IPSWICH SCHOOL

Our prospectus documents describe the broad principles on which Ipswich School is presently run.

Although believed correct at the time of printing, they are not a part of any agreement between parents and the school.

Ipswich SchoolHenley Road, Ipswich IP1 3SG

Tel (01473) 408300, Fax (01473) 400058registrar@ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk

www.ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk

Ipswich Preparatory School3 Ivry Street, Ipswich IP1 3QW

Tel (01473) 281302, Fax (01473) 400068prepregistrar@ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk

www.ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk

Co-Educational Day and Boarding School

Circa 1399IPSWICH SCHOOLCo-Educational Day and Boarding School

Circa 1399

Welcome to Ipswich School,where you'll find a philosophyas unique to education asMichelangelo's was to art.

“Every block of stone has a statue inside - it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”

Michelangelo 1475-1564

We are inspired by our belief that everychild comes to us with reserves ofundiscovered potential. By offering ourboys and girls a first class education in astimulating environment, we aim to reveal the greatness that lies within and to encourage them to excel in the pursuitof their aspirations.

Academic achievement is, of course,a necessary focus. But one of our guidingprinciples is to adopt a balanced approachto each pupil. Our pastoral system - withits efficient tracking and feedback systems- provides differentiated academic andvocational support for each child. We findthat if we get the education right, theresults take care of themselves.

Of course, learning about life is also animportant part of our curriculum. Theimperatives of responsibility, the joy ofteamwork and the principles of leadershipare milestones on the journey of discovery.

We strive at all times to create a nurturingenvironment inside and outside the

classroom, encouraging our children todiscover and develop their talents and self-esteem in a wide range of academic andcultural activities.

Our boys and girls are members of eitherthe Preparatory School, which includes aNursery, or the Senior School for 11 to 18year olds. This booklet gives you a broadsynopsis of the school's facilities andresources. For a more detailed view, pleaserefer to the booklet Further Information,included in the prospectus pack.

We warmly welcome visits from parentsand children and we look forward toshowing you round our school, whichmany visitors describe as one of thehappiest schools they've ever experienced.

Let us discuss with you the opportunitieswe offer to every individual boy and girl.We're sure you'll agree that, because werecognize the inherent capabilities in allour children, an education at IpswichSchool is a uniquely varied and enrichingpreparation for adult life.

Nicholas WeaverHeadmaster, Ipswich School

Amanda ChildsHeadteacher, Ipswich Preparatory School

The deeply enriching education atIpswich School encourages everypupil to fulfil their potential andto express their talents inside andoutside the classroom.“All of our children are different,

Ipswich School has found their strengths

and helped them to realise their potential”

Focusing on theindividual

The education we provide is designed tocreate almost limitless opportunities forboys and girls to excel academically, inthe sports arena and in their chosencultural and artistic pursuits.

From the very beginning of their schoolexperience, each pupil's potential isindividually assessed, then monitoredand tracked through our enhancedpastoral care system.

Academic grades and classroomperformances are monitored and everypupil receives regular guidance andadvice throughout their school life.

Our teachers are supported by specialistssuch as the chaplain, matron and schoolcounsellor. We maintain close com-munication with parents at all times as werecognize the important role the familyplays in each child's continuing education.

We recognize that pupils responddifferently to a variety of differentteaching methods and stimuli, so weavoid a standardized approach to theirlearning and aim to provide an informed, engaging and individuallysupportive environment.

Sporting and cultural activities are given high priority at Ipswich School.Highly qualified sports coaches provideindividual coaching across our broadrange of sports, with pupils achievingnational, and international, success.Music is taught by our own staffmembers, augmented by visiting musicteachers.

In all our activities the emphasis is on combining the thrill of achievementwith a passion for self-discovery, allowingeveryone to achieve their personal best.

The School's outstanding recordof academic achievement is areflection of our belief that every pupil has the potential toachieve success. “Our son is very happy and has

grown in confidence at the School ”

Roundedpersonalities,sharper minds

We have created an atmosphere amongour pupils where the pursuit of learning isa respected endeavour, where hard workand achievement are admired and praised.

Class sizes are small and pupils areencouraged to develop a positive andcollaborative approach to their learning.Tutor groups and clinics are used tosupplement classroom work and closemonitoring and regular goal setting allowstudents to progress in a structured anddisciplined way.

