand that living under the rule of law protects their own actions and those of others, and permit and individuals. In cases where disagreement arises, the support a redemptory and conciliatory approach to system includes restorative justice approaches to be taken in which reparation and amends is offered resolve conflicts. for misdeeds as opposed to punishment. Where discipline is needed, individual programmes are Greenfields pastoral care provision supports worked out in consultation with the individual student students in developing self-knowledge, self-esteem concerned and, when needed, his or her parents. and selfconfidence, encourages students to take These are followed where appropriate by pastoral responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing care programmes to ensure that the individual is their rights, and models freedom of speech through educated on any underlying principles leading to student participation, while ensuring protection of misbehaviour. vulnerable students and promoting critical analysis Relationships Between with EFL are encouraged to achieve as well as other of evidence. Our ethics and morals system helps Greenfields’ zero tolerance approach to bullying is students, with teachers aiming to take particular to implement a strong anti-bullying culture in which acknowledged as effective by students themselves. Staff and Students care to ensure that they understand as the lessons students, parents and staff views are valued and Student questionnaires strongly support the school, The good relationships between staff and students, progress. Due to Greenfields focus on personal sought, and all students are made aware, where commenting particularly on teachers helping them and amongst the students themselves are a notable development and adding academic and social value possible of others’ needs and how to support to learn. Greenfields students develop a strong moral feature of Greenfields School and are part of its to each individual student, their attainment cannot each other. This actively promotes respect for awareness which pervades the whole life of the strength. Children and parents are often personally be measured in relation to performance against a individual differences, helps students to acquire an school, clearly understanding right from wrong. They welcomed by the Executive Head Teacher or the particular age that is considered the norm. Long- understanding of, and respect for, their own and other develop a good sense of identity, self-worth and Heads of the Junior, Infant and Nursery and Senior term individual students from other countries study cultures and ways of life, and challenges prejudicial self-confidence as demonstrated by their demeanour Schools in the morning and the care that the a Cambridge EFL curriculum to a suitable point or discriminatory behaviour. around the school and in many of their activities. staff devote to the well-being of their students is before commencing other academic studies, even appreciated by both the students and the parents in though this may affect the age at which they take Part of the Greenfields’ ethics and morals system is the The result is students who are re-engaged with letters and questionnaire responses. That students recognised examinations. Short-term students can use of The Way to Happiness, a universal moral code themselves, with the group, and with their studies, and staff have a mutual respect and remarkable arrive at almost any point throughout the year and devised by L. Ron Hubbard, the developer of the Study regaining self-respect and purpose, rather than the rapport can also be judged from the high quality of study English while also engaging in outings to British Technology used in the school. This code forms the alienation, dissent and division common in other graduate speeches given each year at an annual historical sites and other activities to deepen their basis for moral behaviour in the school and consists of approaches, which can produce degradation and apathy. ceremony as part of the school’s Gala Weekend. understanding of English culture. 21 precepts which children of all ages are encouraged to follow. The Way to Happiness is used in classroom Pastoral Support The students’ language development is observed not environments and as a separate course. Its precepts International Composition only in dedicated lessons but also in less formal embody, reinforce and promote British values. As a result of all of the above, Greenfields students Greenfields has a significant number of students situations, such as in small groups, and in activities know where they can go for help and know that from around the world, from a wide range of ethnic where they have support so that they can participate something will be done, commonly reporting that backgrounds. Many students of various ages and with confidence. In some lessons, a support teacher they learn self-discipline, and learn to communicate The student ethics system used abilities arrive at the school unable to speak any is the catalyst for such activities, in others the class verbally, not physically, with anyone causing English, but Greenfields emphasises servicing the teacher’s planning helps by incorporating other ways at Greenfields is unique and based annoyance. individual’s needs and places each non-English- of giving support, such as identifying subject-specific on a set of rules originally devised speaking student according to assessment of their vocabulary, clearly written and pronounced. Their first port of call is their Class Tutor, with the in consultation with the students individual literacy level, progressing them through added facility of the Student Consultant whose role is globally-recognised qualifications such as the Probably uniquely in the UK, Greenfields offers short- themselves. described above. If students require help in addition Preliminary English test (PET), Key English Test term and long-term EFL courses throughout the year. to that given by their Class Tutor, they are sent to (KET), First Certificate in English (FCE), Advanced This means that students can arrive, singly or in the Student Consultant to assist with the resolution and Proficiency levels in Cambridge English. groups, throughout the calendar year and learn English of any issues. These procedures are implemented The student ethics system used at Greenfields is at a level appropriate to their individual needs. unique and based on a set of rules originally devised consistently by all staff. in consultation with the students themselves. All All Year Round English staff, and in particular the Student Consultant, who as a Foreign Language (EFL) is in charge of the application of the ethics system throughout the school, consult student willingness As mentioned earlier, taking into account Greenfields high international intake and non-selectivity, students 14 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 15 Academics

