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| Senior School Prospectus: School Structure | ||
Academic School Structure High academic standards lie at the heart of Bancroft's. Bancroft's offers a natural academic progression from the age of seven to university entrance. Within this integrated structure there are three main stages and pupils may enter at any point. The School provides a balanced curriculum and sets great store by its ability to develop the talents of pupils in sport, music, drama and a wide range of other activities, whilst promoting their intellectual growth to the full. |
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From 11 to 16 The standard size of teaching groups in the Lower School (11-13) is twenty-five pupils, with smaller groups for practical subjects (Design Technology, Electronics, Art, Ceramics, Information Technology and Music). Higher up the School teaching groups are generally smaller and in the Sixth Form the average class size is eleven. At all stages in a pupil's career the curriculum is kept as broad as possible. As an independent school, Bancroft's is not bound by the terms of the National Curriculum. We value and apply those features which bring clear benefits to bright pupils and enjoy the freedom to depart from any constraints which may limit academic ambition or rapid progress. Nevertheless all subjects keep in touch with the general provisions of the National Curriculum. For the first two years the basic subjects are English, French, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Art, Ceramics, Design Technology, Information Technology, Electronics, and Biology, Chemistry and Physics combined in General Science. Classics is introduced in the first year and Latin is taught from the second year. In the next three years pupils have considerable freedom of choice. A third language (German, Spanish or Greek) may be taken up. At GCSE pupils normally take nine subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science and French. All subjects are available both to girls and boys. Many computers and printers are sited in laboratories, classrooms,
design studios and study areas as well as in rooms devoted to ICT.
The school ensures that all pupils from the earliest stages are
familiar with sophisticated hardware and varied software to enable
them to employ computers as standard tools to enhance their academic
work. |
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The Library At all stages, pupils are encouraged to make regular use of the
Library for study and enjoyment. Throughout the day from 8am to
6pm the Library is alive with purposeful and enthusiastic students
making the most of the extensive and varied stock of academic books,
novels, newspapers and magazines. During the holidays the Library
is open much of the time and study courses are run by departments,
especially for revision and Oxbridge candidates. Private study and
project work are greatly aided by the word processing and data retrieval
facilities always available for pupils' use. Two qualified Librarians
are available to give guidance at all times. |
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Religious Life Bancroft's welcomes pupils of all religious beliefs and seeks to make suitable provision for each member of the School to grow in spiritual and religious awareness within his or her own tradition. The Chapel is the focal point of the religious life of the School and the services there broadly follow the Anglican tradition. The Christian foundation of the School's life is solid but never intimidating to those whose beliefs are different. The Chaplain is a Church of England priest who plays a constant informal pastoral role among all at Bancroft's. Each day begins with an Assembly, chapel service or House meeting. A School communion service is held on a major festival day each term, with formal services on Remembrance Day and for the Commemoration of the School's founder. Special services also mark Christmas and Easter. The presence in Bancroft's of pupils of many faiths is recognised in the provision made for individuals to be excused from attendance at Chapel services. It is, however, greatly hoped that parents will appreciate the broad approach taken by the School to religious life and will allow their children to participate in the School's corporate spiritual activities. Each week there are special assemblies conducted by visiting Rabbis and Roman Catholic Priests for the Jewish and Roman Catholic members of the School and Muslim prayers are held regularly. Ichthus (the Christian Union) has an active programme, providing committed Christians with a forum in which to share and develop their faith. The full acceptance of members of all religious groups is a feature
of the Religious Education taught in the School. The central concern
of the School's approach to religious education is to make all pupils
not only aware of their own spiritual potential but also understanding
and tolerant of the beliefs and practices of others. |
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Creative Activites One of the vital ingredients in a well-balanced educational programme at all levels is the element of creative, artistic and practical work. The importance which we attach to such activities in Bancroft's is illustrated by the Creative Activities Centre which was opened in 1987 by the Director of the National Gallery. Further improvements and facilities continue to be added. The design has successfully drawn together previously separate areas of Art, Ceramics, Design and Technology and gives prominence to important modern elements such as Electronics and Computer Aided Design. Much use is made of the new facilities in lunchtimes and after school by girls and boys undertaking project work or hobby activities. |
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Drama The Great Hall has an excellent stage, a highly sophisticated lighting and sound system and seating for 700. There are three major productions each year, giving opportunities to children of all ages, as well as a popular inter-House Drama Competition for which plays are produced, and also often written, by pupils. There are therefore opportunities for many pupils to learn skills and enjoy participation in performing, producing, set building and script writing. |
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Music The musical life of Bancroft's shows much vitality, skill and enterprise. There are two large Choirs and a First and a Second Orchestra of about 50 and 30 players respectively. They rehearse regularly during the lunch hour or after School. Several public concerts are given during the course of the year, sometimes at Drapers' Hall in the City. Major works which have been performed in the recent past include the Mozart "Requiem" Handel's "Chandos Anthems" and Orff's "Carmina Burana". For special occasions large-scale works such as J S Bach's B Minor Mass have been undertaken in conjunction with the Old Bancroftians. The Bancroft's Singers is a select choir of pupils and staff who have developed an extensive and varied repertoire. They give many concerts and go on tour regularly, with recent visits to China and Egypt; they have made two records. Many opportunities exist for solo and chamber music making: the thriving recorder consort, swing band, windband and the Singers' Workshop meet regularly. Musicians from the School are frequently invited to take part in outside concerts and recitals and visits to professional concerts and opera in London are organised several times a term. In addition the School holds recitals by internationally famous performers - recent visitors include John Lill, the Parnassus Ensemble, Ramzi Yassa and Benjamin Rawitz. |
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Sport Bancroft's has long enjoyed a strong reputation for sport. We greatly
value the qualities of commitment, persistence and teamwork which
all young people need to develop and which are acquired most readily
on the games field. In recent years girls and boys have played at
international level at several age levels in Rugby, Hockey, Tennis,
Athletics and Golf, and numerous Essex and Eastern Counties players
have risen from School teams. |
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