School Aims and Ethos
At St. Helen’s College, we inspire a lifelong love of learning, fully nurturing each child’s academic potential, creativity and self-awareness. Rooted in our core values of excellence, harmony, spirituality and growth, we foster virtue, resilience, independence and compassion. Together, we cultivate confident, responsible and caring individuals ready to lead and contribute meaningfully to society.
Excellence
At St. Helen’s College excellence is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to delivering an outstanding all round education and have an enviable track record of inspiring achievement and excellence in all of our pupils.
Harmony
Pupils’ wellbeing is of paramount importance to us all. Children learn best when they feel safe, secure and nurtured. A strong sense of harmony at St. Helen’s College embraces children, staff and parents. Our family ethos is nurtured by a culture in which staff and pupils enjoy friendly but respectful relationships.
Spirituality
At St. Helen’s College, children are encouraged to look beyond themselves, appreciate others and the world around them, and develop gratitude and a sense of wonder. Rooted in Christian values but welcoming all faiths, the school fosters reflection and unity through assemblies that include moments of quiet stillness.
Growth
Without exception, every child has huge potential and at St. Helen’s College we help our children to fulfil this through guidance, encouragement and challenge. As children become aware of their growing aptitudes and talents they develop the self-motivation and strength of character required for success.
Well-Being And Personal Development
The St. Helen’s College approach to education is genuinely holistic; as well as academic, creative and physical development, we place great value on personal development.
All areas of school life and all members of staff are influential in fostering the personal development of the pupils. The main classroom focus is in our weekly PSHE lessons, led by the form teachers. Our innovative programme supports every child to thrive.
Philosophy (P4C)
Children from Nursery to Year 6 experience Philosophy for Children (P4C). The children are given a stimulus and they devise a ‘deep’ question which is then discussed. Through hearing each other’s ideas, children get to know each other better and learn how to respect the opinions of others.
Mindfulness
The school follows the excellent courses developed by the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) to support emotional resilience. Mindfulness practices are embedded throughout the school and ensure the children are well equipped with tools to manage any challenges that they may face.
Peer Support
St. Helen’s College children learn the skills needed to counsel each other and resolve disputes before needing teacher intervention. Throughout the school, trained children play the part of ‘Playground Pals’, caring for each other in the playground and mediating disagreements.
Positive Psychology
The children follow a course in Year 5 which teaches them to watch their thoughts and choose not to think negatively. They learn to do kind acts and how to be still and that happiness often comes through helping others.
Onsite Counsellor
The school has a fully qualified children’s counsellor onsite to support pupils who require extra support to manage particular worries or anxieties during difficult times.
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Throughout the year we run Open Events and offer bespoke individual tours. Book your visit today.