Greenfields’ academic curriculum is balanced, covering linguistic, mathematical, human and social, scientific, aesthetic and creative, technological and physical areas. In the Junior School, students also have the opportunity to join in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. Greenfields students’ attitudes to work are encouraged to be very positive so that they enjoy their studies and have highly developed skills of Greenfields Theatre independent learning through their application Company of Study Technology. Greenfields has art in its blood. Here, children can be educated in Their success is due both to their self-motivation an environment which is not only beautiful in itself but which values arising from such application and to a good aesthetics. Artistic urges are considered precious. standard of teaching. Work is marked with an

The Greenfields Theatre Company (GTC) is a well- emphasis on positive feedback, in accordance established part of the Senior School which is formed Recent productions include: in the final three weeks of the Summer Term each with the school’s policy, and the teachers are 2015: Christmas Show year and is looked forward to enthusiastically by both 2014: A Fairy Tale of Christmas Confusion encouraged to support written feedback with students and staff. In the Junior School, the children 2013: The Three Musketeers Save Christmas get excited about the traditional Christmas Show 2012: Alice in Wonderland positive verbal comments which help to forge in which Junior classes are all involved. 2011: Dr When strong working relationships between teachers GTC builds communication and group skills and leaves students with a tremendous sense of and students. accomplishment and achievement. It is a vital part of what Greenfields is all about.

