co ed schools Archives - Gabbitas

Thomas’s Battersea: A Dynamic Prep School with a Unique Spirit

Sarah Oshun-Williams — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 11:55:03 +0000

Tucked away in the vibrant heart of Battersea, Thomas’s Battersea is a distinguished co-educational prep school with a legacy rooted in creativity and kindness. Established within a historic Victorian building—once an art school—the school showcases its commitment to artistic and dramatic expression.

Despite its urban location, Thomas’s Battersea boasts a spacious environment that combines period charm with modern facilities. The main school building houses not only classrooms but also a purpose-built dining hall, dedicated gym, specialised art rooms (including a pottery studio), and drama and music rooms. The expansive on-site playground is a rare find among London schools, providing students with ample space to play and unwind. The campus is divided by a tranquil courtyard that adds a touch of calm to the lively atmosphere.

An Ethos of Kindness and Academic Breadth

The guiding principles at Thomas’s Battersea are encapsulated in its ethos: “Be Kind, Broad Curriculum, Academic Success.” This vision, dating back to founders Joanna and David Thomas in the 1970s—an actress and a Gurkha officer, respectively—originally emphasised “Be Kind and Don’t Run.” While the school achieves impressive academic outcomes, it is far from being an exam factory. The 11+ and 13+ assessments are acknowledged as significant milestones but are described as “bottlenecks” within the broader educational journey. Academic success is underscored by a holistic approach, preparing students for senior schools with confidence.

The school organises three classes per year up to Year Six and four classes in the final two years, with academic setting commencing from Year Three. While some students, predominantly girls, depart at 11+ to join senior London day schools, this is offset by a notable Year Seven intake from Thomas’s Fulham and Thomas’s Kensington. The Upper School (Years Seven to Eight) is distinct in its preparation for the rigours of senior school life, featuring specialised subject classrooms. Year Eight focuses heavily on Common Entrance and scholarship preparation.

Entry Points and Admissions

The main entry points for Thomas’s Battersea are at Reception (4+) and Year 7 (11+). The school also welcomes applications for ‘Occasional Places’ in Years 1 to 6 and Year 8, accommodating families looking to join the school community mid-course.

Thomas’s Outdoors and Enrichment

Outdoor learning and enrichment are embedded in the curriculum. Older students participate in week-long residential trips, and Thomas’s Daheim, the school’s hostel in Austria, offers memorable ski trips—a notable highlight when former head Ben Thomas joined Year 5 on the slopes. Core sports include hockey, rugby, netball, football, and cricket—all played by both boys and girls—at facilities such as Barn Elms Sports Centre, with swimming at Latchmere Leisure Centre.

Thomas’s Battersea also offers a wide range of extracurricular clubs through which pupils can discover new passions and explore their physical, creative, social, global, moral, and cultural interests with like-minded peers. Some of the diverse activities available include ballet, debating, karate, gardening, swimming, and judo, ensuring students have ample opportunity to broaden their horizons beyond academics.

A Prep School with a Forward Vision

Thomas’s Battersea is currently refocusing on its identity as a 4 to 13 prep school after an ambitious, yet ultimately paused, plan to expand into senior education on-site. The next chapter will see the launch of Thomas’s College in Richmond, an 11 to 18 school set to open in September 2025. Pupils at the existing Putney Vale site will transition there in 2025.

Cosmopolitan Setting with Community Awareness

The cosmopolitan neighbourhood adds an eclectic charm, with nearby institutions like St John Bosco (a voluntary-aided RC school for ages 11-18) and L’Ecole de Battersea, an “École Homologuée” situated almost directly opposite. Despite being a part of an elite educational circuit, Thomas’s Battersea maintains a grounded atmosphere, blending privilege with a keen awareness of its surroundings. The school incorporates activities like cycling classes on local streets and fosters strong community connections.

While it may not appear as the archetypal elite West London prep school—and it might be hard to picture Prince George among its pupils—Thomas’s Battersea thrives on a mix of international backgrounds, reflecting Battersea’s diversity.

