Welcome to the spring edition of Princethorpe College's Admissions Update e-newsletter. This issue is packed with news to give you a feel for College life, forthcoming events which are open to prospective pupils and their families and helpful advice about the admissions process, particularly for those who are looking at entry in September 2020.

This newsletter is issued twice a year to coincide with key admissions periods, the next edition will be published in Autumn 2019, prior to our Entrance Exams on Saturday 9 November 2019.

We hope you find the newsletter of interest, if you have any feedback, comments or queries please feel free to email the team at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Preview

News

2020 Admissions Cycle Commences

As the College looks forward to welcoming its new pupils to the school in September, the Admissions Team now turns its attention to entry for 2020.

Entrance Examinations, for entry to the school in September 2020, will take place on Saturday 9 November 2019 and we are already busy accepting registrations.

There are plenty of opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents to visit the College before the Entrance Exams take place; including our Open Afternoon on Sunday 24 March 2019, our summer Open Evening on Wednesday 5 June, Year 5 and 6 Taster Days in May, June and September, and a last chance to look round before the Entrance Exams at our Open Morning on Thursday 26 September. 

Comments Melanie Butler, Assistant Head, Marketing, Admissions and Communications, "Parents and pupils will have plenty of time to prepare and opportunities to visit the College in the run up to the exams. The results will be sent out at the end of November, making for an exam-free Christmas holiday, which has got to be good news."

Following the entrance exams, offer letters will be sent out on Thursday 28 November 2019 and the acceptance deadline will be Monday 2 March 2020. The acceptance deadline for places is, by a nationally agreed code of practice, the same for all independent schools, allowing parents and children time to review all their options, including those from the maintained sector, before making a final decision.

If you have any questions about the admissions process please contact the Registrar, Vanessa Rooney, on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

 

Science At The Forefront Of Princethorpe’s Vision For The Future

Princethorpe is putting Science at the forefront of its vision for the future with plans for a new state-of-the-art Science building. Planning was submitted last September for the two-storey, £8 million building, which will see Biology, Chemistry and Physics sited together in one dedicated location. It is hoped that construction will start on the project within the next three years.

This is the latest in a programme of capital investment in the infrastructure of the College, including recent projects such as the refurbishment of the Clarkson Theatre and the Roundhouse for the Performing Arts, the Limes Building for Modern Foreign Languages, English and ICT and restoration of the wooded lake area known as Switzerland for outdoor education.

At just over 1,600 sq metres, the building will provide contemporary, spacious and well-equipped accommodation for the three Sciences including ten new laboratories, preparation areas, staff bases and toilets.

Comments, Headmaster, Ed Hester, “In a demanding world, where scientific progress is essential across the spheres of discovery, development and innovation, we need to provide the very best facilities for teaching and learning to stimulate the intellect, ambition and creativity of our pupils. This tremendous new building will enable us to do just that.”

The main entrance of the new block will face the Lime Walk and the side of the building will abut the existing Limes Building at the top of the North Lawn. The two buildings will be connected on both floors creating free flow for pupils and staff between them. The area in front of the new building will be attractively landscaped with a central square feature.

The project will also enable the College to redevelop and cluster other departments, providing permanent homes for Economics, Business Studies, Geography and Classics and dedicated laboratory areas for Academic PE. Plans are also afoot to provide additional catering and seated dining facilities. This last major phase of the upgrading of the school’s accommodation will benefit all of the College’s 900 plus pupils.

The project has been designed in collaboration with Leamington-based AT Architects.

The Princethorpe Foundation Shortlisted For Two Awards

The Princethorpe Foundation was thrilled to be shortlisted in two categories in the Independent School of the Year Awards.  Crackley Hall School was shortlisted for the coveted Independent Prep School of the Year Award.  Whilst the Foundation’s senior school, Princethorpe College, was shortlisted for Independent School of the Year - Student Careers Programme Award.  They were both selected ahead of hundreds of independent schools from across the country who had entered the awards.

The Awards Scheme was in its inaugural year and has been introduced to celebrate the independent education sector, showcase excellence in student experience and recognise the varied and imaginative way in which independent schools prepare young people for their future lives.

Ed Hester, Foundation Headmaster commented, “We are delighted that the Awards committee have recognised our Foundation schools. Our dedicated staff are committed to providing the very best experience for our pupils, supporting them as they grow into confident, resilient young people. This is a testament to the hard work they do every day and we are very proud to have been shortlisted.”

Brand New College Magazine - The Tower Review

A brand new College magazine, The Tower Review, has just been published. The magazine is designed to be an annual souvenir review of the previous academic year celebrating the life of the school and  the wealth of activities and opportunities available at Princethorpe College.

Some families will remember that The Tower used to be the College’s magazine which provided termly updates on life at school, before the advent of our fortnightly e-newsletter The Flagpole.

The magazine showcases term by term a whole host of events, achievements and successes that our pupils from Year 7 to Upper Sixth were involved in over the course of 2017/18, and includes highlights such as Prize Giving, the Careers Fair and House Activities, such as Sports Day.  

2017/2018 had a lot to live up to following on from the glorious celebrations of the Golden Jubilee year.  It had its own challenges, with some of the heaviest snowfall in a long while, but there were many wonderful and memorable moments and plenty of achievements and successes to record.

To view a copy click here.

Hard copies are free of charge and will be available for collection at a number of upcoming events including:

  • Open Afternoon - Sunday 24 March
  • Open Evening - Wednesday 5 June
  • Year 5 Taster Days in May and June

If you are unable to collect a copy and would like to receive a hard copy in the post please email marketing@princethorpe.co.uk with your name and address.

 

U15 Rugby Boys Reached The Final Eight Of Prestigious NatWest Plate

This year Princethorpe College’s Boys U15 Rugby team qualified, for the very first time, for the quarter-finals of the NatWest Schools National Plate competition. 

The boys earned their well-deserved place in the final eight in a hard-fought match on home turf against RGS Worcester on Monday 14 January.  Their delight in their success was only heightened when the team got a shout-out later that evening on national radio thanks to an enterprising parent, Mr Richard Draper, who contacted the new Sara Cox Radio 2 Drivetime Show.

Talking about the match, Team Captain, Oscar Blunsom-Washbrook, commented “We had a good first half, but in the second we gave away too many penalties.  It was a very nervous last ten minutes, but the team showed real resilience to get the win.”

Along the way the boys had beaten King Edward’s Birmingham, Old Swinford Hospital and Ellesmere College to get to the fourth round and their excellent 15 – 9 victory against RGS Worcester secured their place in the final eight.

Reaching the quarter-finals was a great achievement and a reflection of the effort, tenacity and dedication of pupils and staff over the season. 