16 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 17 Greenfields and Cambridge Teaching Greenfields has opted to use the Cambridge Greenfields’ teaching is built around adding value Curriculum, provided through CIE (Cambridge to each individual student in terms of academic International Examinations) for a number of reasons performance. For this purpose, a Value Added in alignment with its aims as a school: system is operated alongside a Completions system (‘Completions’ being defined for this purpose as completed parts of a scheme of work) in the Cambridge provides a consistent high standard to act as 1 Junior School. a benchmark, while also permitting a range of students to succeed according to their abilities The intention of the Value Added 2 Its assessment systems allow detailed tracking of academic system is to ensure that a range progress and value added for individuals, groups and the of mixed abilities from the least school as a whole achieving to the most able is Given Greenfields’ high international intake, it provides catered for in every teacher’s 3 approach, while the Completions of abilities, from those needing support to the more opportunities for students to continue studying overseas Adding Educational Value and to use qualifications obtained at Greenfields to acquire system tracks students’ progress able. Greenfields’ students are good learners, and are through the curriculum and flags With its intake of a wide range of mixed ability university or career places in other countries encouraged to make full use of the school’s systems up where additional support is and international students, Greenfields uses of self-assessment including the checksheet system Cambridge is relatively free from changing UK-based needed. ‘Value Added’ is plotted Study Technology, strong pastoral care, The Way 4 to aid their progress. academic or other markers and thus provides an anchored on a horizontal grid to ensure that to Happiness, personal and group ethics and the and secure curriculum for cross-curricular and long-term no students of either greater or Qualifications Division to add educational value to Greenfields takes great care to forward students’ planning and development. lesser ability are compared with any individual. Apart from aiming to add value to personal development, supported by effective any other students. literacy and numeracy skills, and to encourage a arrangements in safeguarding and other policies to capacity to think critically, Greenfields aims to give ensure their welfare, health and safety. Superlative These programmes are designed to prepare school The intention is that each individual student move a holistic education which includes moral values, relationships with staff are a key to this, and students for life, helping them develop an informed from left to right along this grid towards greater and British values, wide experience, social skills, an Greenfields aims to create an atmosphere throughout curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. The greater ability, using differentiated approaches and appreciation of education and a realisation of the the school in which all new students are made to feel international qualifications our students ultimately Study Technology. In this, the Qualifications Division future and the part education will play in it. welcome and free from bullying or other distractions. gain are recognised by the world’s best is proactive, using the Value Added grids to work out Consequently, behaviour and moral standards are and employers, giving our graduates a wide range which student needs more support to progress in Greenfields strives to provide students with the kept high and students achieve a good level of of options in their education and career. CIE’s value added terms, and then providing it accordingly. added value given by the experience and passion selfconfidence, a high communication level, and programmes set the global standard for international of its specialist teachers. The school aims to add learn, in varying degrees, to be socially and culturally education. They are created by subject experts, value by broadening students’ viewpoints, giving aware. Clear procedures for the use of electronic are rooted in academic rigour, and provide a strong Subject Knowledge them ‘hands-on’ understanding as well as better devices minimise any risk of bullying or inappropriate platform for progression. Greenfields’ teachers show good subject knowledge, subject knowledge as shown by regular Cambridge use of the internet, and appropriate security firewalls have high expectations of adding value relative to the assessments. A system of ‘checksheets’ is used and other e-safety provisions are made. Greenfields is one of over 10,000 schools in 160 individual students they are teaching, produce well- where appropriate and in certain subjects, beginning countries working with CIE to prepare nearly a million planned and interesting lessons with clear learning in the Junior School and progressing all the way up learners for their future with an international objectives, and make good use of visual aids in to A Levels in the Senior School. A checksheet is Creativity education from Cambridge. alignment with their application of Study Technology. an individual study programme giving a step by step Greenfields has a particular focus on encouraging Such teaching creates engaging activities for progression through a body of work at the student’s students to demonstrate strong creative skills, in students, with the pace varied enough for more able own pace, and including points of self-assessment, writing, art work and drama, supporting them to students as well as the less able. peer assessment and teacher assessment. This be as articulate as possible, to listen carefully and approach accommodates students of a wide range contribute well when asked.

18 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 19 Learning Support Study Technology encourages students Study Technology encourages students to be involved with subjects, while closely supervising to be involved with subjects, while them to ensure full understanding at all stages. The closely supervising them to ensure full school provides individual help to any student needing support in any area of the curriculum. This involves understanding at all stages. students being withdrawn from classes, either briefly to help with a small point or over a period of time to find and correct the underlying bar to comprehension. There are Individual Educational Programmes (IEPs) Able, Gifted and Talented for those identified as having Special Educational Greenfields School’s definition of ‘gifted’ is ‘those Needs and Disability (SEND) and able, gifted and students who have abilities in one or more subjects talented children are given suitable material to allow in the statutory school curriculum other than art them to progress in line with their ability. and design, music and PE.’ Gifted students are generally taken to be those in the top five per cent Scheduling the Curriculum of the national ability range, and this is the definition used by the Department for Education (DfE). The Greenfields strives to provide a high quality of definition of ‘talented’ is ‘those students who have curricular provision. Due to the size and nature of abilities in art and design, music, PE, or in sports or the school, and its focus on independent learning, performing arts such as dance and drama.’ Some students reaching the Sixth Form and studying gifted and talented students at Greenfields do well A-level subjects are timetabled to support their in Cambridge assessments – however, being gifted efforts to learn independently. The decision to and talented covers much more than the ability to maintain a Sixth Form despite small class sizes is succeed in tests and examinations; for example, a conscious one in response to parent demand. students may demonstrate leadership qualities or Cross-curricular links are encouraged throughout a capacity for creative thought. An ‘able’ student is Greenfields, for example a recent trip to the defined as one who achieves, or has the ability to Royal Observatory was organised by the Science, achieve, at a level significantly higher than his or her Geography and History teachers. peer group in the school. In the age range 5 to 11, where standardised testing is less common, able, Special Educational Needs gifted and talented students are defined relative to others of similar age. and Disabilities When, through assessment, we find that a child needs further support in his studies despite differentiation in class lessons, further assessment is done and an Individual Educational Programme (IEP) is written for that child. This is followed through with continual assessment and monitoring of progress and is always done in close cooperation with the parents.

