North Bridge House Senior Canonbury Parents these days see ‘success’ slightly differently for their children, recognising that each child needs to fulfil their potential in a unique and History individual way. Which is why, from day one, North Bridge House is on a constant journey of getting to know and understand every learner as a rounded and unique individual. It is our specialist expertise – from early childhood through to the teenage years – that will make sure every pupil Founded in 1939, North Bridge House offers an independent, mixed ability co-education, challenging and inspiring girls and boys throughout every finds and realises their true academic and personal potential – so they are set on a clear journey, to find their True North, that will be fulfilled stage of their school career. Across six North London school sites, we successfully prepare happy pupils for every milestone, with specialist expertise at through their time at North Bridge House and beyond. each school stage – from the important early years through to the more challenging teenage ones. All staff members across the North Bridge House group are dedicated to our three vision pillars: 1. Knowing the individual 2. Fostering academic excellence 3. Cultivating character and promoting wellbeing. At whichever school stage families join North Bridge House, we pride ourselves on really getting to know each individual pupil on their journey from Nursery through to Sixth Form. It is only through knowing the individual that we can truly help each child to achieve their full potential, both academically and personally. 3 Welcome The headteacher and senior leaders have At North Bridge House Senior Canonbury we are dedicated to providing our students with an outstanding education and to developing happy, confident established a firm young adults with the skills to become future leaders. We maintain small class sizes, allowing us to tailor our teaching to support every child within our foundation for the diverse community. highest standards Our team of specialist and dedicated teachers provide the inspiration our pupils need to realise their academic goals. The focus on academic success is and expectations for complemented by first class pastoral care and attention to the learning needs of each individual child. the academic and personal development I have been fortunate to work across three excellent independent schools over the last twenty-two years: Colfe’s School in SE London, Shiplake of students. All staff College and Long Close School, where I took up my first headship in 2013 and worked to improve academic results to record levels year on year, whilst aspire to this ethos maintaining family values and a compassionate and caring learning environment. As a father of four, I am also able to bring my experience as a parent; and together they have the many challenges and joys this brings, I am sure, will resonate with you all. created an inspirational As the Head of both of North Bridge House’s senior schools: Hampstead and Canonbury, I am able to implement best practice across our schools. team whose work is Students will benefit from the comfort of their local small school whilst also being able to enjoy the benefits of a larger senior school community, from exemplary. academic to sporting events. Ofsted, 2015 Like all the schools in the North Bridge House group, we offer a broad range of activities which enhance our pupils’ learning and constitute an integral part of our overall educational offering. More than simply ‘extra-curricular’ provision, our timetabled enrichment programme develops transferable skills and interests, with activities varying from Mandarin to Yoga. Whether your son or daughter is looking for Year 7 or Year 12 entry, our provision is built upon a commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of the individual. For a real insight into what North Bridge House Senior Canonbury has to offer, I encourage families to visit our vibrant school. Our teachers are always happy to discuss our provision and identify how we can provide the very best all round education for your son or daughter. Brendan Pavey Head Teacher, North Bridge House Senior Canonbury 5 About Us – North Bridge House Senior Canonbury North Bridge House Senior Canonbury, rated ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted, is located just minutes away from Islington’s vibrant Upper Street and caters for students aged 11 to 18. From our academically rigorous curriculum and wide range of enrichment opportunities to our focus on understanding pupils’ needs, we ensure each of our students are prepared to navigate their way in a globally competitive future. Our Grade II listed building is over 500 years old, magnificently restored to provide a unique schooling experience. Characterised by its original Tudor architecture, North Bridge House Senior Canonbury provides contemporary teaching facilities with spacious, well-equipped classrooms and specialist spaces for Science and Art; and the