Little Shop Of Horrors Leaves Audiences Ravenous For More

The College’s musical theatre production this year was Little Shop of Horrors.  It was produced and directed by Director of Music, Gil Cowlishaw, supported by Joint Head of Drama, Vicky Roberts, and performed with humour and panache by our wonderful troupe of Princethorpe players.

It told the story of Skid Row florist’s clerk Seymour Krelborn who is too shy to declare his love for his co-worker Audrey – until a mysterious exotic plant brings him unexpected fame and fortune. There’s just one problem; the plant has ambitions of its own, and thrives on only one food – human blood.

Gleefully gruesome with awesome props, this tender love story had a fabulous sixties-style score that made the deliciously campy, sci-fi spoof a 'monster' hit.

Over four performances captivated audiences were transported to a colourful world of larger than life characters as between bites, the carnivorous Audrey II brought the house down singing rhythm and blues. What better way to combat the cold winter night!

Not for the faint hearted, the horror comedy, rock musical had the audience screaming with laughter and ravenous for more.

 

Oli Thomas Celebrates England Hockey Call Up

Princethorpe College Year 11, Oli Thomas, made his England Hockey debut when he played for the winning U16 team in a match against Ireland at the Lilleshall Hall National Sports Centre on Thursday 21 February.

As well as playing for the College Oli also plays club hockey at Hampton-In-Arden and is on the England Hockey player pathway. He trains with the England Squad and supplements that with training at the South Midlands Regional Performance Centre.

Back in the summer last year, Oli played in the Mercia Lynx team in the England Hockey Futures Cup, a high intensity tournament that is an important part of the England National Age Groups selection process, and he was delighted to subsequently be selected for the National U16 Boys’ Squad.

Oli said, “The Futures Cup tournament was incredible, three challenging matches plus training sessions and workshops all in four days.  We even had the chance to meet players from the GB team.  It was fantastic to win but then even better to find out that I had made it into the England squad.”

Since then Oli has attended monthly national training camps before making his successful debut in the amazing 3-2 win against Ireland.  He is looking forward to possible matches against Germany, Scotland and Holland, and to travelling to Belgium to play with the squad.  At the end of the season he hopes to play in the Home Nations Tournament.

Proud Princethorpe Hockey coach, Paul Whitehead, was delighted to be invited to watch Oli play at Lilleshall.  He commented, “Oli’s speed and precision are what makes him special, we are delighted to support him in his hockey ambitions and of course to have him play in the College’s 1st XI.”

Unfazed by the demands of GCSE studies, Oli believes that organisation and focus are the key to his success.  Adding, “It can be tough juggling my studies alongside hockey but if you are determined and work hard you can achieve anything.”

 

Lauren Mason Invited To Join New York Academy Of Sciences 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures Programme

Year 11 pupil, Lauren Mason, has been invited to join the New York Academy of Sciences 2019 cohort of 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures – an innovative initiative designed to engage young women interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM), and advance their pursuit of STEM careers through a programme of mentoring, study and 21st-century skills development.

Lauren has been a part of their Junior Academy programme for the last few years and won her place on the 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures initiative after impressing the admissions committee with her deep passion for STEM. 

As part of the programme, Lauren will participate in one-to-one mentoring from real scientists and engineers, take coursework modules focusing on skills such as leadership, communication, and critical thinking and have the opportunity to network with peers and female STEM professionals.

To celebrate her acceptance into 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures programme, Lauren has also been accepted as a Young Member of the New York Academy of Sciences.  The Young Members are an incredibly diverse group of innovators, explorers and problem-solvers, united by a shared curiosity about the universe and a strong commitment to changing the world through STEM. 

Ed Hester, Headmaster, commented, “It is fantastic to see Lauren’s passion and excellence in the realm of STEM recognised on an international level, we know she will make the most of this wonderful opportunity to further her knowledge and skills.”

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Hannah Owens Appointed Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate

Lower Sixth Former Hannah Owens has been appointed young poet laureate for Warwickshire.  The 17-year-old will take on the post for the next year.

Hannah was selected from a shortlist of five poets after a challenging but amazing day of workshops, interviews and performances.

The selection day started with a performance workshop hosted by Midlands based poet, Fergus McGonigal.  He was full of helpful hints on how to make the most of your performance and even performed some of his own unique work.  Next came a panel interview with questions on why poetry was important and what the candidates hope to do in the role. The day concluded with each applicant performing two poems; one themed on Warwickshire and another of their choice; to a small audience of parents, friends, local dignitaries from the county, including the Deputy Mayor of Rugby and the MP for Rugby, as well as staff from Warwickshire Libraries.

Hannah will now undertake a year of performances, which will include attending events throughout the county, starting with the Arts Council meeting in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Warwickshire Libraries conference.  Her work will also include running workshops with young people and even organising a blog. 

Hannah will also get the chance to work with a mentor, a graduate English student, to develop her writing skills.

Hannah commented, “The selection day was incredible and very inspiring - the result was completely unexpected.  It is a wonderful opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.  I would like to thank my English teacher, Mr Kerrigan, for the help he gave me in preparing.  I am looking forward to the year and I would very much like to work with younger pupils here at Princethorpe to help get them involved in poetry.”

You can read more about Hannah’s new role and the work she will be doing in the next edition of the Pinnacle, which will be published this spring.

Chloe Comes Second In Regional Futurechef Final

Many congratulations to Year 8 pupil Chloe O’Carroll Bailey who came second in the Coventry and Warwickshire Springboard Futurechef Regional Final that took place, just before half term, on Monday 11 February at Coventry College’s Henley Campus.

Food and Nutrition Teacher, Jacqui Scott, commented, “Chloe did brilliantly coming second by only three points. The judges were absolutely blown away by the dishes Chloe produced all saying that they couldn’t cook like her at 13 years-old and that many chefs twice her age would struggle to match her skill! One judge, the national winner from 2017, has even offered to arrange for Chloe to have some experience in the kitchen at the award-winning Mallory Court Hotel!”

There were four contestants in the final including Chloe, they had all come through two previous rounds, a school heat and a local final to reach the regional final.  The aspiring chefs all prepared a main course and a dessert.  Chloe cooked a ballotine of chicken with a prune, apple and shallot confit and served it with baby roasted potatoes, French beans wrapped in courgettes and a cream and cider sauce.   Her dessert was a melting middle chocolate fondant with orange crisps and clementine cream, finished with toasted pistachios.

At the event Chief Judge George Outhwaite, from the Hilton Birmingham Metropole said: “The quality of today’s dishes was exceptional and I’ve seen really some high standards, the competition seems to get better every year”.

Many congratulations to Chloe who clearly has the makings of a master chef.

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Minor Girls, Junior Girls And Inter Boys Are County Cross Country Champions

The Warwickshire Schools County Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday 19 January 2019 at Moreton Morrell College.  It was a cold, damp and rainy day and a hilly, challenging, grass course but the runners doggedly turned a blind eye to the filthy weather as they tackled the tough, undulating terrain.

