Gower House School - (Information Pack)

(1) Aims (2) Curriculum (3) Transfer to Secondary School (4) Gower House Nursery & Pre School (5) School Uniform List (6) Termly School Fees (7) Nursery Education Grant (8) Disability Discrimination Policy

Gower House School - Founded 1951

A Nursery, Primary and Preparatory School for Boys and Girls Age Two To Eleven

Headmaster: Martyn Keane

Secretary: Michelle Fennelly

Telephone:    020 8205-2509

Address
                      Gower House School
                      Blackbird Hill
                      London

                      NW9 8RR

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Aims: 
Gower House seeks to encourage children to develop at their own individual pace both academically, emotionally and socially . Academically, each pupil follows his or her own work programme designed to stimulate the highest possible achievement for that child. Emotionally, children express and develop their own individual personalities through relating to other children and staff. art and games. Socially, children are taught that they have responsibilities to others and have a role to play in their school, at home and in their community. The school seeks to develop happy, well behaved children with enquiring minds, high academic attainment and good general knowledge.

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CURRICULUM:  

Children in the Under Five classes work to a Qualification Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s “Foundation Stage” which divides learning into the six areas of Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Creative Development. Individual records are kept for each child and reports are given to parents covering each of these six areas. Regular meetings are held to discuss progress. Full details of the Foundation stage are available from the school.

Aged Five to Eleven, Children largely follow the National Curriculum subjects, learning Maths, English, Science, History, Geography, some Music, Swimming, Games, Art, Design Technology and a programme of Personal, Social and Health Education. Detailed information of the curriculum is available from the Headteacher and the class teachers. All teachers have a wide range of appropriate qualifications and experience.

French, is taught from the age of four, by games and songs to start with, but more formally in later years. Progress is monitored constantly so that each child may progress to the next stage when ready. More able children can advance more rapidly while the less able or less confident can receive extra tuition, often individually with a staff member. Children complete homework from the age of five.

Computers, ICT lessons are available to all children from the age of four taught by specialist teachers. Younger children use specially developed programmes to assist their reading and maths, while older children have access to the latest technology, including Windows, Spreadsheets and the Internet.

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Music, Children take part in class singing with percussion for younger children. Individual music tuition on piano is available from the age of six, taught by a specialist teacher. Ballet and Dance lessons are available.

Games:
A “Fun Fit” scheme of activities and ball skills is used throughout the school. From the age of six children are taken weekly by coach to an indoor pool for swimming where they are taught in small groups. Older girls play netball from aged eight and the boys football with rounders and cricket in the summer at the games pitch near the school.

Contact for parents:
Parents of children over four receive a graded report twice a year and are encouraged to visit their child’s class regularly to inspect work and discuss progress with the teacher. Additionally, more formal open evenings are held in the Autumn and Summer terms. The headmaster is available always to discuss progress and a child’s future education.

Discipline:
Gower House children have a reputation for politeness. Good manners are encouraged and consistently poor behaviour dealt with in a manner appropriate to the child. Children are expected to behave in a considerate way towards others.

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Transfer to Secondary School:  
Children leave Gower House at the age of eleven for Secondary education. Most pupils sit competitive entrance examinations to independent day schools in the area. Gower House has an excellent record in obtaining places in these renowned schools and a list of recent successes is enclosed. Parents are advised which schools may be suitable for their child and pupils are specifically prepared for the entrance exams. More able children each year obtain scholarships or other financial assistance at independent schools.

It is equally important that the children entering state secondary schools reach the highest academic standards as the comprehensive schools “set” or group children by ability in many subjects. Again, Gower House advises parents on all aspects of the transfer to Secondary education. Certainly, Gower House children have adapted with confidence to Secondary schools of all types in a variety of societies both here and abroad.

Lunch: A cooked lunch is served each day with a choice of menu,
including vegetarian choices. Variations in diet for medical or religious reasons are accommodated. Menus meet the Government nutritional standards for school meals. Salad, fresh fruit and vegetables are offered every day.

Morning and Afterschool Care:
Children may remain at school until 6.00pm. They are given tea, supervised with games and other activities until collected. Children may attend afterschool either on occasional days or on a regular basis at an extra charge. Details are available from the school office. Older children may attend the chess club one evening a week.

Children may arrive for morning care by previous arrangement at 8.am. They are supervised and given breakfast before school begins at 9.00am.

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Visits:
Most classes make one or more educational visits each year, usually linked to the project work undertaken at school. In addition, there is an annual fun day out during the summer term and a vist to a Christmas show.

Security:
Gower House is aware that the school’s first responsibility to parents is to keep their child safe. The school car park is supervised by the school caretaker at the beginning and end of the school day and the main school gates remain locked at other times, when access is by a locked gate controlled by a video entry system.  Parents are required to advise the school if a child is to be collected by a person unknown to staff. The school premises are covered by a comprehensive CCTV System.

Child Protection:
Gower House School has a statutory duty to contact the Children’s Social Work Service who have a responsibility to make enquiries and , if necessary, investigate any allegations or suspicions of Child Abuse. The school supports Brent Area Child Protection Policy.

