The Falcons School for Girls

Independent School for Girls | aged 3 - 11 years

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Falcons School for Girls

The Falcons Schools for Girls is a non-selective, independent school for girls aged from three to eleven. Our aim is to provide a 'gold standard' education in a happy, purposeful and mutually supportive environment. Our girls are enthusiastic, inquisitive learners who take pride in playing their role within the school community. They care for each other, value relationships with their teachers, and make visitors feel welcome.

We aim to instill a love of learning in every girl, and our challenging and wide ranging curriculum is tailored to each childs individual needs. We set academically rigorous standards for our girls, and support each girl to achieve to the best of her ability, by teaching in ways that accommodate a range of different learning styles.

In order to ensure that our girls are educated for the challenges of the twenty-first century, we are increasingly using web-based resources and applications alongside traditional teaching methods. These provide our girls with opportunities to present their work to a wider audience, extending the curriculum in innovative ways and allowing us to link with schools across the world on shared projects.

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I hope that this prospectus will begin to give you a feel for what makes the Falcons School for Girls such an exciting environment. Falcons Girls report a tremendous identification with the school during their time as pupils, and remember it with considerable affection after they have left.

To appreciate the full range of what we can offer your daughter, I would encourage you to make an appointment to visit the school. I will be delighted to show you what it means to be part of the Falcons School for Girls.

Joan McGillewie Head Teacher The Falcons School for Girls 020 8992 5189 www.falconschool.com/girls-school/

The Falcons School for Girls

15 Gunnersbury Avenue Ealing London W5 3XD T: 020 8992 5189 F: 020 8752 1635 E: admin@falconsgirls.co.uk www.falconschool.com Head Teacher: Miss Joan McGillewe DEd HDE FDE

Our Ethos - Providing a Gold Standard Education

Falcons Girls is committed to providing your daughter with a gold standard education

Pastoral Care: Nurturing every child

The Falcons School for Girls provides a stimulating, friendly and caring environment in which every girl is valued as an individual and encouraged to develop her talents. Each class has a teacher whose primary responsibility is for the social, emotional and academic welfare of each child. Our small classes enable us to create an atmosphere where each girl is valued and supported as an individual. Our Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme encourages each girl to become an active citizen in the school and their local community. Our girls mature into confident students, with a keen interest in the welfare of their younger peers and the world outside the school gates, able not only to respect difference, but to celebrate cultural diversity. We welcome children from all religions and faiths. The school itself is non-denominational.

Open Door Policy

We believe that quality education is a collaborative effort between school and family. Formal written reports are sent to parents in mid-year and at the end of the Summer term, and parent/teacher meetings are held twice a year; however, we strongly encourage parents to contact the school office at any time to arrange an appointment with a teacher or the Head if there are any questions, queries or concerns.

Leadership can be seen at every level of the school, contributing to a culture of excellence The school and our resources are maintained and updated to a high standard. Teachers adapt their delivery of the curriculum to reflect every girl's individual learning needs Parents are genuine and valued partners in the education process Girls are prepared for entry to the Senior Schools which will best meet their learning needs and future development.

Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) Pupils aged 3-4 years

From their very first days at Falcons School for Girls, we provide a supportive and stimulating environment, with learning through fun, play and structured experiences. The nursery is housed in a spacious, airy building that enjoys lots of natural light. Situated in the former stable block, to

the rear of the main school, it leads to a safe and vibrant outdoor play area with easy access to the music room, ICT suite, library and sports hall. We follow the Foundation Stage Early Learning Goals, but enrich our curriculum through the use of specialist teachers in music, sport and French. Girls

build their confidence through structured play, learning to become independent learners. The girls are taught to read through phonics, and usually begin to read and write ahead of national expectations for this age group.

Lower School (Year One and Two) Pupils aged 5-7 years

In Years One and Two we place a strong emphasis on developing pupils creativity and curiosity in order to lay the foundations for a life-long love of literacy, numeracy and

engagement with the world around them. We recognise that pupils may respond to different approaches to learning, and we therefore adopt an integrated teaching approach which

incorporates the best of traditional and modern teaching methods.

Year Three and Four Pupils aged 8-9 years

In Years Three and Four girls take on added responsibilities in a supportive environment. Skills are expanded upon and critical thinking skills are emphasized. Girls are taught by

subject specialists in Science, IT, Games, Music and French. Girls are strongly encouraged to take on greater

accountability for this stage of their school career. The girls are at the heart of our decision-making process.

