Frequently Asked Questions

When can children join the school?

Entry points are Nursery, Reception and Year 3.

A few extra places become available in Year 5 and entry into other year groups is possible but depends on availability. Please contact us for further information - [email protected].

What happens in the assessment morning?

(Years 2 to 6)

The children are made to feel very welcome and spend some time being immersed in lessons (when on a school day) with children in their cohort. We keep the structure relaxed so we can get to know them at their best. They will be expected to participate in some team games, a discussion and complete some assessments in maths and English which includes reading, writing and comprehension.

How do I prepare my child for the assessment tests?

Children should have good basic numeracy and literacy skills. We do not recommend tutoring; children should have plenty of exposure to reading and real-life problem-solving involving numbers. We look for children who have a ‘can do’ approach and developed learning behaviours.

How soon will we hear results from the assessment morning?

Parents will receive a letter in the post within 10 days.  Sometimes, we may wish to share any observations with parents and may invite pupils back for another visit.

What is the process for children who wish to enter the Nursery, Reception or Year 1?

We invite your child in for a taster session with us and we observe them to ensure the school can meet their needs and that they can thrive here. We look for children with well-developed speech and language, as well as well-formed social and emotional skills. We look for developmental age-related milestones for children of this age group.

Will the school speak to my child’s current school?

We are required to contact the school, albeit with parents’ permission, to obtain a school reference; this may include pastoral information and standardised data (if available and relevant). We may also ask your child to share their maths and English learning from their current school. With your permission, we will contact the school for a reference and we are compelled to request safeguarding information about your child(ren).

We sometimes support children by visiting their current school or nursery which can help us observe a child in a familiar setting.

How is the transition into Year 3 managed when my child comes from another school?

The transition is smooth thanks to our experienced Year 3 teachers who know this age group very well. A team-building day is arranged during the first week of term to help establish friendships and embed a cohesive ethos to the year group. Many of our new children come from a variety of schools, independent and maintained, yet all children, new and existing, settle quickly into life in Year 3.

Some children may take a little longer to settle and we support them with their friendships through PSHE and circle time.  We work with parents to support and guide, making suggestions such as play dates and sleepovers, where appropriate. Early communication with Class Teachers is recommended.

The Parents Association Class Representatives arrange pre-term get-togethers and new families are encouraged to attend these as another way to connect.

How many classes are there?

There are two parallel classes from Reception to Year 4, and three parallel classes in Year 5 and Year 6.  Classes are reorganised at appropriate times during their time here and this supports the pupils’ personal development.

Are the children taught in sets?

Adult to pupil ratios are high here and in the younger year groups, there are shared full-time Teaching Assistants, many of whom are qualified teachers.  Specialist TAs are also used to support pupil progress throughout the school.

We are a research-led school and the research supports mixed ability teaching at this age group.  Children are not taught in sets but stretch and extension opportunities, as well as support and reinforcement, are available in all lessons.

How do you provide stretch and extension?

This is provided in every lesson and is available to all pupils. We believe that intelligence is not fixed and thus there is no glass ceiling to achievement. Children are set ‘next steps’, where appropriate. There are opportunities for pupils to access stretch opportunities in both enrichment and extra-curricular activities. Challenge tasks are always available and pupils are encouraged to aim high to reach their potential. 

Pupils attain above the national average and so they work at a high level in all areas of the curriculum. The breadth of the curriculum also provides natural stretch for our pupils. 

What foreign languages do the children learn?

Spanish from Nursery to Year 2; French from Year 3 to Year 6.  We also offer extra-curricular Spanish Club for Junior Pupils (Years 3 to Year 6) and a French Club for Infants (Year 1 to Year 2).

How much homework do the children have?

In Reception, children take home reading books, learn non-phonetic ‘red’ words and work on phonic activities. In Years 1 and 2, the tasks will include reading, spellings, maths activities, and key words. Years 3 to 6 are given 20 to 40 minutes of homework plus reading and times tables on 3 or 4 nights per week.

The children in Years 3 to 6 are issued with a homework diary which parents are asked to check and sign every week. There is almost always no weekend homework, and we do not set holiday homework. It is an expectation that pupils continue to read when there is no homework set.

Early Birds runs from 7.30-8.20am (at extra cost); breakfast is available.