20 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 21 Montessori Fees in EYFS Greenfields’ Nursery School uses the standard EYFS Greenfields utilises the free entitlement system for learning programme together with, and in alignment children 3 and 4 years old. As with the rest of the with, features of the Montessori philosophy. It school, Greenfields’ intention is to provide an EYFS is primarily child-centred and aims to provide a area with low fees to service local public, with stimulating environment in which children can and a focus on maintaining a high staff to student ratio. want to learn, often by exploration, as soon as they Many new children come into this area, with fees are ready. We cover the seven areas of learning supplemented by Free Entitlement and then bridge and use regular observation and assessments to over from hourly rates in the Nursery School classes plan effectively for individual needs, including those to paying private school fees. The EYFS classes children who may need extra support. We aim for offer trial days for new children so that they have an a good balance between adult-led and child-initiated opportunity to sample what the school has to offer. activities, and strive to provide classrooms which

Members of staff promote a good balance between academic progress and pastoral care, aiming to have each ready for the child’s formal education at the end of his or her year in Reception.

are well organised, with clearly defined areas, Admissions to EYFS including good resources with attractive displays. Greenfields EYFS accepts children of all races and In both the Nursery and Reception, the Montessori creeds and uses EYFS programmes and targets to method further promotes participation and good ensure steady development in line with individual concentration. Literacy and numeracy skills are abilities, carefully observed and responded to in focused on. Using the Montessori curriculum and each grouping. Children from abroad are exposed to Early Years materials, children are helped to work independently, the English language at an early age, giving them an accessing their own resources, and encouraged to advantage. enjoy solving problems. Role play areas and projects Foundation Stage are provided to enable them to learn about the wider world. An adjoining outside playground designated Nursery and Reception Classes for the EYFS area only, is an extension of the internal classrooms and also covers the seven areas of learning. Greenfields EYFS provision provides educational opportunities for each Personal Development child to flourish as a unique individual, and become confident and able in Greenfields Nursery and Reception classes service skills that underpin their whole education, supporting all children so that individual children’s personal development and academic progress and with this in mind, we they make good progress in their learning and development. deliver separately to 2s, 3s and ‘rising 4s’ (i.e. those children whose birth dates fall slightly outside the Members of staff promote a good balance elements as possible of this outdoor benefit, in Reception starting age in September). The intention between academic progress and pastoral care, alignment with the broader philosophical aim to is that from the very beginning, children’s particular aiming to have each ready for the child’s formal break down the barriers between learning as a static needs personally and academically are addressed education at the end of his or her year in Reception. exercise and experience as a kinetic one. Children effectively. Greenfields has developed separate are thus encouraged to explore the seven areas classrooms accordingly whilst maintaining the Chief characteristics of the EYFS area include its light of learning using their own playground and to get regulatory ratios of staff to children needed and and airy internal and external physical environment engaged in such outdoor activities as gardening, to ensure high contact time between teachers on the edge of the Ashdown Forest. Young children as well as benefitting from fresh air and sunshine. and children. have their own playground incorporating as many

