Welcome

When your child joins us here at Aldenham, he or she becomes a part of a family which supports and nurtures them in every way.

We integrate learning into every activity, so that boys and girls will quickly come to enjoy being with us, as they are at the heart of all we do, they are Aldenham.

From our excellent pastoral care, wide ranging sport, music, drama and academic successes, every talent is nurtured; every child is unique. Our small classes and excellent facilities provide a secure foundation for life.

Working in partnership with you, we aim to create a place where your child gains a passion for learning and a confident and friendly approach to the world.

I look forward to welcoming you to Aldenham.

Vicky Gocher – Head

Founded by Master Brewer Richard Platt in 1597, the connection of the School with the Worshipful Company of Brewers is shared throughout Aldenham from 3-18.

Aspiring and Achieving

At Aldenham we want children to share our aspirations for them. Each child puts in his or her best effort, and is then encouraged to achieve that little bit more on top. Because we celebrate achievement with a daily reward system, achievement assemblies, and a prize giving ceremony at the end of the year, every pupil has the opportunity to shine.

For the most able our academic standards are rigorous, but there is also an integrated learning support programme for those who need extra input. We locate each child’s potential and respond to his or her individual learning style. All of our classroom teachers are fully qualified, with increasing teaching specialisation occurring as children move through the school.

Our broader curriculum extends far beyond the classroom. A Year 2 science class goes pond dipping at a local environment centre. Nursery children walk up the hill to the ‘big school’ library for story time. The Year 4 residential trip to ‘Constable Country’ combines outdoor activities with art appreciation. Aldenham teachers make the world their classroom, so that their pupils will reach for the stars.

Being encouraged to aspire – achieving a personal best – this is the essence of an Aldenham education.

The diversity of the activities on offer means that all talents are catered for and new challenges can be met.

Every classroom has its own fully interactive white board, using special short reach projectors where appropriate.

Caring and Nurturing

One of the best known qualities of an Aldenham education is our outstanding system of pastoral care. Many of our children have been with us since Nursery, and they stay with us because we give them the security they need to spread their wings.

At Aldenham a Year 6 girl will leave her friends to comfort a Reception child who has scraped her knee. The Head will join in a debate with two pupils about the merits of last night’s sports match. Being sensitive to each other’s needs is a way of life at Aldenham, practised in small ways every day.

The structure of our pastoral system is designed to provide a safe learning environment. There are several layers of support, starting with the child’s form teacher, and it is in this relationship that the strongest bonds often occur. From Year 3, House tutors provide another layer of care. Our most valuable asset is the partnership between parents and teachers, and lines of communication are always open. Before and after school care is a key aspect of our commitment to our children and their families.

Caring for and nurturing children – this is at the heart of everything we do.

Every child has a full time form teacher and a full time teaching assistant which ensures wonderful pastoral care and superb staff to pupil ratios.

Parents are encouraged to play an active role in the school community and a very successful parents association (ASPA) means that the Prep pupils benefit greatly from their dedication and expertise.

Inclusive but Challenging

Whether it’s sand-sailing at breakneck speed or hitting that high note in the school choir, our pupils continually surprise themselves. Participation is the key and each child takes part in a range of activities. Every pupil from Reception onwards participates in weekly swimming; all Year 3 children learn to play the violin, and there’s something for everyone in the variety of after school clubs, ranging from chess to karate, tennis to trampolining, dance to art. The quality of drama and music are particular areas of excellence, and each year our pupils scoop a host of local and regional prizes.

While every child is encouraged to develop his or her own skills, at Aldenham we do not shy away from competition. Sports Day is fun but fiercely contested; all children are encouraged to achieve but a few ‘gold medallists’ stand out from the pack. Our specialist sports coaches ensure that physical activity and games remain a vital part of an Aldenham education. Football, hockey, cricket, netball and rounders are the main sports, and all children play in competitive fixtures against other schools.

Having a go and rising to the challenge – this is what life is about at Aldenham.