Equal Opportunities:
Gower House School and Nursery believe in equal opportunity for all. Children are accepted at the school from all races and religions. Gower House School is an equal opportunity employer.

Uniform:
Details of the school uniform are obtainable from the school or from the school outfitters, Pullens, 48-50 Church Road Stanmore Middlesex HA7 4AH. Tel 020 8954 3850.

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School Hours:
School is unlocked at 8.30 a.m. each morning and lessons begin at 9.00 a.m. classes finish between 3.15 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. in addition, afterschool is available until 6.00p.m. Dance and games lessons take place afterschool.

Admission:
Parents interested in applying for their child’s admission should make an appointment to visit the school where there is an opportunity to talk to staff and children and see lessons in progress, in addition to meeting the headmaster. Children are admitted at any time during the school year depending on their development and their parents wishes. The level of ability of a child or the existence of any special needs play no part in the school’s admission policy.

 

Complaints:
Any concerns concerning your child’s education should be discussed first with the class teacher. If not resolved, concerns should then be discussed with the headmaster. In the rare event of the concern not been resolved at this stage, the school has a formal complaints procedure, details of which are available from the school office.

Exclusions:
The school reserves the right to exclude a child from school. This is done only most rarely and then only when the school, in consultation with the parents, has exhausted all other options. Such an exclusion may be a temporary suspension or permanent, both after consultation with the child’s parents as well as the school’s principles. Exclusions will normally only be for serious offences such as theft, bullying or violence endangering the child himself, other children or staff.

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Disability Discrimination Policy:
The school is aware of it’s obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act and has prepared a policy to make Gower House accessible to all children and parents who would wish to attend provided that the child would benefit from the education provided.

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Gower House Nursery and Pre School

Gower House began as a nursery school over fifty years ago and the nursery has operated as an integral part of the school ever since. Children are admitted after they are dry usually between the ages of two and three.

The nursery is a proper educational nursery teaching children social awareness and the ability to mix with others in a caring but stimulating atmosphere. Children develop their self-confidence and senses of order and security in an environment that caters for their needs. Every child develops at their own pace. Each child’s development is carefully observed so that he/she may be encouraged onto the next step at the right time. A wide range of educational equipment is employed. Water and sand play, free expression through art and more controlled expression using apparatus leading towards the alphabet and writing. Academic work is begun by learning, tracing and colouring numbers and letters as an introduction to the learning schemes used at Gower House.The nursery has it’s own, secure garden area with large outdoor apparatus and climbing frames.

Foundation Stage: Children in the Under Five classes work to the Qualification Curriculum and Assessments Authority's "Foundation Stage" which provides learning in the six areas of Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Creative Development, Knowledge and Undersranding of the World and Physical Development. Individual records are kept for each child and reports given to parents covering each of these six areas. Regular meetings are held to discuss progress. Full details of the Foundation Stage are available from the school.

Government Grants:
The under five dept. is part of the Brent Early Years Partnership. Children aged three and four years receive a substantial grant for two years which is deducted from the school fees. Details are on the fee sheet.

Lunch:
A hot lunch is cooked and served at school each day. There is always a choice including vegetarian food. Special diets for religious or medical reasons can be incorporated. The children have biscuits and an orange drink mid morning and in the afternoon.

Uniform:
A simple nursery uniform is obtained from the school outfitters, Pullens, 48-50 Church Road, Stanmore Middles HA7 4AH, Tel 020 8954 3850. The uniform consists of trainers with a maroon tracksuit and a gold short sleeved shirt.

Hours:
At present nursery school starts 9.00am – 3.15pm
Afterschool care is available by arrangement until 6.00pm.

Breakfast Club operates 8.00a.m. util 9.00a.m.

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S C H O O L   U N I F O R M    L I S T

Nursery to Mrs Jobe's Class

School track suit

Gold school polo shirt
Maroon shorts in warm weather
Trainers with velcro fastening
Maroon anorak (available from school office)
Main school (Mrs Jobe upwards)

MAIN SCHOOL (Mrs Jabbal Upwards)

BOYS Winter                Summer (optional)

School blazer  (optional)                            Short sleeve white shirt
Gold school polo shirt                                 Gold school polo shirt
White shirt with school tie                          Grey shorts
School pullover
Grey trousers
Grey socks
Black shoes – not trainers
School anorak
Trainers with tracksuit for games
School cap – optional
School hat and scarf (available from school office in winter)

GIRLS

Winter                                                       
                  
School blazer (optional)                  
School anorak                                   
Grey tunic                                        
White blouse with school tie            
School cardigan                              
Long grey socks                               
Black or grey woollen tights            
Sensible black shoes                        
No slingbacks, platforms or trainers              
School hat and scarf (available from school office)

Summer
  
School anorak
School blazer
School summer dress
White socks
School cardigan
Sensible black shoes or sandals
No slingback, or open toed shoes
School straw hat (optional)            

                   Trainers with tracksuit for games.

