At St. John's we help each boy to make the most of his talents and interests so that he can grow in confidence and fulfil his potential. Within the security of our school, boys develop an enthusiastic and self-disciplined approach to work and life, which enables them to achieve excellent academic results in a caring environment. We are keenly aware that our boys also need the support of a real partnership between home and school. We therefore value the excellent working relationship we have with parents.
Excellent Facilities
Facing South, on a 35-acre site, we have outstanding views over London. Since the Merchant Taylors' Educational Trust took the School under its wing, impressive development has taken place. St. John's has gained a gymnasium and changing block, two up-to-date science laboratories, a six classroom Pre-Prep Department and a junior classroom block. Another major development provided an Assembly Hall/Theatre, an Art Studio, Design & Technology Workshop, ICT Centre and a new Music Department. At the same time, other areas of the School were refurbished creating specialist teaching areas for English, French, History, Geography and Mathematics. We also acquired an area of grassland and woodland for ecological and environmental study, to add to our extensive playing fields and formal gardens.
We opened a new, purpose-built Nursery in 2003. This major extension of our pre-preparatory department included an Information Technology Suite and Library. At the same time extra play areas, including an ' indoor quiet area', were created. Most recently a large, all-weather multi-purpose sports area was constructed, this significantly improves our already outstanding facilities for sport.
The School
An independent day school for some 390 boys, aged three to thirteen, St. John's was founded in 1920 in Pinner. Fifty years later, the School moved to its present site and in 1984 it was acquired by the Merchant Taylors' Educational Trust. We remain an independent preparatory school, which prepares boys for 13+ entry to all senior schools, including Merchant Taylors' School, with whom our links are particularly strong.
In most years, the majority of our boys go on to Merchant Taylors'. Others progress to a variety of senior independent schools, including Aldenham, Berkhamsted, City of London, Haberdashers', Harrow, John Lyon, Millfield, Mill Hill, Oundle, Radley, University College School and Winchester College. Alternatively, a number of boys have gained places at local grammar schools, including Dr. Challoner's G.S., Queen Elizabeth G.S. Barnet, R.G.S. High Wycombe and Watford G.S. The Headmaster is a member of the Incorporated Association of Independent Preparatory Schools and the School has full accreditation from the Independent Schools' Council, in association with the IAPS.
A Caring Community
At St. John's, boys learn courtesy, tolerance and understanding of everyone in the community. They are encouraged to develop confidence, self-esteem and a proper concern for others.
The Class Teacher watches over each boy's happiness and progress and because our pupils are individuals with individual needs, we constantly liaise with parents. There are regular written reports and parents' evenings and staff are always available to discuss each boy's progress. School examinations take place twice a year.
Although originally a Church of England Foundation, all faiths and denominations are welcome at St. John's.
Nursery
Our new Nursery is located in our pre-preparatory department. The children benefit from excellent facilities. In addition to the main teaching rooms they have a covered soft floor playground which extends the teaching area. They also benefit from the department's facilities, including the Information Technology Suite and extensive play areas. There is one Nursery class comprising approximately eighteen pupils. Their full-time teacher is also in charge of the Foundation Stage. She is assisted by two full-time Nursery Nurses.
The curriculum is based on the Foundation Stage Early Learning Goals: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication, Language and Literacy Development; Mathematical Development; Physical Development; Creative Development; Knowledge and Understanding of the World. Parents see staff on a daily basis and meet to discuss their son's progress at consultation evenings.
Pre-Preparatory Department
(Reception, Years 1 & 2)
A modern, purpose-built development, the Pre-Prep offers bright and attractive classrooms and abundant play areas, allowing the boys room for growth and discovery. Whilst very much part of the School, the boys, who join the Nursery and Pre-Prep at three and four years old, have the security of their own separate building and play area. Recently the Department was extended significantly, the development provides our Nursery facilities and an ICT Suite and Library. The play areas were also expanded, including the provision of an indoor 'quiet area'.
In Reception and Years 1 and 2 there are two parallel classes, of approximately 18 pupils. In addition to their full-time class teachers, the children benefit from the attention of six teaching assistants, two part-time teachers and specialist French, Music and Physical Education teachers. The Pre-Prep has its own Head, who works closely with the Headmaster.
Junior Department (Years 3 & 4)
Our Junior Department provides excellent, classrooms for boys at the age of seven and eight years old. They are taught by their own class teachers, in classes of around 20 pupils, there are also two part-time teachers and a classroom assistant attached to the department. Our Junior boys receive specialist teaching in Design & Technology, French, ICT, Music, Games and Physical Education. The new boys, who join us at seven years old, integrate easily with our own Pre-Prep boys in their new classes.
The Middle School (Years 5 & 6)
From nine-years-old, our boys are taught by specialist subject teachers and take advantage of the subject areas around the School. In Years 5 and 6 the pupils are taught English, Maths and Science in three groupings, this helps us to teach the boys appropriately in smaller sets in the core subjects. In the Middle School, the boys are taught a wide and stimulating curriculum, which exceeds the National Curriculum requirements.
The Senior School (Years 7 & 8)
At the age of eleven, boys are streamed into three appropriate classes. Our brightest boys are prepared for scholarships to senior independent schools. This streaming ensures that all classes are smaller in the last two years when they are prepared for senior school transfer examinations. The great majority of our pupils are prepared for entry examinations to the local day independent schools, although some boys are prepared for Common Entrance for boarding schools.