35 Princethorpe runners took part from Years 7 to 11 competing against runners from some 25 Warwickshire schools.  All the early morning cross country training runs paid dividend with another excellent set of results for the College; team placings are based on the positions of the first four runners from a school.  The Minor Girls, Junior Girls and Inter Boys all placed first overall claiming the County Cross Country Championship titles.  The Minor Boys also ran well to come second and the Junior Boys third.

The Minor Girls and Minor Boys ran 2.3km, the Junior Girls 3.25km, the Junior Boys and Inter Girls 3.85km and the Inter Boys 5.2km.

Year 7, Kate Pomerleau ran superbly to finish second overall in the Minor Girls race, with Sage Wesbury coming in close behind (6th), Kaena Wasley (14th) and Jemima Teeton (15th).

For the Junior Girls an excellent team effort saw Evie Phillips come home first (9th), followed by Grace Darcy (10th), Julia Loftus (12th) and Jess Evans (15th). 

Helping the Inter Boys team to first place were Will Crowfoot (7th), Luke Palmer (8th), Tom Crowfoot (9th) and Ben Scares (10th).

For the Minor Boys, Oscar Reynolds was first across the line (8th) followed by Ollie Farquharson (11th) and Thomas Windley (15th).  

Best placed in a competitive Junior Boys race was Ed Mitchell (14th).

Molly Minshull and Erin Darcy ran their nearly 4km course confidently to place (7th) and (11th) respectively for the Inter Girls.

Princethorpe’s runners’ excellent individual placings mean that many will now be considered for selection to represent the Midlands in the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA) Cross Country Cup taking place in Leeds later this year.

Year 7’s Kate Pomerleau, Sage Westbury and Oscar Reynolds will also be considered for the Primary and Year 7 National Cross Country Finals, which will be held at Prestwich Hall in Loughborough in March.

Head of Outdoor Education/PE Teacher, Will Bower commented, "It was good to see the College so well represented at the County Championships.  Well done to all of our competitors, we saw some excellent personal performances in a tough race in freezing, wet conditions. I am delighted with the overall team results, not least placing first in three of the age groups we entered."

Everything Is Awesome At Princethorpe’s Choral Fun Day

Nearly 80 young singers from local primary schools enjoyed a super day of singing when they joined Princethorpe's Director of Music, Gil Cowlishaw, Music Teacher, Alison Wakeley, Peripatetic Music Co-ordinator, Felicity Coulson and twenty members of the Princethorpe College Choir for a fantastic Choral Fun Day.

The Year 5 and 6 pupils tackled a variety of choral pieces from popular favourites such as Katie Perry’s Roar, classics such as Abba’s I Have A Dream and The Beatles’ Nowhere Man, traditional works such as Joshua Fought The Battle Of Jericho and The Sally Gardens, to the wonderfully corny hit Everything Is Awesomefrom the LEGO movie.

As well as rehearsing furiously, the visiting children took part in a musical team scavenger hunt and enjoyed lunch in the Refectory.

The day culminated in an impressive gala performance of their newly learnt pieces in front of an enthusiastic capacity audience of family and friends in the College's newly refurbished Clarkson theatre, followed by afternoon tea for all.

Commenting on the day, Gil Cowlishaw said, "We were really impressed by the children. They achieved such a lot in just a few hours, learning six songs and then taking to the stage to perform is no mean feat, well done to them all!”

A special thank you to all of the fantastic Princethorpe pupils and staff involved in supporting the day.

Stunning Sicily Was Spectacular And Unforgettable

Year 10 Geography pupils travelled to the Italian island of Sicily for a four day trip to visit some of Sicily’s most stunning geographic features including Mount Etna, the Alcantara Gorge and the small volcanic island of Vulcano.  It was an unforgettable opportunity to experience geography first-hand, supporting their GCSE studies and bringing the subject spectacularly to life.

Leaving early on the morning of Monday 22 October, the group travelled to Luton Airport to board the plane for Sicily, by lunchtime they had well and truly left the cold of England behind and were on the coach heading for their first stop at Taormina on the hill of Monte Tauro and the chance to take in breathtaking views of the Mediterranean sea across the sweeping bays to the south of Mount Etna. From there it was straight to Pizzeria Al Varo to get hands on with the culture of the island, making traditional Sicilian thick crust pizzas.

Day two started with an early morning swim and then the group headed off for Mount Etna. Before ascending, they visited a lava field left after the 1992 eruption, which put into perspective the explosive power of the volcano. Mount Etna was followed by a trip to the Alcantara Gorge, where the group explored the spectacular rock formations sculpted by lava mixing with water.

The next day Princethorpe’s geographers visited Vulcano, a small volcanic island north of Sicily. There they climbed to the top of Fossa di Vulcano.

Pupils Georgie and Abbie, commented, “A huge thank you to everyone involved with the trip especially the teachers that put up with 22 of us for four days. It was an amazing experience full of extreme environments and unforgettable landscapes.”

 

Residential Proves Princethorpe’s Year 7 Are Great Pioneers

Our Year 7 Princethorpe Pioneers returned happy, exhausted and more than a little muddy from their residential trip to the Pioneer Centre at Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire. They all grew in confidence having approached new challenges with determination and enthusiasm and enjoyed a memorable three days of organised activities.

We took 110 pupils on the three-day programme that included caving, climbing, abseiling and zip wire, high ropes, archery, raft building and last but not least the challenge course. The group also got to participate in a nerve testing tropical reptile experience, enjoyed a Friday night disco and a Saturday night sing song around the camp fire.

They tested their nerves as they climbed the big wall, swooped down the zip wire and explored the depths of the caving systems with only a little light on their helmets to see by.

They developed leadership and team building skills as they built rafts to sail on the pond, and despite the mud all jumped in for a splash around in the cold. Then, the very brave overcame their fears as they got ‘hands on’ with snakes and lizards in a tropical animal session.

Deputy Head – Pastoral, Beth Sharpe said, “It was a fantastic opportunity for our Year 7 pupils to bond together as a year group. They had an amazing time and were really supportive of one another as they worked together. They showed resilience and initiative and I know they came back into school with new friends and better able to work together as a team.”

The Pioneer Centre is a superb purpose built activity holiday centre situated in stunning countryside on the edge of the Wyre Forest.

 

Princethorpe College Invaded By Roman Centurions Again!

The Romans returned to Princethorpe in October, armed with swords and scutums (shields) and ready to do battle. It was Year 7 Roman Day, a day when every pupil in the year enjoys lessons full of tales of blood and gore, as they learn about the Roman invasion and settlement of Britain.

