Thoughts from the Study
A Personalised Approach
It was a pleasure to welcome Dr Anne Cotton, Head of King’s College School, Wimbledon, to our school this Tuesday. Each academic year, prep school heads are invited to attend various lunches, functions, and events that aim to provide insight into the ethos, vision, and educational philosophy of each school. We are blessed to be surrounded by excellent senior schools, all of which, although similar in their academic pursuits, offer different experiences, environments, locations, and curricula, which are important to understand.
Although I enjoy a good lunch or match tea, while visiting senior schools, often the best way to gain the best insight, is to speak directly with heads, one-to-one, giving the opportunity to delve into their own personal vision and motivation, both in the short and long term. I thoroughly enjoy showing people around Broomfield, not only because I am positively biased (I love our school), but because it provides me with the time to reflect on the experience that each child has with us. On our tour, we were stopped by one of our Year 2 children who asked what we were doing. I explained that we were having a good look around the school and asked her to explain what she enjoys about being at Broomfield. She said that she likes it here because, “it is cool to learn.”
I often hear online platforms, other schools, and heads talk about the importance of personalised learning, but rarely do I see anything that resembles the approach we have at Broomfield. Where some schools look to create efficiencies within their model, by bringing in algorithmic online platforms or reducing the amount of physical staff, our educational model means that we staff the school extremely well, giving us the breadth to actually do what we say we do and give children the personalised level of support, consolidation, or challenge they need and deserve across the curriculum. In my time at Broomfield, we have never had more staff in school, an intentional move to create positive resilience that the children benefit from.
We know that our approach works, with academic data showing excellent value added and a strong standardised score 120 average across the school. However, the almost unmeasurable evidence is that when you walk around school, the atmosphere is positive, with happy children, enjoying their learning, gaining confidence, and feeling able to take part in positive risk-taking with their learning because someone is always there to appreciate their efforts. On our tour, we witnessed the Year 6 class working in personalised groups, looking at the wonders of the triangle. We spoke with children who were in a small breakout group in the library enjoying a phonics session. Children in the early years were reading with staff on the beanbags and, in art, children in Year 2 were independently creating their own art, with background music playing and a genuine sense of enjoyment and purpose.
This week has been full of additional outside school experiences for some of the year groups, with children heading to the Houses of Parliament, Forest School, the ISA Cross-country, Debating, and Hampton Court Palace, all key to our purpose to give every single child the very best prep school experience. Over my time in London, I have crucially built a strong rapport with senior schools and heads, and continue to ensure that Broomfield remains in their minds as a forward-thinking school with the very best children. Time and time again, either while visiting schools or heads visiting us here, the comment I often hear is that Broomfield children arrive to them happy, confident, academically ahead of their contemporaries, and that our children are authentic, with clear values and a strong moral compass. I believe this is down to the fact that our approach to education is personalised, holistically valuing wellbeing and academics, with the resource to adapt and flex to the needs of all the children, being responsive and above all, at all times, being available to listen, nurture, and praise our children, giving them the inspiration and motivation to want to learn, not because it leads to strong exam results (it often does), but because learning is cool.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mr Anstey
Headmaster
From exciting activities to wonderful moments with friends, we are having such a fun week at Broomfield!
From exciting activities to wonderful moments with friends, we are having such a fun week at Broomfield! ...
We proudly joined our fellow Dukes schools in raising the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals flag, standing united in the global #TogetherForTheSDGs movement. We are committed to embedding sustainability into every aspect of school life, shaping a greener future for our children and community. Special thanks to Dukes Sustainability Manager, Sally Cornelius for visiting us last week to discuss our sustainability strategy and goals for the upcoming academic year.
We proudly joined our fellow Dukes schools in raising the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals flag, standing united in the global #TogetherForTheSDGs movement. We are committed to embedding sustainability into every aspect of school life, shaping a greener future for our children and community. Special thanks to Dukes Sustainability Manager, Sally Cornelius for visiting us last week to discuss our sustainability strategy and goals for the upcoming academic year. ...
Last week Thursday, Year 4 enjoyed a fun trip to Wimbledon Watersports. The sun was shining and everyone had a great day on the water, learning to sail and playing games in the kayaks. Despite the cold water, a number of children even jumped into the lake at the end of the day!
Last week Thursday, Year 4 enjoyed a fun trip to Wimbledon Watersports. The sun was shining and everyone had a great day on the water, learning to sail and playing games in the kayaks. Despite the cold water, a number of children even jumped into the lake at the end of the day! ...
Excited to share that we opened the gate to our new outdoor garden this week! 🌿🌸
Excited to share that we opened the gate to our new outdoor garden this week! 🌿🌸 ...
The rain couldn’t dampen our spirits this morning as we celebrated the first day back at Broomfield. The children were thrilled to explore their new classrooms and reconnect with friends. We’re looking forward to a fantastic year together!
The rain couldn’t dampen our spirits this morning as we celebrated the first day back at Broomfield. The children were thrilled to explore their new classrooms and reconnect with friends. We’re looking forward to a fantastic year together! ...
We cannot wait to welcome everyone back to school this morning! A brand new outdoor space awaits the children designed for relaxation, socialising, and connecting with nature. With plenty of greenery, it’s the perfect spot to unwind.
