St Hilda's School is Independent Primary school in Hertfordshire for kids aged 2 to 11 (Gender - Mixed )
St. Hilda's is an independent preparatory school for girls aged 4 - 11 years. It has at its centre a beautiful Victorian house, once the home of an artist who came to Bushey to study with the famous painter, Hubert Von Herkomer. The function of the building was transformed when Violet Curry brought her girls' school to its present site in 1928.The founder of the school, Violet Curry, named the school after St Hilda of Whitby, the Medieval Abbess of Whitby Abbey. St. Hilda believed everyone possessed talents which would blossom if given the right encouragement. Violet Curry also had a passion for advancing the education of girls, a philosophy we still celebrate and promote today.
Bluebird Nursery
In a bright and airy setting, with a dedicated outdoor play area, our youngest children are encouraged to play, explore and learn, under the watchful and inspiring care of specialist staff. There are two classes... Boys and girls can join us in 'Hummingbirds' from their second birthday, gaining in confidence and inquisitiveness. They then move on to 'Kookaburras', for the all-important pre-school year, led by qualified early years teachers, where children are prepared to move on into 'big school'.
Lower School
"From Reception to Form 2, the children's learning and confidence grows in leaps and bounds. We nurture every child as an individual to ensure they have the foundations of an excellent education to help them to move forward to their next steps seamlessly, without any gaps in their learning. We encourage all pupils to give of their best, be mindful of each other, encouraging the British values of mutual respect and tolerance.They help the girls to understand that we all have different strengths and that it is important to celebrate the success of others and well as our own. The girls are taught to approach tasks that they may feel slightly daunted by with courage and perseverance. They are taught to take risks, show resilience and how to be resourceful when faced with independent tasks.
Upper School
"In the Upper School (7-11years) the girls deepen their love for learning and are taught 'how' to think, within lively, engaging lessons, through a range of thinking skills strategies. Teachers promote independent learning to develop enquiring minds that are resilient and resourceful, and pupils take a pride - not only in their final achievements - but in the processes and experiences that take them there. We encourage the girls to take risks in their learning in order to build ‘grit’, and to reflect thoughtfully and constructively as they aim to become their very best selves.At St Hilda’s we believe that a happy child is a child who learns and the highest level of pastoral care underpins everything we do in order to ensure that the girls are nurtured, supported and understood as individuals. When it is time to move on to senior school, the girls are incredibly well prepared to take the next step in their educational journey, both emotionally and academically.
Extra-Curricular Activities
They offer a full programme of extra-curricular activities to enrich the already broad curriculum and to offer new, exciting opportunities for the children. The activities are seasonal and are rotated each term to ensure maximum choice. Most are run by our passionate and committed teachers, which means they are included in the fees; sometimes we invite specialist teachers into school, and these may incur a small additional charge.Clubs are run at lunchtimes and after school, and are entirely optional, but in reality the girls are keen and eager to be involved. An example of some of the clubs we offer are dance, tennis, gardening (see main photo), film, orchestra, choir, swimming, netball (winter), athletics (summer), Spanish and many more...
Forest School
Forest School is an inspirational philosophy, which, with regular lessons, offers pupils opportunities to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.The St Hilda's little patch of woodland, or 'Spinney' as it is affectionately known, is a well-loved, tree-filled corner of the grounds, bordered by a hedgerow that has been officially dated back a thousand years. Within exciting and stimulating lessons, children build dens, have fun, but most importantly build empathy with the natural world around them.
Performing Arts
The performing arts take centre stage at St Hilda's. Our specialist teachers in dance, music and drama inspire the girls' imagination and channel their creativity. Little girls love to dance, sing and perform, and even the shyest of St Hilda's girls is unafraid of standing up in front of her peers and speaking to an audience.At the end of the autumn term, the Lower School put on their annual Nativity. In the following term, it's Forms 3 & 4's turn to perform the end of term Spring Production. In the summer term, the senior girls in Forms 5 & 6 have the opportunity to use the Aldenham Theatre - a stunning, professional setting for the annual, big Summer Production.
Sports
Physical exercise is a vital complement to academic life. Girls learn teamwork, discipline and determination through a variety of seasonal sports including netball, pop lacrosse, rounders and athletics.From the age of three, the girls swim every week throughout the year in our heated, indoor swimming pool. Competitive fixtures and galas are arranged with IAPS and local schools, with a view to giving as many children as possible the chance of representing their school.
Please check the school website link for details.
0.52 miles