In essence, Thomas’s Battersea balances academic achievement with the nurturing of creativity, character, and community—remaining true to its motto: “Be Kind.

Contact us today to discover how our relationship with top schools like Thomas’s Battersea can elevate your child’s educational experience.

(Images Credit: Thomas’s Battersea; Front Image: The Times)

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Brentwood School: Exceptional Education Rooted in History

Sarah Oshun-Williams — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:38:32 +0000

Overview

Brentwood School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the heart of Brentwood. Founded in 1568 as an all-boys institution, Brentwood now educates 1,900 pupils aged 3-18, maintaining a near-even gender balance of 55% boys and 45% girls. With such a long history, Brentwood stands as one of the UK’s leading independent schools.

The school employs the ‘diamond model’ teaching method and is one of only 16 co-educational independent schools in the country to adopt single-sex lessons for seniors. This approach combines the benefits of gender-specific learning with co-educational socialisation.

Pupils aged 3-11 and 16-18 study in mixed classes of up to 20 pupils—a size that strikes a balance between classroom energy and individual attention. Boys and girls are taught separately until Sixth Form, fostering freedom of expression and individual identity. Meanwhile, social integration is maintained and developed outside the classroom.

Parents are often initially drawn to Brentwood’s impressive architecture and convenient proximity to London, but soon discover its true value lies in its forward-thinking curriculum. In partnership with parents, Brentwood encourages a growth mindset, challenging conventional thinking and promoting active learning. This approach yields impressive results both in and out of the classroom, with many alumni surpassing their own expectations in leadership roles.

Entrance

Brentwood School offers a range of entry points, including 48 nursery places for 3-year-olds, 12 additional spots for 4-year-olds via assessment, and around 20 places at 7+ through tests in English, Maths, and non-verbal reasoning. Over 90% of pupils progress to the senior school at 11+, often with scholarships. The school’s academic results in 2023 were impressive: 57% of GCSE/iGCSE grades were A*-A (9-7), 41.4% of A-levels were A*-A, and there was strong performance in International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. On average, six students secure places at Oxbridge each year, while five enter medicine, underscoring Brentwood’s success in preparing pupils for diverse academic pathways and future careers.

UKiset Entrance Examination for Brentwood School

As a UKiset partner school, Brentwood School requires UKiset results as part of its entrance examination process.

UKiset (UK Independent Schools’ Entry Test) is an adaptive online assessment designed for international students who are looking to enter the UK education system. It evaluates a student’s academic abilities and English language proficiency.

Why UKiset?

In-person and Online Invigilation: UKiset can be taken in approved test centres worldwide, making it accessible to students from many different countries.
Comprehensive Evaluation: The test covers a wide range of skills, providing a holistic view of a student’s academic abilities.
Streamlined Admissions: Using UKiset scores can simplify the admissions process for international students, as they only need to take one standardised test.

In conclusion, the entrance examination for Brentwood School is a comprehensive process designed to identify students who will thrive in their academic environment. For international applicants, UKiset provides a valuable and standardised assessment tool that helps streamline the admissions process while ensuring candidates meet the high standards expected at Brentwood.

Learning/Academic Ethos

The school’s ethos, rooted in the founding pillars of Virtue, Learning, and Manners from 1622, continues to shape its educational philosophy, fostering an inclusive atmosphere where pupils from diverse backgrounds can thrive.

The school’s commitment to innovation is exemplified by its multimillion-pound, RIBA-awarded STEAM facility, which opened in 2020. This state-of-the-art complex, combining refurbished historic buildings with modern structures, has revolutionised the campus landscape and heightened the focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. An impressive array of specialist classrooms—including a high-tech music room, cutting-edge science laboratories, an IT suite, a spacious art loft, and a design technology workshop equipped with laser cutters and 3D printers—offers pupils the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects, from traditional disciplines to modern languages.

