A School For Thought
Although academic achievement is an essential part of the aims of our school, real education is something far wider, deeper and more indefinable. All who know Bendarroch recognise that it reaches with conviction, compassion and boundless enthusiasm far beyond the limited confines of most schools.
We believe:
- To succeed, a child must be happy at school.
- A child's confidence is the foundation of success.
- Each child is an individual, with unique requirements.
- All children deserve our respect, time and understanding.
- Childhood is to be savoured, not to be pressurised.
If you are in agreement with these fundamental principles, then Bendarroch is the natural choice for your child.
The core of the Bendarroch ethos is the relationship between the child and his/her teacher. This relationship is the key to gaining confidence and consequently to a successful and happy schooling. It is the foundation of a contented and fulfilled childhood, a beginning which is ultimately vindicated by the young person's confident entry into the adult world.
At Bendarroch children are given the schooldays we all wish we had had - the freedom and security to be a child!
As a direct result of this philosophy, Bendarroch has a track record of success with most pupils going on to leading senior schools in Exeter and the South-West.
BACKGROUND
Bendarroch School was established in 1978 to provide a civilised and non-institutionalised environment for boys and girls, an environment in which each child would enjoy the respect he or she deserves and the opportunity to reach out with excitement, enthusiasm and confidence.
It was our intention from the beginning to keep the venture very small. Gradually we were joined by like-minded teachers and expanded to the present maximum size - fifty children in three teaching groups, from the age of 4+ (rising 5) to 12/13. Because we had outgrown our own home, Bendarroch House in West Hill, the school was moved in 1993 to the site of the former primary school in Aylesbeare. Here we enjoy more space, situated on the southern edge of this delightful village, overlooking fields and trees.
Most children leave us at 11/12+, the majority going on to Exeter's prestigious day schools (Exeter, The Maynard, St Margaret's) Children are however prepared for entrance to any school of their parents choice (Colyton Grammar is an increasingly popular option) and many of the country's leading schools have welcomed Bendarroch pupils over the years.
One key benefit of the Aylesbeare location is that it is easily reached by children living in Exeter, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Honiton and areas beyond.
ENTRANCE
Entrance is by interview. There is no entrance test. What we undertake to achieve is the child's happy and confident progression through education, as far as he or she is able to reach at a speed geared to his or her requirements.
Each child presents a different demand - we gear ourselves to that individual demand.
CURRICULUM
The children follow a traditional syllabus, covering all key aspects of the national curriculum and considerably more. All children learn French and Spanish, and Latin is available for older children as an after-school activity. Art, drama and music have an important place within the timetable.
The curriculum includes games lessons and swimming for all children. Tennis, cricket, badminton and sailing are all available as optional after-school activities.
Visits to theatres, museums and places of educational interest are frequently arranged, including visits to London and particularly to Shakespearian productions.
Children can also have private music tuition (piano, guitar, brass instruments and woodwind) and speech and drama lessons leading to LAMDA examinations.
In these respects, Bendarroch is like many other good schools. It is Bendarroch's ethos which is different. These subjects are pursued in an atmosphere of warmth, enjoyment and high expectation.
FEES
Children under 5 are charged per morning or afternoon session attended, each session for the term being 1/10 fees. Sessions are arranged to suit the needs of individual children and their parents.
It is our is our policy to do everything possible to keep fees and any related expenses to the minimum, while maintaining at all times the highest standard of tuition.
For current fees please see Information for parents
SCHOOL DAY
The school day begins at 9.15am and ends at 4.00pm. On most days there are voluntary after-school activities.
School is open each morning from 8.30am and we ask all parents to have children at school by 9.00am. In the afternoon there is invariably someone at school until 5.00pm, but we would again ask parents to let us know if they expect to be late collecting their child.
If parents' commitments require that a child is collected later than 5.00pm special arrangements can be made.
HOMEWORK
Homework is set for all children, ranging from just a few minutes for the youngest children, to approximately one hour for the eldest. It is our intention that homework should never be an intrusion, should never prevent a child's participation in other activities. We simply ask that they make an effort to get the work done and that where a child is spending too long at his or her homework, the parent closes the books and says, "Enough!" Any value in homework is totally destroyed if it builds up a child's (and family's) resentment.
SPECIAL NEEDS
The size and nature of the school provide the environment children need to develop their own strategies to cope. Many children with specific learning difficulties (most notably Dyslexia) have passed through the school and have gone on to achieve academic success at senior schools and later at university.
Our secret is to develop each child's will to succeed.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Simple, practical, inexpensive and comfortable to wear. Please see the uniform list below.
SCHOOL MEALS
We do not provide school meals. Children bring their own lunch boxes. We are happy to prepare hot drinks/snacks etc. for those children who bring them.
SCHOOL POLICY
School policy is the responsibility of the owners of the school (Gail and Nigel Home) who work in very close co-operation with the teachers and parents of children at the school.
Together we are dedicated to the needs of the individual child.
SCHOOL GOVERNORS
We have been particularly fortunate in attracting a dedicated group of Governors who have taken, for a varying number of years, a great interest in the activities and policies of Bendarroch.
These include:
- Mr Simon de Bendern
- Professor Bob Burden (professor emeritus of education at Exeter University)
- Sir Robin Maxwell-Hyslop
- Mrs Angela Browning MP
- Mr John Suchet
- Mr Ian Wright (Former Senior Master, Exeter School)
Bendarroch has a reputation for academic excellence. It provides much, much more.