After-school Study/Late Club runs at no cost from 3.40-4.30pm alongside after-school clubs. From 4.30-5.30pm, Tea Club is available at an extra cost. Early Birds and Tea Club are available for all children (Nursery to Year 6).

Pastoral care has a high priority at the school, and staff are committed to promoting the welfare and happiness of each pupil. Ensuring children are happy at school underpins everything we do. 

Class teachers take primary responsibility for the general well-being of children in their class and are the first point of contact for any concerns. Heads of EYFS, Pre-Prep and Prep track and monitor well-being as well as academic progress.

The Deputy Head is our pastoral leader and supports both pupils and parents in any pastoral ‘bumps’.

The Junior School has the services of a qualified counsellor, ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) and a play therapist; occasionally children are referred to them following discussions between teachers and parents.

We work with Raising Resilience who teach termly resilience lessons, and this is introduced from Year 1.  The Raising Resilience team comprises of two clinical psychologists and specialise in child mental health.  They run parent workshops and offer opportunities for parental consultations at no extra charge. 

Our aim is to ensure the children make a smooth transition and are happy at the Senior School. The vast majority of children move successfully to the Senior School, whilst a small number may choose to transfer elsewhere for different reasons, such as a different academic environment which may suit a child better, moving to a different area, or other family circumstances.

Helping children step up into Senior School readiness is key and we help guide and support pupils and parents through the process. We communicate with parents where there are concerns regarding their progress and readiness for the Senior School. Conversations of this nature occur in either Year 4 or Year 5.

What Sports do the children participate in?

All children in Years 1 to 6 can take part in the five main sports played by the school - football, netball, hockey, rugby and cricket.

• In Years 1-3, children will play all five team games.
• Children follow a sporting pathway in Year 4-6 of either netball, hockey, football and cricket, or football, rugby, hockey and cricket.
• Fixtures are offered for all the main sports from Year 2 onwards. Fixtures start as mixed-sex in Year 2, moving to a combination of single-sex and mixed-sex fixtures further up the school.

PE lessons in the Infants (Reception - Year 2) focus on gym, dance, fundamental movement skills, tennis and athletics.

Juniors (Years 3 - 6) take part in outdoor adventurous activities (OAA), handball, volleyball, dance, gym, spikeball, basketball, tennis and athletics.

Infants receive 10 weeks of swimming lessons over the year with the Juniors receiving 8 weeks of swimming lessons over the year.

What if my child needs Learning Support?

We know that children do not necessarily progress in a simple linear fashion and some children may require some short-term intervention with their learning; this support is available from the Learning Enrichment Department. If we are concerned about a child’s progress, we discuss this with parents and involve the Head of Learning Enrichment. 

Following discussions with class teachers, further observations and assessments may be carried out. Some children may require some group intervention e.g. school phonics tutoring, maths booster or pre-teaching, fine motor or handwriting support. Sometimes, we may recommend further assessments with an Educational Psychologist or Speech and Language Therapist. A Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist visit on a weekly basis and some children receive these interventions in agreement with parents and as a private arrangement.

Many of our families live locally and travel to school by car.  However, we understand logistics can be challenging, and to help families navigate the journey to and from school, we run a ‘Home-to-School' bus service across Surrey and Hampshire for Year 1 pupils and above.

There is also a Senior School/Junior School Link Bus for pupils in Reception to Year 6 which runs between each school with a chaperone. Please note some routes collect Senior School pupils who travel with Junior School pupils.

Bus Routes Information

What extra-curricular activities are available?

There is a wide variety of choice, most of which happens after school between 3.50-4.30pm, whilst some take place either before school or during lunchtime. From paid clubs (e.g. dance, yoga, fencing, chess) to clubs run by CCJS staff (e.g. art, music, drama, sport, Lego and much more) there are plenty of opportunities to try new things.  LAMDA is also available at extra cost, from Year 3.

Musical instrument lessons

All children have music lessons as part of their curriculum and there are plenty of extra-curricular musical ensembles on offer too, e.g Big Sing, keyboard club, brass ensemble etc, they can be involved in. 
There is also a wide variety of individual instrumental lessons available. From singing to trombone, there is something for everyone. Instrumental lessons, at an additional cost, usually take place within the school day on a carousel system. 

Performing Opportunities

There are also many opportunities to perform on the stage with regular drama productions and class-led assemblies taking place.

How do parents get involved in school life?

