Felsted School

Felsted School

Felsted is a leading independent co-educational day and boarding school, situated in the picturesque village of Felsted in North Essex. Originally founded by Richard Lord Riche as a Church of England Grammar School, Felsted School is proud of a heritage that dates back to 1564. In 2014 the School celebrate its 450th anniversary; one of only a handful of schools in the country that have claimed this historic milestone. The event was marked by an historic service at St Paul’s Cathedral together with a very special visit from Her Majesty and His Royal Highness to signed two plaques; one commemorating the 450th anniversary and the other to mark the opening of our brand new Boarding House Follyfield.

Felsted offers its pupils an excellent, well-rounded education, offering real opportunities for pupils to develop, grow and learn in a safe and nurturing environment, as part of the School’s local, national and international community. Fundamental to the success of the school community are the values of respect and well-being; the children are encouraged to make healthy choices and develop good manners, self-motivation, self-respect and consideration for others. As pupils progress, this sense of community is reinforced by a league system that inspires loyalty, and develops leadership and teamwork for competitions and activities across the whole curriculum.

With purpose-built classrooms and recreational areas, learning and play are appropriately separated and tailored to each stage of development. In line with Felsted’s strong reputation for sport, the Preparatory School’s facilities are outstanding; spacious playing fields, heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two Astroturf pitches, a large sports hall, three squash courts, six netball courts and 25 tennis courts. There are huge opportunities in the performing arts and in the theatre, practice rooms, auditoria and exhibition rooms, creativity and imagination flourish.

Our Inspection Reports can be viewed here: http://www.felsted.org/InspectionReports

Felsted Senior School

The Senior School educates some 547 students aged between 13-18, of which over 81% of student take advantage of the School’s boarding provision. Boarders at Felsted lead full lives. There is time to ensure academic work is completed to a high standard, to be involved in a breadth of co-curricular activities and to build lifelong friendships. Personal qualities such as confidence, independence, organisation and leadership will be developed in a caring and happy community.

In addition to our two Day Houses, there are eight Boarding Houses at Felsted: six for Boarders in Years 9 to Lower Sixth and two for Upper Sixth Boarders. Each house offers unique environments for study and personal development, supported by a Housemaster or Housemistress (HM), Assistant HM, Resident Tutor, a Matron and a Tutor team.

Academic

At the end of a challenging year, many of the students at Felsted are able to celebrate their results as they prepare to move on to the next stage of their lives and education.  All of the students, teachers and parents deserve great credit for the way in which they have coped through this time.  Our Year 13 leavers accepted offers for some of the best universities around the world, in countries as diverse as Canada, the Netherlands, United States of America, Italy and of course the UK, with offers for Cambridge, Durham, Warwick, UCL, Bath, Exeter and City University among others.

International Baccalaureate Results

• All 31 of our IB candidates were awarded their Diploma, with an average score of 36.1 points per candidate (4 points above the global average).

• Eight students achieved at least 40 points and fifteen achieved 35 points or more. This represents approximately half of our cohort achieving at this level, which is just outstanding.

A Level Results

• Felsted pupils have achieved an excellent 100% pass rate over the past 3 years. 33% of all grades were A*-A, 64% A*-B and 87% A*-C (3 year average).

GCSE Results

• Felsted pupils have achieved an excellent 100% GCSE pass rate over the past 3 years. 50% of all grades were 9-7, 70% 9-6 and 96% 9-4 (3 year average).

International

Felsted welcomes students of all nationalities and routinely celebrates cultural diversity. Integrating international and UK students is an extremely important component of the Felsted ethos of valuing and respecting difference.

Through partnerships with organisations such as Round Square and Magic Bus, in addition to a fully integrated International Baccalaureate Diploma programme, Felsted is a globally-minded school that aims to prepare all of its students for international co-operation, communication and understanding, both now and in their future careers.

Sport

Felsted has an enviable reputation both locally and nationally for the high quality of its sporting teams and the dedication and expertise of the school’s coaching staff. There is a strong tradition of sporting excellence at Felsted, however all abilities are catered for and every student is encouraged to enjoy a recreational interest in individual or team games, while developing a healthy attitude to fitness and exercise.

All students will have the chance to represent the school in sporting fixtures during their school career, with travel to an away fixture once a fortnight the norm for the vast majority of students. Additionally, students who take their sporting expertise to a higher level will receive the opportunity to join one of the many Sports Trips and Tours.

Music

Music is part of the fabric that makes up Felsted life and has been for many years. The School has forged a strong partnership with Junior Guildhall in London and Julian Lloyd-Webber has recently taken up the role of Patron of Felsted Music. The School provides broad opportunities for musicians of all types - our main aim is that everyone who wants to be involved musically can be accommodated. All students are involved in some way, whether it is singing in Chapel, participating in the Inter- House Singing Competition or through individual musical interest.

Felsted musicians are supported by five full time members of staff and over 20 visiting instrumental and vocal teachers. Tuition is available in a wide range of instruments ranging from the violin and harp through to the bagpipes and the electric guitar!

Singing plays a hugely important role both in Chapel and in more informal settings. Elsewhere, the School boasts a number of Orchestras, String Ensembles and Wind and Brass Groups.