The Centurions’ passion and knowledge of the period was vividly dramatised as the two men, dressed in full legionnaire’s costume, brought to life the strategic tactics and organisation of the Roman fighting machine. With replica costumes and equipment based on real archaeological finds the sessions complimented the lessons Year 7 have been studying in History this half term.

Lucky class ‘volunteers’ dressed up in full body armour and attempted to carry a soldier’s kit, as Roman Tours expert, Centurion Occratius Maximi Gittus, accompanied by Titus Didius Felix, captivated the new recruits with graphic stories of life in the Roman Army and fascinating facts about all things Roman.

Frankie was just one of the lucky pupils who donned the Roman Tunica, Lorica (armour) and Galea (helmet) and then picked up his soldier’s kit and prepared to march.  Frankie and his classmates were also treated to lessons in sword skills and battle tactics from the greatest army of the time.

Peter Bucknall, Head of History at Princethorpe College said, “Year 7 always enjoy coming face to face with a Roman Centurion.  Their visit has, as always, left pupils buzzing with excitement and curiosity and keen to find out more, it was a lot of fun and a fantastic day’s learning for all who took part.”

A School Day, But Not As We Know It

On Tuesday 12 February, 34 pupils from across the Princethorpe Foundation travelled to the National Space Centre in Leicester to take part in a simulated space mission called Rendezvous with a Comet. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) based adventure took place in the Challenger Learning Centre, one of only two educational space mission simulators outside North America.

For the mission pupils took on the roles of navigation experts, medical officers, data officers, scientists and engineers; the Year 6 and 7 pupils worked as a team to plot a successful course to rendezvous with Comet Enke as it streaked across the solar system, and then launched a probe to collect scientific data.

The first task was to construct the space probe before then plotting the correct intercept course but what seemed at first to be a routine exploration was soon filled with exciting challenges and emergencies along the way. Giving concise instructions, documenting the research and analysing data enabled pupils to maintain the safety of their team in space and ultimately accomplish a successful mission. And how exciting it was to discover that they had chanced upon a much rarer comet than Comet Enke. The new comet was so rare that no living human being had ever before observed it, so pupils got to name it! Our cross-phase pupils voted on the name Comet CCP to ensure that Crackley, Crescent and Princethorpe were equal partners in this extra-terrestrial mission.

The teams got a heroes’ welcome home when they returned to Mission Control safely. Da Vinci Co-ordinator, Mrs Pascoe-Williams commented, “It was another excellent mission – I was impressed with how well the pupils from our three schools worked together. The atmosphere was fantastic and the enthusiasm boundless, all in all it was a great opportunity for cross-curricular learning. Well done everyone!”

New Foundation Website To Be Launched This Spring

Work is well underway on an exciting, new Foundation website which is due to launch this spring.

The new site has been carefully designed as five websites in one to perfectly showcase the Foundation and its four schools - Princethorpe College, Crescent School, Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery.

Melanie Butler, Assistant Head – Marketing, Admissions and Communications, comments, “This has been a major project, which we hope will be well received by the Foundation community and prospective families. It will look better, work faster and be easier to use than our current sites. We can’t wait to share it with everybody!”

The Foundation Marketing Team have developed the site in partnership with website company, e4education.

Keep an eye on the Foundation social media platforms for previews of the site and news of the launch date.

Events

Crackley Hall and Little Crackers Open Events

Open Morning

Saturday 9 March 2019 - 10.30am to 12.30pm

Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery are holding an Open Morning on Saturday 9 March from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  This is an opportunity for parents and children to visit the school and nursery at the weekend.  Visitors will have a chance to tour the school, see the facilities and meet pupils and staff including the Headmaster, Rob Duigan. There will be performances and activities showcasing the school.

Open Evening

Tuesday 14 May 2019 - 5.00pm to 7.30pm

Another chance to look around the school and nursery and meet staff and pupils.

All are welcome to both events and there is no need to book. Light refreshments will be available.

If you can't make the Open Morning or Open Evening but would like to look around, please call our Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514410 or email admissions@crackleyhall.co.uk and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information please see the school website. 

Arts Society Events 2019

Princethorpe College’s Arts Society meets regularly with lectures and performances on interesting and diverse topics.  The Society will be meeting on the following dates and parents and children are welcome to attend.   

Letters to Mother - Tuesday 19 March 2019

Former Princethorpe Deputy Head, Margaret Louise O’Keeffe, returns by popular demand, to present an illustrated talk Letters to Mother on Tuesday 19 March 2019 at 7.30pm.

Sir Henry Rider Haggard (1856-1925) - Tuesday 21 May 2019

On Tuesday 21 May at 7.30pm former Princethorpe Foundation Archivist, Dr Nick Baker, returns to present another illustrated talk Sir Henry Rider Haggard: Storyteller, Politician and Country Gentleman.

Organ Recital - Tuesday 2 July 2019 

Once again on Tuesday 2 July 2019 at 7.30pm in the Chapel Tim Campain will play a wide variety of pieces from various genres on the renowned Princethorpe Binns’ organ of 1901. This year promises a special programme to mark twenty-five years of the popular Hugh Page Memorial Organ Recitals.

Tickets

Tickets may be purchased at the door, (adults £5.00, children free) but advance notice helps catering, please. Princethorpe, Crackley Hall and Crescent School pupils are free of charge.

More information on these events is available at: www.princethorpe.co.uk/news/events/arts-society-events-1 

 

Princethorpe College Open Events

Open Afternoon - Sunday 24 March 2019 - 2.00pm - 5.00pm

Princethorpe College is holding an Open Afternoon on Sunday 24 March 2019 from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

All are welcome to visit the College and younger visitors are encouraged to participate in the many fun subject related activities around the various departments. The Headmaster will address visitors during the afternoon and refreshments will be available.

 

Open Evening - Wednesday 5 June - 6.30pm - 8.30pm

The College is holding a Summer Open Evening on Wednesday 5 June from 6.30pm - 8.30pm. This is another informal opportunity to look around the school and to meet members of staff and pupils. 

There is no need to book for these events.

For further information on admissions and entry to the College in 2020 visit our website or speak to the Admissions Team on 01926 634201/634262 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

 

 

Crescent School Open Events

Open Morning - Saturday 30 March 2019 - 9.30am to 12.00pm

Crescent School is holding an Open Morning on Saturday 30 March 2019 from 9.30am to 12.00pm. Visitors will be able to tour the school, see our new facilities and meet the Headmaster, Joe Thackway. 

As part of the Open Morning there will be a very special performance by Reception to Year 2 pupils, along with children from Pathfinders Nursery, of Hats Off - An All-Weather Musical.  A fun and educational musical which will take the audience on a tour through the changing seasons of the year as Apple the pony tries to find a hat suitable for the weather.

This promises to be fantastic entertainment for visitors of all ages, and will really showcase the talents, confidence and stage presence of the school's youngest pupils. The show commences at 10.00am and we would urge visitors to arrive early to get a good seat!