Year Five and Six Pupils aged 10-11 years

Year 5 and 6 sees the girls thrive as they prepare for the challenge of Senior School. We aim to make the transition procedure as smooth as possible, and our well qualified and experienced staff are able to support both girls and parents

through the process of selecting, and winning entry to, the most appropriate Senior school to meet each girls' learning needs. Popular choices at eleven include London Day Schools including St. Paul's Girls, Latymer Upper, Latymer,

Lady Eleanor Hollis, Notting Hill and Ealing and St. James', and a range of country boarding schools. Year 6 girls act as prefects, assisting class teachers across the school and providing role models for their younger peers.

Academic Success - Promoting a Culture of Excellence

The traditional values associated with the best independent school education continue to be at the heart of our philosophy, but are enhanced by the very best practices in modern education. At Falcons Girls, dynamic, creative teachers will ensure that your daughter makes the most of her abilities, enthusiasm and interests, drawing on our expertise with learning styles and the use of Web 2.0 technologies.

Mathematics
At FSG, maths is fun. Our girls receive a thorough grounding in all of the key mathematical concepts of the National Curriculum, and we develop the problemsolving skills that allow them to explore fully the world of numbers. Our girls have a longstanding record of success in impressing the examiners with their ability to manipulate numbers and apply mathematical concepts to unfamiliar challenges. We encourage our girls to embrace the subject with enthusiasm and confidence. Our students are registered with Mathletics an online learning resource that ensures enjoyment and improvement in Mathletics at school and at home. We compete annually in a world Maths Day against students from all over the world.

Information Technology
The application of web technologies is at the heart of our curriculum. Girls learn from an early age the importance of digital literacy, and share their creativity with the world using student blogs and wikis, podcasts and digital videos. Increasingly, homework tasks are published online, allowing girls to access additional material and extension tasks. The schools purpose-built computer suite is home to IT classes, where girls learn to become proficient with a wide range of programs, acquiring skills in word processing, data management and Powerpoint presentations. FSG is committed to a rolling programme of hardware

Science English
English at Falcons Girls begins from the premise that we are all writers. Every girl is taught to see herself as a novelist, poet, essayist and critic. Our girls pass their 11+ examinations with flying colours but they also leave us with the ability to think and argue passionately: our classrooms are alive with the sound of debate and discussion. We recognise that good writing starts from a thorough grounding in the tools of grammar, punctuation and spelling but we also believe in fostering a genuine love of books and reading. Our English teachers find material that inspires pupils and give them the tools to express their thoughts; lessons are enriched through our visits to educational sites such as Shakespeares Globe theatre, and visiting authors and speakers reinforce our message that reading and writing are for life. At the Falcons School, girls learn to apply scientific methods, making predictions, testing and evaluating their results. Throughout their time with us, girls explore the world around them through play and simple experiments. A dedicated Science specialist introduces the girls to the subject, working individually and in groups to explore a variety of topics. The emphasis of the teaching is on capturing our girls imaginations and provoking curiosity through practical investigation and a wealth of scientific resources.

and software updates, ensuring that the education we provide is informed by the cutting edge of technology.

Drama
The School has a fine tradition of excellent productions. We aim to give every girl the chance to participate in productions, both on stage and behind the scenes. We recognise how important acting can be for developing confidence and personality, and our girls have weekly timetabled Drama lessons throughout their time at the school, taught by a drama specialist. The centrepiece of our work is the end-of-year

Modern Foreign Languages

We encourage every girl to develop their curiosity about the world around them. Learning a foreign language offers an exciting insight into another culture and another way of thinking. Girls start learning French through games and songs in nursery, and build up their ability to understand and communicate in the language as they progress through the school. The culmination of our work is the visit to France for the Senior Girls. Girls also have taster lessons in Spanish.

Music
Falcons girls participate in Music and perform at every school level, beginning with classroom instruction and singing in Lower School, and there is a wide range of opportunities for children to perform, from assemblies to our annual Carol Concert. Girls enjoy two music lessons every week, covering all aspects of the appreciation and performance of music. Girls are inspired to explore their own musical talents and ambitions, with some girls learning two or even three instruments. Our Junior and Senior Choirs are open to all girls. Each year the girls get the opportunity to sing as part of a massed choir of over five hundred children. The girls join up with other schools in the Alpha Plus group to rehearse and then perform a musical extravaganza along with a live band in the fantastic setting of the Westminster Central Hall.

production which is staged at The Questers Theatre in Ealing. Recent productions include Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night, and Peter Pan.

