The School
Friends’ is a co-educational boarding and day school founded in 1702 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). We are situated in a small market town, close to London (one hour) and Cambridge (30 minutes) and with excellent air, rail and road connections. Stansted Airport is only 20 minutes away. All London airports are within one and a half hours.

A sense of community
We are a small, family-orientated school with a strong and supportive community. Our pastoral care is excellent and all our pupils receive high levels of personal attention. Although the majority of our pupils and staff are not Quakers, we remain true to our Quaker heritage and it's values of tolerance and mutual respect. We seek ‘that of God’ in everyone in an environment where individuality is cherished, and pupils and staff show respect for the dignity of others.

Academic strengths
Academic achievement is set within a framework that encourages all-round development; a flexible structure ensures our pupils reach their full academic potential. We believe in a broad educational foundation and, in addition to promoting academic success, offer awide range of cultural, creative and physical activities. The School has an excellent record of achievement at GCSE with a wide choice  of subject options available; latest league tables show that 91% of Friends’ School pupils achieved five or more A* to C grades.

Boarding
Boarders thrive in the friendly family community at Friends’. There is an extensive programme of extracurricular and weekend activities for boarders and day pupils. Art, drama, music, cookery, computing and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme are all popular. Boarding at aQuaker school helps pupils develop confidence, self-reliance, tolerance  and respect for others as well as strong, often lifelong friendships.

Sixth form
We have a strong sixth form, with the majority of students continuing their education to degree level; most subjects are offered at AS- and A-level with the addition of business studies, history of art and film studies. Our sixth-formers choose from a broad range of subjects at AS-/A-level and build on their independent learning skills, in preparation for university. The sixth form study centre is a separate unit within the heart of the School. Team-building exercises, cultural visits, seminars and mock interviews are part of the extended curriculum and many sixth-formers board. The most recent results show pupils achieved an overall pass rate of 100% at GCE A-level, with 82% achieving A* to C grades. 



People actually tried to see the good in me and do what was best for me. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that.
A former pupil (BA from Kent University; MSc from Aberystwyth University)

Friends' School Variety Performance

Actors, musicians and vocalists took to the stage last week to present ‘Friends’ Variety Performance’, a show inspired by the poetry and dramatic works of Ted Hughes.

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Friends' School gets a visit from Baroness McIntosh

Friends’ School Saffron Walden hosted a talk from a member of the House of Lords on Friday 2nd March to encourage students to engage more with the political and parliamentary process.

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Friends' Short Story Competition

Katie in Year 8 entered the short story competition run by Bishop’s Stortford College Festival of Literature and attended the awards ceremony during the February half term break.

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Friends' School celebrates Chinese New Year

Our ESOL students enjoyed a meal at a local Chinese restaurant in Saffron Walden to celebrate Chinese New Year.

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Friends' School takes a trip to visit the Kitchens of Marcus Wareing

Students from our Food Technology department took a special trip to London on 17th January to visit the kitchens of Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley.

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Terence Frisby Visits Friends’

As part of the Saffron Walden Literature Festival, students at Friends’ School recently enjoyed a workshop with author and playwright, Terence Frisby.

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SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES

No child who would benefit from the education that Friends’ School provides should be discouraged from applying solely on the grounds of financial need.

Friends’ School is committed to broadening access to the School by offering means tested financial support as bursaries towards meeting the cost of school fees. Bursaries up to 100% of fees are available depending on parents’ financial circumstances. Parents seeking financial support should in the first instance contact the Bursar to request the necessary forms.

The completed forms, together with other documentary evidence requested, are to be submitted to the Bursar for consideration no later than the date of the Entrance Examination in any year for a pupil wishing to take up a place in the following September.

Quaker Bursaries In common with the six other Quaker schools in this country, we participate in the Joint Bursaries Scheme which is designed to help and encourage Quaker Families to send their children to a Quaker School. Parents contribute according to an assessment of their financial resources and the scheme is also supported by the Religious Society of Friends and the School. Friends are asked to contact the Bursar for further information.

Scholarships
The school is able to offer a number of Scholarships, at both 11+, 13+ and at Sixth Form level, to pupils based on academic merit. Scholarships are also available to those who demonstrate excellence in Music, Art, Drama or Sport.
Please contact the Admissions Secretary admissions@friends.org.uk for general information and an application form, and the School Accountant bursar@friends.org.uk on financial aspects of these schemes.

Friends' School Open Day, 22nd May

 

Working Open Morning

Wednes­day 22^nd May 2013 9.30 am to 12 noon

Prospect­ive parents are most welcome to visit our inde­pend­ent school on a normal work­ing day. There will be a chance to talk to staff and pupils and to be shown around the site.

If you would like to visit then please contact Alison Stan­bury, our Admis­sions Secret­ary on 01799 525351  or email: admissions@friends.org.uk

However, if you would like to look around the school at another time then just give Alison Stan­bury a ring and that can easily be arranged.

International Boarder Case Study

Christine Wong, Year 11, Friends’ School, Saffron Walden

Why did you choose to come and study in the UK?
I came to school in the UK because I wanted to study in an English speaking school and my parents thought it would be good for me and my future

Why did you choose to go to your school?
I liked the name! Friends’ sounds friendly and that’s what I needed. The Agents recommended it too, they said it was a nice school and they were right. My mum really liked it too.

How did you find settling in at the school?
I was a bit nervous when I first arrived. I remember the house-master said I was quiet but it only took a few days to feel settled. I feel really comfortable and at home now.

What’s boarding life like at Friends?
Girls House is comfortable with nice facilities. We have a kitchen, tv room and the boarding staff are so nice. They really do take care of me everyday. There is a wide variety of fresh food in the dining hall each day, we can choose between a hot meal, a jacket potato, soup of the day, and pasta. There is also a salad bar. It’s really nice to have international food too, I like the Chinese and Indian nights!

How have you found studying in English? Do you have extra English Language lessons?
We have a great ESOL department here, they really care about how we are getting on in class. They offer us help with English if we need it in all of our subjects. In GCSE English there is an ESOL teacher who can support you. I have three English language lessons a week, the number you have depends on how good your English is.
The ESOL department is a really fun department. We have lots of trips ourt with ESOL. I have been to the seaside, the theatre, London and shopping on Oxford street at Christmas. Also to Warwickshire to see the sights including castles and everything! We also celebrate special events such as Chinese New Year with meals out.


How do you keep in touch with you friends and family back home?
I keep in touch by email and by phone. Mum came to visit last half term, which was really nice. She thought the school was a good environment for me. It has nice big fields, Mum loved the big spaces as there is not a lot of open space in Hong Kong schools.

Do you have a guardian?
I have an English guardian who lives quite close to the school. I stay with her during half terms. I travel home for the longer breaks between terms. My guardian visits me in school twice a year.

Do you know which school you want to go to after finishing at your school?
I am going to stay at Friends’ for Sixth Form and then I also hope to go to University in the UK.

Would you recommend it to other children from outside the UK?
I like it so much here I have reccommended it to a friend from home who is at a school in London. She is going to be coming to Friends’ next year.

In what ways do you think you have changed since coming to boarding school in the UK?
I have gained a lot more confidence since coming to Friends’ School. I have made a lot of friends of different nationalities. In class I speak up so much more now and I feel a lot more confident.