22 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 23 Science When students complete their education in the Infants School they have a good grounding in the The Infants Science Curriculum is topic-based and fundamentals and are ready to broaden their horizons covers the Cambridge Curriculum programme of in the Junior School. study. Much of the science in the Infants and some in the Juniors is incorporated into project work e.g. A Victorian project might include a demonstration of steam power with the Senior Science teacher. “Both of my children have gone to Art Greenfields since preschool. I would In the Infants Art and Design Programme, children not send them to any other school. learn how to follow simple instructions, help make I go to work every day knowing they a finished piece of work, understand that time and are in the best hands, just like home. patience are often needed to complete a piece of work, and how to work on a creation until it is They LOVE study – they learn how finished. They willingly help tidy up after an activity to study without much effort.” and follow safety rules with an understanding of – W. D., Parent why such rules exist. They are encouraged to talk about their work and the work of others. They work with tools, equipment, materials and components Infant School to make quality products, select tools, techniques and materials for making their product from a range Ages 5 to 7 (Years 1 and 2) suggested by the teacher, explore the sensory qualities of materials, measure, mark out, cut and shape a range of materials and much more. Greenfields Infants School is the equivalent of Year Groups 1 and 2 in the English system. The Montessori approach, with specific skills and knowledge gained in the Early Years Foundation Stage, bridges over to the well-defined curriculum used in Reception and throughout the Infants.

From our Nursery School on, we encourage English children’s natural inquisitiveness about their world. ‘Will he or she still be a bright student at 16?’ was In the Infants, Greenfields follows the Applied one of the questions we asked in our first prospectus Scholastics Phonics Programme and aims to give all in 1981. Now we can answer that question – most our young learners a thorough grounding in phonics by definitely ‘Yes’. the end of Year 1. They work through phonics booklets at their own pace. Infants also address spelling and vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, reading and Mathematics writing fiction and poetry, reading and writing non-fiction, The Infants work on the Abacus Maths scheme presentation, speaking and listening. supplemented with whole class teaching.

24 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 25 Another factor that is addressed with this technology The purpose of this technology is that each student is the tendency of the child to suffer various physical learns for understanding and application. The idea and mental phenomena when they are made to read is to bring about an understanding of the subject too much text on a subject without being provided sufficient for the student to be able to use that with mass (the thing they are studying about or subject, strand or datum in life. pictures, drawings etc.). The student is taught to recognise when they have a lack of mass and to ask for photos, do a drawing or look at the real thing if Mathematics it is available. Most of the classrooms in the Junior In the Junior School, the aim of the Maths Department School have an interactive white board and this is to provide structured maths schemes which will is frequently used to show students photos and allow each child to work at his optimum pace, making videos from the internet to give them a clear idea students who are adept at basic arithmetic, and of the appearance and make-up of the item they introduce other mathematical concepts in forms are studying about. An example of this would be which will appeal to younger children and thus be an animal mentioned in a comprehension book that remembered and used in problem solving and life. they have never heard of. A picture can easily be The intention is to instil in children a lasting enjoyment found of such an animal. Additionally, some of the of maths and problem solving. older classes have a supply of clay/plasticine and are encouraged to demonstrate what they are studying using this medium. We recognise that students learn in different ways and that each student Another important aspect of this method is the recognition that students learn in different ways and will have a different requirement in Junior School that each student will have a different requirement in terms of practice, drills and practical Ages 7 to 11 (Years 3 to 6) terms of practice, drills and practical work in order to work in order to fully grasp a concept fully grasp a concept or subject. In the Junior School we aim to ensure that whatever we teach, each child or subject. Greenfields Junior School is the equivalent of Year Groups 3 to 6 in will be allowed to continue working on that concept or subject until they have grasped it and are happy the English state school system. We use the Cambridge Curriculum with their understanding and application of it. As an The Juniors follow the Cambridge Primary Maths example, if a Junior class is working on fractions, curriculum. This is supplemented with an in-house in English, Maths and Science. The Cambridge Curriculum the teacher will allow each student to work on maths scheme, which comprises individual booklets Framework for each year group provides the basic criteria for the fractions problems until he or she has really grasped and a series of class games and activities for each the subject. While students may be introduced to year. Teachers aim to get all students through the skills to be acquired by each child by the end of an academic year a subject or strand as a class, each child will be Cambridge published framework of skills by the end for each of these subjects. assigned tasks or short programmes to complete of each academic year, though some EFL students on the subject to ensure that they do understand it. may not achieve these levels depending on how long they have been in the school. The school has as one of its basic premises that Study Technology in the each child is different and may work at a completely different pace to his fellow students. His ability Junior School to understand and use the material he is studying By the end of their Junior School education may be quite different to the student sitting next students should be able to notice when they have to him. We therefore have an individual approach encountered words they do not understand and in our teaching and strive to ensure that each child should work with their teacher to get these words grasps the information being given to him, whether defined. They should not only be able to see when this is through teacher-led lessons or through the they have a word in the text they are reading that use of detailed short programmes that guide the they have never seen before, they should also be student through the material they need to study. It is able to spot that the definition they have for the therefore a ‘mantra’ in the Junior School that while word is not necessarily the correct one. They should each child may not cover exactly the same amount know by the end of Year 6 that ignoring words that of material as others, it is essential that each student they do not understand in their studies will prevent understands and can use what he does study. understanding and application.

