Educating the whole child Children learn effectively when they are happy and motivated. To enable this, we provide a lively, challenging education for children in a safe, nurturing environment. We are a friendly school with a family atmosphere, where we know our girls and boys well.
We have high expectations for excellent academic achievement and for enthusiastic involvement in extra-curricular activities. We do well academically as well as in sport, art, music and drama. Our pastoral care is outstanding and pupils are compassionate with a strong sense of the importance of goodness and truth.
Vital Early years: Nursery and Pre-Prep (ages 3-7) The Pre-Prep School has its own classroom buildings and playground, creating a warm, secure and friendly learning environment. The happy and purposeful atmosphere helps pupils develop their confidence. The School teaches a broad-based curriculum that emphasises academic achievement as well as art, music, drama and sport.
Nurturing Talents: Junior School (ages 7-13) The aim is to produce independent learners who are confident and motivated. In Forms 3 to 5 (Lower School), we broadly follow the National Curriculum. It expands in Forms 6 to 8 (Upper School) and all teaching is carried out by subject specialists in dedicated classrooms or specialist facilities. We are a 'through-school' and although there is a significant transfer exam, our pupils can expect to move seamlessly into Senior School at the end of Form 8. The Choristers of Canterbury Cathedral are educated at the School.
The right course: Senior School (ages 13- 18) The curriculum in the Senior School offers courses leading to GCSE, IGCSE, AS, A Level and the AQA (English) Baccalaureate. We broadly follow the National Curriculum's principles of balance and breadth of education, whilst offering our pupils a wider range of subjects. A high proportion of leavers gain admission to their first choice universities and higher education institutions. Our pupils read a full range of courses - from Medicine and Law to Science and the Humanities. Other leavers are selected to attend world-renowned music conservatoires, performing arts schools and art colleges.
Boarding is fun St Edmund's offers junior and senior boarding in separate accommodation. In the Junior School, boarding for boys and girls (aged 8 to 13) in School House can be on a weekly, flexi, or full basis. The Choristers are housed in the historic Choir House, located within the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral. In the Senior School (ages 13 to 18), full and weekly boarding is offered. Our boarders live in the main School building, giving them easy access to the library, the IT suite, recreational facilities and the Sixth Form Centre. Girls and boys live in separate areas of the boarding houses.
Learning beyond the classroom In the three Schools, pupils are offered an extensive range of extra-curricular activities, which includes clubs, societies, visits and trips. In the Pre-Pep, activities, such as art club, choir, cookery club and recorder group, are offered from Year 1.
Adventure activities (such as the survival weeks, water sports, mountain biking and ski trips) in Junior School encourage pupils to build self awareness. Examples of other clubs and activities include advanced Maths, choir, drama, dance, orchestra, science and young engineers.
Senior School undertakes the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and Combined Cadet Force. In addition, the range of clubs and activities is broad; for example archaeology, broadcasting (with the Canterbury Student Radio), choir, dance, drama, Eco-Schools, literary and debating societies, musical ensembles, Rotary Interact, science and yoga.
To view further information about life at the school: www.stedmunds.org.uk/life/