historic King Edward Hall for Music and Drama. North Bridge House Senior Canonbury is the former home of Thomas Cromwell (1485-1540). Cromwell served King Henry VIII from 1532-40 and meeting his death in the Great Tower of London in 1540 at the order of the King. Adjacent to the school, Canonbury Tower, one of the oldest surviving buildings in Islington, was built sometime between 1509 and 1532 when William Bolton, Henry VIII’s Master of Works for the chapel in Westminster Abbey, became Prior of the land. He built himself a mansion with a tower to take advantage of the view. In 1535 Thomas Cromwell took up residence at Canonbury Tower and from this location organised the dissolution of the monasteries and their transfer into royal ownership. In 1539 on the completion of the dissolution, Henry VIII gave the Canonbury Manor to Cromwell. Cromwell only lived there for another year before he was executed on charges of treason in 1540. Henry VIII then used money from the Manor to pay Anne of Cleves’s divorce settlement. In 1594 Canonbury Tower became the property of Sir John Spencer, Lord Mayor of London, and was later passed to his son-in-law, the Earl of Northampton. The Northamptons leased the property out to various historical figures including scientist and philosopher, Sir Francis Bacon, who spent the last ten years of his life there, and famous writer Oliver Goldsmith. Our students are reminded of the school’s history through the House System in which the three houses are named after Cromwell, Bacon and Goldsmith and upon joining their house, each student receives a book about their House’s historical namesake. Classrooms are also named to reflect the school and adjacent Canonbury Tower’s history. Our school is structured along a Lower, Middle and Upper school model with vertical tutor groups in each ‘school’. The House System is an integral part of school life and is highly popular among students, staff and parents and brings an additional layer of pastoral care. Head of House and prefect systems give leadership opportunities to pupils of all ages and ensure the student voice is an integral part of our school. 6 Curriculum We provide each year group with specialist subject options to complement a balanced core curriculum, with all students partaking in additional weekly enrichment lessons. As students move through the school and refine their curriculum choices to achieve greater specialism and depth of study, Sixth Formers continue to benefit from PSHE and Games lessons, but are only assessed in their selected A-Level courses. The table below indicates the subjects available to study in Years 7 to 9 and at GCSE and A-Level*: Lower School Middle School Sixth Form Art Art Art Biology Biology Biology Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry Computer Studies Computer Studies Computer Studies Drama Drama Economics English English English Literature French French Extended Project Qualification Geography Geography French History History Further Mathematics Latin Latin Geography Mandarin Mandarin Government & Politics Mathematics Mathematics History Music Music Mandarin PE PE Mathematics The dedicated and focused teaching, small class sizes, Physics Physics Photography enrichment activities and general school ethos have really PSHE PSHE Physics Spanish Religious Studies Psychology seen our children improve academically and increase in Spanish Spanish confidence at NBH Canonbury. * subject to appropriate student numbers at A-Level Parent at North Bridge House Senior Canonbury 9 Sport North Bridge House Senior Canonbury offers a wide variety of different sports on the curriculum as well as additional after school sports. We take a more modern approach to sport than a lot of independent schools: rather than focusing on one sport per term, rugby or netball for example, we try to provide as many different activities as possible and find that one sport for everyone. NBH Senior Canonbury’s aim is for students to find a lifelong enthusiasm for sport, promoting physical education as part of a deep, rich and exciting curriculum. Students may not find that enthusiasm in traditional sports, but they may do from alternatives like kayaking, climbing, or mountain biking. It is important that young people have the opportunity to express and challenge themselves physically, work together as well as individually, and experience a variety of different environments and activities. NBH Senior Canonbury’s prime north London location facilitates its broad sporting curriculum, with students frequenting the best facilities for outdoor adventure and water sports, as well yoga, martial arts and fitness classes. From the Sobell Leisure Centre to Highbury Fields and Lee Valley White Water Centre, all students are exposed to the 18 sports on the curriculum in Years 7 and 8, revisiting them in Years 9 and 10 to develop their skills and interests. Nearly all those sports are then available at GCSE, with core sport still on the curriculum for students not taking PE as a GCSE option.