Learning focusses on developing pupils who are confident to challenge and question, who are creative and resilient in their approach and are reflective learners with the confidence to apply their skills and knowledge beyond the classroom.
Individual progress is carefully tracked and discussed with pupils, with the addition of support and challenge appropriate to every child. Strong home-school links are central to our school with a wide range of family events throughout the year.
Our focus on outdoor learning across the Prep School enables pupils to apply key skills through a wide variety of challenges which build strength and test courage. Our broad curriculum and diverse enrichment programme ensure that every child finds a number of areas in which to succeed so that self-confidence may flourish and pupils are prepared to take risks and readily try new things.
Our natural progression on to Senior School allows continuity and progression of skills and develops embedded school values so that our pupils become respectful, confident and happy children with strong morals and leadership skills. This solid foundation prepares pupils for future challenges equipping them with the confidence and self-belief to enjoy full and rich lives in and beyond school.
A small school community ensures that staff get to know the pupils and their needs, which in turn allows for the pupil to be fully engaged in a way that suits their learning, thus developing their ability to make the most of their future opportunities.
Character development is an essential part of life in the Senior School. It is important that the pupils develop an understanding of the school’s core values – honesty, humility, courage, integrity and respect. This moral core is central to the academic, creative, cultural and social development of each student, allowing them to become mature, independent individuals, ready for the next step.
We give our pupils the confidence to be ambitious, determined and independent so they can discover their potential themselves. We promote a learning environment that is both rigorous and supportive. Pupils are expected to understand and take responsibility for their own learning and to aspire to be the best that they can be.
Sixth Form students are the role models for the School in terms of attitude, appearance and commitment, ensuring that Abbotsholme is a friendly and supportive environment for all. We encourage and welcome everybody into our community. We have a broad variety of subjects on offer which range from BTEC qualifications in Sport and Agriculture to the more traditional A Levels in Mathematics and Science. Our promise is to develop well-rounded and responsible members of society who can celebrate the success of others just as much as their own. This is integral to everything we do at Abbotsholme Sixth Form. With this in mind, the range of extra-curricular activities that is on offer is outstanding; from an enormous choice in competitive sport to bee-keeping and climbing, and many other outdoor pursuits. There is something for everyone to become passionate about; boosting those fundamental employability skills in communication, team working, leadership, risk taking, planning and determination.
Success in the Sixth Form can be measured by many different outcomes; not only through strong academic performance, with most students being accepted by their first choice of university; but through having the opportunities to explore different courses and careers. Year 12 and 13 students are given the support to talk over their ideas and have dedicated time and activities to establish what actually motivates and makes them happy as a person. We believe this gives our students the very best possible chance of securing employment in a job in which they are happy and successful and which they are suited.
We believe small class sizes are vital. This allows for systematic and frequent expert feedback and advice to be given on how to improve our students’ understanding, analysis, evaluation and decision making. This will kick start their performance either in employment, on an apprenticeship or at a university.
All in all, students who leave Abbotsholme Sixth Form are socially aware, independent and confident young people ready to tackle and take on the challenges which lay before them.
At Abbotsholme we have three main boarding houses in the senior school with house parents, who oversee the care of pupils from Year 6 to 13. These boarding facilities have a range of options to suit you. We can provide flexible accommodation which may be for a few nights each week, a weekly boarding option allowing students to stay Monday – Friday and full boarding which includes weekends.
Our boarding population comprises of students from the UK and other international countries, and helps to shape the culturally rich and diverse community of which we are extremely proud.
Our boarding houses are as follows:
Orchard – Girls’ Boarding (Year 6 to 11)
Cedarholme – Boys’ Boarding (Year 6 to 11)
Barnfield – Sixth Form Boarding Village (Year 12 and 13)