26 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 27 through observation and experimentation, enabling Art children to predict, suggest and conclude. The Junior School Art curriculum provides each student The Junior Science curriculum is divided into two with opportunities to create with a variety of materials, parts – one for Years 3 and 4; the other for Years learning new techniques and skills which will enhance 5 and 6 as Juniors are split into two classes. The the students’ artistic skills. The aims include presenting lessons can be delivered as subject lessons, run on a each student with opportunities to look at the work of checksheet or integrated into a project. others, both amateur and professional, in a variety of fields and to give each student an understanding of the It is anticipated that students will have completed all importance of art in life. levels to the end of the Cambridge Year 6 Curriculum by the time they have left the Juniors. Students At Junior level, children learn how to record from should graduate from the Year 6 with a sense of experience and imagination, to select and record scientific enquiry, including the ability and willingness from first-hand observation and to explore ideas for to make suggestions, predictions and share ideas, different purposes; question and make thoughtful the ability to record observations, comparisons and observations about starting points and select ideas to measurements using tables and bar charts, and the use in their work; collect visual and other information ability to select information from sources provided (for example, images, materials) to help them for them and much more. They should have a basic develop their ideas, including using a sketchbook. English Our experience on this is that getting the student to read many short and relatively easy (not too grasp of life processes and living things, materials The Junior School English curriculum aims to provide easy but not too difficult) books, brings about an and their properties, electricity, sound, light, gravity, They also learn how to investigate and combine English schemes which will allow each child to work interest in reading, increases vocabulary and extends acceleration, friction, resistance and magnetism and visual and tactile qualities of materials and processes at his or her optimum pace, producing students knowledge of grammar and the correct spelling of much more. and to match these qualities to the purpose of the who are skilled in the use of the language, while words. Book reading is therefore an important part work and how to apply their experience of materials introducing other more advanced concepts in forms of the Greenfields Junior School curriculum. The completion of this curriculum and the Maths and processes, including drawing, developing their which will appeal to younger children and thus be curriculum allows a student to move smoothly into control of tools and techniques, with an emphasis remembered and used in life. Children should not the Senior School. on using a variety of methods and approaches to only understand the language, they should love it and English as a Foreign Language communicate observations, ideas and feelings, and its works of literature. in the Juniors to design and make images and artefacts. This Geography includes using computers, painting, collage, print The Junior School operates a programme for The Juniors follow the Cambridge Primary English The Junior School Geography curriculum aims to making, textiles and sculpture. Visits to museums, students whose native language is not English using curriculum. This is supplemented with other provide a course of study that will enable each galleries and sites complement internet research. the Cambridge Global English curriculum. Children materials and class games and activities for each student to understand this planet and some of the normally begin this programme in Year 3 and cover year. Teachers aim to get all students through the people who inhabit it, giving students information a wide range of topics over the next three years History Cambridge published framework of skills by the which they can relate to and use, on the subjects including ‘The Big Sky’, ‘Let’s Count’, ‘Inside and end of each academic year. This includes the fields of maps, environments, habitats, planets, countries, The Junior School History curriculum provides a Outside Cities’, ‘Families and Memories’, ‘Puzzles of spelling and phonics, grammar and punctuation, continents and seas. course of study that will enable each student to gain reading fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and writing and Codes’, ‘Our Amazing Body’, ‘Stories’, ‘Famous knowledge and understanding of some of the major People’ and many more. fiction and non-fiction including for example, book Students begin to study Geography as a distinct events in our history. As well as making the learning reviews, letters and messages. subject in the Juniors. Each class has a curriculum of history enjoyable and memorable, the intention is Science that can be delivered as Geography lessons or to present students with the opportunity to become Additional methods are used to boost literacy for all integrated into a project. The Year 5 and 6 classes involved with the subject and to realise that history is The Junior School Science Department aims to Junior students, including key word clearing, reading have sets of detailed checksheets to follow that a never ending story, and that contemporary society provide a course of study that will enable each child aloud and reading a volume of easily-read material, allow them to independently study and work through is shaped by our past and that they are the creators to gain a better understanding of the world, as well either fiction or non-fiction. their own independent programme, often twinned of the future. as presenting opportunities for each child to learn with another student.