Sport, Physical Education and Dance

Falcons Girls demonstrate outstanding skills, competitiveness and courage on the sports field. We celebrate everyones participation in sport. An emphasis on sportsmanship is a fundamental principle of the school: win or lose, our opponents frequently pay tribute to our co-operative spirit and good manners. We have access to a wide range of facilities including an outdoor play area, gym, an excellent riding school, a swimming pool and the Old Actonians sports ground. From the Junior School onwards, they have the opportunity to take part in interschool competitions. There are opportunities for girls to represent their school on the sports field, with successful teams in netball, rounders and cross-country.

Visits, Excursions and Residential Trips

To ensure that learning extends beyond the classroom, classes undertake a trip each term. Girls in Years 3-6 have the opportunity to join a residential trip towards the end of the academic year, taking part in outwardbound experiences and educational activities. Field work is an important element of each of these trips, and we examine various different aspects of the trip in lessons across the curriculum. Girls are also able to take advantage of our annual programme of visiting musicians, theatre groups and lectures on topical issues given by outside speakers. Some of the trips and visits recently undertaken by our girls include a residential centre near Paris, the Lake District, Moorland Hall outdoor pursuits centre, Kew Gardens and the Science Musuem.

Art
We believe that art activities help girls gain the tools necessary to develop creative problem-solving, communicate their thoughts and ideas, and adapt to and respect other cultures. Art stretches and encourages the girls to look at and analyse what they see, and to ask questions about their observations: these skills enhance the work they do across the rest of the curriculum. The Art Department has a large, well-appointed studio, complete with kiln, and an enormous range of materials and resources allowing activities such as batik, pottery and textiles. The work girls produce is much admired by fellow girls, staff and visitors alike, and is entered for numerous competitions.

Alpha schools have a long-standing reputation for delivering premium quality education.

The Falcons Group of Schools

The Falcons School for Girls 15 Gunnersbury Avenue Ealing London W5 3XD T: 020 8992 5189 The Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys 2 Burnaby Gardens Chiswick London W4 3DT T: 020 8747 8393 The Falcons Preparatory Schools for Boys 41 Kew Foot Road Richmond Surrey TW9 2SS T: 0844 225 2211

The Alpha Plus Group are therefore able to provide expertise and a strong network which supports the Head and her team. Learn more about Alpha Plus at their website: www.alphaplus.co.uk

Registration
We are excited that you are considering The Falcons Girls for your daughters education, and look forward to working with you throughout the admissions process.

Valuing Community
We believe that quality education is a collaborative effort between school and family. The parents are encouraged to become active participants in the life of the school. Our dedicated Parents Association is an invaluable support to the work of the staff. In addition to regular meetings and lunches with the Principal and senior staff, the Parents Association organises a variety of social and charitable events, and provides a fantastic social and support network for new and existing parents alike.

Our main intake is at Nursery, aged three, with a few places available in our Reception (aged four). Places may become available for older girls. The first step is to make an appointment to visit the school by phoning the school office and completing a Registration Form. Parents wishing to register a girl should send their completed Registration Form, together with the Registration Fee, to the School Secretary. This fee is non-refundable. Registration may be made on or at any time after a childs first birthday. Registration does not guarantee a place; siblings have priority.

Alpha Plus Group Ltd The Gold Standard in Education 50 Queen Anne Street London W1G 8HJ T: 020 7487 6000 F: 020 7487 6001 E: enquires@alphaplusgroup.co.uk www.alphaplusgroup.co.uk

Alpha Plus & The Falcons Preparatory and Pre-Pre Schools

The Falcons Prep and Prep-Pre School for Boys are our partner school, based in Chiswick and Richmond respectively. Many families have children at both schools. Both Falcons Schools have recently received excellent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) reports, which praised the good quality teaching and pastoral support. The Falcons Schools are part of the Alpha Plus Group the Gold Standard in Education one of Britains fastestgrowing and most successful educational organisations. The schools and colleges cover the whole spectrum of education from nursery schools to university entrance.

Location
The school is situated on the North Circular Road A406 (also known as Gunnersbury Avenue) south of Ealing Common. Parents and visitors are permitted free short term parking in the Ealing Riding Stables car park; restricted parking is available in the side roads off the North Circular with a school parking permit. Nearest tube stations: Ealing Common, Ealing Broadway and Acton Town Buses: E3, 207, 427, 607 and 65