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What it's like

Founded 1838, it is in a residential area of Sevenoaks, ten minutes walk from Walthamstow Hall Senior school. The Edwardian school building is set in grounds which include an adventure playground and two netball/tennis courts. Specialist facilities include a science laboratory, ICT suite, music centre and a well-equipped stage and auditorium; pupils also make use of facilities at the senior school, including the swimming pool and theatre. The school aims to enable each girl to achieve her potential, to value pupils as individuals and to celebrate their achievements, and to prepare them for life in the twenty first century. There is a range of musical activity and pupils are involved in the community and in raising money for charity. Girls go on to a range of secondary schools, though over half go on to Walthamstow Hall Senior school.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 2½–11, 207 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 2½, 4. Entrance is academically selective: own entry assessments during taster days, plus report from any current school. 2 classes (of up to 16) throughout. No special skills or religious requirements; school is a Christian foundation but accepts girls of all faiths or none.

Scholarships & bursaries

No scholarships or bursaries. Parents not required to buy textbooks; average extras £192 per term for individual music tuition.

Parents

15+% of parents are doctors, lawyers etc; 15% in industry/commerce; 15% in banking or financial services. Over 60% live within 30 miles.

Head & staff

Head: Mrs Penelope Austin, in post since 2004. Educated at Trinity College of Music, and at universities of London and Brighton (music and drama). Previously Deputy Head at Ardingly College Preparatory School. Also ISI team inspector. Teaching staff: 31 full-time, 17 part-time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 44.

Exam results

Pupils take entrance exams for independent schools (including Walthamstow Hall Senior), and Kent 11+ exams for entry to grammar schools. All pupils achieve Level 4 standard in Key Stage 2. Some 18% gain entrance scholarships to secondary schools.

Pupils' destinations

Some 60% go on to Walthamstow Hall Senior school; entrance by its own exam.

Curriculum

All National Curriculum subjects taught, plus eg all humanities, drama. Study skills taught to Years 5 and 6; emphasis on active learning, involving children in discussions, investigations and problem-solving activities. Specialist subject teachers introduced at age 9 (age 7 in some subjects). PSHE, citizenship etc covered in dedicated lessons, school assemblies and everyday school life; practical activities eg charity fundraising; visiting speakers eg police, representatives of charities; special trips. Special provision: Support for pupils with dyslexia, dyspraxia and various medical conditions. Languages: French taught from age 6. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (from age 5) and across the curriculum. Computer in each classroom for pupil use, plus 20 laptops and ICT suite of 20 computers.

The arts

Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. 9 musical groups, including wind band, ocarina club, choirs, string groups, recorder consort. All pupils involved in school drama productions – recently The Wind in the Willows (Year 6). Dedicated rooms for art and DT, including a kiln. Music, drama, dance and art all offered as extra-curricular activities.

Sports & activities

Compulsory sports: netball, rounders, pop-lacrosse, swimming, tennis, gymnastics and athletics. Optional: table tennis, skiing, modern dance, ballet. On-site courts, indoor hall/gym; sports field, swimming pool and sports hall at senior school nearby. Regular matches against local schools, county level matches, IAPS national sports competitions. Activities: Music to elderly local residents; Fiesta Day for charity fundraising; special events to raise money for international emergencies. Some 30 clubs and activities, eg chess, art & craft, news, Latin, first aid, computers, cookery, gardening and various music and sport clubs.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses: Competitive houses. Each girl in Year 6 has a position of responsibility (head girl, prefects, librarians, monitors, house captains, house games captains); positions of responsibility in each form, selected by teacher and pupils. Religion: Christian. Participation in regular collective worship and RE courses compulsory (although parents of other faiths may withdraw their children). Social: Participates in IAPS events. Trips abroad include Year 5 visit to a French school; also supports a school in Africa. Pupils allowed to bring own bike/scooter to school. Meals formal and compulsory; pupils not expected to bring their own food to school. Shops selling secondhand uniform, book bags etc. Pupils travel to school on foot, by car or school minibus. Some supervision available before and after school (8am to 6pm).

Discipline

School aims to promote consideration for others and self-discipline; and to help pupils learn to lead and to serve and develop a sense of responsibility, both within school and in the wider community. Good behaviour is the norm; rewards and sanctions applied consistently and fairly. Any pupil failing to produce homework on time would receive a quiet word of advice from her teacher; in a case of stealing, the Head and Deputy Head would speak to the pupil and parents.

Association of former pupils

The Walthamstow Hall Old Girls Association, email WOGAmembership@hotmail.co.uk