28 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 29 Students begin to study History as a distinct subject makes provision for the range of abilities within the in the Juniors. Each class has a curriculum that can class and any previous experience and skills gained, be delivered as history lessons or integrated into a using judgement to ensure both the more able and project. The History teacher makes provision for the less able are catered for within the class. range of abilities within the class and uses judgement to ensure both the more able and less able are The Juniors have a timetabled class period in the Senior catered for. EFL children may be given work on an ICT suite and are taught touch typing from Year 3 individual basis if their English skills require this. Also onwards. In Years 3 and 4, students are taught simple if an area of British history is being taught, some graphics, spreadsheet charts and word processing. In reference is made as to what was happening in their Years 5 and 6, they progress to learning basic coding, home country at the same time. publishing and more about word processing.

Each student should graduate from the Juniors with an understanding that there are many sources Graduates of the Junior School which can be used to find out about history and When students complete their education in the that some may be more impartial than others. They Junior School they have a good grounding in all gain practical experience of studying the past from subjects taught as outlined above and are ready for artefacts, books, pictures and photographs, a great the more specialised Cambridge Curriculum of the deal of historical information about various time Senior School. They graduate from the Junior School periods, including that each had its own inventions, to the Senior School having already been introduced Extra-Curricular Activities lifestyles and so on, and that these have to a greater to many of its teachers and methods. or lesser degree been incorporated into the way we see the world and Britain today. They also gain Given its size and nature, Greenfields aims to provide a good quality and an ability to distinguish between fact, fiction and opinion, and much more. a variety of extra-curricular provision in the Junior, Infant and Nursery School. Subject teachers are encouraged to organise outings to places Values Studies of special interest for their subjects. In the Junior School, the concept of the British values of tolerance, diversity, helping others etc, is also covered in a number of history topics as Details of what is happening during the year are Dance applicable. For example, in History the student might available through the school’s website. From Nursery School all the way to the Sixth Form, cover the reason for the immigration to this country all students, male and female, are also offered of the peoples of India and Pakistan and the West the opportunity to participate in private dance Indies. British values as a topic is also touched on in Junior extra-curricular activities lessons, covering modern, jazz, tap and classical and Geography, where students get to learn about different after the 3:00 pm end of the school contemporary ballet. As well as performing in many people and their way of life. Topics to do with values day, Monday to Friday, include: school productions, students have the opportunity are often taught as cross curriculum lessons, involving Greenfields Junior Gardening Club to dance in local theatrical productions and to History, Art, Geography and British Values. Art Club choreograph their own dances. Craft Club The universal moral code The Way to Happiness is Drama Club used as the foundation for teaching students about ‘Make It’ Club Ski Trip right and wrong and positive social behaviour, which French Club The Greenfields Ski Trip is a tradition many children, promotes healthy and thriving relationships in the Games Club parents and staff have enjoyed over the years with Junior School. its beginning being close to the inception of the school itself. Skiing has occurred in many countries Computers from Bulgaria to Switzerland and after a near 15-year Peripatetic Music Lessons period in the fabulous Torgon in Switzerland, the The Junior School Information and Communications school more recently has been taking advantage of Technology (ICT) curriculum provides a course of Private music tutors are scheduled to deliver one-to-one some fantastic skiing and Club hotels in the French study that will enable each student to understand lessons to individual students as part of the extra- Alps. In the future the plan is to enjoy more skiing in simple programming, word processing and touch curricular timetable. other European resorts and possibly the USA. Parents, typing, taught by the Senior ICT teacher. The teacher children and staff are all welcome.