Drama & The Arts

Felsted has a reputation for drama productions of the very highest quality. Drama overall makes a significant contribution to the co-curricular life of the School. Felsted’s Hunt Theatre is equipped technically to the standard of any small professional theatre: the extensive facilities include flexible seating, fully computerised lighting and sound controls, an impressive range of lanterns and sound equipment, dressing rooms, a front-of-house box office and a licensed bar. Larger scale productions tend to be put on in the School’s majestic Grignon Hall, which can seat an audience of 400.

Our Culture

The atmosphere at Felsted is vibrant and the community is both diverse and cohesive, supportive of the wide range of students. Felsted offers considerable scope for an educationalist who enjoys the challenge of motivating students, inspiring their ambitions, and maintaining their enthusiasm.

Further information on our Senior School a can be found at www.felsted.org

Felsted Preparatory School

Felsted Preparatory School is a Day and Boarding Preparatory School educating some 514 pupils aged 4-13 years, the majority of whom progress to the Senior School. The Preparatory School is structured into four blended phases across the 4 -13 age range. This structure allows the School to provide individualised pathways to each Felstedian as they progress through the School. The School’s mission is to foster Felstedian characteristics in every student; a strong sense of community, encouraging and nurturing the development of personal faith in a climate of tolerance and respect, and creating truly effective global citizens.

Stewart House - Ages 4-6

Housed in a new, state-of-the-art building opened in 2012, Stewart House starts pupils on their exciting learning journey with all its adventures, discoveries, challenges, achievements and advantages for life.  Academic focus at this stage is on numeracy and literacy. Topic work allows for exciting exploration of the Humanities and Science.

Ffrome Court - Ages 7-8

Learning is an adventure at this age and in Ffrome Court the School helps children discover and explore all the exciting options available to them in a safe and secure designated teaching and play area, whilst also having access to the wider school for play and lessons. Specialist staff and subject specific classrooms contribute to the learning adventure and small class sizes mean that every child is known as an individual. The overriding aim is to build children’s confidence and to give them the courage to take risks and rise to new challenges as they discover new things. A real focus at this stage is on personal, social, health and citizenship education, where children are encouraged to become hard working, caring and co-operative Young Felstedians. Learning support is available for those who need extra help while extension work develops those who relish further challenges.

Cloisters - Ages 9-10

Cloisters is a crucial stage at Felsted, when pupils are encouraged to take the lead in both thought and deed, increase their self-discipline and build their individual confidence. The role of the Tutor Team continues to develop, giving children individual support and guidance as they progress through Years 5 and 6.

There are plenty of challenging outlets for the children’s boundless energy and enthusiasm, but always within the guidance of a well-structured framework of expectation. As the school day and week lengthens, Young Felstedians enjoy more freedom and independence.

The extra time in School is quickly swallowed up as subjects are studied in greater depth, sporting teams take shape, hobbies are pursued further and being a valued member of one of the five Leagues becomes increasingly important.

Courtauld House - Ages 11-13

Here, with close guidance and support, Young Felstedians have the chance to discover young adulthood while still enjoying the very best of childhood. They rise to the challenge of new expectations and responsibilities and become leaders to younger pupils as well as to their peers.

Courtauld House sits ideally between the Senior and Preparatory Schools, functioning as a middle school and giving the youngest students of senior age a real opportunity to develop their identity and leadership. Many join Courtauld House from other schools.

Pupils work through a rewarding and demanding programme of study (Key Stage 3) in many different subjects in order to be able to take Felsted’s own transfer exams at the age of 13.

Sport

Pupils gain much enjoyment from expert coaching in core sports such as Rugby, Hockey and Cricket for the boys and Hockey, Netball and Tennis for the girls. However, many opportunities are available for pupils to try other sports in PE sessions or in co-curricular clubs, such as Swimming, Football, Running, Horse Riding, Polo, Fencing and Badminton, hockey, netball, golf and show jumping.

Music and Drama

Music is a vital part of life at Felsted Preparatory School. Both curricular and co-curricular music is available to pupils with many different music groups and clubs as well as one-to-one teaching. The Phillips Music centre provides facilities for these one-to-one lessons with three practice rooms and a percussion room. Talented musicians also benefit from the School’s unique partnership with the Junior Guildhall.

Drama is a key aspect of school life for young Felstedians. As well as curriculum drama all pupils have the opportunity to get involved in a number of productions held throughout the year in different age groups.

Art and Design, Technology and Engineering

Pupils at Felsted Preparatory School have a great opportunity to explore their artistic talents. With great facilities and teaching, pupils can create all kinds of art work, from self-portraits to pottery. Design and Technology is a subject which embraces thinking and communication whilst supporting the realisation of pupil’s ideas through use of materials such as wood, metal and plastics.

Co-Curricular

There are a wide range of co-curricular opportunities available to all Felstedians. These include cooking, gardening, ballet, judo and language clubs, FPS Model United Nations debating, outdoor learning and development through the Forest School and a range of courses available throughout the holidays.

Boarding

From the age of eight many children choose to board, for them it’s all part of the adventure and the School offers flexible boarding options in a nurturing family atmosphere to meet the varied demands of modern family life. Three boarding options are available; Flexi, Weekly and Full.

Through a committed and caring House Parent team, all pupils who take advantage of the school’s boarding facilities do so in a warm, caring and encouraging environment.

Our Culture

The atmosphere at Felsted is vibrant and the community is both diverse and cohesive, supportive of the wide range of students. Felsted offers considerable scope for an educationalist who enjoys the challenge of motivating students, inspiring their ambitions, and maintaining their enthusiasm.

Further information on our Senior School a can be found at www.felsted.org