St John’s College School, Cambridge, winner of the national Best Prep School award, is an independent co-educational school for children aged 4-13. Recent Inspection Report was ‘exceptional, excellent and outstanding’ in all areas.
At St John’s, we believe in a childhood filled with affection, in which children know that they are known and valued, in which they learn to trust themselves and each other, in which they find and express their voices, discover the differences they can make for themselves and others, learn to think for themselves, to question, to collaborate, to be independent, and to own and take charge of their learning and their lives.
A CARING COMMUNITY
A St John’s education is about the whole child. At its core is our focus on pastoral care and well-being, starting with our Emotions for Learning programme which is at the very foundation of what we do and how we are as a school. We believe that education at its best is a profound act of care. If we care, then we will notice. If we notice, then we will act on a child’s behalf. If we act for each child, then each of our children will achieve their best and become their best selves. To be known, to be noticed, to be valued, to be cared for – fundamental things for all of us, these are the essentials of a good childhood, and they are at the heart of the St John’s way.
NURTURING INDEPENDENCE & CREATIVITY
Our children become independent learners and creative thinkers prepared to question, with their curiosity very much alive. They get the best from themselves and achieve very highly within and beyond the classroom. We aim for our children to develop a real generosity of spirit, to know and care about how to get the best from others and to do well when they are with us and when they are long beyond our walls.
We focus on creativity throughout the school, both in the way we teach and the way children learn. We prefer to enable children to develop the skills they will need to succeed in the future rather concentrate purely on gaining knowledge, gathering facts and passing exams, although these have their place in any educational environment. This approach creates the right environment for our pupils to find their true voice and realise their potential, secure in the knowledge that they are cared for and supported by the community around them and equipped with the skills to problem-solve, collaborate and adapt.
Our youngest children are full of questions, rich with curiosity. We work to preserve and strengthen their questioning and thinking skills. From the earliest age we give them the essential tools, knowledge and understanding, but we also aim to give them more. Our Flexible Learning programme incorporates child-led independent learning, play-based learning in the Pre-Prep, creative and critical thinking, executive functions, digitally enhanced learning, philosophy, compassion and loving kindness, as well as outdoor learning, which benefits from the addition of a landscaped forest garden. An Enrichment programme has been implemented with our 9 to 13-year olds to explore the development of sustainability projects, as well as cross-curricular work, to give space to My Mind (incorporating mindfulness, study skills, PSHEE and philosophy, as a foundation for the skills necessary for critical thinking, self-management of learning and management of self). The aim is to foster children’s ability to possess their own learning, to engage their innate curiosity and creativity, and to encourage them to connect with their feeling about themselves and the world.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
It is from this strong foundation that, despite being non-selective at our main 4+ intake, our pupils go on to achieve at the highest levels. This is confirmed by the results of our last Inspection Report where the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements and the quality of their personal development were graded ‘Excellent’. Our exam results are outstanding and on average, nearly half of our leavers gain scholarships to the strongest schools each year.
FIND OUT MORE
Visit our school and get to know us, as we are, during the normal school day on an Open Morning or an individually arranged tour. It is important to us that you should have an opportunity to see the school in action, tour each of the school’s sites (usually with the children) and experience its atmosphere, as well as meet us to discuss the school’s educational approach and ask any questions.
To find out more and to arrange your visit or book a place on one of our Open Mornings, please contact the Registrar, Mrs Maria Mosher (01223 353652) or admissions@sjcs.co.uk)