Our online resources allow pupils todelve further into their subjects, helpingthem to build a more comprehensiveunderstanding of their study topics andtheir relevance to achieving success inlater life.

Modern, stimulating study skills andlearning techniques help our boys and

girls to grasp the deeper intricacies of ourcurriculum and provide them with thefoundation for a lifetime of learning.

The overwhelming majority of ourleavers continue their studies atuniversity, either in Britain or abroad,across a wide range of subjects. Also,we have a particularly strong track recordof entry into Oxford and Cambridge andinto the highly competitive medical andveterinary science courses.

As proud as we are of our academicstandards, we never forget thatmaintaining a positive environment is aprerequisite for a rich and productiveschool life. Many visitors to IpswichSchool remark on the joyful atmospherethat prevails here throughout the year.Isn't this how school should be - a placewhere studying can be fun as well asproductive?

Within every child is a yearningfor new experiences.We offer aco-curricular programme whichwill stimulate every child's sense of adventure.

“Ipswich School provides an all-round

excellent education and personal development

for our children”

Preparing for a life filled withchallenges

Where better to learn how to recognizeand overcome life's challenges than atschool? At Ipswich School we encourageactivities that build confidence, engenderteam spirit and bring out the innatetalent and aptitude of our pupils.

We also help children understand thedynamics of the wider society in whichthey live, encouraging them to develop acaring and philanthropic approach to theneeds of others perhaps less fortunatethan themselves.

We hold these important activities insuch high regard, they are not classed as extra-curricular but rather as co-curricular. As important, in their own way, as any other subject or discipline ourpupils may encounter in their school life.

As absorbing and rewarding as our co-curricular activities undoubtedly are,

learning to master a set of new skills -and developing a new awareness of one'sresponsibility to the various communitieswith which we are linked - is the perfectgrounding for success in later life.

A perfect example of our philosophy inaction is the trip to India undertaken bytwenty-eight students from IpswichSchool during the Easter holidays. Apartfrom participating in the usual touristand cultural attractions, the pupils andtheir teachers spent time with theeducational charity Magic Bus, which theSchool had supported. Our pupils werethrilled and somewhat humbled to seethe results of the work their efforts havefacilitated among the densely populatedareas of New Delhi.

Ipswich Nursery and PreparatorySchool provide balanced learningin a nurturing, supportiveenvironment.

“I never stop, I really love it,

I can't say what it is

…I just love everything”For our youngestboys and girls,education shouldbe fun

In their early years of cognitivedevelopment, our Nursery Schoolchildren are encouraged to learn throughstimulating educational play. Theirpersonal, social and emotional growth is carefully encouraged to give them a distinct advantage when moving up tothe Lower Prep.

Here, they will further develop theirliteracy and mathematical skills andimprove their understanding of the world,the unique part they have to play and thespecial contributions they can make.

Along with their academic work, co-curricular activities play an increasinglyimportant part in the process of self-discovery and confidence building. Art,music, drama and sport are provided inour own purpose-built facility and pupilshave access to the more specializedvenues at the Senior School.

Both the Prep and the Senior School arecommitted to the notion that, to bringout the best in our children, the greatestgift we can give them is a love of learning.

Pupils in the Preparatory Schoolare encouraged to channel theirenergy to help them discoverability and interests that willenrich the rest of their lives.

“In a very short space of time the change

in my daughter’s attitude and motivation

has been phenomenal – far beyond anything

I could have hoped for”

A lively, creative,supportive andchallengingenvironment

The move to the Upper Prep, just acrossthe playground, marks the next stage inthe learning journey. The childrencontinue to enjoy a supportive andcaring environment that encouragesthem to love learning, grow in self-confidence and acquire a wide range ofworthwhile interests. The choice of co-curricular activities broadens here,encouraging the children to experiencesomething new and widen their horizons.

The Prep School is a happy place wherechildren receive a broad education that

fires their imagination and develops theirpersonality. High academic expectationscomplement a broad and balancedcurriculum. The development of valuesand skills give the children firmfoundations upon which to build, asconfident individuals, in the SeniorSchool.

The children are valued for who they are.Everyone's happiness is consideredessential. Life at Ipswich PreparatorySchool is challenging and fun.

A day in the life of...

Angus,Year 47.00 am It takes me quite a while to wake

up and my younger brother Tobyhas to drag me out of bed to godownstairs, I am not a 'morning'person! I get dressed, eat mybreakfast and watch a little bit of TV.