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Options for senior girls in Year 5 and 6

Grey skirts
School pullover
Open necked short sleeved white blouse

All the above school uniform is available from the school outfitters:
Pullens of Stanmore, 48-50 Church Road, Stanmore Middlesex HA7 4AH.
Telephone: 020 8954 3850         

                                                                                                       APRIL 2010

 

 

Transfer to Secondary Schools – 2010

 

Jhanvi has won a major award at Peterborough & St Margaret School. Other children have passed competitive entrance exams for the following selective secondary schools:

 

Aldenham School – 3 places

Brondesbury College – 2 places

Buckingham College – 2 places

Haberdashers’ Girls School – 1 place

Heathfield School – 3 places

John Lyon School – 4 places

Merchant Taylor’s School – 1 place

Mill Hill County – 2 places

Mount School  - 1 place

Northbridge House School – 2 places

Northwood College – 1 place

Peterborough & St Margaret School – 1 place

Queen Elizabeth Boys School – 1 place

St Margaret’s School, Bushey – 1 place

Swaminarayan School – 3 places

 

 

                                                                                                    

 

Transfer to Secondary Schools – 2009

 

From a small senior class children have passed competitive entrance exams for the following selective secondary schools:

 

 

Buckingham College – 1 place

Haberdashers’ Boys School – 1 place

Haberdashers’ Girls School – 1 place

Heathfield School – 8 places

Henrietta Barnett School – 2 places

John Lyon School – 3 places

Merchant Taylor’s School – 1 place

Northwood College – 5 places

North London Collegiate School – 1 place

Queen Elizabeth Boys School – 1 place

Royal School – 1 place

St Helen’s School – 2 places

St Margaret’s School, Bushey – 5 places

Swaminarayan School – 2 places

 

 

 

Transfer to Secondary Schools – 2008

 

We are delighted that Khaleel Gulam-Husen has been awarded a major scholarship at Aldenham School.

 

In further excellent results children have passed competitive entrance exams for the following secondary schools:

 

 

Aldenham School

Buckingham College

Brondesbury College

Heathfield School

Henrietta Barnett School

Islamia College

John Lyon School

Mill Hill County High School

Northwood College

North London Collegiate School

Peterborough and St Margaret School

Queen’s College

Queen Elizabeth Boys School

Royal School

St Gregory’s High School

St Margaret’s School, Bushey

Watford Grammar School

 

Transfer to Secondary Schools 2007

From a small senior year, Rasheidah Price has been offered major awards at both Aldenham and Heathfield Schools.

In further excellent results children have passed competitive entrance exams for the following secondary schools:

Bedford Prep

Brondesbury College

Buckingham College

Edge Grove Prep

Heathfield School

Loughborough Grammar

Swaminarayan

St Gregory's

St Margaret's School - Bushey

The Mount

Transfer to Secondary Schools – 2006

We are delighted that five senior children have been offered major scholarships and bursaries at leading independent schools this year.

Leah Jayaratnam has won a scholarship at St Margaret’s School, Bushey.

Radhiyyah Phillips has been offered scholarships at both Heathfield School and Northwood College.

Darius Price has been offered a major award at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School while Ibrahim Qureshi has a major award at John Lyon School. Hashim Syed too has won a scholarship at John Lyon School.

In further excellent results children have passed competitive entrance exams for the following secondary schools:

Belmont School, (Mill Hill School) - 1 place
Brondesbury College - 3 places
Buckingham College -  1 place
Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys School -  4 places
Haberdashers’ Aske’s Girls School - 1 place
Heathfield School - 9 places
Henrietta Barnet School - 1 place
Islamia High School - 5 places
John Lyon School - 5 places
King Edwards School - 1 place
Merchant Taylors School - 1 place
North London Collegiate School - 1 place
Northwood College - 9 places
Parmiter’s High School - 1 place
Peterborough and St Margaret School - 1 place
Queen Elizabeth Boys School - 5 places
Royal Alexandra School - 1 place
Royal School, Hampstead - 2 places
South Hampstead High School- 1 place
St Christopher’s School, Letchworth - 1 place
St George’s School, Harpenden - 1 place
St Helen’s School, Bushey - 2 places
St Margaret’s School, Bushey - 3 places
St Margaret’s School Hampstead- 1 place
Watford Grammar School - 1 place

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T E R M L Y   F E E S

Under Fives Termly Fees

 

As at all independent schools, fees are due in advance at the beginning of each term, but fees may be paid in instalments.

All of the above fees can be divided into four monthly payments per term (see breakdown above)

The sports fee is payable when a child enters a class that swims weekly, usually at age 6.

A discount of 5% is given for children who have an older brother or sister attending the school. There are three terms in one school year.

A registration fee of £110.00 is required before each child is placed on the school roll.

 Parents are reminded that one term’s notice of withdrawal must be given or a full terms fees paid instead.

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Nursery Education Grants: The under fives department is part of the Brent Early Years Partnership. Children aged three and four years receive a termly grant for two years. This amount is deducted from the fees (see above). For more information about the Grant please contact the school office.

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