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Years 7 & 8 at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ are a time of opportunity and responsibility. Aged 11 to 13, our Upper School pupils set the tone of the School: they lead, rather than follow the example of older teenagers.

As the oldest members of the School, Upper School pupils take on roles of responsibility becoming prefects, House Captains, heads of a sport or drama and take leading roles in our orchestra and choirs, as well as being part of our top sports teams playing regular fixtures. The Upper School is also a time of service, with pupils supporting younger children develop their reading, running 'fix-it' IT workshops, helping organise indoor activities during 'wet' breaktimes and watching over younger children in the dinner queue. Self-esteem flourishes and you can see their confidence in debating, the camaraderie that builds up in sports teams and the development of their independent study skills. It is the most wonderful time in their young lives, to be at the top of the tree, to draw breath before moving into a much more demanding and competitive adult world at senior school.

“A school where childhood still seems to last the right length of time.”  Current parent

In a warm, nurturing environment, these children are given the opportunity to grow up before the full impact of adolescence, two crucial years in which to live in a child’s world before being pulled into a world of young adults. During breaktime, our Upper School children are just as likely to be found climbing trees in our woodland, as playing manhunt across our glorious 35 acres. Mobile phones are not permitted in school.

Our pupils thrive on the challenge of a vigorous, broad, varied and stimulating curriculum that prepares them not just for their senior school but life beyond. Pupils continue to be taught by specialist teachers in a broad range of subjects including Maths, English, Science, Computing, French, Spanish, Latin, Sport, Art, Music, Drama and Design & Technology. They complete their own ‘mini EPQ’, a version of the much-respected Extended Project Qualification taken by many sixth formers. As well as a Form Teacher, Upper School pupils are supported by a tutor and given the tools to approach their learning in an exciting and organised manner. A rich programme of exciting residential trips both at home and abroad encourages self-belief and independence.

We welcome a number of new pupils into Year 7 and with strong ties to over 20 of the top senior schools in the south-east, our team of Senior School Guides are ready to support families choosing the right senior school for their child.