“Committed to providing the highest quality education and educational experience and outcomes for children and young women 11-19 years”.
“Cornfield School will provide a safe, nurturing, positive and exciting small school where each and every Looked After or vulnerable child will thrive, enjoy and achieve to the best of their ability”
Cornfield School :Introduction and background:
The main school is a large, extended bungalow in a quiet residential area of Redhill.
It was first opened as a small, girls only independent school in 2003.
The school is registered and approved to admit up to 25 11-19 girls with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties as their principle need. Some pupils have learning difficulties; many have attachment difficulties, and we consider girls on the autistic spectrum. We admit girls with or without statements of Special Educational Need.
Pupils are encouraged to develop academic and further education aspirations: this is demonstrated by a growing number of students who see staying on to a two year sixth form or at least until they are 17 as the norm.
They enjoy the feeling of knowing they are catching up from their interrupted schooling, getting better GCSE grades and taking alternative qualifications (NCFE) in PE, Hairdressing and a certificated Floristry college course.
The school has recently taught Science and Art to AS Level, and also has the expertise to offer AS and A level English and Maths.
The school also has a smaller satellite centre, Frenches, which offers individual and group tuition for booster numeracy and literacy; behaviour support; assessments; reintegration, social and life skills including practical cookery as well as delivering some sixth form classes in History of Art.
Although the original purpose of the school was to provide an educational experience for the Looked After children from the four Cornerways Children’s Services residential homes, the school is now a preferred provider for many London Boroughs and South East placing authorities, most notably Surrey. Day students, either living at home or with foster carers, now outnumber those from residential care.
There is no stigma or labelling: we as a school welcome diversity. All girls are individuals and experience has shown us that they generally mix well, make and sustain genuine friendships, and have very positive relationships with staff. All our longer term placements thrive, enjoy and achieve at Cornfield School.
There is a very stable and experienced staff team where the Headteacher of 6 years has established a tradition of developing leadership and leaders of the future.
This includes developing responsibility and leadership skills among students.
Cornfield was the first independent school in Surrey to achieve the Healthy Schools Award.
Surrey Schools inspection report May 2010 ” the Headteacher continues to work assiduously towards school improvement .. high quality of displays of pupil’s work ….the school has developed the “Nurture through Structure strategy so that all of the Every Child Matters’ outcomes are achieved for pupils ….a focused and enthusiastic staff team ….”
Ofsted May 2010 ” the school provides students with a good education which is well-supported by well-focused pastoral care and sound safeguarding arrangements… students’ motivation and behaviour improve significantly during their time in the school….the school meets ALL the regulatory requirements.
….progress overall is good and for some individuals is outstanding”.
