Open Events give you the opportunity to visit the school, have a tour and meet with our staff and pupils.  The Headteacher usually speaks at these events and is available for any questions.

Our next Open Morning will be on Saturday 3rd October.  We have taken the decision to change this event to a Virtual Open Morning.  

Our pupils, staff and school community are some of Bishop Challoner’s greatest assets and we are saddened not to be able to invite you in person to see them, however, we have taken this step to ensure the safety of our school community and prospective families.

We are planning to run three sessions across the morning, with each one focussing on a different area of the school.  You are more than welcome to join any of these sessions to find out more about the school, however, the relevant teaching staff will be attending sessions as below.

9.15am – 10.15am        Senior Leadership Team and nursery staff

10.30am – 11.30am      Senior Leadership Team and junior school staff

11.45am – 12.45pm      Senior Leadership Team and senior school/sixth form staff

For more information about our Open Events, Taster Mornings/Afternoons or Nursery Stay and Plays please click on the link below.

More information

Click on these links for information about our four points of entry:
Nursery >>
Junior >>
Senior >>
Sixth Form >>

In recent years there has been much discussion in Early Years about the importance of “school readiness” and preparation for school. Bishop Challoner School is an all through Catholic Independent school from 3-18 years, welcoming all faiths. We pride ourselves on our smooth transitions throughout the school.

So how can transition best be supported? At Bishop Challoner we use a “multi-pronged” approach, consisting of 3 main aspects – Supporting knowledge and understanding; promoting life-skills by encouraging school readiness; and, Pastoral support for the individual child. 

For children who stay on at Bishop Challoner, their preparation starts from the moment they enter the nursery.

The children are aware from the start that they are part of a much bigger environment and share all the same resources as the main school – trim trail, gymnasium and stage, dining hall and sports field.

Using these facilities and joining in whole school events such as, assemblies and enrichment opportunities with our sixth formers allows the children to acknowledge they are part of a whole school. 

Preparation for transition is not a “one size fits all” affair.

The EYFS embraces the ‘Unique’ child and never is this more important than when the child/family move on. It is essential each child receives the care, support and preparation they require to facilitate secure, happy and lasting relationships. 
 

Since 2018, Bishop Challoner has successfully implemented Read Write Inc., a programme that helps children learn synthetic phonics. Across Reception to Year 3, pupils are grouped according to phonic ability which ensures that all phonics lessons are pitched at the correct level and every child is challenged and able to make clear and rapid progress. Read Write Inc. has five underlying principles (the 5Ps) – Pace, Purpose, Passion, Participation and Praise.

Phonics is an important tool to develop reading fluency and confidence, and is essential to all other areas of the curriculum.  Teachers and pupils have noticed improvements in spelling, handwriting, grammar and comprehension. 

“My spellings have got much better!” – Year 1 pupil

“It has made the children more secure in their sounds which they can apply to their other work.” – Year 3 teacher

In Read Write Inc. lessons, pupils read lively and attractive books, which tailored to the sounds and words they are learning.  They re-read stories to develop fluency and expression, which makes them confident readers.

• Recognise each individual as a unique part of God's creation and respect the human dignity of all members of the community;

• Encourage each pupil to achieve his or her full potential in all areas, including academic, creative, emotional and physical;

• Celebrate and value personal success and achievement in all areas;

• Provide a balanced curriculum which is responsive to and supportive of all needs and aspirations, fostering both intellectual curiosity and academic achievement;

• Create a positive and supportive environment where high expectations are the norm;

• Provide high quality teaching by well qualified staff in a disciplined working environment;

• Develop a social conscience towards all members of society - locally, nationally and globally.

Download our School Magazine to learn more about Bishop Challoner School. The magazine is packed with the latest news and events at our school. 

“Pupils’ personal commitment to the school and the local community is very strong, they are beacons for the school in the community”.

This is just one extract from our 2016 inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate which reported that Bishop Challoner School has met all of the Compliance standards with no action points.

We are extremely proud to have been graded as 'Good' for The Quality of Pupils’ Academic and other Achievements and 'Excellent' for the Quality of the Pupils’ Personal Development and pleased that the report reflects the hard work and dedication to education and pastoral care that is demonstrated by staff, pupils and parents alike throughout our school.

Download a full copy of our report here >>

In December 2019, Bishop Challoner School was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. We are pleased to announce that we met all the Compliance standards with no action points.

Download a full copy of our report here >>