We cannot wait to welcome everyone back to school this morning! A brand new outdoor space awaits the children designed for relaxation, socialising, and connecting with nature. With plenty of greenery, it’s the perfect spot to unwind. ...
And the winners have been announced! Well done to all children who participated in our Eco Trail over the last few weeks. The children explored nature, learnt about sustainability, and developed a deeper appreciation for the environment. We are incredibly proud of our eco-conscious pupils! 🌿🌍 #ecotrail #sustainability #koalaecotrail
And the winners have been announced! Well done to all children who participated in our Eco Trail over the last few weeks. The children explored nature, learnt about sustainability, and developed a deeper appreciation for the environment. We are incredibly proud of our eco-conscious pupils! 🌿🌍 #ecotrail #sustainability #koalaecotrail ...
What a year we have had! Year 6 children are celebrating their amazing journey at Broomfield House School. Awards were received, tears were shed, and hugs were shared with family and friends at today’s Award Ceremony. We are proud of every child for contributing to school life with such enthusiasm and kindness over the years.
After the awards presentation, we had the honour of welcoming Chris Sheasby, a true rugby legend, who delivered an inspiring speech about the importance of friendship. With a stellar academic background from Radley College and the University of Cambridge, Chris excelled both academically and athletically. His distinguished rugby career saw him play No. 8 for top clubs like Wasps, Harlequins, and London Irish. A standout moment was starting in the 2002 Powergen Cup Final at Twickenham, leading London Irish to victory over Northampton Saints. On the international stage, Chris earned seven caps for England, making a memorable debut with a try against Italy.
Thanks to Chris Sheasby for taking the time to visit us and thanks to all families who celebrated with us today! It was a really special event for the children.
#awardceremony #year6awards #prepschoolaward #guestspeaker #chrissheasby #inspirationalspeech #prepschoollife
What a year we have had! Year 6 children are celebrating their amazing journey at Broomfield House School. Awards were received, tears were shed, and hugs were shared with family and friends at today’s Award Ceremony. We are proud of every child for contributing to school life with such enthusiasm and kindness over the years.
After the awards presentation, we had the honour of welcoming Chris Sheasby, a true rugby legend, who delivered an inspiring speech about the importance of friendship. With a stellar academic background from Radley College and the University of Cambridge, Chris excelled both academically and athletically. His distinguished rugby career saw him play No. 8 for top clubs like Wasps, Harlequins, and London Irish. A standout moment was starting in the 2002 Powergen Cup Final at Twickenham, leading London Irish to victory over Northampton Saints. On the international stage, Chris earned seven caps for England, making a memorable debut with a try against Italy.
Thanks to Chris Sheasby for taking the time to visit us and thanks to all families who celebrated with us today! It was a really special event for the children.
#awardceremony #year6awards #prepschoolaward #guestspeaker #chrissheasby #inspirationalspeech #prepschoollife ...
We had so much fun today! Children gathered in the playground for our annual Den Day. The challenge was to design and construct dens using a variety of materials, and our children rose to the occasion with great team spirit. Despite rather windy weather conditions, the children collaboratively built impressive structures. Well done all!
We had so much fun today! Children gathered in the playground for our annual Den Day. The challenge was to design and construct dens using a variety of materials, and our children rose to the occasion with great team spirit. Despite rather windy weather conditions, the children collaboratively built impressive structures. Well done all! ...
Meet our Headmaster for the day! Felix arrived at school dressed impeccably for his important role. He participated in key meetings, discussed budgets with the finance team, and even had the opportunity to meet Dukes Education UK CEO, Tim Fish. What a day!
Meet our Headmaster for the day! Felix arrived at school dressed impeccably for his important role. He participated in key meetings, discussed budgets with the finance team, and even had the opportunity to meet Dukes Education UK CEO, Tim Fish. What a day! ...
🌿🌎 We are thrilled to launch our new Eco Trail to mark World Environment Day. Join us for a fun and educational adventure through Kew, where you will discover amazing places that help the environment.
🌟 Special Bonus 🐨 Children can win their very own Koala soft toy!
Bring your family, enjoy the walk, and start important conversations about how we can all contribute to a greener future. Let’s make a positive impact together!
📅 Date: Maps will be available to pick up from our local partners @cafetorellikew, Halletts Estate Agents Kew Village and Broomfield House School from Friday 14th June 24.
📍 Location: Kew Village
We can’t wait! 🌿👣
#worldenvironmentday #ecotrail #prepschoolsustainability #kewwalk #koalaecotrail #greenfuture
🌿🌎 We are thrilled to launch our new Eco Trail to mark World Environment Day. Join us for a fun and educational adventure through Kew, where you will discover amazing places that help the environment.
🌟 Special Bonus 🐨 Children can win their very own Koala soft toy!
Bring your family, enjoy the walk, and start important conversations about how we can all contribute to a greener future. Let’s make a positive impact together!
📅 Date: Maps will be available to pick up from our local partners @cafetorellikew, Halletts Estate Agents Kew Village and Broomfield House School from Friday 14th June 24.
📍 Location: Kew Village
We can’t wait! 🌿👣
#worldenvironmentday #ecotrail #prepschoolsustainability #kewwalk #koalaecotrail #greenfuture ...
Art Highlight 🎨 The children in Year 3 learnt about aboriginal art and the origin of natural pigments this term.
Art Highlight 🎨 The children in Year 3 learnt about aboriginal art and the origin of natural pigments this term. ...