St Christopher's Preparatory School

[EduCativ]

St Christopher’s School is an independent Primary school, which is part of the Inspired Learning Group. Our school sets out to provide parents with an educational provision which we believe large Independent schools are unable to match. We are a small, highly resourced one-form entry school with an average of 12-14 pupils to a class. Our Inspection reports and our academic results testify to our success.
Whilst many Independent schools have grown larger with two or three classes to each year group, we have remained faithful to a type of provision which we believe delivers a better, more Primary focussed education. At St Christopher’s, every child knows every fellow student by name. Children in older year groups mentor younger children and teachers are expected to know about the needs and progress of each child.
We believe it is our difference from the standard Independent Schools that makes us better. Our system seeks to attain excellence in academic attainment and pastoral development.
We track progress through termly tests which generate standardized scores and age-related grades. We also track reading ages, spelling ages, and verbal and nonverbal reasoning ability. In doing this, we have made a conscious decision to stick to a more rigorous test-based system that will prepare our students for the competitive academic exams they may face when they reach Year 6. Our students aim to sit exams and tests for Independent Schools and Grammar Schools. Our mission is to prepare them.
However, academic success isn’t enough. It may not even be the most important thing for a Primary school. There’s something far more important.
At St Christopher’s School, we pride ourselves on being an Independent Preparatory School. We are a member of ISA (the Independent Schools Association) and our last Regulatory Compliance Inspection (2016) found us to be compliant in all areas of school regulations. This is the highest standard of achievement for school regulations and is a testament to our teachers and our organization. Furthermore, St Christopher’s has been serving the local community for nearly 90 years and 2018 will mark our 90th anniversary.
As an independent Preparatory school, we aim to prepare each student for the opportunities and challenges to be faced in some of the best Secondary schools in London, including Independent and Grammar schools.
We track progress through termly tests which generate standardized scores and age-related grades. We also track reading ages, spelling ages, and verbal and nonverbal reasoning ability. In doing this, we have made a conscious decision to stick to a more rigorous test-based system that will prepare our students for the competitive academic exams they may face when they reach Year 6. It is always an important decision when choosing a school for your child.
This encapsulates the ethos of the school as it reflects the family atmosphere to which St Christopher’s School aspires. As class sizes are limited to 16, teachers know their pupils very well and excellent working relationships between them have a positive impact on the pupils’ learning. We want the children to flourish as individuals and to become confident and responsible adults.
The school prepares children for 11+ entrance examinations, gaining excellent results. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum which celebrates the ‘Arts’ as well as the important academic subjects. We have a strong musical emphasis within the school, with every child receiving two class music lessons a week from a specialist music teacher. St Christopher’s School has peripatetic teachers that offer a wide variety of musical instruments which the children can learn.
We value good communication with parents as we realize that working in partnership with them benefits the child’s progress and development. Each child has a home link book where notes and messages can be written between home and school. Parents may take an active role in school activities and are welcome to attend school events and accompany their children on one of the many educational trips.
At St Christopher's School, we aim to fully realize the educational potential of our pupils: academically, socially, artistically, and physically. We encourage in everyone a sense of personal responsibility and individual worth within a caring multi-cultural community. As a result, our school has a happy and supportive atmosphere that is conducive to learning.
St Christopher's School is based on family values that promote understanding, tolerance, and friendship and will encompass the spiritual, educational, social, and physical development of all of its students. The education will provide a well-rounded, solid, foundation upon which our children can grow up to become open-minded, caring, compassionate, and responsible citizens.
To experience and develop skills in collaboration and co-operative working and have opportunities to develop leadership skills, organization, and confidence.
We believe that our school should provide a nurturing, caring social environment, based on family values, in which the views of all members are heard, valued, and respected and in which students are supported in their development. We believe that our students’ success and happiness in school depends on us working in close partnership with families.

View full school