Special Educational Needs
Our full-time Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator works throughout the School, initially she helps to identify any potential problems in the Pre-Prep. The SENCO then co-ordinates the education of any pupils who have a learning difficulty, such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. Individual Education Plans are prepared for each pupil in order to ensure that all teachers are aware of any particular pupil's educational needs. The SENCO works with a number of staff to provide small group or individual tuition throughout the School where appropriate.
Science
Our two modern and fully equipped science laboratories allow boys to become very familiar with a wide variety of apparatus and to benefit from extensive practical work. They also have the opportunity to study ecology on our own Nature Trail. The Department has its own set of laptop computers.
Information and Communication Technology
The school-wide network of over one hundred PCs enables boys to access information easily. The main ICT teaching centre is equipped with twenty-four PCs. The Mathematics room is fully equipped with computers and acts as the second ICT teaching area, whilst our youngest pupils in the Pre-Prep and Nursery benefit from their own ICT Suite. All classrooms in the Junior, Middle and Senior School are equipped with interactive white boards and projectors. LapSafe® trolleys of wireless laptops are used regularly in lessons in the Junior, Middle and Senior School. Recent years have seen very significant investment in ICT, which will continue as appropriate in the future. Each pupil has his own account, our older boys are able to access the network from home and are making increasing use of SJMoodle - our own Virtual Learning Environment.
Design and Technology
In the Design & Technology Workshop, pupils develop an understanding of design and construction using a wide range of modern equipment, which includes a plastic former, a heat treatment hearth, an electronics bay, control technology and other machinery.
Music
All pupils are taught music in our well-equipped department. Many boys learn to play musical instruments with one of our team of visiting instrumental teachers. Our music staff provide opportunities for boys to join choirs, the school orchestra and various other ensembles. A number of concerts and recitals take place throughout the age groups during each year. In recent years our musicians have enjoyed great success in local music festivals and outstanding individuals have achieved Music Scholarships to senior independent schools.
Drama
Performing on stage is an important part of our curriculum. Boys take part in productions at all ages, with several performances each year, involving them in acting, stage management, musical accompaniment and stage construction. Visits the theatre are arranged, another feature is Year 8's end of year Revue.
Art
Boys produce some excellent Art, initially in their classrooms, before later working in our beautifully equipped Art Studio. Visits to galleries are a regular feature, whilst our most enthusiastic artists have visited Amsterdam, Paris and Venice in recent years.
Physical Education
St. John's has marvellous facilities for physical education and games. We have five rugby pitches, three cricket grounds, an athletics track and a cross-country course. The extensive all-weather playing area provides hockey and soccer pitches, as well as six tennis courts in the Summer. Our modern gymnasium is well-equipped for basketball, badminton, volleyball, indoor cricket and soccer as well as for physical education and gymnastics. Boys also have the advantage of using the swimming facilities at Merchant Taylors' School, only a five minute drive away.
We have an extensive programme of inter-school matches, with block fixtures against other schools often involving as many as ten St. John's teams in different age groups. The main team games are rugby, cricket, hockey and athletics, but school fixtures are also played in basketball, cross-country, golf and chess. In addition, there are also competitions in soccer, tennis and table-tennis.
Ecology and the Environment
St. John's is particularly fortunate in possessing beautiful natural resources. Our areas of woodland, grassland, ponds and the Nature Trail allow the boys frequent opportunities for ecological and environmental study as well as outdoor education.
Clubs and Activities
At St. John's we encourage boys to make the most of their leisure time by pursuing personal interests, often stimulated by the curriculum. There are many clubs and activities on offer, including art, chess, computing, digital arts, fencing, origami, science, technology and stamp collecting.
We also organise a number of trips and expeditions to broaden the boys' horizons, with regular outings to theatres, museums, art galleries and places of interest. Senior boys have the opportunity of joining the annual ski trip and the Summer adventure holiday. As part of their curriculum, all boys in Year 8 spend a week at an adventure activity centre in Devon.
Admission
Most boys either join us in the Nursery after their third birthday, or in the Pre-Prep in the September after their fourth birthday. Admission is by interview and simple assessment, designed to ensure that each boy is ready to cope with the work and organisation needed. Boys who join us in the Junior Department of the main school at seven are assessed with written tests and an interview.
School Fees 2008 / 09
| Nursery - Whole Day | £7100 p.a. |
| Pre-Preparatory department - Reception to Yr2 | £9770 p.a. |
| Preparatory department - Yr3 to Yr8 | £10,580 p.a. |
An Invitation
We hope that the words and pictures in this prospectus will answer some of your questions, but to discover the real St. John's why not pay us a visit? We would be delighted to welcome you at any time of the year. Please telephone for an appointment and we will take you on a tour of our School.
St. John's School
Potter Street Hill
Northwood
Middlesex HA6 3QY
Telephone: 020 8866 0067
Facsimile: 020 8868 8770
E-mail: office@st-johns.org.uk
Website: www.st-johns.org.uk
Registered in England No 3411518 Charity Number 1063738
A Merchant Taylors' Educational Trust School
© St. John's - DTP, 2000 & 2006 - N. Pauli