Why Vinehall?

At the forefront of all aspects of school life at Vinehall, whether it be in the science laboratory or on the stage, when debating ethical issues or on the sports field, are five dispositions that we encourage all children to develop and demonstrate. These dispositions are embedded across the curriculum, enabling our children to become creative and critical thinkers able to flourish and excel as modern global citizens in the twenty-first century world.

The children are introduced to the dispositions as ‘Pals’ in the Pre-Prep: Maisie Monkey, for example, encourages the children to be courageous, whilst Billy Bee helps the children understand the importance of working together.

We are a warm, caring, family school, and promoting positive mental and physical wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do.

Our size means that the teachers know all of the children well, and that every child is treated as an individual, supported and challenged as appropriate during their time at Vinehall. Our wonderful site means our pupils have a freedom rarely found these days, providing opportunities to explore and play outside, including climbing trees and building dens.

Our aim is for children to be able to stay children for as long as possible by providing them with the space to grow and mature in their own time.

Vinehall’s innovative programmes of study provide children with relevant and engaging learning experiences, enabling all children to fulfil their potential. Our aim is to foster a love of learning by encouraging children to ask questions and think for themselves.

At the forefront of our innovative approach are thematic programmes of study for children in Years 7 and 8. The themes reach across the curriculum, such that for the theme of Equality and Rights, for example, the children learn about Magna Carta, abolitionism and women’s suffrage (amongst much else) in Humanities lessons, whilst reading extracts from Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom in English lessons and finding out about parliament and democracy in Life Skills lessons. Our aim is for pupils’ understanding of contemporary issues to be informed by a coherent chronological narrative that will enable them to appreciate both their place in an ongoing story and the responsibilities they have when it comes to writing the next chapters.

Under the leadership of our Head of Sustainability, we are committed to promoting sustainable practices by empowering everyone in our community to make informed choices so that working together we can reduce our collective environmental impact.

Our Sustainability Committee, led by the children, promotes energy efficiency and recycling as well as encouraging everyone in the school community to minimise waste and reduce their carbon footprint.

Our children respect and enjoy the natural world. They are all involved in growing fruit and vegetables in the school garden, which is irrigated through rainwater harvesting. The school’s Horticulturalist also fosters the development of their understanding of biodiversity and conservation, helping to ensure the children appreciate and take delight in the richness of life around them.

Our children are fortunate to be part of a diverse, cosmopolitan community, and their learning experiences are enriched by the emphasis placed on a global outlook.

We aim to promote openness to and curiosity about different cultures by encouraging the children to consider multiple perspectives. Furthermore, we are committed to human rights, equality and freedom, and we want our children to feel empowered to identify and challenge stereotypes and prejudices in the representation of different groups.

We want our children to be models of global citizenship, not only aware of their place in the world but equipped with the knowledge, skills and the moral fortitude to have a positive impact on the lives of others.

Pro Aliis Optimum Agere has been the school motto since its inception over 80 years ago, inspiring generations of children to put others before themselves. Led by the Year 8 House Captains, we expect our children to engage with a variety of communities through voluntary service projects and activities.

We aim to promote responsible social action, informed by an understanding of the challenges faced by communities near to the school but also across the world. By engaging with different groups and working to support others, we hope the children will develop self-confidence and a sense of purpose that will remain with the children long after they have left Vinehall.