St Michaels' School - Enquiries and Prospectus

St Michael's Preparatory School is a Christian foundation providing education for children from the ages of three to thirteen. Incorporated into the school there is a Nursery Department for children who normally enter the September, January or April after their third birthday, and a Pre-Preparatory Department welcoming children in the September following their fourth birthday. The Headmaster is a member of the Independant Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS)

Its buildings, which are an attractive blend of the traditional and the purpose-built, enjoy open, rural surroundings and, together with its playing-fields and hard-court areas, give a feeling of space as well as convenient compactness. Since 2003 the school has gone through a major phase of development including a new Foundation Years Unit housing the Nursery and Reception Classes; new Girls' and Boys' Changing Rooms; English and Tutorial Classrooms and a multi-purpose hall. The latest addition to the Campus; Court House, has provided three additional senior classrooms and a Studio for Drama, Dance and Gym.
Curriculum: The school prepares children for Common Entrance and Public School Scholarships to mainland schools and entry to local establishments. Classes are small and there is a very low pupil-teacher ratio. All the normal subjects are taught and there are flourishing and well-equipped Art, Music, Science, Computer and Technology Departments as well as a custom built Sports Hall, Gymnasium and Indoor Swimming Pool.

Physical Education: The school has a well staffed and exciting PE department offering an unusually wide variety of sports, from rugby to fencing. Regular sporting tours are arranged both to and from the mainland and Guernsey, and there are weekly fixtures with local teams. There is an annual school skiing holiday.

Pastoral Care and Discipline: At St Michael's emphasis is placed very much upon the individual child and the curriculum is designed to allow each to achieve his or her full potential. Form Teachers are responsible for the day to day well-being as well as the academic oversight of their pupils. In addition, a Pastoral System exists for Forms 4, 5 and 6 where each child, as well as having their Form Teacher, is assigned a particular member of staff to be their Pastoral Tutor. This is to ensure each child has one person to whom they know they can go to discuss difficulties and problems as well as their successes and achievements, at any time, on a more personal, private and friendly level.

Assessments: There are twice-termly Assessments, recognising and recording academic achievement and effort. Each child is allocated to one of four Houses, which compete in many areas. As well as providing a wide range of academic subjects, the school seeks to introduce each child to a large variety of sports and activities, enabling him or her to discover, through experience, hidden talents and preferences with a view to future specialisation. Particular emphasis is placed upon good manners, care, consideration and courtesy.

Music: The enjoyment of music is taken seriously in the school, which offers individual tuition in a wide variety of instruments. The school choirs participate locally and nationally in events and competitions. The school also has an orchestra. Assemblies for worship are held every day, where the emphasis is on Christian values. Local clergy and other visitors are invited to participate.

Other Activities: Varied cultural visits and talks are arranged as the opportunity arises. In the Trinity Term the school runs an Activities' Week, which takes the Fifth and Sixth Forms to France. The Fourth Form to Herm, France and places of local interest. The Third Form takes part in island based activities and visits.

Reports: Reports are produced termly, either verbal or written. The Headmaster and his staff are available for consultation at other times by arrangement. Close liaison between parents and staff is encouraged. Children who require remedial support are taught by qualified staff, either individually or in small groups, and the school enjoys the services of educational psychologists and speech and language therapists.