30 www.greenfieldsschool.com Greenfields Junior, Infant & Nursery School Prospectus 31 You the Parents At Greenfields, you are encouraged to be involved. The school strives to make communication easy and to respond to your questions in timely fashion, and makes information about policies readily available.

We work to handle effectively anything you might be concerned about, and strive to provide you with any other information you might need.

Parent questionnaires are regularly undertaken. Our regularly updated website provides you with access to news and forthcoming events and we publish regular electronic newsletters. Parents often comment on the easy access they have to the Head Team – indeed, the level of communication between parents and staff is considered to be exceptional.

Though the school has a relatively short history, School Reports former students bring their children to Greenfields Written school reports are issued twice yearly to you and we are now on our third generation of children in and Parents’ Evenings are also held twice yearly. some cases. Graduates regularly return to visit and Formal career interviews involving you as parents are even to be employed by the school after career or held with Year 9 students prior to them naming university training. subject choices for Year 10, around which the entire Senior School timetable is then constructed. As parents, you are provided with a contact board outlining the structure of the school including the Board of Governance and lines and channels of Parent and Teacher Association operation. There is also available a school board At Greenfields, you are encouraged to participate in showing administrative and teaching functions. Apart the highly supportive Parent and Teacher Association, from working closely with Heads of Schools and which is involved with various school projects and the Executive Head (the Senior Leadership Team putting on the following events throughout the year: or Head Team) daily, Trust Management (headed by the Chief Executive) also ensures that professional Halloween Party relationships are maintained between yourselves Bonfire Night and staff and that your interests and concerns Christmas Party are responded to in an appropriate manner. Trust Valentine’s Day Party Management ensures that the Head Team have a Easter Egg Hunt range of contact with you from informal greetings Summer Fair every morning in the school’s turning circle and elsewhere to formal appointed meetings. The We look forward to welcoming you as a parent! Feel Executive Head calls for feedback from all staff after free to contact Admissions if you have any questions Parents’ Evenings and takes action accordingly. about this prospectus or the school! Greenfields School is part of Greenfields Educational Trust, a registered charity, No 287037. © 2016 Greenfields Educational Trust. All Rights Reserved. A company limited by guarantee. Company No 1720639. Registered office Greenfields School, Priory Road, Forest Row, Sussex RH18 5JD. Greenfields is an Applied ScholasticsTM School. Applied Scholastics and the Applied Scholastics Open Book design are trademarks and service marks owned by Association for Better Living and Education International and used with its permission.

32 www.greenfieldsschool.com “I have enjoyed every moment I have spent here at Greenfields, I shall treasure every moment of my time here. This school has given me the necessary tools for my future which includes the ability to learn anything I could possibly want. I was able to progress with my subjects due to my knowledge of Study Technology. This knowledge gave me the ability to see what might confuse me and to overcome it.”

T.P. – Graduate with Honours

Greenfields School Priory Road Forest Row East Sussex RH18 5JD

+44 (0)1342 822189 [email protected]

www.greenfieldsschool.com