Bancroft's Preparatory School

The Good Schools Guide Review of Bancroft's Preparatory School, Woodford Green, IG8 0RF

Our View

Two conjoined, inviting-looking, modern red-brick buildings at the lower right hand side of the main school playing fields – two-storeyed and with big windows. From the main school they appear small and modest; the main school, viewed from the prep, looks imposing and a little awe-inspiring but the prep children spend time in the main school and there are sensible links so that, ‘it’s a bit scary as it’s so big and the students are so big but we had a meeting with Mrs Ireland so we know much more about it now and I’m not really scared any more.' Quite! And senior pupils trot over to visit their junior siblings in break too. However, the prep is its own world and, as you descend the slope to its entrance, between the playing field and the tennis court, a gentleness and palpable sense of fun envelops you.

The prep has splendid new rooms which have greatly enhanced its overall space and provision. New science, drama, music and DT rooms, a good-sized hall with flexible seating – lots of IT and new laptops. Around 23 children in a class but the rooms are big enough and airy enough not to feel crowded. We did not feel the need to open windows as one so often does. Classrooms busy, not over-orderly, and relaxed – we wanted to look at the displays – all of which seemed interesting and not as predictable as they so often are. We liked the alternatives to ‘said’ and we loved the paper collages showing variations on the Arcimboldo fruity face! and the glittery, sparkly firework ones. We approved some of the interesting work in progress – especially the lesson on moulds –‘we had to throw them away as they were beginning to smell’, was a rueful observation. The library is well-stocked and a good mix or fact and fiction. Outside space good and super new all-weather surface for littlies with monster chess set, apparatus and, not surprisingly, ’everyone loves coming out here’.

Year six has ‘critical thinking’ lessons – ‘to expand our minds, to think out of the box, to widen our imagination,’ we were told, earnestly. We were impressed by the sensible ‘traffic light’ system whereby pupils assess their grasp of what they have learnt and where they need help. Exuberant sports, music and drama and lots of inspiring extra-curricular stuff. All entrants assessed for SpLD at 7 and SENCo-led help laid on where needed. Mostly mild dyslexia. Outgoing, relaxed and confident children from a vast range of local backgrounds as you’d expect. A true preparatory school in that what goes on here is sound, sensible and confidence-building for what is to follow. But is not just preparatory for senior school. Four happy years here is a solid foundation for life. Apply early and cross your fingers.

Headmaster

Since 2005, Mr Christopher Curl MA BEd TEFL (mid forties). Previously head at Ferndale Prep and before that resident housemaster/head of English/drama at senior and prep schools, most recently Junior King's Canterbury, his old school. Seldom have we met a rounder peg in a more circular hole. He's jolly good fun with masses of energy and enthusiasm. Not exactly a big kid as there's a keen, organising intelligence here along with solid experience but he's clearly someone who relishes the sheer joy of helping the bright sparks in his care grow, learn and thrive. 'I'm full of ideas,' he confesses, 'and I just love the idea of being in a community - it's a burden and privilege. We're part of the Bancroft's community but have a separate identity - we're a different world but connected.' He bears the burden lightly and zooms around his room dimming the lights to show us his own model for a production of The Mikado - in which every pupil took part - complete with fluorescent costumes and brilliant detail. He's thrilled with the large new extension to his accommodation - 'it means I can do all things I wanted to' - and the opportunity to further develop his staff. All pupils will now have subject specialists as their class teachers. Mr Curl has two children, now in the senior school and is the kind of head who makes you want to corral all the children you can find and plonk them in front of him for a bit of what schooldays really should be about.

Entrance

At 7+ - over-subscribed by about 3:1. Testing in English - reading and writing - and maths for year 2 entry into year 3 class (Alpha) takes place on beanbags! Children seen (and offered doughnuts) in small groups with head and deputy - it's 'as informal and low key as possible'. Around 70-75 places offered - Bancroft's will be first choice for most applicants.

Exit

All to senior school, to scholarships elsewhere or to the local grammars.

Special Education Needs Survey

SEN Statement

We screen all our pupils with the help of our Head of Learning Support which helps to further inform our teaching on any significant issues. We also have support staff who give individual and group help to children who need particular help or at the other end of the spectrum stretching.

Sept 2011

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Aspergers Syndrome Mild
Aspergers Syndrome Moderate
Aspergers Syndrome Severe
Autism Mild
Autism Moderate
Autism Severe
Semantic Pragmatic Disorder
Other Autistic

Behavioural Difficulties

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Attention Deficit Disorder Mild
Attention Deficit Disorder Moderate
Attention Deficit Disorder Severe
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders Mild
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders Moderate
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders Severe
Emotional and behavioural difficulties Mild
Emotional and behavioural difficulties Moderate
Emotional and behavioural difficulties Severe
Conduct Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Oppositional Defiant Disorders
Tourettes and other tic disorders

Genetic and related Disorders

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Down's Syndrome Mild
Down's Syndrome Moderate
Down's Syndrome Severe
Fragile X
Other genetic

Learning difficulties

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Moderate learning difficulties
Profound and multiple learning difficulties
Severe learning difficulties

Specific learning difficulties

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Dyscalculia Mild
Dyscalculia Moderate
Dyscalculia Severe
Dyslexia Mild
Dyslexia Moderate
Dyslexia Severe
Dyspraxia Mild
Dyspraxia Moderate
Dyspraxia Severe
Other Specific Learning Difficulties Mild
Other Specific Learning Difficulties Moderate
Other Specific Learning Difficulties Severe
English as an additional language

Sensory Impairment

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Hearing Impairment Mild
Hearing Impairment Moderate
Hearing Impairment Severe
Multi-sensory Impairment
Speech and Language Difficulties
Visual Impairment Mild
Visual Impairment Moderate
Visual Impairment Severe

Medical and Related Needs

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Cerebral Palsy Mild
Cerebral Palsy Moderate
Cerebral Palsy Severe
"Delicate" children
Epilepsy
Eating disorders
Physical Difficulties (Not indicated elsewhere.)
Other

General Questions

Are all children tested for SEN on entry to the school?		Screened for Spelling and reading Ages
Please outline the screening programmes used by the school.		Vernon Spelling/ Suffolk Reading
How many children with statements of need or equivalent do you have in the school?		None
Do you make special provision for exceptionally gifted children?		G&T programme
Please outline what is on offer for such children		Additional classroom support. Individual / Group work.
Please indicate if the school has or has available to it any of the following:
Behaviour Support Unit.
Learning Support Unit.
Pupil Referral Unit.
Other withdrawal.
Specialist language centre
Schemes or Initiatives such as SHARE or Playing for Success.
Please indicate if the school has any of the following characteristics:
SEN accreditation, for example by CRESTED?
Centre of excellence for SEN that is Not already outlined?
Good wheelchair access
Provides outreach support?
Receives outreach support?
Do children with SEN participate fully in sport and other extracurricular activities?
Please provide information on staffing. Does the school have:
A SENCO or equivalent?
Staff who will administer prescription medicines to a child
Qualified teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment(please say how many, in full-time equivalent).		One
Non-teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment(please say how many, in full-time equivalent).
Please list specialist qualifications held by teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment.		OCR SpLD
Please list specialist qualifications held by non-teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment.

School Features

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