Children develop at different rates, possessdifferent skills, enjoy different interests andhold different expectations, yet each deservesa good education and a strong start in life.

At Lichfield Cathedral School we do all wecan, in partnership with parents, to give everychild the best opportunity to excel.

Class sizes are small and staffing ratios high.Teachers get to know the children well andlook after their individual needs; they helpchildren to feel valued, secure, confident andincreasingly independent.

Each subject in the curriculum is carefullystructured to enable strong progression fromage 3 to 13.

This prospectus aims to take you through thateducational journey and give you someinsight into the lives of the children day byday. No school can hope to answer fully theneeds of every single child, but if you likewhat you see, and believe that your childcould be happy and productive here, thenplease get in touch and arrange a visit. Ourchildren take great pride showing visitorstheir school, and I look forward to theopportunity of meeting you.

Peter AllwoodHeadmaster

A little bit of history…..Lichfield Cathedral School was founded in 1942 and althoughit was principally created as a boarding school for choristers,non-choristers have always been welcomed.

The School’s superb buildings, including the magnificent 17thcentury Palace that has housed a succession of Bishops, are setagainst the dramatic presence of Lichfield Cathedral. In thisunique environment generations of children have thrived anddeveloped.

Welcome

Early YearsPre-Prep: 3-7 yearsWithin the secure and happy environment ofthe Pre-Prep we aim to build a firmfoundation for the future through structuredlearning and creative play. At this formativetime, boys and girls are encouraged todevelop self-expression, independence and apositive attitude to their work and play.

Children enter the Nursery at 3 years andmove into the Reception Class in theSeptember following their fourth birthday.To ensure a high level of individual attentionand specialist care, class sizes are limited totwenty and, with full-time ClassroomAssistants supporting the Teachers, the staffto pupil ratio is 1:8.

At 5 years children move smoothly into Year 1where the full range of National Curriculumsubjects is taught. The main focus is onreading, writing and number skills, with KS1SATs being taken at the end of Year 2, but awide range of other enriching activities areprovided to encourage personal development,physical progress and skills in communicationand creativity.

The Pre-Prep is closely integrated with thePrep School: the children benefit from theease of progression and continuity this affordswhilst the staff are able to monitor individualdevelopment effectively.

The Next StagePrep: 7-13 yearsAt 7 years children enter the Prep School,settling happily into an environment that hasbeen carefully structured to meet their needs.Form teaching in earlier years develops into asubject based approach, with specialistteachers, from age 9.

In small classes, children study a broadcurriculum of English, Maths, Science; History,Geography, Religious Education; Art, Design,Music, Drama, Dance and P.E. French istaught from Year 3 and Latin or Classics fromYear 5; ICT skills are taught and integratedfrom the very start. The academic structure isclosely aligned to the National Curriculum andall children take the KS2 SATs at the end ofYear 6 and Common Entrance or Scholarshipexaminations during Year 8.

The best traditional teaching methods areinformed by tested and proven modernthinking; individual strengths are identifiedand every child is encouraged to build onthem. Our support system includes the SpecialEducational Needs Department to assist thosewith learning difficulties and those in need ofextra challenges. With great emphasis placedon recognition for effort and personalachievement, the learning experience atLichfield Cathedral School is an enjoyablejourney of discovery.

Academic, Music, Art, Drama and SportsScholarships are available variously at 7+, 9+ and11+. Bursaries are available to children of Clergy,Armed Forces and others with financial needs.

CreativityThe ArtsThe School has established a strong and well-deserved reputation in the performing arts.

A love of music is encouraged and all childrenhave the opportunity to receive individual tuitionin a variety of musical instruments, to play in theSchool orchestra, wind band or various ensembles,to sing in choirs and to perform in concertsthroughout the year.

Drama and dance help children to grow inconfidence, developing communication skillsand creative expression. There are opportunitiesto take part beyond the classroom, both withineach year group and in major School productionsin venues such as the Lichfield Garrick.Many enjoy backstage crafts, and regulartheatre visits are very popular.

The visual arts help every child, whatever theirability, to develop creative skills and an alternativemeans of self-expression. Boys and girls areencouraged to use a variety of materials and beconfident in their work, from painting to 3Dmodel making. Given such freedom, with carefulguidance, many exceed their own expectations.

Lichfield Cathedral Choir is internationallyrecognised as one of the finest in Britain and thechoristers are part of a living musical traditionthat can be traced back over many centuries.The twenty-two boy choristers board at theSchool and receive generous scholarships fromthe Dean and Chapter, benefiting many whomight not otherwise be able to enjoy anindependent education. Many proceed intosecondary education having gained Academic orMusic Scholarships.

Physical PursuitsSport and ActivityThe superb grounds of the School, set againstthe magnificent backdrop of the Cathedral,provide an inspirational setting for amultitude of sporting activities and allchildren participate in organised games andP.E. There are plenty of opportunities to getinvolved in team sport and we have a busyprogramme of competitive matches againstother schools.

The main sports are soccer, hockey and cricketfor boys and netball, hockey and rounders forgirls. All children participate in athleticsduring the summer term and enjoy manyother sporting activities. The School has aheated outdoor swimming pool within thePalace Gardens which is used for lessons aswell as recreational swimming.

Thanks to our highly active and supportiveFriends of the Cathedral School, the childrenbenefit from an imaginative and popularadventure playground.

Under careful supervision, the children growin confidence and physical ability whilethoroughly enjoying themselves!

Social & Pastoral CareLichfield Cathedral School holds Christianvalues at its heart, welcoming children of alldenominations and faiths. Great emphasis isplaced on pastoral guidance and in this caringand supportive environment, the childrenflourish. The staff, well aware of each child’sindividual needs, are quick to recogniseproblems as well as triumphs. In addition, thestrong partnership that exists between schooland parents provides stability and continuity.

With all meals produced on site, the dietaryneeds of growing children, and any specialrequirements, are easily and readily met.Daily life is full and after-school clubs thrive.Boys and girls, day pupils and boarders mixhappily and easily, forming friendships thatendure beyond the school gates, and in thisextended “family” the children enjoy anactive social life.

From their earliest years through to the daythey leave, children at the Cathedral Schoolare encouraged to explore and discover, towork and play in an environment of nurtureand care.

To experience the unique atmosphere of theCathedral School, please contact theHeadmaster’s secretary for details about OpenDays or individual visits. You will be madevery welcome.

A day in the life...

08:30 09:00 09:15

13:00 13:30 14:30 16:00

09:30 10:00 11:15 12:00

16:30 17:00 20:0019:00

Lichfield Cathedral School, The Palace, The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 7LH Telephone: 01543 306170 Fax: 01543 306170 E-mail: reception@lichfieldcathedralschool.com

Website: www.lichfieldcathedralschool.com

Registered Charity No: 1078650 Des

ign

ed a

nd

pro

du

ced

by

DSD

Ed

uca

tion

. P

hot

ogra

ph

y by

Ru

per

t W

atts