8.00 am We leave for school and the carjourney only takes about 10minutes. Once at school, I headoff to the Hall or deck where I sitand read my book until we aretold to go to our classrooms forRegistration.

8.30 am I unpack my school bags, putthem in my locker in theclassroom and then haveRegistration in my classroom with my Form Teacher. It's thentime for Assembly.

8.40 am Today we are having a HouseAssembly. I am in MermagenHouse and we are told all aboutthe next competition that iscoming up and other events likeCharity Cake Sales. My favouriteAssembly is the AchievementAssembly, especially if I get aspecial mention or an award.

9.00 am Lessons begin and today we startwith my favourite subject -Science! Our topic at themoment is Plants and we havebeen studying them in a lot ofdetail. It has made me realise justhow amazing nature is. Science isfollowed by English.

10.30 am Breaktime - I love playing footballwith my friends. On certain daysof the week we get a rich teabiscuit which is a real treat.

10.45 am Time for double Games - anotherone of my favourite subjects. Weare having our lesson on theSenior School field and today weare doing Athletics. When I am inYear 5, we will go to the Schoolplaying fields off site by bus.

12.15 pm Lunch - I am starving after thismorning's activities. All the UpperPrep children go across to theSenior School Dining Room. Wehave lots of different choices andI choose my favourite food -jacket potato and cheese. They

have also got my favouritepudding on the menu today,Chocolate Crunch! I sit and eatmy lunch with my friends andthen we go to the School Field to play football and cricket. Thereare lots of clubs at lunchtime but I am not doing any of thesetoday.

1.15 pm The afternoon lessons begin andwe have Maths, History and PSHEwith a playtime in between. I alsohave my individual Euphoniumlesson with Mrs Dawson in one ofthe small music rooms on the topfloor of the Upper Prep building.These lessons are at all differenttimes of the school day and Ihave to remember when to go tothem but my teacher helps mewith this. We talked about theschool orchestra and how well I played in the Year 4 Play.

3.50 pm The school day is over and I amgoing to my Speech and DramaClub. There are so many clubs it issometimes difficult to choose.

5.00 pm Mum comes to pick me up andwe then go to the SchoolSwimming Pool where I have my'out of school' swimming lesson -the pool is lovely and warm andswimming is one of my favouriteactivities. I have been learning inschool since Reception.

5.45 pm We set off for home - it has beena long and busy day but I stillhave my homework andEuphonium practice to do. Aftertea I go out into my garden andfind my secret hideaway at thetop of the hedge - I love relaxingin my special place whilst lookingat the neighbouring fields and the woods.

8.00 pm It's bedtime and I can't wait toread my book before I drop off to sleep.

“today we start with my favouritesubject – Science...it has made me

realise just how amazing nature is”A day in the life of...

Jo Jo,Year 76.45 am I'm awake but only thinking

about getting out of bed.

7.15 am I'm dressed in school uniform andeating breakfast with my sisters.

7.40 am We get into the car and drive thehalf hour journey to IpswichSchool.

8.15 am I'm in school chatting with myfriends until the school bell goesat 8.30 am. Sometimes we havethe school's breakfast.

8.40 am My class are all in the classroomready for registration.

8.45 am It's Thursday so my class hurriesdown the stairs into Great Schoolto grab the best seats forHeadmaster's assembly. This is when the Headmaster givesout awards for individualachievements and wecongratulate pupils who haverepresented the school e.g. insport matches.

9.05 am Lessons begin…I have Spanish;the teacher is my form tutor too.Spanish is great fun! The rest ofthe morning flies past: Musicfollowed by break then PE.

11.55 am My favourite lesson of the week,Art, is just about to begin. Theproject we are working on isFunky Fish which involvesproducing fish in different media- drawing, painting, oil pastels,clay models, wax and printing.

1.15 pm It's lunch time. I sit with all myfriends and there is loads ofchoice when you have schooldinners. Today I have paninis andcurly fries followed by strawberrycrumble. All sorts of clubs run atlunchtime but I don't do anytoday. However table tennis on aMonday and trampolining on aFriday are fab and music clubs aregreat too.

1.45 pm Year 7 get changed for hockeyand we do games for the wholeafternoon. I'm in the A Team andenjoy hockey on the Astro pitchesand can't wait until we play 11 a side.

