About High March

An Invitation
This page gives a brief glimpse of life at High March. However, as it cannot cover all the questions you might have, the Headmistress is always delighted to meet prospective parents and to arrange for them to be shown round the School. Please click here if you would like us to post you a prospectus or to telephone you, or else telephone the Admissions Secretary on 01494 685743.

Our Situation
The School was founded in 1926 and is situated in Ledborough Lane, Beaconsfield, adjoining Penn Road, and on the edge of woods and open country, in three attractive houses with purpose-built classrooms. There are about four acres of grounds, comprising a tennis and netball court, an all-weather playing area, lawns and flower gardens. Excellent playing fields and swimming pools are within easy reach and are used on a regular basis.

Since its foundation, the School has expanded steadily and now includes a large well-equipped Gymnasium, a Science laboratory, a dedicated Art and Technology suite, a suite of Music rooms, an ICT room and specially equipped play areas.

The School is within five minutes walk of Beaconsfield Station. Travel time to Marylebone (Bakerloo Line) via the Chiltern Line is 25 - 30 minutes. The School is five minutes' drive from Junction 2 (A355) of the M40. A location plan can be found on the inside back cover of the prospectus.

Our Aim
High March is a Preparatory School for girls aged from 3 to 12 and for boys aged from 3 to 4 years. The aim of the School is to provide a happy environment and the means for full development for each child under its care, and to establish a sound basis of knowledge on which further educational experience may be built. Great attention is paid to all details affecting the progress and happiness of each child.

The Structure of the School The school is divided into two sections with children aged between 3 and 7 located in Junior House and children aged between 7 and 11 forming the Upper School. There are two classes in each year group.

Nursery and Reception
Work in all Junior classes is on Froebel lines and is based on the well-proven educational axiom 'no impression without expression'. Fully trained and experienced teachers are in charge of these classes, assisted by helpers, some of whom are NNEB trained.

There is a specialist Head of the Junior House, who recently won the accolade of runner-up in the Lloyds Excellence in Teaching Awards 2000 for her leadership skills.

The Nursery is for young children from three years of age. It is provided with specially designed nursery toys, occupational equipment and playing areas. The Nursery classes have their own outdoor play area in a garden that is well equipped with special play apparatus. Children are accepted by arrangement on a part-time basis until they gain in maturity and can attend full-time.

Boys are prepared with success for entry to well-known day preparatory schools at 4 years. They are given a good grounding in the development of the early learning goals.

Years 1 and 2
These classes are primarily in 'Carngray' with their own classrooms, cloakrooms, garden and play area.

Year 3
Year 3 is located in 'Acacia', a bright and modern building, adjacent to the main building of Upper School. The form mistresses are responsible for the teaching of most subjects. RE., French, Music, ICT, Art and Drama are in the hands of specialists. Art and Design Technology and Music are both studied in the newly built suites.

Years 4 - 6
During these years the teaching of the various subjects comes increasingly into the hands of specialists. The syllabus is closely linked to the requirements of the Common Entrance Examination and to those of the National Curriculum, as well as entry into the County High Schools.

Senior School Entrance
The pupils are prepared for the Common Entrance Examination to the Senior Independent Schools. For many years, all who have taken the Common Entrance Examinations and Individual School Entrance Examinations have been successful. In addition many open Scholarships have been awarded. Excellent results are also achieved in the County Selection Tests. Normally, approximately 80% achieve places in the local High Schools. Senior Schools that have accepted High March pupils.

The Headmistress is pleased to advise on the possibility of Scholarship entrance to Senior Independent Schools.

Staff
The Headmistress is supported by a Senior Management Team that is comprised in Junior House of the Head of Junior House and her Assistant, who is also the co-ordinator and SENCO for the Foundation Stage. Members of the Senior Management Team in Upper School are the Deputy Head, the Curriculum Co-ordinator, the Director of Studies, the Director of Music and Activities and the Director of Communications. All of the staff at the school are well qualified and experienced teachers, who have proved their ability and dedication in their service to the School.

The calibre of the staff, combined with small classes, ensures a high standard of academic work, as well as careful and thoughtful supervision of the children at all times. Many of the staff are specialists and the teaching combines traditional and modern methods.

Curriculum
The following subjects form part of the curriculum:

• Art & Design Technology
• English (including Drama & Poetry)
• French
• Geography
• History
• Latin
• Mathematics
• Music
• Information & Communication Technology
• Physical Education & Sport
• Religious Studies
• Science

Optional lessons include Piano, Recorder, Guitar, Flute, Clarinet, Violin and other orchestral instruments as required, Dancing, Ballet, Tap, and Speech and Drama.

Religious teaching is non-denominational but is based on the tenets of the Church of England. Assembly begins each morning with prayers.

Qualified help is available for children with dyslexic tendencies and specific learning difficulties.

The timetable is arranged so as to ensure that exercise and recreation are enjoyed by the children each morning and afternoon. When weather permits, classes are sometimes held out-of-doors.

Reports
Reports are sent to parents at the end of the Summer Term. Regular Parents' Meetings are also held in the Autumn and Spring terms and a Parent Representative attends Governors' Meetings whereby close contact is maintained between school and home.