Parents are invited to attend assemblies, special themed events and certain trips. Parents are always welcome to support the children at fixtures. 

There is a thriving Parents Association (PA) with a very proactive PA Committee which consists of a Chair, a Secretary, Treasurer, Key Events Coordinator, 250 Club administrator and parent representatives. Meetings are held once or twice a term. 

The Class Representatives promote a sense of community within the school by organising social events such as Quiz Nights and the Christmas Fayre, and arrange social events for the children, e.g. pre-term pupil gatherings, school discos and a film night. 

The PA also fundraise for the extras and take the ‘wait out of wanting’ to provide noticeable benefits for the children through fundraising. Typical acquisitions funded by the PA over the years have included play apparatus, a kiln, a greenhouse, cricket equipment and choral risers.

There is no deadline date or cut off point but we recommend by the summer between Year 5 & Year 6 for 11+, between Year 7 & 8 for 13+ and by October half term of Year 11 for 16+.

Apply

• The 11+ and 13+ entrance assessments are held on penultimate Saturday in January of the year of entry.

• There is no entry examination for Sixth Form.

• For 11+ we test English, maths (internally set tests) and verbal reasoning skills (GL assessment). All are handwritten.

• For 13+ we test English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills (online tests).

• For 16+ entry is based on GCSE conditional grades.  33 points from top 6 GCSEs with at least a 7 in each A Level subject chosen.

• Yes, at 11+ and 13+ all children have a 15-minute 1:1 chat with Headmaster in the autumn term prior to the entrance assessment.

• 16+ applicants have a 20-min interview with Headmaster and Head of Sixth Form in the autumn term from October.

• At 11+ approximately 260 children apply for 135 places. Approximately 40 pupils come from Churcher’s Junior School.

• At 13+ approximately 25 students apply for between, typically, 8-12 places.

• At 16+ there are no set limits on places, assuming A Level subjects and set sizes work. Each year, approximately 35-40 new students join Sixth Form each year.

• Letters are posted on final Friday in January and an email is sent to confirm outcome.

• Sixth Form offers are made within the week following the interview.

• Start time 8.30am.  Finish time 4pm.

• Clubs are either before school, over lunch or after school.

• The Library is open to all and supervised until 5.30pm each day.

• Pupils from 1^st to 5^th Year must lock their mobile phones in pouches at 8.30am each morning. Pouches can be unlocked at the end of the school day.

• Smart phones are not required and not necessarily recommended for younger children.

• Pupils in 1^st to 5^th Year are not required to bring tech devices to school.  Instead, the school has resources for computing lessons and ‘floating’ devices for use in classrooms as needed.  The Library has PCs for use during the lunch break and after school.

• Pupils receive exercise books for all subjects, with work including handwriting, printouts, and computer tasks.

• Pupils will need to access Firefly at home using a laptop/PC/iPad.

• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is in place for the Sixth Form.

• All pupils take Spanish and French for the first two years. Up to two modern languages can be taken at GCSE.

• All pupils also start with Latin for two years before choosing 3^rd Year options.

• 1^st and 2^nd Year pupils study 16 subjects and there is a different, specialist teacher for each.   

• This changes from the 3rd Year when subject options become available.

• All pupils move around the school to different classrooms and buildings for lessons.

GCSE & A Level Subjects

• Throughout the school, the gender ratio is approximately 45% girls to 55% boys.

• In the Sixth Form, the gender balance is approximately 50:50.

• Based on historical data and trends, we expect this to remain largely unchanged.

• 1^st Year: Mathematics is taught in two broad ability bands after Christmas; all other subjects are taught in mixed-ability groups.

• 2^nd Year: Mathematics is taught in ability sets; all other subjects remain mixed-ability.

• 3^rd Year: All subjects are taught in mixed-ability groups, except for mathematics, sciences, and modern foreign languages (MFL), which are taught in ability sets.

Subject Information

• Form Groups: Each pupil is assigned to a form group, which is linked to a specific House. The form tutor and Head of House are responsible for the pastoral care of the pupils within their assigned form group.

• Registration: Pupils register with their form group first thing in the morning, starting at 8:30 am.

• Teaching Groups: Classes or teaching groups are mixed across Houses. Pupils attend subject lessons as part of these mixed groups.

• Homework will not be set for submission the next day.

• 1^st Year:  15 minutes per subject until October half-term; thereafter, 20 minutes per subject.

