An education at S.Anselm's is an education for life. We believe that high standards are important both inside and outside the classroom, and we set great store by the development of good manners, self -discipline and consideration for others.
At S.Anselm's we accommodate children of all abilities. To begin with the children are placed in, usually, two sets of mixed ability although they are set according to ability for Maths. Later on, most year groups are divided into three streams, with individual subject setting, taught by specialist teachers. With average class sizes of 12, teachers are always able to give pupils individual attention. The scholars are set in the fast stream where they are stretched to attain academic excellence. The middle and lower streams work towards Common Entrance at 13+. Pupils who have a specific learning difficulty are able to work at a pace suited to their needs.
We follow the National Curriculum but subjects are explored in greater depth than this requires. French is the principal modern language taught; two thirds of pupils study Classical Latin and a few scholars learn Ancient Greek. The Information and Communication Technology Department is used by the whole school, and the two Science Laboratories and Design Technology Workshop allow for practical subjects to be given great emphasis.
We are very proud of our academic record. Over the past few years excellent Common Entrance grades have been achieved and numerous major academic awards have been won to many top Public Schools. S. Anselm's children go on to a variety of schools, including Ampleforth, Cheltenham Ladies' College, Downe House, Eton, Giggleswick, Harrow, Malvern, Moreton Hall, Oakham, Oundle, Queen Margaret's (York), Repton, Rugby, St.Edward's (Oxford), Sedbergh, Shrewsbury, Tudor Hall, Uppingham, Winchester and Wycombe Abbey.
Scholarships
2009
It is a testament to the fantastic teaching and staff at S. Anselm’s that we have achieved a record 20 Scholarships and Awards this year, out of a year group of 32. Our holistic approach means that we have no entrance test at all and children of all abilities are encouraged to join S. Anselm’s. We firmly believe that we can bring out the best in each and every child, and I believe our record tally of 20 Scholarships and Awards certainly bears this out this out. This of course does not include several others who narrowly missed out on achieving awards at other schools but who have been so impressive in their scholarship attempts that they no longer have to sit Common Entrance.
We have achieved Scholarships and Awards at
· Giggleswick
· Malvern College
· Oundle
· Repton
· Rugby
· Sedbergh
· Uppingham
However S. Anselm’s is not just about the top end: we pride ourselves on the success of every child here. For that reason we are equally proud to announce that every child passed Common Entrance to their first choice school once more. This is the second year in a row that we have had a 100% success rate at CE.
2008
We were once again delighted with our scholarship successes this year. Not only did several pupils achieve scholarships in many different areas, but also five boys should be congratulated on gaining very high grades to Eton, Harrow and Oundle, for which they sailed over the first hurdle, the preliminary round of academic papers, no easy task in itself. Our full list is as follows:
Sophie C-T Oakham Sport Exhibition
Molly D Blundell's Academic, Art and All-Rounder Scholarships
Casey D Sedbergh Academic Scholarship
Lucy E Repton C.B. Fry Award
Holly H Repton C.B. Fry Award (2007); ICT and Academic Scholarships
Kate H Oundle General Scholarship
Ella H Downe House 11+ Academic Exhibition
Suzy H Oakham Headmaster's Scholarship
Nancy J Sheffield High School 11+ Academic Scholarship
Annabel L Worksop College Academic Exhibition
Max Pl Repton C.B. Fry Award (2007); Sport Scholarship; Drama Exhibition
Isabella W Rugby Sport Scholarship
We wish all of these pupils a very happy and successful career at their senior schools and very much look forward to hearing their news.
Sara Taylor
Director of Studies