After the half-hour performance there will be a short presentation about the Crescent and our ambitions for the school as part of the Princethorpe Foundation, and the chance to meet  Headmaster, Joe Thackway. There will also be short Q&A sessions with Alan Webb, Assistant Head - Head of Pre-Prep and Headmaster Joe Thackway about the Crescent's offering for Reception to Year 2 and Year 3 to Year 6. 

Elsewhere on site there will be plenty to see and do, including guided tours by the older pupils, sporting displays, instrumental performances, plus the opportunity to visit classrooms and chat informally to current parents and staff from Pathfinders, the Crescent and Princethorpe College. Light refreshments will be available. There is no need to book.

Open Evening - Tuesday 7 May 2019 - 5.00pm to 7.30pm

The school will also be holding an Open Evening in May where parents will be able to tour the school and speak to the Headmaster.

All are most welcome and there is no need to book for either event.

If you can't make the open events but would like to visit the school, please call the Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit http://www.crescentschool.co.uk/

Old Princethorpians' Events Calendar 2018-19

The Old Princethorpians calendar of events is well underway for 2018-19. Our next events are the Former Parents' Afternoon Tea on Saturday 6 April and the OPs vs Kenilworth Babas Rugby Match on Easter Saturday 20 April. 

Our London meet takes place in early summer at the Bull Dog Bar, The Clarence, Whitehall on Friday 17 May.

The OPs' Summer Supper, a favourite event in the calendar, will take place on Friday 28 June 2019, this time celebrating the leavers of 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999 and 2009, although leavers of other years are also most welcome.

All OPs, past parents, staff and Friends of the College are welcome to participate in any or all of the events. Old Crescentians and Past Pupils of St Joseph's, Abbotsford and Crackely Hall would be very welcome too. Click here to download the calendar or visit the Old Princethorpians section at www.princethorpe.co.uk for more information on Old Princethorpians.

To view the latest edition of the OP e-newsletter please click here.

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Princethorpe Say Hello To Hockey

Saturday 11 May 2019 -  9.30am to 12.00pm

If you'd love to give hockey a try, why not come along to the Princethorpe College 'Year 4 and 5 Say Hello To Hockey' taster session!

A morning of free hockey training on our astroturf, you'll learn new skills, make friends, have fun and beginners are most welcome.  Aimed at girls and boys, the morning will finish with a mini tournament.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book your child's place please complete a booking and consent form, for a copy please click here.

 

Princethorpe College Year 5 Taster Days

May and June 2019

During the summer term Princethorpe College offers Taster Days for children currently in Year 5 (children born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009), who are interested in admission to the College in September 2020.

These days involve a number of classroom sessions, a tour of the school, lunch and other activities, such as a question and answer session with current pupils. The days run from 9.30am to 3.00pm.

If you are interested in your child attending one of the Year 5 Taster Days, please click here.

Come And Say Hello At The Kenilworth Show!

Saturday 8 June 2019

Both Crackley Hall School and Princethorpe College will be out in force at the Kenilworth Show on Saturday 8 June 2019.

A great day out for all the family, there is so much to see and do: Paul Hannam Quad Bike Display Team, The Sheep Show, Heavy Horses, The Grand Parade of Livestock, The Countryside Arena, Farm Machinery and much much more, even the Crackley Hall School Choir!  

There will also be over 100 trade stands from arts and crafts, jewellery, homewares, through to artisan breads and pies in the indoor trade marquee (where you can also find us!), with clothing stalls, garden furniture, plants and local club stands outside.

Visitors to the show can come and find out about our upcoming open events, admissions for September 2020 and beyond, and we would love to say hello to any former St Joseph School pupils and Old Princethorpians!

Tickets are just £12.50 but under 16s go free! For more information about the event and to buy tickets, please visit: https://www.kenilworthshow.co.uk/

We hope to see you there.

Princethorpe PTA Summer Fete, Summer Art, Photography And Design Show and 24th Annual Motoring Festival 2019

Sunday 23 June - 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The Summer Art, Photography and Design Show  

A celebration of our pupils GCSE and A-level Art, Photography and Design work will take place in the College's Sixth Form Centre.  A range of design technology projects, from resistant materials to textiles, will be showcased alongside the stunning art and photography work the College is renowned for. Comments, Paul Hubball, Head of Art, "This is a great opportunity to share our students' fantastic creativity with a wider audience and to welcome more art and design lovers to Princethorpe."

The Princethorpe PTA Summer Fete 

The event is held in the Orchard with lots of entertainment for both children and adults. There will be many and varied attractions including a ‘real-ale’ tent, a Dog Show with plenty of summer fete stalls, activities and competitions.

Please keep an eye on the PTA section of the Princethorpe website for updates and for more details of what’s on offer. 

24th Annual Motoring Festival

The 24th Annual Motoring Festival is open to anyone keen to bring any sort of classic, vintage, veteran or interesting vehicle along for the afternoon. There will be rally plaques for all pre-booked vehicles and awards for self-judged competitions.

The Festival is preceded by an informal morning road run of about 30 miles through the Warwickshire countryside. Vehicles taking part in the run need to arrive at Princethorpe for 11.00am. There is no charge for classic vehicles entering the festival or taking part in the road run.

Barbecued food is available for a nominal charge on return to Princethorpe at lunchtime, or feel free to bring a picnic.

On-line registration for the 2019 event is now open, click here for more information.

 

New Pupils Induction Day And Information Fair

Wednesday 26 June 2019 9.00am to 4.45pm

(Presentation to Parents and Information Fair from 3.30pm to 4.30pm)

The Induction Day for new pupils starting at the College in September 2019 will take place on Wednesday 26 June 2019. The day will consist of two separate events. The new pupils should arrive at school in their current school uniform for 9.00am, but no earlier than 8.45am and can be dropped off by the Sports Hall where they will be met by the Registrars.

They will spend the day getting to know Mrs Susan Harris, Head of Transition and Induction, their Head of House, meet their new Vertical Tutor Group and their teaching group. Refreshments at break and lunch will be provided.

Parents should return to the Chapel at 3.15pm for a prompt start at 3.30pm for their own talks and an Information Fair. Parking will be in the Orchard. There will be an introductory address by the Headmaster and senior staff and after which parents will have the opportunity to visit the Information Fair.

The Fair comprises the following;

Bus services

Music lessons 

Medical matters 

Catering

Parent Teacher Association 

Uniform - book your appointment for the shop

Following the Fair you will be rejoined by your son or daughter for refreshments outside when there will be a further opportunity to chat with Mrs Harris, the Heads of House and other members of staff.  The day will finish around 4.45pm

Year 7 Activity Day - Friday 30 August - 9.30am to 4.00pm

The incoming Year 7 children will get a further opportunity to get to know the College and each other a little better on their Activity Day on Friday 30 August, just before term begins on Monday 2 September.

