Senior Boys’ School

The success of the education we offer at St

James rests firmly upon the pupils we produce.

A St James pupil should be a well balanced

individual who is open hearted, mature,

independent of thought, a confident learner

and has a natural desire to make a difference

to the world.

I S A – Society of Heads – I B S C

Senior Boys’ SchoolSpeak the Truth | Live Generously | Aim for the Best

St James Senior Boys’ School offers a distinctiveeducation that unites a unique philosophical ethos withacademic excellence and outstanding skills for life.

At St James we believe that every child is a pureand perfect being; it is our job as educators to helpthe pupils in our care to discover and express theirindividual talents and reveal their brilliance. With thisroom to grow and blossom each boy develops in body,mind and spirit.

Although academic potential is important to us, pupilsat St James are not selected solely on their examinationperformance; we are also interested in strength ofcharacter, future potential and emotional intelligence.We are looking for a boy with a spark, who gives freelyof themselves whether in the classroom, on the stage oron the sports field.

We are known internationally for our championingof Meditation and Mindfulness, something we havebeen successfully practising for 40 years. Each boyhas the opportunity to connect with their innerbeing in periods of Quiet Time each day. This makesan enormous difference to pupil development andacademic achievement.

We also like to offer the pupils in our care theopportunity to push themselves beyond any selfimposed limits, and our beautiful 32-acre site certainlyenables a wealth of sports, drama, music and otherextra-curricular activities to flourish. Activities offeredinclude: Cadets, The Duke of Edinburgh AwardScheme, Sailing Club, Mountain Biking, Kayaking andeven Open Water swimming in our lake!

At St James we wish to produce young men who canquestion with sharp minds, who can contemplate inquietude, who can find their way ahead with wisdomand moral discrimination and who can meet otherswith open-hearted compassion.

St James is ideally located with easy access from CentralLondon and the South West London Suburbs throughto the Thames Valley.

Please come and see us. You will be most welcome.

David BrazierHeadmaster

Headmaster’s Message

St James Schools were founded in 1975 with the aimof providing an education, from 4 to 18 years, whichnourished the whole being: spiritually, emotionally,intellectually and physically.

The Senior Boys’ School is located in Ashford, Surrey,having moved there from Twickenham in 2010.The Junior and Senior Girls’ Schools are located in Kensington, Olympia.

The three schools offer a similar approach to education– nurturing the whole child. They come together duringthe school year for activities such as plays, concerts andsocial events.

Teachers at St James are experts in their field, bringingpassion and enthusiasm to the classroom. The pastoralcare is similarly excellent – the nature of the ethosallows the school to care for its students; mind, bodyand soul. Many visitors comment on the familyatmosphere and on the warm relationships betweenstaff and students.

Each and every student who applies to join the schoolenjoys an interview, where it is assessed whetherSt James is the place for him to flourish. The schoolnot only seeks academic excellence, but it also looks for sporting prowess, creativity and character in order to create an environment where each boy can contributein a positive way.

School tours complement twice-yearly Open Events, sodo come and visit: you will be most welcome.

The aims of the St James education are as follows:

• To foster the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical development of boys as fully as possible.

• To develop open-hearted young men who will be able to lead full and useful lives in the service of others.

• To build good character by providing boys with moral and ethical values.

• To provide training in self-awareness, stillness and attention.

• To provide teachers who inspire the boys through the love of their subjects and the use of the finest material possible.

‘The daily periods of reflectionand meditation contribute verypositively to pupils’ development.’

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2013

About the School

Our core focus is Teaching and Learning. Over the last five years we have achieved a 100% pass rate in both GCSE and A Level examinations, with over 90% of pupils achieving grades A*–C at GCSE and A Level. The universities our pupils join make for impressive reading.Our approach to learning marries the best of a traditional education with our pioneering use of mindfulness, the development of conscious attention and thinking skills.

The curriculum for Years 7 & 8 is broad and intriguing, offering both the acquisition of sound knowledge and the refinement of necessary skills. Care in presentation and handwriting, the development of personal learning disciplines and mental organisation, give your son a significant advantage when it comes to coping with more challenging study later.

In Year 8 your son will begin the Stepping into Manhood programme, which sees him through Years 9 & 10 too. This stage in their development is a crucial one in shaping their character and helping them become strong and successful young men.

Over the years we have developed a highly successful three-year GCSE programme, which not only allows the boys to specialise early, but also gives teachers the time to teach around their subjects, so encouraging a life-long love of learning.

Throughout your son’s learning journey he will have the opportunity to visit sites of cultural importance that have shaped the values and ideas of civilisation. There are visits to the ancient sites of Greece and also to Florence to witness the glories of the 15th Century Italian Renaissance. There are adventure trips and cultural trips to Europe. An optional ski trip is also offered.

