An independent Day Preparatory School
from birth to 11 year-olds with pre-prep department
  Ofsted Outstanding 2011-2012  
High academic standards ~~~ Co-educational ~~~ Excellent Ofsted Report ~~~ Close attention given to individual pupils ~~~ Small class sizes
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All about Silverhill School

Silverhill School - Main Building

The School was originally started in 1947 in a house in Almondsbury. It moved to Silverhill Brake in Rudgeway two years later, when it became known as Silverhill School. It moved to its present ten acre site in 1992 to enable it to offer a full range of educational activities.

The old Winterbourne House was a private residence before becoming part of the school and at present houses the dining room and kitchen, the administrative offices and conference rooms. Our beautiful grounds contain a number of sports pitches, netball/tennis courts, play orchard, pond and wildlife garden.

Silverhill School is a well-established Primary & Nursery school serving the community of Winterbourne and the surrounding towns and villages to the north-east of Bristol. Until recently, we have been offering full educational and childcare services to over 200 children from the age of 2  to 11 years, preparing them for their move to one of the many excellent secondary schools in the region, both state and independent, at the end of Year 6.

In addition to this, however, in April 2010, we opened our new Baby unit, taking children from the age of 6 weeks. This was done in response to the growing demand for such provisions in the country as a whole, but also in the Winterbourne area in particular where nursery places do not meet the need. We are delighted to say that this has been a very popular new provision.

Silverhill School - Lawn

We aim to give children the best education possible for they can only give their very best if they are happy and interested in what they are doing. Silverhill achieves this by keeping the children motivated and involved in a wide range of activities both in and out of the classroom.

Naturally, importance is given to academic progress and our small classes assist with this. A great deal of individual attention is given to each child. We also believe that children need to develop self-confidence and self-discipline, and to learn good manners and consideration for others. Silverhill is a caring environment in which children flourish.

The school's facilities include a large and well-resourced Nursery, with extended day care and holiday play scheme. There is an early and late room (up to 6pm) facility. Unusually, there is a cookery block, large Science block and spacious Art room. In addiition, a new, state-of-the-art nursery play-area has almost been completed with help from a generous grant from the council and the fund-raising efforts of FOSS. 

The site is ideal for Silverhill's sporting activities, which include football, netball, tag rugby, cricket and hockey - not to mention tennis and athletics in the spring and summer. Swimming is also timetabled. Competition with local schools is a regular feature.

The Baby Unit, Nursery and Pre-school benefits from having loyal and highly experienced staff taking care of the children from 8:00am to 6:00pm, as required, throughout each term and our own staff look after them in the school-holidays.

Reception and KS1 benefit from having well-qualified teachers and support staff to ensure all their educational needs are met. In addition, the children are offered PE, Games and Music by specialist staff. In Year 1 they are introduced to French.

In KS2 the curriculum becomes more subject-based: Latin, Classical Civilisation and IT are introduced and taught by specialist teachers. Not only are the pupils prepared for SATS and, where required, entrance exams to secondary school, but they are also given the opportunity to develop as confident and well-mannered people in their own right.

Debating has become a very popular and energetic item on the curriculum for Years 5 & 6, who are becoming increasingly articulate about national and local issues.

Silverhill School - Roman Garden

The school benefits from being set in 9 acres of grassland, gardens and trees. We believe that the educational importance of the school extends beyond the classroom, embracing all that the seasons of the year offer. All children have regular contact with the natural environment. This is amply demonstrated by the development of the Roman Garden from a rubbish tip to a horticultural wonder, an enterprise led by a member of the staff and by children of all ages and their parents.

Specialist Sports Teachers, both male and female, are an equally important part of the children’s educational environment. Self Defence classes are a new element taught by a Black Belt Taekwondo champion, as well as football and rugby specialists.

The progress of the children thrives on close communication between the headteacher and the teachers. Termly discussions are held to monitor the progress of each individual child, as well as half-termly assessments, parents’ meetings and reports.

This, combined with clear target-setting, has, over the past three years, evolved into a coherent and sensitive team of staff, keen to work closely with parents in the upbringing of their children.

We also offer a daily phonic programme to support those who have dyslexia and difficulties with literacy. There is an educational therapist on our staff.

 
 NEWS
Silverhill School Early Years Newsletter 21/05/2012

Silverhill School Spring 2012 Newsletter 02/04/2012

Job Vacancies 13/03/2012

Silverhill Celebrates Outstanding Ofsted 07/02/2012

Uniform List 07/02/2012

Silverhill School Autumn 2011 Newsletter 17/12/2011

Term Dates 2012/13 21/10/2011

Term Dates for 2011/2012 16/09/2011

Silverhill School ...where learning is fun!
  For all enquiries, please contact: Silverhill School, Swan Lane, Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire, BS36 1RL • Telephone: 01454 772156 • Fax: 01454 777141 • Email: enquiries@silverhillschool.co.uk