Luckley House School Has a Rich Heritage
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Luckle HOUSE SCHOOL Information Booklet 2014 - 2015 Coeducational Day & Boarding School for Pupils aged 11-18 years Welcome Dear Parents and Guardians, Within this booklet are details regarding our admissions process, fees, curriculum, co-curricular activities, staff and governor information. I hope you will find it useful and informative, but please do also look at our website www.luckleyhouseschool.org to see more information and news about the school. Every year, as the GCSE and A Level examination results come in, we are proud of the achievements of each student and of our school. The excellent results reflect the hard work of the pupils, exceptional teaching and the support of parents and families. Added value is a feature of the education provided at Luckley. However, this is independently verified by the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University. Thousands of schools take part and the results achieved by each pupil are compared to the results gained by pupils of similar ability in other schools. At GCSE, our average ‘value added’ is one GCSE grade, which means that our pupils achieve an average of a grade higher in each of their GCSE subjects than pupils of similar ability in other schools. This enables our students to begin their A Level studies at Luckley in the best possible position to achieve those outstanding grades that will secure them a place at the university of their choice, or to secure highly regarded employment or apprenticeship opportunities. We are also proud of our co-curricular programme which is rich and diverse. Students are encouraged to enhance their experiences by selecting activities that they will enjoy. There is a range of musical, arts and crafts, drama and sports activities, as well as some more specialised activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Programme, Combined Cadet Force, horse riding and polo. Playing a full part in school life will enhance future applications to university and employment. We are very happy to answer any questions you have in person, by email, or by telephone, so please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you and your daughter or son to visit us, either for an individual appointment, or at one of our Open Mornings scheduled throughout the year. Jane Tudor, Headmistress Our Core Values Luckley House School has a rich heritage. Founded in 1918, it is set in the grounds of Luckley Manor, an ancient property mentioned in the Domesday Book, and we enjoy beautiful surroundings and excellent facilities. Our primary aim for the past century has been to enable our students to thrive in a secure and encouraging environment, thereby equipping each one to be resourceful and resilient in a changing world, ready to take on life’s many challenges and opportunities. Luckley House strives to be the best school possible for every student. We value each individual and as such encourage all to find and develop their own passions and talents, so that they gain the broad education required for their future. Each individual matures at their own rate and the recognition of individual differences enables the school to provide an education geared specifically to their own needs. The young people of today will be our future leaders, which is why we believe that there should be no limitations on their ambitions. Modern life expects men and women to balance many roles during their lives; the path to success lies in the development of confidence, integrity, communication skills and maturity. Good schools look to prepare students for life beyond formal education. Luckley House School endeavours to achieve this by building an education on the Christian foundations of love and service. Development Programme At Luckley, an on-going programme of refurbishment and development ensures that we preserve our beautiful buildings and add new facilities to our site. Our dedicated grounds team maintains our wonderful gardens and playing fields all year round, providing us with inspiring views throughout the seasons. Over recent years we have made significant investments into the school’s facilities to benefit the pupils and teachers. Our most recent developments include: • the refurbishment of our dining hall to create a bright, modern space for our pupils and staff to enjoy meals. • the complete refurbishment of our science laboratories, creating a modern well-equipped state of the art study environment for excellent learning in Science. • the re-structure of our school grounds to encompass the laying of a new road system with extended car parking arrangements. • modernisation of our Design and Technology facilities, with a refurbished Textiles classroom and Food Technology room. • enhancement of our sports facilities, with a fitness suite, trampoline, climbing wall and a fully sprung dance floor, allowing further enrichment of the PE curriculum. • a new spacious common room for our Year 11 girls to enjoy time together out of the classroom. • newly refurbished bedrooms, washrooms and common room for our boarders. • work is due to commence in the 2014 autumn term on a 179-seat Performing Arts Centre complete with dance and drama studio, a workshop, classrooms and offices. Admissions We aim to make admissions as simple and stress-free as possible for every prospective pupil and their parents, with our dedicated Registrar keeping families well informed at each step of the process. Ultimately, we are here to help you decide if Luckley is the right school for your child: Admissions into Year 7 and Year 9 We admit students at age 11 and 13 through an entrance examination process, where both academic ability and all-round potential are assessed. Entrance examinations are usually sat in January and will test students in mathematics, English and non-verbal reasoning. We consider a report from the current Headteacher and all candidates will have an interview with our Headmistress or senior member of staff. As part of the interview process for Year 7 entry, we invite students to complete a personal ‘Story Board’ to demonstrate their hobbies, achievements and interests. All prospective pupils sitting the examination must ideally be registered by November of the preceding year. A non-refundable registration fee of £75 must be submitted with the registration form to the Registrar. Admissions into other year groups Pupils who wish to join us at other entry points will be assessed through an entrance examination, interview and school report. In instances where the pupil is overseas and unable to sit the examination at Luckley, papers can be sent to their current school to be sat under examination conditions. Admission is dependent on vacancies in the relevant year group. Admissions into Sixth Form For entry into Sixth Form, the pupil’s examination results, school report and interview are considered in the selection process. International students will be asked to complete an English and mathematics entrance examination. Our Sixth Form Prospectus is available from the Registrar. Examination dates for 2015 entry The Entrance Examination for Year 7 entry will take place on Monday 5 January 2015 For entrance to Years 8-10, the examination will take place on Wednesday 21 January 2015. Admissions Accepting a place Offers will be made to students by the end of January of the year of entry. Parents are asked to confirm acceptance of the place offered by early March. The acceptance form should be returned along with a deposit of £600. All deposits are set against the final term’s disbursements. Visiting Luckley There are many opportunities for prospective families to experience life at Luckley. Open Events Autumn term - Open Morning - Saturday 18 October 2014 & Tuesday 18 November 2014 Spring term - Open Morning - Tuesday 17 March 2015 Summer term - Open Evening - Thursday 4 June 2015 Individual Appointments Appointments to meet Mrs Tudor and to tour the school are available every week and can be arranged by contacting the Registrar. Events and Invitations Once a family has contacted the school they will be notified of events for prospective families, including invitations to various sporting and creative arts events. Invitation ‘Taster’ Days Taster Days are held for pupils in Year 5 and Year 7. We welcome students from schools across a wide area to these events. Uniform Our Uniform School shop is based on site. Our dedicated Uniform Co-ordinator organises individual appointments with all new starters, so that all the necessary items can be purchased. Taster Day June 2014 Academic Curriculum The curriculum at Luckley ensures continuity and progression in the important years leading to GCSE and A Level. Years 7 - 9 (Key Stage 3) Students follow a broad, balanced programme of study including: English, Drama, Mathematics, Science, Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish), Geography, History, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Art, ICT, Music, Physical Education, Design Technology (Food and Textiles) and 4U, our Personal and Social Education programme. Latin is available as an optional subject as part of our extended day programme. Years 10 - 11 (GCSE) In Year 9, students receive guidance in their choice of GCSE options. All pupils follow a common core of English, English Literature, Mathematics, Science & Additional Science or Triple Award Science, a Modern Foreign Language and a short course GCSE in Religious Studies. Three further options are chosen from Art, Business Studies, Design Technology (Food and Textiles), Drama, French, German, Spanish, Geography, History, ICT, Music and Physical Education. The curriculum is planned to ensure maximum flexibility of choice. In addition, all girls continue with 4U and PE. Latin may also be continued through the extended day programme to GCSE. Years 12 - 13 Sixth Form (A Level) We offer over 20 subjects, providing a challenging and exciting variety of study options. Most students study 4 AS level subjects in Year 12, completing their Sixth Form course by studying three of these subjects to A2 level, although some continue with four subjects.