‘The pupils are well educated inline with the school’s principalaims to enable them to achieve theirvery best and to create a love ofknowledge and learning.’


Intellectual

The spiritual education at St James is based on the fundamental principle that in truth we are all equal. We all share the same essential consciousness which can be found in unity and peace. Boys are taught the utmost importance of respect for others and the need to serve and care for each other.

Lessons and Assemblies at St James begin and end with a pause and dedication. The pause allows the boys to experience a moment or two of stillness. The boys connect with their senses, allow their mind to settle down and centre themselves in the present moment. The pause is concluded with a traditional Sanskrit dedication offering everything we do as a service to all.

A five minute period at the beginning of each morning and afternoon is made available for Quiet Time. During this period boys are encouraged to meditate, engage in prayer or any mindful practice they wish. Training in meditation is offered in Year 7 on a voluntary basis and mindfulness training is available to all boys and staff.

We support the Mindfulness in Schools Project and the Philosophy in Education Project. We are also developing our own training courses for staff who have had the basic Mindfulness training.

Weekly Philosophy lessons introduce boys to practical philosophy, virtue, ethics, moral choices and universal questions. The course is progressive and seeks to develop reason, understanding and compassion.

‘The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupilsis excellent.’


Spiritual

An emotionally intelligent young man will be better able to build relationships, display empathy and have the ability to cope during times of stress and strain.

The emotional dimension is nurtured by weekly philosophy lessons, a strong PHSE programme and supportive relationships with the Form Teacher and other staff.

Music is intrinsic to school life and whole-school singing takes place several times a week. We encourage instrumental tuition, membership of the orchestra and solo singing with the annual Music Competition allowing boys to showcase their talents. We collaborate with the Senior Girls’ School on major productions and the annual concert.

Drama is an important part of a St James education and is taught throughout Years 7 and 8. Every boy is given the opportunity to take part in a major production. We value and encourage learning by heart and all boys participate in the poetry learning programme. We have a Poetry competition and a Speech competition for all age groups every year and the ‘Cicero Award’ for learning by heart.

Art has always had a significant role in the life of St James. As a tool for heightening and strengthening a boy’s perception of the world, and as a means for developing an appreciation of beauty, it has always had a central place in our concept of education. We encourage everyone to learn the basics and to develop their talents. The art department is a lively and creative place where a wide variety of mediums can be experienced: drawing, painting, printing, sculpture, photography, computer programmes and others. Art trips to galleries and exhibitions and in-house visits by professional artists encourage and inspire the boys to develop their artistic awareness.

‘Pupils are self-reflective andself-aware and this is underpinned by the philosophy of Unity or Oneness…’


Emotional

‘Pupils are eager learners with many developing sophisticated cultural and philosophical understanding.’


Physical education is central to the James ethos. Years 7 – 9 enjoy three sessions a week – a more generous allowance than most day schools can afford. Years10 – 13 have two sessions and one squad practice after school or in the lunch hour.

Our main winter sport is rugby (we were finalists in the Surrey Cup at Under 16 level last year), but we also have a strong tradition of hockey and have introduced football in the last few years. In summer the cricket is developing nicely (with quarter final places in the Surrey Cup for the first time last season) but equally strong are tennis, rowing and athletics.

On Friday an elective programme for Year 9 upwards offers 73 different sports and activities throughout the year. We have even entered the British Bobsleigh Championships!

The school produces some fine sportsmen and we have many boys competing at regional level, and some at county and even international level.

To complement this programme we also offer wide-ranging activities and adventure pursuits which further stretch your son’s abilities.

‘The contribution of curricularand extra-curricular provisionis excellent.’


Physical

Development of good and true character is the aim of a St James education. We seek to create men who live their lives in an honest, truthful and courageous way. This deep integrity goes to the heart of the St James vision.

Service Above Self is a beautiful articulation of one of our principles. Your son will be encouraged to serve the needs of others, his family and the community in which he lives. We provide an extensive range of opportunities for every boy to experience this principle in a practical way with charity work, events and responsibilities.

Our Leadership programme is aimed at encouraging self-mastery and is an important part of our philosophy lessons. This is a gentle and reflective process which builds self-esteem throughout his school life.

This programme culminates in the Sixth Form with the Life Compass training and the Headmaster’s regular Guest Nights, where formal dining and deep conversation explore spiritual, moral and cultural issues. Speakers are drawn from the worlds of sport, entertainment, politics, business and the academic communities.