 

Princethorpe College Entrance Examinations

Entrance Examinations for Year 7 to 10 entry in September 2020 will take place on Saturday 9 November 2019 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

More information on the Entrance Examinations is available in the Admissions section of this newsletter or from the school website please click here.

All candidates must be registered before sitting the entrance examinations. Registrations, bursary and scholarship applications must be received by the deadline of Friday 4 October 2019 to allow us to process the registration and contact schools for references

Following receipt of the registration form, any candidate with a learning need will have an assessment with Lorna Prestage, our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator, prior to the entrance examination. In this instance, early submission of the registration form is advised in order that this appointment can be made in good time. 

Admissions

Princethorpe College Admissions 2020 And Entrance Examinations Day

Children who want to come to Princethorpe College, the Foundation's senior school, sit an entrance examination in the November prior to the year of entry, mainly at 11, and at other ages as space allows. A significant number also join us for Sixth Form at age 16.

We welcome children of all faiths and backgrounds, from our junior schools, Crackley Hall and Crescent School, and many other maintained and independent primary schools from around a radius of about thirty miles.

Competition for places is high, as are standards, but the school also looks for young people who will contribute to the wider life of the school.

Our Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney and her assistants, Miss Helen Morgan and Mrs Catherine Rogers, will be pleased to talk you through the admissions process; contact them on 01926 634201/634262.

Click here to download our 2020 Admissions and Entrance Examinations Booklet (Years 7 to 10)

Click here to download our new Princethorpe College Information Booklet for 2018-19

Entrance Examinations Day

Entrance Examinations for all age groups (except Sixth Form) will take place on Saturday 9 November 2019 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

All candidates must be registered before sitting the entrance examinations. Registrations, bursary and scholarship applications must be received by the deadline of Friday 4 October 2019 to allow us to process the registration and contact schools for references.

Click here to download a Registration FormArt Scholarship Application Form and a Music Scholarship Application Form.

Following receipt of the registration form any candidate with a learning need will have an assessment with a Special Educational Needs professional.

On The Day

Candidates are requested to report to the college for 9.30am and entry to the building will be from no earlier than 9.00am. Candidates should wear their current school uniform and should bring a pen, two pencils, eraser and ruler. Candidates for Years 9 and 10 (13+ and 14+) should bring a calculator and protractor and the relevant language dictionary.

Candidates sit papers in English and Maths and for those looking at Year 9 and 10 a language paper.  The papers vary in length from 45 minutes to 1 hour. All candidates also sit a 50 minute online assessment which includes Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning, appropriate to their age and year of entry. More information is available under the relevant age group information.

The online assessment is provided by Durham University’s Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM). The test is designed to enable all children to demonstrate their academic potential without the need for excessive preparation.

For more information on the online assessment please visit the CEM website at https://www.intuproject.org/CEMSelect/CSFamiliarisation.swf

(If you experience difficulties opening this link please try Internet Explorer.)

There are no practice papers available for the online assessment. CEM advises parents that children can best prepare for their online assessment by learning to work quietly on their own, completing homework set by their school, and by reading and making sure they understand all the words in any books they read. Children should also, wherever possible, be encouraged to try to solve problems by looking things up for themselves. Children should be familiar with using a keyboard and a mouse including the ability to click, drag and slide with a mouse.

The following practice papers may prove helpful:

Bond How to do 11+ Verbal Reasoning published by Nelson Thornes (ISBN 9 780192 742292)

Bond How to do 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning published by Nelson Thornes (ISBN 9 780192 742285)

Bond How to do 11+ Maths published by Nelson Thornes (ISBN 9 780192 742278)

They can be ordered from Waterstones, 1 Priorsgate, Warwick Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4QG, Tel 01926 883804.

A copy of a past English paper is included in the prospectus pack

For more information visit the Entrance Examinations Day section on our website.

Please contact the Registrars if you have any queries or concerns.

After the Entrance Examinations are marked, the Admissions Panel sits to discuss applications. The Panel will take into consideration the Entrance Examinations results, references from feeder schools and, for those with learning support needs, the assessment by the Special Educational Needs professional, prior to the Entrance Examinations.

Those entering Years 8, 9 and 10 will also have their personal interviews considered.

Offers Made

Exam results will be posted, first class, on Thursday 28 November 2019. No information will be available before hand.

For those offered a place confirmation of acceptance with £300 deposit is then required to secure the place by Monday 2 March 2020. This deposit is refunded after the end of the final term which the pupil spends at Princethorpe.

Once you have confirmed your acceptance of a place and sent your £300 deposit you will receive an acknowledgement and a reciept.  Joining details will then be sent to you during the Easter holidays. These include details of Term Dates, Induction, the School Day, Medical Questionnaire, Uniform, Buses, Catering, Locker Keys, Stationery, Parents’ Evenings and the Parent Teacher Association.

Sixth Form Admissions

Sixth Form Admissions 2019

We are still accepting external applications for admission to Sixth Form in September 2019.

Admission to the Sixth Form is based on satisfactory GCSE results, with the addition of an informal interview for external candidates. The minimum academic requirement for entry to Princethorpe Sixth Form is six GCSE grades at A*-C (9-5), including at least three grade Bs or equivalent. Under the new numerical grading system, that equates to three ‘5’s and three ‘6’s. Candidates are normally expected to have at least grade B/6 in the subjects to be studied to A-level, however for Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Latin and the Sciences a grade A/7 at GCSE is required.

If you wish to begin Economics or Law in Sixth Form, you will be expected to have achieved at least B/6 grades in both Mathematics and English Language. If you wish to study Computer Science at A-level, you must have taken it at GCSE. If you wish to study Psychology at A-level you will need a minimum of a 5 grade in English and Mathematics, plus a B/6 grade is highly recommended in a Science subject (ideally Biology).

Click here to download our Sixth Form Admissions 2019 Information booklet

External candidates should get in touch with the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney to arrange an informal interview, with the Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie or one of his assistants, after which a formal registration along with provisional options for A-level should be made.

Following satisfactory references from the student’s current school, the Admission Panel will meet and, if appropriate, a conditional offer will be made subject to actual GCSE grades.

Sixth Form offers and Scholarship offers will be made week commencing Monday 1 April 2019.

Confirmation of acceptance from a parent with a £300 deposit is then required to secure the place. This deposit is refunded after the end of the final term which the student spends at Princethorpe.

The deadline for acceptances of Sixth Form places and Scholarship offers is Wednesday 1 May 2019.

Once actual GCSE grades have been advised to the Registrar by telephone in August, a confirmed offer will be made.

Sixth Form Induction Day will take place on Friday 30 August 2019 from 8.45am to 3.30pm.

