By far the best way to find out more about Bishop Challoner Senior School is to visit us on a working day. Visits and personal tours can be arranged at any time.

If you would like to arrange a personal tour, you are warmly welcome to contact Mrs Sue Long, Admissions Registrar, by email at [email protected] or click on the button below to contact our Admissions Team.
 

Thursday 2nd May 2019 from 10.15
4+  Open Door Morning 

An opportunity to tour the Junior School and see the Reception class on a school day. Key staff available to discuss curriculum and admissions.
Register here >>

Saturday 28th September 2019, 9am-1pm
Whole School Open Morning

Visiting the school during our Open Morning will give you an opportunity to tour the school with one of our pupils and speak with individual class teachers who will be happy to answer any questions you may have. 
Register here >>
 

Private visits 
Families are also warmly welcome to arrange a private visit at any time by clicking on the link below. We are sure a visit to Bishop Challoner will help you experience the happy atmosphere of our school. For futher information please contact Mrs Sue Long: [email protected] or click on the link below.
 

11+ Taster Day (for entry in 2020)
New date coming soon 
Click here for latest information >>

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.

“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 recent 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.