The Courier

On Tuesday, we welcomed four Princethorpe Sixth Formers to help us celebrate British Science Week. The College’s STEAM Ambassadors joined us to introduce this year’s BSW theme of  ‘Time’, and conducted exciting, explosive experiments in assembly that amazed and impressed us all.

The Princethorpe Sixth Formers then ran practical Physics and Biology lessons for the pupils in the Upper School. The children explored the concept of time through one of two workshops, either making and timing pendulums or exploring how easily it is to spread an infectious disease. It was wonderful to see everyone's enthusiasm for science and to see them all getting involved.

Huge thanks to the College's Head of Physics, Dan Lee, and to Niamh, Ruby, Jemima and Ben for providing such a boost to our BSW learning – they really put on a thrilling show!

Crescent School welcomed pupils from fellow Foundation Prep school Crackley Hall on Tuesday 12 March, to take part in an orchestral workshop. Designed to develop and stretch music and performance skills, pupils worked under the guidance of Crescent’s Director of Music, Julie Barnes, to prepare and rehearse a mixture of pieces ready for an afternoon performance.

The children relished making music, especially in such a big group. They worked hard to prepare three challenging pieces, including Yesterday by The Beatles, Chariots Of Fire by Vangelis and In The Mood by Glenn Miller, all three pieces testing the players’ technical and music-reading ability.

The day finished with a short concert for parents where four soloists also showcased their musical skills. For Crescent, Hattie, Year 6, played Hedwig's Theme from the film Harry Potter on trombone while Patrick, from Year 5, played He's A Pirate from Pirates of the Carribean on flute.

The workshop was a great opportunity for them all to play together, thank you Crackley Hall School for an excellent day.

You can watch a short clip of the orchestra performing here.

We held our mid-year review meetings for our 'Learning Mentors' scheme today. The children met with staff to review the academic targets they had set for themselves at the beginning of the year. They have been regularly reviewing their progress in their classes, but this was a more formal opportunity to reflect on their journey, self-assess where they are now and, for some, reset their targets for the end of the year.

Crescent’s 'Learning Mentors' initiative gives responsibility for their learning to the children. Staff do not tell pupils if they feel they have achieved their targets, instead they guide pupils through their books, feedback, comments and last reports.

Empowering the children to own their learning and encouraging them to take responsibility for striving to achieve their own set goals, is just one of a number of strategies we pursue here at Crescent to facilitate children’s academic progress.

All the sessions were very positive and we look forward to the final reviews at the end of the school year.

As Princethorpe looks forward to welcoming its new pupils to the College in September, the Admissions Team has now turned its attention to entry for 2025.

Entrance Examinations, for entry to the school in September 2024, will take place on Saturday 9 November 2024 and we are already busy accepting registrations.

For 2025 entry there are a range of scholarships available for particularly able or talented candidates, from Academic, Art and Performing Arts (Choral, Drama, Music, Musical Theatre including Dance) to Sport.

In addition, exceptional candidates who are both academically able and gifted and talented across a number of areas may be considered for an All-Rounder Scholarship, which would be awarded at the discretion of the Headmaster. Means-tested Bursaries are also available, along with The Thomas More Scholarship a means-tested scholarship for Catholic children, who attend a Catholic state primary school.

There are plenty of opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents to visit the College before the Entrance Exams take place; including the Year 5 Taster Day for Crescent pupils on Tuesday 23 April, our Open Morning in April, Summer Open Evening in June and Open Afternoon in September.

Comments Melanie Butler, Assistant Head, Marketing, Admissions and Communications, "Parents and pupils will have plenty of time to prepare and opportunities to visit the College in the run up to the registration deadline on Friday 27 September."

Following the Entrance Exams, offer letters will be sent out on Thursday 28 November 2024 and the acceptance deadlines will be Monday 9 December 2024 for Years 8, 9 and 10 and Tuesday 4 March 2025 for Year 7. The acceptance deadline for Year 7 places is, by a nationally agreed code of practice, the same for all independent schools, allowing parents and children time to review all their options, including those from the maintained sector, before making a final decision.

To download a copy of our new 2025 Admissions and Entrance Examinations Booklet click here.

If you have any questions about the admissions process please contact the Registrar, Catherine Rogers and Assistant Registrar, Marie Holt, on 01926 634201/297 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

To read the latest edition of the Princethorpe Admissions Update newsletter click here.