Sixth Form Admissions 2020

The Sixth Form at Princethorpe offers great choice, quality teaching in small classes, a vast array of sporting, co-curricular, leadership and service opportunities coupled with excellent pastoral care and guidance, tailored to the needs of today's young adults.

Sixth Formers at Princethorpe are fortunate to have a dedicated Sixth Form Centre, featuring a Dining Room, Lecture Theatre, Common Room and a new Sixth Form Resource Area and Library for their use.

Admissions for Sixth Form continue to be focused in the spring term following GCSE mocks, though we would encourage all prospective Sixth Formers and their parents to visit our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 16 October 2019 from 6.30pm to 9.00pm.

This is an ideal opportunity to get a feel for the breadth of Sixth Form life at Princethorpe and to meet and talk with members of staff and current Sixth Formers about A-level subject choices.

Following the Sixth Form Open Evening external Year 11 candidates can attend a Sixth Form Taster Day, which are offered in December and January. These are informal opportunities for small groups of prospective Sixth Formers to visit the College for a selection of A-level subject taster lessons, a Q&A session with current Sixth Formers, lunch, a tour of school and a chance to meet the Head of Sixth Form.

Admission to the Sixth Form is based on satisfactory GCSE results, with the addition of an informal interview for external candidates. The minimum academic requirement is six GCSE grades at A* - C (9-5 in the new number grades), including at least three grade Bs (6s). Candidates are normally expected to have at least grade B(6) in the subjects to be studied to A-level. For Mathematics, Modern Languages, Latin and the Sciences a grade A (7) at GCSE is required.

If you wish to begin Economics or Law in Sixth Form, you will be expected to have achieved at least B/6 grades in both Mathematics and English Language. If you wish to study Computer Science at A-level, you must have taken it at GCSE. If you wish to study Psychology at A-level you will need a minimum of a grade 5 in English and Mathematics, plus a B/6 grade is highly recommended in a Science subject (ideally Biology).

External candidates should get in touch with the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney to arrange an informal interview, with the Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie or one of his assistants, after which a formal registration along with provisional options for A-level should be made.

Following satisfactory references from the student’s current school, the Admission Panel will meet and, if appropriate, a conditional offer will be made subject to actual GCSE grades. Confirmation of acceptance from a parent with £300 deposit is then required to secure the place. This deposit is refunded after the end of the final term which the pupil spends at Princethorpe.

A range of Sixth Form scholarships are available, from Academic, Art, Drama, Music (including Organ) and Sport Scholarships, click here to visit the relevant page on our website.

The deadline for Sixth Form registrations and Sixth Form Scholarship applications is yet to be confirmed, but will be around mid February 2020.

Sixth Form offers and Scholarship offers, along with confirmation of subject choices will be made towards the end of March 2020, with an acceptance deadline approximately three weeks later.

Once actual GCSE grades have been advised to the Registrar by telephone in August, a confirmed offer will be made.

Scholarships

Princethorpe College Scholarships and Bursaries

There is a variety of Scholarships available for particularly able or talented candidates including Academic, Art, Music and All-Rounder. Additionally for the Sixth Form there are Academic, Art, Drama, Music (including Organ) and Sport Scholarships available, see the Sixth Form Scholarships article.

Scholarships to a maximum reduction of 50% of tuition fees are available and are awarded at point of entry.

Click here to download our Registration Form, Art Scholarship Form  and Music Scholarship Form.

Academic Scholarships

Candidates applying for entry in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 will be considered automatically for an academic scholarship when taking the Entrance Examination.

All Rounder Scholarships

Sometimes there are pupils who are both academically able and gifted in a variety of areas and the most outstanding of these can be awarded an All Rounder Scholarship. Supportive evidence is required, such as references from team coaches or activity leaders. This information should be collated and submitted to the Registrars before the close of registrations for the Entrance Examinations on Friday 4 October 2019

Click here for more information on Art Scholarships.

Click here for more information on Music Scholarships.

Scholarship Interviews

Prospective Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 pupils who are being considered for either major Academic or major All Rounder Scholarships will be invited to an interview with the Headmaster or the Assistant Head - Co-Curricular following the entrance examinations. The parents/guardians of these candidates will be contacted by telephone from Wednesday 13 November 2019. Only those being considered for these awards will be contacted.

The interviews will take place on Saturday 16 November 2019 and during week commencing Monday 18 November 2019.

Bursaries

Bursaries are available up to 100% of tuition fees. Application forms are available from the Foundation Bursar's office and from our website. Completed applications should be forwarded to the Foundation Bursar with supporting documentary evidence. Applications for bursaries are means-tested and reviewed by external consultants. The deadline for bursary applications is Friday 4 October 2019. 

Click here for more information on Bursaries and the means-tested Thomas More Scholarship aimed at Catholic children who attend a Catholic school.

Sixth Form Scholarships

At Sixth Form level there are a range of scholarships available, from Academic to Art, Drama, Music (including Organ) and Sports Scholarships. All scholarships are open to internal and external candidates.

The deadline for applications for Sixth Form Scholarships has yet to be confirmed for 2020 entry, however more information on the individual scholarships, requirements and the relevant process is outlined on our website here.

For more information on Sixth Form Scholarships please call our Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney, on 01926 634201 who will be pleased to talk you through the process.

 

FAQs

FAQs

Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney, Assistant Registrar, Miss Helen Morgan, and Admissions Administrator, Mrs Catherine Rogers, deal with many enquiries from prospective parents, here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about the admissions process, with their responses.

If you have a query that isn't covered here, please feel free to contact Vanessa, Helen or Catherine on 01926 634201/634262.

How are places offered?

Places are considered based on the results from the Entrance Examinations, the reference which the College requests from the current school and any other information which is contained on the registration form. The Admissions Panel looks at each individual at length before a decision is made regarding the offer of a place. The decision making process runs over three days.

How many places are offered each year?

The cohort each year is different in number and ability so it depends upon the examination results and the references from the current school.  We usually offer slightly more places than we have space for because we recognise that some children may take entrance examinations for more than one school and some live in areas which still use the 11+ examination.

How can I prepare my child for the exams?

For more information on the online assessment please visit the CEM website at

https://www.intuproject.org/CEMSelect/CSFamiliarisation.swf

(If you experience difficulties opening this link, please try Internet Explorer.  NB - swf file formats may not function properly on Apple devices.)

There are no practice papers available for the online assessment. CEM advises parents that children can best prepare for their online assessment by learning to work quietly on their own, completing homework set by their school, and by reading and making sure they understand all the words in any books they read. Children should also, wherever possible, be encouraged to try to solve problems by looking things up for themselves. Children should be familiar with using a keyboard and a mouse including the ability to click, drag and slide with a mouse.

