FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
THE SCHOOL
What is the typical working day like at Westville?
Westville House School opens its doors to receive children from 7.30am for breakfast club, and remains open until 6.00pm. The school day runs from 8.30am to 3.30pm for children in pre-prep and 8.30am to 4.00pm for children in prep. There are six curriculum focused lessons in an average day, with four lessons in the morning and two in the afternoon. Activity, music and sports clubs run at lunchtimes and from 3.30pm or 4.00pm in the afternoon for those wishing to take part.
Who is the Headteacher of Westville House School?
Mrs Frances Colman is the current Acting Headteacher.
What is Westville’s mission?
The school’s mission is to: deliver educational excellence that maximises the potential of every child; promote a family ethos and values; and nurture well-rounded and happy children prepared for life beyond Westville.
Is Westville a co-education school and what are the benefits?
Westville House School is a co-educational school.
Sending your child to a school with boys and girls will encourage their self-esteem, social skills and better prepare them for a diverse world where both genders play important roles. Children are taught to respect each other and embrace diversity.
ACADEMIC
What is the average class size?
Class sizes vary by year but currently range from 6 to 21.
What subjects are taught?
Westville offers a broad and exciting curriculum encompassing all National Curriculum subjects. The programme is significantly enriched to broaden a pupil’s understanding and foster a life-long interest in learning.
Does Westville offer specialist teaching in any areas?
Westville is proud of its academic record and offers specialist teaching in Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning (VR) and Non Verbal Reasoning (NVR). This is enhanced by Science, Art, Music, French, Drama and Games.
What school do Westville children go on to attend?
Westville House School has a long-established record of securing entry to the secondary schools of choice from local independent schools to selective Grammar schools and the State sector. In form 3 the school hosts an evening for parents to outline options available. The school will subsequently gear individual teaching to support exam preparation for the schools of choice.
EXTRA CURRICULAR
What sports does Westville offer?
Our main team games are rugby and netball in the autumn term, football and hockey in the spring term, cricket in the summer term. Swimming runs throughout the year. Everyone participates in games and there are numerous clubs available to provide additional training, from fitness circuits to netball and skiing.
Can my child pursue special interests at Westville?
Westville House School offers numerous clubs to cater for most interests. We will happily make reasonable adjustments to support the needs of an special sporting, academic or artistic talent, providing that there is no disruption to their education or to that of others.
Can my child play an instrument?
All of our pupils are encouraged to learn an instrument. Tuition is offered for most instruments and where necessary is provided by externally qualified instructors.
What trips does the School offer?
Classes from pre-prep and prep make frequent forays into the Yorkshire countryside and to cities like Leeds and York to enhance their classroom learning. Study visits, cultural trips and sports tours further afield occur regularly. For our children in the prep department the annual skiing trip is highly anticipated and much enjoyed.
Do Westville play an active role in the community?
Westville engages purposefully in the community through the Brown Community Award and numerous community hosted events and clubs. Our children learn to be altruistic and are encouraged to identify and tackle local challenges to improve the lives of others.
PASTORAL CARE
Who takes care of the Children and their pastoral needs at Westville?
Westville prides itself on its friendly and happy environment. This is created by our dedicated staff team, all of whom can provide a ‘listening ear’ for the children, however, the form teacher takes a lead in ensuring a child’s pastoral needs are met. Our safeguarding leads on the Board of Governors and staff works closely with external agencies to support our children. The Board’s Safeguarding Committee coordinates all aspects of the pastoral support structure.
How does Westville help new children to settle in?
Most new children are encouraged to attend taster days before they start the full school programme. Once a new child arrives, he/she is appointed a school mentor from within the class to help them integrate. Parents also play a pivotal role in helping their child to settle and are encouraged to visit.
Who can my child speak to if they have a problem?
The form teacher is the first point of contact but children can turn to any of our members of staff to confide in them. The Safeguarding Committee monitors individual concerns, as appropriate.
What happens if my child is ill?
The school has a sick room and First Aid trained staff. Parents or a guardian will be informed if a child falls ill or is injured during school time. If a child is ill, he/she will be sent home with a parent or guardian.
What is Westville’s policy on bullying?
Please see our Anti-Bullying Policy.
What is Westville’s policy on the use of IT and mobile phones?
All children are taught about the appropriate use of IT (including social media), understand their ICT rights and responsibilities. Pupils are not allowed to bring mobile phones to school, nor other handheld devices such as iPods, iPads, or electronic games. If a pupil has such a device with them, it will be locked safely at the Hub or in the Headteacher’s Office until the end of the day. In the unusual circumstances when a child needs to bring in such equipment, it should be declared to the Headteacher or SLT and will be safely stored in the office.
ADMISSIONS
What are Westville’s admission points?
No one year acts as a standard admission point. We welcome all new admissions be they in early years at Westville Woodlands or Westville House Pre Prep and Prep.
What is the difference between Westville House School and Westville Woodlands Nursery?
The main Westville building houses the Westville House School and provides an enriched education for children aged 5 to 11. Westville Woodlands Nursery is a, purpose built early years unit attached to the original Westville House School. Westville Woodlands provides separate, tailored facilities for children aged 2 to 4 years.
Is Westville right for my child?
We strongly believe in a Westville education but the choice of school is always a significant and personal decision. Only by visiting Westville or by arranging a taster day will you and your child get a feel for school, its family friendly atmosphere and strong academic offer.
Is Westville co-educational?
Westville was established as a co-educational school and strongly believes in the benefits of girls and boys working, socialising and growing together.
What provision does Westville make for disabled children?
An applicant with a disability who wishes to attend Westville should discuss with the School reasonable adjustments that would enable him/her to attend.
What is the School fee?
Click here to see the current school fees. Fees are reviewed each academic year.
Does Westville offer a bursary and can I apply?
Westville offers a limited bursary scheme. To book a visit and to speak with our Headteacher, please email enquiries@westvillehouseschool.com.
Can I visit the School?
We strongly recommend that applicants and their families visit the school. Visits can be arranged during school hours at a time to suit parents, please click here. For those wishing to gain an insight into the school, Westville also holds Open-Days.
How should we prepare to start at Westville?
Children preparing to join Westville are invited to taster days in advance of their full entry date. During these taster days the parents will receive all the relevant information, including that about uniform.