• 2^nd Year: 20 minutes per subject if set weekly; otherwise, 40 minutes fortnightly.

• 3^rd Year: 30 minutes per piece of homework.

• Sixth Form: Up to four hours per subject per week.

• Department Leadership: The department is led by Mrs Ruth Saunders.

• Access Arrangements: Extra time may be given in exams (including entrance assessments) following a review of a valid report or assessment, along with supporting evidence from the current school to confirm the pupil’s normal way of working.

• Common Arrangements: The most common arrangements include 25% extra time, supervised rest breaks, and the use of word processing.

• Individual Support:  Individual 30-minute lessons are offered once a week to support pupils with an assessed need.

We have a comprehensive '10 Steps to Churcher's' Induction Programme, beginning with House announcements in May, followed by an Induction Day in June, an inset day in September, and concluding with a two-day activity centre visit with your new Housemates in September. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and get to know each other.

• Academic Scholarships: Offered at 5% or 10% fee remission, provided with the offer letter. No separate application is necessary; eligibility is determined based on the results of the entrance assessment.

• Music Scholarships: Available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry points, offering 5% or 10% fee remission. Candidates are selected through an audition process.

• Music Exhibition Awards: Cover the cost of individual music lessons on one instrument, supporting pupils' musical development.

• We offer a means-tested Bursary Award Scheme, assessing eligibility based on family income and assets.

• Applications can be submitted after receiving an offer of a place.

• Swimming is a core component of our PE curriculum. Each year group (1st to 4th Year) undertakes two blocks of five weeks of swimming/aquatics during the academic year. This includes core swimming, water polo, lifesaving skills, synchronised swimming, and aqua aerobics. In the 5th Year and Sixth Form, swimming becomes an optional activity during Games lessons.

• We also offer extra-curricular swimming sessions before and after school, divided into Development Squad and Competitive Squad. Our swim squads compete in regular inter-school galas, as well as local and national school competitions.

• Water polo is a growing sport within the school, with opportunities available across all year groups.

• All pupils participate in compulsory Physical Education (PE) and Games lessons, which are timetabled alongside academic subjects to ensure a balanced curriculum.

• The PE curriculum is designed to help pupils discover their 'sporting niche' and develop a positive relationship with exercise. It aims to improve general fitness and physical literacy, enabling pupils to feel physically and mentally confident to enjoy physical activity, whatever their level of participation.

• There is also a plethora of extra-curricular sporting opportunities, it is very much the norm for pupils to expand their sporting participation through involvement in these activities, which creates a very positive and strong sporting ethos and performance level within the school.

Sport at Churcher's

Major Sport Programme by term

• Autumn Term: Rugby and Hockey

• Spring Term: Hockey and Netball

• Summer Term: Cricket and Tennis

• Swimming is available throughout the year.

We offer a wide range of extra-curricular sporting activities, including:

• Water Polo

• Fencing

• Basketball

• Dance

• Climbing

• ...and many more.

• Each year group has two 40-minute double lessons weekly—one for Physical Education (PE) and one for Games.

• Training sessions for team sports and extra-curricular clubs are after school.

• Competitive fixtures are held on Saturdays.

• Saturday has a fantastic atmosphere where all our sporting teams have the chance to compete against other schools.   We play a range of schools from the surrounding areas, including Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and even up as far as London, as well as participating in our own ‘Churcher’s Development League’.

• Our fixture list is carefully curated to ensure variety, allowing us to play different schools each week.  This approach guarantees challenging but enjoyable matches for all participants.

• The aim of our Saturday sport is to provide positive competitive experiences for all pupils.  We take great pride in our high participation rates across all year groups. In the 1st Year, we achieve nearly 100% participation, making it a really fun day of sport with friends.  We field a large number of teams, sometimes as many as A to E in certain sports, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate.

• Our traditions include match teas featuring the famous sausages, chips and beans, and also the chance for parents to cheer on their children. Matches are scheduled in the morning or afternoon and are a mix of home and away fixtures, providing students with the valuable experience of visiting other schools.

• For pupils at the Senior School, we offer eight established bus routes. These routes are designed to facilitate convenient travel to and from school. Detailed information about each route, including schedules and stops, can be found on our Travel & Bus Routes page.

• To register your interest in these bus services, please do so by April. Confirmation of places will be provided towards the end of the summer term. For comprehensive details, refer to the Parent Guide.