The quality of teaching at Brentwood is highly regarded by parents, who praise the school’s ability to stretch the most able pupils while providing robust support for those with specific learning needs. The Learning and Development team offers tailored assistance for pupils with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and autism, as well as English as an Additional Language (EAL) support.

Extracurricular Activities

Beyond the classroom, Brentwood offers a rich array of extracurricular activities. Each year group participates in a weekly academic enrichment programme, encompassing outdoor education, STEAM projects, dance, languages, and age-appropriate courses such as first aid. The school’s commitment to holistic development is further evidenced by its extensive selection of over 100 lunchtime clubs, ranging from karate to yoga.

Sport

Brentwood School’s sporting programme is both comprehensive and impressive. Pupils engage in at least four hours of sport weekly, guided by specialist teachers and coaches. The curriculum includes rugby, football, hockey, and cricket for both boys and girls, taught separately but with opportunities for integration. Additional activities encompass netball, swimming, fencing, and athletics. The school boasts exceptional facilities, including a 25m indoor pool, extensive sports pitches, netball/tennis courts, a sports hall, cricket pavilion, and a fencing salle that has nurtured Commonwealth champions. Water polo and archery are particularly popular among students. The school’s commitment to sporting excellence is evident in its regular fixtures, with teams A-E competing against other IAPS, ISFA, and local schools.

Brentwood School also boasts a vibrant arts programme encompassing music, drama, and visual arts. As a Steinway School, it houses 11 pianos and boasts extensive music facilities, including a recording studio and technology suite. The school’s partnership with Junior Guildhall elevates its music education to conservatoire standards, with over 150 prep pupils learning instruments and all expected to read, write, and compose music digitally by Year 6. Two orchestras and a junior choir provide ample performance opportunities. Drama thrives through end-of-year musicals and collaborative productions with senior pupils, utilising three dedicated performance spaces and filming facilities. Art education, led by specialists, begins in earnest from Year 3, with pupils’ creativity displayed throughout the campus, exemplified by the striking recycled bottle-top sculpture adorning the STEAM building atrium. This comprehensive approach to the arts ensures pupils develop a well-rounded appreciation and skill set across multiple creative disciplines.

Boarding

Brentwood School offers a vibrant boarding experience for up to 70 students, primarily international pupils from regions such as Hong Kong and Western Europe. The girls’ accommodation, housed in a charming Victorian building a short walk from classrooms, currently hosts 26 boarders. Boys reside in a centrally located 1950s facility, enjoying views of the playing fields and pitches. While boarding is a popular option for international students, the majority of Brentwood’s pupils are local day students, with the school operating a private bus service covering areas like Brentwood, Shenfield, and Billericay.

Last Word

Brentwood School is ideal for those seeking a balanced educational experience. Its unique approach of single-sex lessons from ages 11-16 allows pupils to pursue their academic interests free from gender stereotyping, while maintaining a co-educational social environment.

Parents praise the strong pastoral care, noting that despite the school’s size, teachers know pupils and their families well. The school community is described as down-to-earth, with ample opportunities for parental involvement in school and social events. Communication between school and home is efficient, utilising various platforms such as email, Tapestry, and Google Classroom, with daily digests and weekly blogs sent via SchoolPost. Overall, Brentwood School offers a comprehensive educational package that caters to a wide range of interests and abilities.

Want to learn more about Brentwood?

Contact us today.Images Credit: Brentwood School

Images Credit: Brentwood School

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Single-sex versus co-ed schools – which is better?

Gabbitas Dubai Rep — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:08:23 +0000

The age-old debate of whether a single-sex versus co-ed school is better is often a sticking point for families. The ongoing argument usually resurfaces in the news when exam results are released showing that girls continue to outperform boys and that single sex schools tend to dominate the top 10 in any league table.

However, there is still a tendency to deal in stereotypes when discussing the merits of single-sex schools and it can be challenging to decipher what the evidence really says. In this blog, we look at the benefits on both sides of this debate and discuss the key questions to help you work out which environment might be best for your child.