‘Relationships between pupilsand with staff are characterised by mutual respect, warmth andgood humour.’


Character& Leadership

In the Sixth Form the boys are given real responsibility for their own education, choosing their A Level subjects with their futures in mind. These will be subjects which the boys have true passion for and which will help them on the path to their chosen careers. Students have a freer timetable in the Sixth Form and are expected to use that time wisely, with each subject expecting 8 hours of independent study per week.

Throughout their time in the Sixth Form, they can expect support and commitment from their Form Tutor with regards to their university applications. The small class sizes allow each Tutor to offer the very best advice to every student in their care. From Personal Statements, course suggestions and references, to providing information on taster days and relevant workshops, the Tutor will be the key to a successful university application.

Sixth Formers at St James are characterised by their ability to lead. Leading is not simply taking charge of a situation and expecting others to follow. Leadership in St James is about inspiring passion and confidence in others so that everyone participates in developing the school. There are many avenues for our Sixth Formers to demonstrate their leadership qualities, whether by being on the Senior Prefects’ Team, being a school captain, mentoring pupils with meditation or giving guidance in academic subjects. Helping others to achieve the highest goals is the true essence of being a leader.

‘Sixth-formers achieve notablyhigh standards’


Sixth Form

When we arrived at St James for the first time and after the introduction, I just wished that as a young boy I would have had the opportunity to go to a school like that.

We were struck by the calm and friendly, yet disciplined, atmosphere – not something we expected from an all boys school!

St James is very personal and after a short time it was obvious that the teachers ‘knew’ our children. They feel a real sense of belonging and are very proud of their school, they could not imagine going anywhere else. Our sons want to achieve for themselves but also for their houses, teams and the whole school, which is a new experience for us.

The focus on developing a ‘young man’ rather than justfocusing on academical achievements is very important forus. Being involved in graduate recruitment ourselves, many of today’s applicants have outstanding academic skills, but really struggle on a personal basis.

The boys are enjoying the many different opportunities the school provides – especially in sports.

St James is one of the main reasons for us continuing to stayin England.

Heike & Markus Schmidt – Parents

We knew immediately as we read the prospectus that St James was the school for us and three years later they have not failed to deliver. The teachers not only treat the boys with respect and dignity but continue daily to inspire them and nurture their emotional intelligence as well as their academic intelligence.

Mr Brazier is now taking it onto another level by bringing his educational perspective and raising the bar by enhancing an already rich curriculum delivered by outstanding teachers who really care and are incredibly passionate. That passion drives the school and resonates through each boy.

We are so proud of the young man that our son is growing into.

Stephen & Caroline Wrigglesworth – Parents

You know when you read a school brochure and everything seems idealistic, well-rounded and with your child’s best interests at heart? Well, it’s a very good feeling to know they actually follow through here. What impresses me most is that they make sure room is preserved in the day to educate the boys on growing up to be a man of substance. They still have Oxbridge candidates and I see each boy is guided to be the best he can be, but I really want to know that my son is happy, striving to do his best, making friends, learning about life and how to be a contributor. I know he is in good hands, because St James is guiding him to look beyond the textbook and into what it takes to grow strong roots.

Samantha Barry – Parent

It was music to our ears to hear our son tell us that he truly ‘loved’ school. This was high praise indeed for a boy who, until starting at St James, had been very underwhelmed with the whole business of getting an education – but then St James is so much more than just an education. To discover a school that not only prides itself on its philosophical approach but where each and every boy is nurtured and stretched in ways that help him discover his true potential and place in the world, is a joy to behold. I have no doubt that the St James experience will stand our son in excellent stead as he enters manhood and that he will look back on his school days with love and happiness. What more could a parent ask?

Clare Fader – Parent

My son is thriving at St James Senior Boys. The school’s focus on a philosophy that looks beyond the self-seeking values of the modern world is helping him to become an insightful and caring individual.

Jane Horrocks – Actress & Parent

As a guest speaker at St James, I was impressed by the fluency and maturity of the boys who also spoke. Most of them gave better speeches than I did, illustrating that St James does what the best schools should do – it gives the pupils self-confidence. Academic excellence is important. The school knows that, but to its credit, it also knows that equally important is producing well-rounded, well-mannered young people – independent thinkers sure of themselves but not arrogant. It seems to me that St James ticks all these boxes.

Barry Norman – Writer, Broadcaster, Presenter

What people say

Senior Boys’ School

Prospectus

St James Senior Boys’ SchoolChurch RoadAshfordSurrey TW15 3DZTel: 01784 266 933

Admissions:Tel: 01784 266 [email protected]

Senior Boys’ School

Documents

Transcript of Senior Boys’ School