The following practice papers may prove helpful:

  • Bond How to do 11+ Verbal Reasoning published by Nelson Thornes (ISBN 9 780192 742292)
  • Bond How to do 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning published by Nelson Thornes (ISBN 9 780192 742285) 
  • Bond How to do 11+ Maths published by Nelson Thornes (ISBN 9 780192 742278)

They can be ordered from Waterstones, 1 Priorsgate, Warwick Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4QG, Tel 01926 883804.

You can also work with your child on a copy of a past English paper which is included in the prospectus pack.

As a general rule on the paper tests advise your son/daughter to answer the easy questions first on the paper and then go back and work on the more tricky ones. Practice at timing themselves while they are working is important too, as they often run out of time. None of the questions on any of the papers need to be answered in order. If the child thinks a question is difficult leave it and go onto the next one and then go back and try again if there is enough time.

How many scholarships are offered each year?

The number of scholarships offered each year depends on the funds allocated by the trustees.  Academic scholarships awarded vary between 10% and 50%. Art and Music can be from 10% to 25%. All-Rounder scholarships are generally from 10% to 25%. All awards are at the discretion of the Headmaster.

What does an All-Rounder Scholarship mean?

The All-Rounder scholarship is for a child with a good academic ability who is involved with activities outside of school. This can be a sport, music, drama, art, cubs, brownies etc. If you wish to apply for this scholarship we ask you to collect evidence and references from coaches and activity leaders outlining the child’s enthusiasm, commitment and ability.  This information should be collated and submitted by the registration deadline. The Admissions Panel frequently sees applications for All-Rounder scholarships which have minimal supporting paperwork. Please make sure that we have sufficient evidence to consider.

Do you take children with a Special Educational Need or Disability?

If your child has a special educational need or disability (SEND), please indicate this on the registration form. He/she will then be invited in for an assessment with a member of our Learning Support department before the entrance examination takes place. The findings from this assessment then go forward to the Admissions Panel together with the entrance exam results, current school reference and, where appropriate, an up to date specialist report from, for example, an Educational Psychologist or Occupational Therapist.

Are children with a SEND entitled to access arrangements in the exam?

Children with a special educational need or disability may be considered for access arrangements in the entrance examinations. Any access arrangements will usually be based on the child's normal way of working in their current educational environment, for which evidence will be required.  We would ask that any Educational Psychologist reports or other supporting information, are forwarded to the Registrars at the earliest opportunity. 

All children with a SEND should see a member of our Learning Support department, prior to the entrance exams taking place, who will be happy to discuss their needs.  Please ensure that you register in good time, to enable us to arrange this meeting.

How are the children put in the new form groups?

At Princethorpe new pupils to the school will join an existing house tutor group comprising pupils from Years 7 to 11. They will stay with this 'family' and form tutor up until Year 11. The Sixth Form have form tutor groups which consist of both Lower and Upper Sixth students.

The Y7 to Y11 house tutor groups have approximately the same number of children from every year group, a mix of girls and boys and ability. 

What sizes are the classes at Princethorpe?

The maximum class size is 24 but this year's Year 7 classes are at around 20 pupils. Design and Technology groups tend to be smaller, normally around 14. Maths and English sets vary according to need – pupils in lower sets will be in slightly smaller groups – usually around 16 or 17.  Students in top sets work very well in slightly larger groups, up to 23/24. 

How are the children allocated to a House?

Houses are allocated by the Deputy Head - Pastoral. Where there is an existing connection with the school pupils usually go into the same house as a sibling or the same house if the parent is an Old Princethorpian. Otherwise the houses are allocated to ensure that the boys and girls are evenly distributed across all four houses.

Will my child get lost when they come to Princethorpe?

Princethorpe has an excellent induction programme that is offered in two separate ways. We have an Induction Day in June for all the new pupils when they spend a day in class and get to meet their Head of House and other members of the Princethorpe community. We also have a Year 7 Activity Day which takes place at the end of the summer holidays. This is a fun day with all the new Year 7 children taking part in games, treasure hunts and activities in and out of the classroom. This is another opportunity to find their way around and meet more staff and children in their House just before they begin school, in September.

How do we find out what is happening at school?

The College has a bi-weekly electronic newsletter, The Flagpole, that includes news articles, events, important information and advice.  We start sending it to new parents towards the end of the summer term and it is the best place to find out what is happening in school.    

Do you offer before and after school care?

The school is open from 7.30am each day with breakfast available in the Sixth Form Centre for early birds. Period 1 and registration is at 8.40am. School finishes at 3.45pm with buses departing at 3.55pm. Extended day is available for pupils until 6.00pm. 

What extra charges, apart from the school fees are there likely to be?

When your child first joins Princethorpe there will be the cost of the school uniform and the initial pack of exercise books. All text books are loaned to the child and there is no charge unless one is lost or badly damaged. There are school trips, usually for each year group and these are always connected to the curriculum. Children will need to buy food from the Refectory or bring a packed lunch. We use a fingerprint system so money does not need to be brought into school. Princethorpe takes great care to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum and are always good value.

Current Princethorpe College Bus Service

A comprehensive private bus service brings pupils into the College from a wide area, extending as far afield as Nuneaton and Coventry to the north, Lutterworth and Daventry to the east, Stratford-upon-Avon and Banbury to the south and Solihull to the west.

The two coach operators are Catterall's of Southam and Ridley's of Leamington Spa.

Buses arrive in school for 8.30am in time for the start of the school day.

All buses leave from the front of school at 3.55pm at the end of the school day. Arrangements need to be made for the collection of those children staying on for extra-curricular activities until 5.15pm or extended day until 6.00pm.

We are looking into facilitating lift shares after activities for families living close to each other.

The current bus timetable is available on the school website here.

 

 

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Uniform and Sixth Form Dress Code

Uniform is compulsory for College pupils and helps to create a sense of shared identity, community spirit and a pride in oneself and in the College.

Uniform can be purchased from the School Shop.

The School Shop is open from 3.30pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday during term time. Additionally during the summer holidays the shop is open on selected dates on an appointment only basis.

To make an appointment please call Miss Nicola Browne on 01926 634272 or email uniform@princethorpe.co.uk.

Sixth Form Dress Code

Although College uniform is not required we expect Sixth Formers to set an example by smartness of dress and appearance. Smart clothes suitable for a work environment, including a jacket are compulsory.

High standards of personal appearance and presentation are expected of pupils at all times.

 

Foundation Term Dates 2019-20

For those who like to plan ahead the Foundation Term Dates for 2019-2020 are:

Michaelmas Term 2019

Monday 2 September to Wednesday 18 December

Half Term

Saturday 19 October to Sunday 3 November

Lent Term 2020 

Monday 6 January to Friday 27 March

Half Term

Saturday 15 February to Sunday 23 February

Trinity Term 2020

Monday 20 April to Wednesday 1 July 

Half Term

Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May