Current landscape

In the UK, the majority of schools are now coeducational. However, it wasn’t always this way, until the 1960’s virtually every child went to a single sex school but now this is down to 6% . Since the 1970’s there has been an overwhelming shift to co-education.

In the independent sector schools have adopted different models, girls in the 6^th form only such as Charterhouse or a Diamond model such as New Hall School, where boys and girls are taught together in Primary, then separately between 11-16 and back together for Sixth Form. or fully co-ed all the way through such as Rugby School or Cheltenham College.

However, there are still a significant number of single-sex schools particularly in the boarding sector both at Prep and Senior school level.

Historically, boarding schools were set up for boys, as girls were not deemed to need the same level of education. It was not until the mid 1800’s when women who passionately believed that girls deserved an education took matters into their own hands and established schools such as Cheltenham Ladies College and Roedean School.

So what are the arguments for and against single sex schooling?

For single sex schools

Supporters of single-sex education believe that this environment allows students to focus on their studies and avoid being distracted by the opposite sex.

“Boys and girls can feel less self conscious and a little more comfortable in their own skins” Tim Harries, Headmaster of Tonbridge School.

Single sex education should be centred around providing environments where boys and girls can thrive in the settings that are best suited to them, allowing them to develop belief in their own ability free from judgement by the opposite sex.

For girls in a mixed environment it is claimed that boys tend to dominate the classroom, so an all girl environment can help avoid the overbearing “banter” of boys and allow them to flourish in a more encouraging atmosphere. There is plenty of evidence that does appear to suggest that girls do better academically in single-sex schools.

For boys, it has been suggested that they may perform better without highly motivated girls making them feel “intimidated”.

“The very real danger in early teenage years of male under achievement compared to their female peers is negated” John Moule, Warden of Radley

It is also suggested that single-sex schooling leads to less gender stereotyping of subjects. An Institute of Physics Report in 2012 suggested that girls from single sex schools are almost 2.5 times more likely to study Physics. Heads of all boys schools will cite the uptake of art, music and drama amongst their students, which they feel would not be replicated in a co-ed environment.

“Good single sex education widens the definition of what is acceptably ‘male’” John Moules , Warden of Radley

Whilst always being careful not to gender stereotype, there is evidence to suggest that boys and girls do develop neurologically in different ways. For example, in girls the language areas of the brain develop first whereas with boys their visual-spatial areas develop early. The pro single-sex camp will suggest that it is difficult to cater for these differences in a co-ed environment, that teaching in an all girls or all boys environment allows you to tailor the teaching style, to select appropriate texts and topics and to work with students at similar levels of emotional development which creates a space that allows for more effective discussion.

For co-ed schools

The most obvious argument for a co-ed environment is that it is more natural way of being educated and more closely replicates the ‘real world’. Giving children the opportunity to mix naturally with the opposite sex means they learn to see both boys and girls as simply friends. The pro co-ed camp would argue that without this, there is the risk that girls and boys develop unrealistic and potentially even sexist attitudes.

Co-ed is seen as a fully inclusive model of education and acknowledges that there are no gender specific answers to learning and that it is important that boys and girls learn the same life skills.

There is also another issue for schools to deliberate, is there a danger that by treating boys and girls differently we teach them they are inherently different?

Conclusion

Whilst the current trend is towards co-ed, as more single-sex schools open their doors to the opposite sex at sixth form or all the way through, there is no firm consensus as to whether single sex or co-ed is better for boys or girls.

A recent study by the academic journal ‘Sex Roles’ suggested that when you factored in prior attainment, the differences in boys’ and girl’s academic outcomes between single sex and mixed sex classrooms goes away. This draws on the theory that higher performing children are more likely to go to those schools, and therefore skew the data.

What is certainly true is that when it comes to educational attainment, it is not the schooling model that matters, it’s the child. The key is for you to understand your child and then decide which schooling format will allow them to flourish.

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