The one form entry system in the Preparatory School means that all pupils are known to all teachers. This has enormous benefit to all children and staff.

The life skills programme includes a leadership course, cycling proficiency, first-aid training and numerous guest speakers to the school which enrich the experience that is provided for pupils.

Small and Diverse

In our increasingly fractured society, it is a balm to see children who can talk freely about each others’ differences, yet accept one another as friends without question. We embrace girls and boys from every race and religion and cater for their individual needs. Here children learn to live with each other at school – the best possible preparation for living as tolerant individuals in today’s world.

We are a single form entry school with small class sizes, which means that our teachers have a thorough understanding of each of their pupils. A classroom assistant will dig out her old Tintin comics for a pupil who she knows is a big fan. The atmosphere at the annual Girls’ Night is like a big sleepover with friends – only it ends before suppertime!

Our pupils regularly benefit from the grounds and facilities of the Senior School, along with much of their teaching expertise. The Design Technology department hosts Prep School workshops; the English Department invites us along to hear a famous author speak; the P.E. department runs our after school Sports Club; we perform our plays in the superb School Theatre.

A diverse but tightly knit family – this is life at Aldenham.

Traditional and Contemporary

When Richard Platt founded a boys’ school at Aldenham more than four hundred years ago, he could scarcely have imagined some of what we have today: continuous education from 3 to 18 for girls as well as boys, state of the art facilities, and children of all faiths and none, welcomed within our Christian ethos. The creation of the Prep School has been the latest chapter in the school’s long history. While we are mindful of that legacy, we keep abreast of current thinking in education policy, and implement the best of the new ideas.

So what hasn’t changed? We still occupy the same glorious site on which the original school was founded, and we remain true to Platt’s vision to educate the whole child, spiritually and morally as well as academically.

Sitting happily alongside the modern are the more familiar conventions of an established independent school. Lunch is taken in the traditional dining hall – a daily reminder of the school’s rich history.

Respecting the past and embracing the future – this is how we want our children to grow up.

The particular family feel leaves all visitors to the school with a warm glow that is the hallmark of Aldenham.

In the Preparatory School everyone is very aware of the needs of others less fortunate than ourselves and each year the School sponsors a number of local, national and overseas charities.

Individual and Community

Winston Churchill wrote, ‘There is no finer investment for any community than putting milk into babies.’ It is, of course, our children who will determine our futures, and it is therefore our duty to help them become self-confident, compassionate citizens.

Eavesdrop on any conversation about Aldenham Prep School, and it won’t be long before you hear us being described as a ‘family’. Like the happiest families, we value each member for who he or she is, and we support one another in good times and bad. At Aldenham, all of the teachers know the names of all of the pupils. No child is overlooked, no child feels lost.

True to the spirit of our founder, we are outward looking. Richard Platt’s school was a Free Grammar School and Almshouses, and today we are involved with at least a dozen different charities, local, national and international. Our links with local maintained primary schools ensure that Aldenham pupils do not live in an ivory tower, but understand how to function within the larger community.

The confident individual who cares for his or her community – this is the Aldenham pupil.

All meals are freshly prepared on site. For the youngest children, the Foundation Stage has its own kitchen and dedicated chef providing nutritious food and healthy snacks.

Whilst the contents of this prospectus are considered correct at the date of publication and every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information the School cannot and does not accept any liability for this information. It is the responsibility of readers to check the accuracy of relevant facts and opinions given in this prospectus before entering into any commitment based upon them. The School reserves the right to make alterations in its curriculum, activities and organisation at any time. The School’s regulations and con-ditions of entry are subject to revision from time to time and a copy of the current condi-tions is available on request from the Bursar’s office at the School.

©Aldenham School 2011

Aldenham Preparatory SchoolElstreeHertfordshire WD6 3AJ

TelephonePrep School+44 (0)1923 851664

Nursery+44 (0)1923 851666

Facsimile+44 (0)1923 851605

Emailprepschool@aldenham.com

Websitewww.aldenham.com