4.00 pm We return from hockey and getchanged ready to go home.However I have Showstoppersrehearsal tonight so I will begoing home late.

6.00 pm Showstoppers was great but therehearsal has now finished. I can'twait until our two performancesof this singing and dance show.

6.45 pm I arrive home and have supper, a little late but that'sbecause I had my rehearsal,I'm usually home before 5 pm.After supper I do my homework, pack my bag fortomorrow and by 9 pm I'm in bed looking forward to a new day…

“my favourite lesson of the week, Art…working

on Funky Fish”

For all our pupils, the move to the senior school is one of life'sthrilling adventures.We strive tomake sure what happens in theclassroom is a similar adventure. “The school for us has been outstanding

in every way and I always tell that to

everyone I meet in conversation”The Senior School is in three sections:Lower School (Years 7 and 8), MiddleSchool (Years 9-11) and Sixth Form. Mostpupils join in Year 7, from a wide range of schools, including our Prep School. Wealso have a significant number of pupilsjoining in Year 9. Within each section,tutors move up with their tutor groups tokeep our focus on the individual.

With our academic curriculum, we aim to provide breadth, balance, relevanceand flexibility. We remain committed toproviding a wide range of subjects,with Latin, Russian and separate Sciencesall on offer. For added stretch, we run a programme for the AcademicallyGifted, with evening lectures throughoutthe year which are open to all parentsand pupils. Extra support is provided inthe form of department clinics which we run regularly.

The co-curricular life of the Lower andMiddle School is rich and absorbing, withclubs, music and sports coaching. TheThursday Activities programme starts inYear 9 and includes activities such asCommunity Service, Combined CadetForce and Journalism. Many pupilsachieve their first step, the bronze, on theDuke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

The opportunities for personal devel-opment are many and wide ranging.An extensive PSHE programme coversissues from health, finance, study skillsand wellbeing.

The Lower School and Middle Schools arecharacterised by happiness and success.

The developing years

A day in the life of...

Eleanor,Year 107.30 am I get up at Westwood, where I am

one of the boarders, get changedand go and have breakfast. Then I walk to school.

8.30 am Form time - time to talk tofriends and pass messages to andfrom our form tutor.

9.05 am First lesson - Maths, we havebeen doing circle theorems at themoment, they can be quite hard,but it is a good feeling when you'get it'.

9.40 am PSHE - we rotate as a year todifferent things, so my form isstarting careers and we have justdone sex ed.

10.20 am English - we have been working a lot on our coursework but inbetween that we have beenstudying a play called 'Death of a Salesman'.

11.00 am Break - time to spend relaxingwith friends either on the field onthe benches or by the tuck shop.

11.20am French - sometimes quitechallenging because of all thetenses and different endings, butoverall an interesting lesson.

11.55 am Double Biology - we have beendoing an experiment to find outhow much vitamin C is in variousfruit juices. When we are notdoing practical things we practisequestions for our GCSE module.

1.15 pm Lunch - time to eat and hangaround with friends, but also timeto get changed for my activity,which I do on Thursdays.

2.20 pm Activities - we have a choice forour Thursday afternoon activity. Inormally do JSLA, which is asports leadership programme. Butbecause we have finished thecourse, I have been doing extrahockey - which I play for theschool. This year we werenational champions for indoorhockey and were runners up inthe outdoor national final - justlosing on penalties.

4.15 pm End of school - people start toget on their buses, but I usuallywait with those whose busescome in later, before going backto the boarding house.

5.30 pm Dinner - time to catch up witheveryone and see how their daywent.

6.30 - Homework time - having a set8.00 pm time really helps me, and because

everyone is doing it at the sametime it is easier to concentrate.

10.00 pm Bed time - each year group has aset bed time. But from the end ofhomework time to then is freetime to do what you like.

“this year we werenational champions”

A day in the life of...

Jim,Year 126.40 am Mum knocks on my door as

there’s no sign of life from mybedroom because I'm stillrecovering from the Big Bandrehearsal last night. Quickly getup, shower and wolf down somebreakfast before leaving to catchthe bus to school.

8.30 am Arrive at school and quickly catchup with my friends beforeregistration and then sixth formassembly.

9.00 am My lessons start with the thrill ofdouble Physics - we usually do anexperiment and because theteachers are so enthusiastic it isreally interesting, howeverquantum Physics certainly isn'tthe easy way out!

