Introduction

 Particular Characteristics of The Hall

 The Hall is an independent day school for boys aged 4 to 13, established in 1889 and based still in the Belsize Park, Hampstead area of North London.  The Headmaster is a member of the IAPS.  There are approximately 450 pupils overall, divided between the Junior School (Reception to Year 3) at 69 Belsize Park and the Middle (Years 4 and 5) and Senior (Years 6 to 8) Schools, which are opposite each other and about 250 yards from the Junior School in Crossfield Road.  Many of the boys show considerable abilities, in academic and other fields, and the average Cognitive Abilities Test score is over 120. The Hall has a Christian (Church of England) foundation, but welcomes boys of all denominations and faiths and encourages a sense of respect and understanding for people of all backgrounds.

 Admissions

 The Hall has a policy of selection for pupils, who normally enter either the two Reception classes (normally 32 per year) or into Year 1 (normally a further 22 pupils per year, to make three forms of 18 pupils maximum in each year group).  Parents are asked to register their son with the school before his first birthday, although in certain rare instances the Headmaster may use his discretion to accept late applications.  Please see the school’s Admissions Policy for more details.

 After The Hall

 Boys move on to a variety of senior (usually independent) schools, usually at the age of 13.  The majority of pupils move to London day schools, but approximately 25-30% in recent years have gone to boarding schools outside London (both single sex and co-educational).

Aims and Ethos     September 2010

 The Hall strives to produce a broad, high calibre education for all its pupils, of whom it has high expectations.  It aims to ensure a happy, secure and energetic community in which every individual (child and adult) can thrive, and to promote an exciting and stimulating academic environment which will foster a life-long love of learning for every pupil.  Boys at The Hall should never be bored!  The school prepares boys for their wider life ahead, in terms of their moral and spiritual education and their acquisition of individual passions both inside and outside the academic classroom.

In school and out of school, we want our pupils to develop confidence in themselves as well as a sense of corporate responsibility, so that every boy has the self-belief to do well for himself but also to contribute fully at school and in his life ahead to those around him and to wider society.  We encourage our pupils to show an awareness of others at the same time as self-discipline for themselves, and to show empathy and enjoyment of the diverse cultures and traditions that are represented at The Hall and in the surrounding community and city of which the school is part.

In our pastoral care, we aim to :

• create an environment in which every boy can be happy and achieve according to his abilities, and a safe, secure school in which he is valued and listened to
• ensure a well but unobtrusively disciplined school, in which every member will respect and celebrate the efforts and abilities of others
• provide a clear moral framework for all members of the school community, based on Christian principles but also on genuine respect for and understanding of people of all faiths and backgrounds
• create a sense of partnership between teachers and parents through clear information and discussion in order to promote the best interests of each individual child
• give every boy the ability to make informed and balanced decisions on important moral, social, cultural, political and environmental issues, and those related to their own and others’ health and well-being
• encourage each boy to discover his own aspirations, and to develop his own ambitions and his personal targets in a sustained, determined manner
• share information with other relevant agencies in the best interests of the child when there are concerns of a child welfare nature

In our classrooms, we aspire to :

• foster a vibrant learning community (for adults as well as pupils) in which every member is continually stimulated and challenged
• not be over-bound by exam requirements, but to encourage learning and knowledge for their own sake
• be open-minded and enthusiastic in our teaching, and encourage our pupils to question as they form and articulate their own ideas
• build on the boys’ intellectual curiosity and stimulate an enjoyment of learning, analysis and scholarship
• have high expectations of our pupils, and applaud their efforts and progress
• foster good working habits and an understanding of the importance of application
• encourage a sense of working together, for example through pair and group work

 In our extra-curricular activities, our objectives are to :

• provide a breadth of activity (in fields such as music, sport, drama, pottery, design, ICT and other after-school activities) and a breadth of choice, so that every boy can discover and develop their own intellectual, cultural and sporting passions
• offer opportunities for leadership and responsibility in numerous fields, especially for our older pupils
• build confidence and self-respect through trying new activities and exploring hidden and unknown talents
• encourage every boy to shine in as many areas as possible

 updated August 2010