St. Ambrose Preparatory School Hale Barns, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 0HF St. Ambrose Telephone: 0161 903 9193 www.stambroseprep.co.uk Preparatory School An Edmund Rice School Aims Founded in 1945, St Ambrose is a thriving Catholic, Faith Independent School catering for boys aged between four To encourage and foster the spiritual growth of all and to and eleven years. The school is located in a large purpose make prayer an integral and enjoyable experience in our Curriculum built modern building set in beautiful grounds in Hale daily life The Religious Education offered by the school goes well Barns, Altrincham Cheshire. beyond the bounds of religious lessons. The work we We are one of five Prep Schools in England that are part undertake, in all its facets, is informed and underpinned of the Edmund Rice network of schools. Individual Opportunity for Learning/Growth by sound Christian principles, and enlivened and energised by the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the The School’s philosophy is based upon the Eight To provide experiences that broaden, enrich and extend centre of all we do. Essentials of Edmund Rice Education. the skills, talents and values of each member of the school community School Masses are celebrated throughout the year at Holy 1. Evangelisation of the Modern World Angels Church. Relationships 2. Awareness of the Spiritual To provide a safe, caring and welcoming environment We give great emphasis to a thorough grounding in 3. Building of a Christian Community within which all are treated with respect, courtesy and Reading, Writing and Mathematics, striving for excellence 4. Compassion for the Weak kindness. St Ambrose Prep School upholds British values in all areas. This gives our pupils a great advantage when and encourages respect for all. 5. Concern for the Whole Person sitting the Trafford Grammar Schools entrance 6. Striving for Excellence examinations at the beginning of Prep 4 (Year 6). The School constantly achieves a very high pass rate in all 7. Teaching as a Christian Vocation School and Wider Community these examinations. 8. Education for Justice To foster a spirit of co-operation and friendship between home, school and the wider community. The boys throughout their time at the school, experience We strive each day for the boys to encompass these a very broad and balanced curriculum, from visits to essential elements of life. historically important houses and museums, to residential Although St. Ambrose is a Catholic Preparatory School, Geography field trips in the Lake District. The overriding boys of other faiths are warmly welcomed. aim to all that we do at St Ambrose Prep, is for the boys to develop and enhance their knowledge in all areas of the Organisation curriculum. Mission Statement There are two departments in the school, an Infant This is accomplished through a variety of teaching Department for boys of 4+ to 7 years and a Preparatory methods incorporating the best of formal and less formal At St. Ambrose Preparatory School, we strive Department for boys of 7+ to 11 years of age. approaches. together to do our very best to make this a safe, Each form has its own teacher and there are specialists for music, P.E, computing and French. Topic work and projects present the children with happy place, with Christ the centre of all we do. The school day begins at 8.50am for all boys and finishes opportunities for cross-curricular activities, and our at 3.00pm for infants and 3.15pm for juniors. Term dates impressive computing facilities offer support and accompany this prospectus enrichment to the whole curriculum. Parent-Teacher Liaison To ensure the best interests of pupils are served, home and school need to work in a spirit of close mutual trust and co-operation. In order to facilitate this, parent teacher meetings are held 2/3 times a year. Detailed class reports with examinations results are sent home in the Spring and Summer Terms. Less formal contact is also welcomed. The Headmaster is pleased to discuss the boys’ progress at all times, by appointment. (Convenient appointments may be made through the school secretary on 0161 903 9193). Relationship with St. Ambrose College St. Ambrose College is a Catholic State Funded Aims Independent Grammar School with a selective intake, boys Faith entering via a competitive entrance examination. The school has academy status. As a state funded school, To encourage and foster the spiritual growth of all and to there are no fees. make prayer an integral and enjoyable experience in our Curriculum daily life. The Religious Education offered by the school goes well Although we share the same name, have some facilities in beyond the bounds of religious lessons. The work we common and strive towards the same goals, the two undertake, in all its facets, is informed and underpinned schools are in fact separate entities. Entrance to the Individual Opportunity for Learning/Growth by sound Christian principles, and enlivened and College is by examination at 11+. Parents should note that To provide experiences that broaden, enrich and extend energised by the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the acceptance of a boy into St. Ambrose Preparatory School the skills, talents and values of each member of the school centre of all we do. in no way guarantees that he will be awarded a place later community. on at the College. School Masses are celebrated throughout the year at Holy Full information regarding the College is available from the Angels Church. college secretary (Tel. 0161 980 2711). Relationships To provide a safe, caring and welcoming environment We give great emphasis to a thorough grounding in within which all are treated with respect, courtesy and Reading, Writing and Mathematics, striving for excellence kindness. St Ambrose Preparatory School upholds British in all areas. This gives our pupils a great advantage when Fees values and encourages respect for all. sitting the Trafford Grammar Schools entrance Our fees represent excellent value for money. We offer examinations at the beginning of Prep 4 (Year 6). The generous sibling discounts and early payment discount. School and Wider Community School constantly achieves a very high pass rate in all The option to pay for fees over a number of months is very these examinations. popular with many of our existing parents. To foster a spirit of co-operation and friendship between home, school and the wider community. The Edmund Rice Bursary Scheme is available for parents The boys throughout their time at the school, experience who meet certain criteria, details of this and all fee matters a very broad and balanced curriculum, from visits to may be discussed informally with the School Bursar by historically important houses and museums, to residential calling 0161 904 7874. Geography field trips in the Lake District. The overriding aim to all that we do at St Ambrose Prep, is for the boys to develop and enhance their knowledge in all areas of the Organisation curriculum. Further Information There are three departments in the school, an Early Years Department for boys of 3 to 5 years, an Infant Department Parents who would like more details of any aspect of the This is accomplished through a variety of teaching for boys of 5 to 7 years and a Preparatory Department for school are invited to contact the Headmaster. An methods incorporating the best of formal and less formal boys of 7 to 11 years of age. appointment for a tour with the Headmaster may be made approaches. through the school secretary (Tel: 0161 903 9193). Each form has its own teacher and there are specialists for Music, P.E, Computing and French. Further detailed information can be found in the pocket of Topic work and projects present the children with this prospectus. The school day begins at 8.50am for all boys and finishes opportunities for cross-curricular activities, and our at 3.00pm for Infants and 3.15pm for Juniors. Term dates impressive computing facilities offer support and accompany this prospectus enrichment to the whole curriculum. Music Sport Entrance Requirements Music plays a very big part in the life of the boys at St. and then again when we invite the local community into The school play a wide variety of sports and compete both At St Ambrose Preparatory School we recognise the Ambrose Preparatory School. From Pre-Prep, right school for an afternoon of Christmas Music and locally and around the North West area. The school are importance of individual learning styles and we are through to Prep. 4 (Year 6), the boys have two forty minute Sing-along – a lovely occasion looked forward to by all members of I.A.P.S. (Independent Association of committed to enhancing the multiple intelligences of each music lessons each week in our designated music room. concerned. Preparatory Schools) and A.J.I.S. (Association of Junior student. St Ambrose Preparatory School offer one to two Our specialist music teacher has been trained in the Towards the end of the spring term we invite the local Independent Schools) and participate in many of the classes per year group with a maximum class size of 20 Kodaly principles of music teaching – an approach built on community into school again, this time for a World War II events organised by these associations as well as Trafford boys in the Infants and 22 boys in the Juniors. We will the belief that singing is the best medium for teaching, sing-along with Prep 4 (Year 6). Sports Associations. We are also one of five Prep Schools accept qualified applicants entering Pre-Prep (3 years old) learning and understanding music and that particularly within the Edmund Rice Family of Schools who organise a through to Prep 4 (Year 6).