10.20 am Single period of DT next. Finallyat the stage where I can begin tobuild my final product in thefamous school workshop. It is myfavourite subject and I alsosometimes help one of theteachers, with other students,rebuild a Porsche Speedster afterschool.

11.00 am Have a 20 minute break wherewe all head up to the sixth formcentre for a coffee and a chat.Soon after I head off to thelibrary for an independent studyperiod, always very useful at thebeginning of the week so I canrecap on any work that was donethe previous week.

11.55 am My enrichment subject, ICT isnext. It's very enjoyable and it's avery peaceful atmospherebecause the class is taken in thesixth formers’ personal ICT suite.

1.15 pm We have a break for lunch, thereare two dining halls so it doesn'ttake long for the whole school tobe fed. A bit of banter with thelads and then I'm off to PhysicsClinic where I can ask extraquestions on anything I wasunsure about in class.

2.20 pm The next two lessons areChemistry where we are currentlylooking at redox reactions whichmeans more experiments, myfavourite! After chemistry I hurryoff to my final lesson of the day.Physics. Again…

4.15 pm School finishes for most, but notfor me. I wander up to the musiccorridor where the schoolsaxophone ensemble and I have arehearsal in preparation for ourupcoming saxophone concertarranged by one of the musicteachers.

6.00 pm Arrive at home, finish off myhomework, remember to packsailing stuff for tomorrow -can'twait! Eat, Facebook, Bed.

“...because the teachersare so enthusiastic it is

really interesting”

Sixth Form pupils are equippedwith confidence and maturity,ready to embrace opportunities,pursue their personal goals andrealise their ambitions.“This is definitely the best

school I have ever been in”

Meeting thechallenges ofadult life

The final two years at Ipswich Schooloffer a deeply rewarding experience thatprepares our students for university andbeyond. There is a strong feeling of co-operation between teachers andstudents and the sense of a Sixth Formcommunity is fostered by the sharedfacilities of the Sixth Form Centre and bya programme of social events.

We make extra provision for those whoare preparing for elite universities in theUK and overseas, and for courses such asmedicine and law that have special entryrequirements. We pride ourselves on theway in which we work with students and,increasingly, parents, to help in all aspectsof preparation for university entrance; weeven offer a course on 'student survival'!

The latter is part of our EnrichmentProgramme in which sixth formers add to

their portfolio of experience andqualifications by selecting a course whichwill complement their A levels. Sixthformers are encouraged to think forthemselves as they develop academicallyand to take on responsibility for their ownwork within a framework of support andguidance from teachers and pastoral tutors.

All this is aimed at giving the IpswichSchool sixth former an edge whenapplying to university, and furtherenrichment is available through our co-curricular programme. Students areencouraged to develop their leadershipskills and are offered many opportunitiesto assume positions of responsibility.Each year we welcome new studentsfrom other schools who wish to takeadvantage of the special expertise weoffer and to gain a head start in preparingfor university and life beyond school.

We'll give you a personal tour ofour facilities and we can discussthe many ways we prepare youngpeople for a life of success andachievement.

Come and see us

Put aside around an hour - or slightlylonger if you'd like to see the boardinghouse - to experience the wonderfullyhappy atmosphere at Ipswich School andtake in the beautiful setting close to theheart of the historic town of Ipswich.Meet the Headmaster or PreparatorySchool Head and let us show you roundon a typical day of academic study, sportand cultural activities.

You'll immediately notice the enthusiasmof the pupils of all ages and the close,supportive relationship they share witheach other and with our teaching staff.

We'll discuss with you personally how wediscover and explore the individual talentsof our boys and girls and work in closecooperation with them to continuouslyextend their horizons at work, at play andin the service of their community.

While you're here, we'll ask about yourchild and explore with you the manyopportunities Ipswich School provides forthe development of his or her intellectand personality.

Our aim is to nurture every child's naturalabilities and help them to become wellbalanced, confident, considerate andfulfilled in preparation for their years offurther study or career development.

Contact us now to arrange your visit.For the Senior School, Mrs Ruth Connor,the Headmaster's PA, will make yourarrangements - telephone 01473 408300.Mrs Liz Hallworth will organise visits tothe Preparatory School, including theNursery - telephone 01473 281302.

We look forward to meeting you soon.