Rookwood is a non-selective co-educational day and boarding school for children from age 2 to age 16 (18 from September 2021). We provide all our pupils with a broad, balanced curriculum that offers a good range of academic subjects as well as opportunities within the fields of drama, sport, and music. Extra-curricular activities and educational visits broaden the educational experience of our pupils. Every pupil is encouraged to perform to the best of his or her ability in all spheres of activity. High standards are expected, whilst recognizing that success will come in different guises for different pupils and will be celebrated at every level.
The school has a Christian ethos, whilst actively welcoming children of all faiths, and this is reflected in our regular assemblies. It is the background against which pupils are taught to respect each other and to accept that other people will have differing views or opinions. They are also taught that they should give respect to adults and be able to expect to receive respect in return.
At Rookwood our school motto is ‘Sapere Aude’ and can be translated as ‘dare to know’ or ‘dare to understand’ and it certainly represents what we stand for. We challenge our pupils to have courage, to learn new things, develop new skills and deepen their understanding. We encourage them to know and understand themselves and those around them. To recognize that life has its ups and downs and that through knowing themselves they learn to build on their experiences and develop as our future citizens.
Through our curriculum, our care, and our broader provision our pupils leave our school for further study, and eventually employment, well-equipped and ready to face the challenges ahead of them.
At Rookwood, we place a real emphasis on helping each child develop their academic, physical, and social skills. In the Nursey as throughout the Lower School and Senior School, our experienced teachers and staff nurture, encourage, and support all the children, ensuring they feel both happy and secure in our care.
We offer wraparound supervision from 7.30 am until 5.45 pm, breakfast for children arriving before 8.00 am, access to the universal 15-hour entitlement for all parents for any session and we also accept the enhanced 30-hour entitlement for eligible parents.
Our Nursery was recently highly praised by the Independent School Inspectorate, ‘In the EYFS the quality of teaching is excellent. Through continuous observations, staff know the children extremely well and tailor activities to meet their individual needs and interests. They have high expectations and foster an ethos of joyful learning through their enthusiasm and dedication.’
We follow the Early Years curriculum and learning during the Foundation Stage is organized into three Prime and four Specific areas which provide the basis for planning the daily activities.
The Lower School is vibrant, nurturing, and busy school that encourages pupils to thrive in an atmosphere that is caring, ambitious, and fun. Through a child-centered approach to learning and a dedicated team of staff, all pupils achieve their best while developing a passion to discover and learn.
Upon entering our school you will be welcomed by confident, respectful, and thoughtful pupils and feel our warm family ethos. At the heart of what we do is our focus on pastoral care. Through our nurturing approach, all pupils feel that they have the support and encouragement to aspire to fulfill their ambitions and self-made targets.
Our Senior School is a happy and thriving learning environment for boys and girls aged 11-16. The foundation for this is strong pastoral care. We feel that every child is unique and thus has unique needs. My staff and I pride ourselves on getting to know our pupils well and working with them and their parents to understand how we can best support them through these important years leading up to their GCSEs.
Our pupils’ personal development is of paramount importance. All pupils are treated as individuals and given personal support and guidance. Social and academic target setting is a focus of the school and, along with the wide range of extra-curricular activities, enables pupils to develop their strengths and skills. Pupils are recognized as being confident and polite with a strong sense of social responsibility.