• Many pupils travel by train into Petersfield train station, which is well-served with direct trains from Guildford, Havant and Portsmouth.

• The station is approximately a 10-minute walk from Churcher’s College.

• The route is well-lit, there are safe crossings, and pupils tend to walk together in groups.

• Yes, we operate a dedicated shuttle bus between the Senior School in Petersfield and the Junior School in Liphook.

• The bus departs just after 8am, transporting the Junior School children to the Liphook site. 

• In the afternoon, the bus leaves the Junior School just after 4.30pm returning children to the Senior School by approximately 5pm. 

• A staff member supervises the journey.

Travel & Bus Routes

• Outdoor Survival Challenge and Adventure (OSCA): Available to pupils in the 2nd Year, OSCA offers a range of outdoor activities designed to develop survival skills, teamwork and resilience.

• Combined Cadet Force (CCF – Army, Navy, RAF): Open to pupils from the 3rd Year, the CCF provides opportunities for adventurous training, leadership development, and community service. Activities include climbing, kayaking, caving, and expeditions, all supervised by qualified instructors.

• First Challenge: A chance to undertake an expedition abroad that is supervised by staff.  It introduces them to outdoor adventure and fosters a spirit of exploration.

• World Challenge: This programme offers older students the chance to undertake an expedition abroad, developing skills in volunteering, exploration and cultural awareness.

• Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race: A prestigious 125-mile canoe marathon from Devizes to Westminster, this event challenges participants' endurance and teamwork.

• Ten Tors: An annual 35, 45, or 55-mile hike across Dartmoor for teams, this event tests navigation, endurance and survival skills.

• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE – Bronze, Silver and Gold): A nationally recognised programme that encourages personal development through volunteering, physical activity, skills development and expeditions.

Adventure at Churcher's

• In addition to Music being a GCSE and A Level option, there are many other enjoyable opportunities available at school.

• Each week, approximately 30 musical ensembles rehearse across various genres, including choirs, large instrumental groups, and small chamber ensembles. These groups encompass a diverse range of musical styles, from classical and jazz to singer-songwriter sessions and rock, with the Rock School taking place on Saturdays. Additionally, there is a recording studio available for pupils interested in music technology.

• Throughout the academic year, numerous concerts and performances provide pupils with opportunities to showcase their talents, both as soloists and within ensembles. Music tours take place abroad - most recently the orchestra toured Lake Geneva.

• Other performing arts events with a musical twist include large-scale musical productions and smaller plays, both at school and in professional theatres.

• In addition to Drama being offered as a GCSE and A Level option, there are numerous other enjoyable opportunities available at school.

• Lower School Productions: Every other year, pupils in the 1st to 3rd Year participate in a major musical production, allowing them to showcase their talents and collaborate on a large-scale performance.

• Upper School Productions: In alternating years, pupils in the 4th Year to Sixth Form take part in a major musical, providing them with the opportunity to engage in more complex productions and develop their theatrical skills further.

• Smaller plays are produced each year, and auditions are open to all pupils, encouraging participation and fostering a love for the dramatic arts.

• Each year 1^st Years perform a pantomime in groups, developed in lessons and performed to fellow students.

• The Senior Musical Theatre Club meets weekly, offering a space for enthusiasts to explore musical theatre repertoire and develop their performance skills.

• Yes, pupils can take up instrumental lessons through the school.

• We have 28 peripatetic music teachers, and over 50% of pupils choose to learn an instrument.

• Lessons are scheduled during the school day on a rotating timetable for pupils in 1^st to 5^th Years.

• Those learning two or more instruments will have one lesson on the rotation, with additional lessons for second or third instruments fixed at a set time—either before school, at lunchtime, or after school.

• Sixth Form pupils have their lessons during private study periods.

• Yes, we offer LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) tuition at Churcher's College. Our thriving LAMDA programme provides students with the opportunity to develop their acting, public speaking and performance skills.

• Pupils can take private lessons in various disciplines, including verse and prose, acting, devising drama, performing Shakespeare, musical theatre, and public speaking.

• These 30-minute weekly lessons are available individually, in pairs, or in groups, and culminate in an examination during the Summer Term.

• Please note that additional fees apply for these lessons.

• Our students have consistently excelled in external festivals, such as the Godalming Festival, where they have achieved numerous first-place awards and trophies across various categories.