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Outstanding and colourful
An Abbotsholme education is an education for life. Established in 1889 and set in beautiful, rural surroundings, Abbotsholme is an independent co-educational boarding and day school for ages 4–18, with additional nursery provision. It is a school unlike any other: a wonderful place in which to learn and develop, where each child’s contribution is properly valued and encouraged throughout. Pupils are high achievers and leave Abbotsholme confident, resilient, independent and adaptable.
The ISI inspectors recently commented that Abbotsholme is ‘outstanding, emotionally healthy and spiritually colourful’. We know that all of our children are individuals and consequently they are cared for as such. Pupils follow a behavioural charter and a code of conduct as well as ensuring that every activity or action considers the feelings of others.
We provide a stimulating and balanced learning and educational environment in deliberately small classes of around 15 in the Senior School, where individual academic excellence and achievement are in evidence every day.

The Abbotsholme journey
The Abbotsholme journey begins in the Prep School in the heart of the School. With 170 acres of copses, fields, dingles and games pitches, and science, art and languages taught by specialist teachers from the Senior School, our youngest pupils enjoy unique access to all the facilities that the senior pupils use. It is a safe, friendly place for our youngest pupils, learning both in the classroom and outside.
Our Senior School develops pupils’ learning with a deliberately wide curriculum including all the usual academic subjects as well as life skills lessons, outdoor education, conservation and farming. At GCSE level, pupils are examined in the core subjects and most take nine, some take eleven, others fewer. It all depends on the individual.
At Sixth Form, there is a lot more freedom and independence for our eldest pupils. With their own Sixth Form centre to encourage independent learning in a wide range of subjects at A-level, as well as a log cabin village for our boarders, Abbotsholme creates the best preparation for life.

A world of opportunity
Everyone is good at something and at Abbotsholme we give pupils ample opportunity to find out what that is. We have outstanding facilities including an indoor climbing centre, British Horse Society (BHS)-approved equestrian centre, working farm, theatre, music centre, art studio and extensive playing fields. There are opportunities to do den building, camping and kayaking for the Prep School, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, overseas trips, electric car racing and help with lambing in the Senior School!
Abbotsholme really is a vibrant place to learn and develop. One of our pupils said of his time here: ‘Although I have left Abbotsholme, Abbotsholme will never leave me.’

Find out more
If Abbotsholme is the school you have been looking for, contact Jessica Ash in the Admissions Office for more information on +44 (0)1889 594265 or e-mail Jessica.ash@abbotsholme.co.uk. You can also find out more information by visiting our website www.abbotsholme.co.uk

'Balance is the essence of our educational philosophy, where academic, personal and social development are each given equal standing in preparing our young people for a world beyond Abbotsholme'

Abbotsholme goes Global!

Over the Easter holidays, Abbotsholme pupils were given the opportunity to take part in six school trips all over the world.

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Abbotsholme team qualifies for National Warhammer Competition

Abbotsholme Warhammer club went to the Games Workshop’s Nottingham head quarters for the regional schools league finals.

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Abbotsholme pupil creates winning story in National competition

Abbotsholme pupil Emily Bedwell has recently been awarded first runner up in a horror story competition with First News.

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Abbotsholme Sixth Former is a stone’s throw from Designer Dreams

George Stone, a Sixth Form pupil secured a week’s work experience in the Fabric Department at Liberty’s of London giving him an insight in to the energetic and highly pressure environment of one of the leading department stores.

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Abbotsholme British Karting Championship

Abbotsholme pupils entered the British Karting Championships for the fifth year running and came first and second in every race.

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Abbotsholme Pupils help bring lambs into the world

It’s that time of year again at Abbotsholme when pupils queue up to be on lambing duty as our sheep start lambing.

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Scholarships and Bursaries

Abbotsholme recognises achievement and talent in many different areas. We reward outstanding talent by offering a number of scholarships every year, available for entry to the school in Year 7 and Year 12 (Sixth Form).
Scholarships are offered for academic excellence and a maximum of 50% of the school fees will be given. Bursaries are also available, especially for members of the forces.

The Scholarship Exam date for entry to Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12 in September 2013 will be held on Saturday 17 November from 8.30am with registration at 8.15am. The morning should be finished by 1.00pm.

Scholarships

Scholarship exams for Year 7 and Year 9 entry are held in November of the preceding year of entry. Candidates must have been registered prior to sitting the scholarship exam. The candidate must also have had a taster day before the end of the Autumn Term that they sit the Scholarship Exam. Internal candidates may be considered for these awards too. We will require a report from the current school for both Year 7 and Year 9 external candidates, and we will ask for candidates to supply their current Headteacher's contact details to obtain this information to ensure they are able to progress to the Scholarship Exam day.
The Year 7 and Year 9 Scholarship Exam day will include a Maths and English paper which will be one hour each in length, a non-verbal test lasting 30 minutes, a free writing test, and an interview with members of the Abbotsholme teaching staff. We do not supply sample papers for these Scholarship Exams. Candidates will be expected to obtain a superior IQ (above 125) as well as scores of above 125 in Maths, English and non verbal.

Sixth Form scholarships are awarded based on actual GCSE grades, however candidates will be asked to sit the Scholarship Exam and be interviewed by the Head and Assistant Head of Sixth Form in November preceding the year of entry to assess their general ability level and suitability for being awarded a scholarship at this stage. Internal candidates may be considered for these awards too. We suggest that candidates entering for this Scholarship Exam should be taking nine GCSE's, and expecting to obtain all A grades at GCSE level with at least 5 A*s.

To apply, please ring the Admissions Co-ordinator Jessica Ash on 01889 594 265 and we will add your child’s name to the list and your child will be invited nearer the time to sit the Exams.
Successful scholarship candidates will be notified at the end of the Autumn Term in which they sit the Scholarship Exam. For Sixth Form scholarship candidates, this offer is on condition that the necessary GCSE grades are obtained by the candidate.

Scholarship awards are reviewed annually in light of effort, attitude and behaviour and it is a condition of all awards that the recipient and their parents are fully supportive of the School policies and procedures. Scholarship pupils will also be required to make a full contribution to all aspects of life at the School.

Bursaries

Abbotsholme gives out a number of means-tested bursaries to pupils each year. We also have Forces bursaries available too. Please contact the Admissions Co-ordinator Jessica Ash on 01889 594 265 for more information.

Abbotsholme is committed to operating a Bursary scheme to assist in widening access to the Education provided by the School to those who cannot afford the full tuition fees.

All Bursaries are means tested and Abbotsholme can provide support up to full fees depending upon parental income and financial circumstance. Parents / Guardians are obliged to provide confidential information concerning their financial situation. Your financial situation will then be assessed against various criteria set down by the School. Bursaries are awarded on an annual basis. Parents should note that a home visit may be required as part of the assessment.

We are currently inviting applications for Bursaries for the academic year 2013/2014.

Should you wish to make an application please download the letter and the form below, complete the form and return it (complete with supplementary evidence) to the School marked for the attention of Richard Mayfield by 31 January 2013.

Abbotsholme Open Day

Open Days for 2013

Friday 7 June, 5.00pm-7.00pm

Saturday 21 September, 9.30am-4.30pm