WHAT? WHERE?

St Francis School is a nurturing co-ed day prep and nursery, burrowed in the beautiful Pewsey Vale – six miles south of Marlborough. Set in 17 acres of grounds that stretch down to the Kennet and Avon Canal, you’ll often find ruddy-faced kids out on the playing fields and rolling lawns. It’s got a wholesome Enid Blyton vibe where fresh air and a sense of adventure are the order of the day.

It’s a small school – just 209 pupils – so class sizes are tiny (approx 14) which means lots of individual attention and encouragement. Judging by Headmaster Mr Lee’s rock star status on a walkabout, most of the kids are eager to say hello (including his own sons). This is very much a family-focussed school on a mission is to develop considerate, compassionate and caring children.

St Francis School was founded by Phyllis Burden in 1941 with just four pupils known then as The Little Class. It has steadily grown from being a small pre prep in an old rectory to a buzzy prep for kids aged 0-13. It moved to its current site in 1984, with the nursery and prep school spread across five buildings.

Communication with parents, staff and children is excellent – they have a smart website and plenty of comprehensive printed materials including an annual magazine, ‘The Harvest’, which provides a brilliant overview of all the school does.

FACILITIES

The youngest St Francis recruits start off in the purpose built Little Saints Nursery which takes younger children from babies and helps St Francis extend childcare to 51 weeks a year. Pre-prep can be found in the old Edwardian school house – a warm, lived in space, but perhaps in need of a lick of paint. There’s been significant investment in the prep facilities as the school has grown, including a modern classroom block and a the recently-built Cannon Centre, home to a DT room, Drama Studio and state-of-the-art science labs.

SPORT

St Francis takes its sport seriously. It’s not in a facilities arms race, but offers the essentials: sports hall, two netball/tennis courts, a cross country course, two football pitches, two rugby pitches, an athletics field, cricket pitch and indoor nets. The school also uses nearby Marlborough College’s AstroTurf and pool. Small schools often lack the numbers to bring home a cabinet full of trophies, but that hasn’t stopped them bringing in the big guns. An ex-Southampton football player heads up the sports department, plus they have an Olympic medal winner and an ex-professional hockey player leading the competitive charge.

The idyllic location is a gift for parents who want their kids to spend plenty of time outdoors. There’s a large wooden playground called ‘The Fortress’ (it was used for a production of Lord of the Flies last year) and Nature Woods near the Pre-Prep school where Forest School takes place.

DRAMA AND MUSIC

Music is huge – especially singing. When you’ve got a Wiltshire county award-winning music teacher hitting the high notes, is it any wonder? An impressive 75% of pupils from Reception to Y8 are receiving musical tuition on at least one musical instrument. And there are plenty of opportunities to perform – three choirs, a jazz band, recorder groups and orchestra.

You don’t have to be a jazz hander to love drama and dance. It’s a great opportunity to for kids to let their hair down, work together and build confidence. There’s plenty of opportunities to perform in school productions and the theatre trips are a highlight.

ACADEMICS

The prep introduces the children to a creative, progressive curriculum. Basically, you take a theme – a book perhaps – and apply aspects of it across as many subjects as possible, helping to develop critical thinking from a very young age, gluing together subjects and learning. Lessons are highly interactive and challenging, whilst developing real world skills like collaboration, and problem-solving. Brilliant. I also have to applaud the creativity of the staff. Destination schools include Dauntsey’s, Warminster, Marlborough College, Millfield and St Gabriel’s in Newbury, to name a few and Mr Lee says that 35 scholarships have been awarded to St Francis pupils from senior schools, for both academia and sports.

THE HEAD

David Lee joined in January 2022 and has a wide range of teaching experience, from large international schools in Jakarta, Indonesia, to state schools in the UK to Deputy Head of Stonar School, the independent day and boarding school near Melksham, West Wilts. Something of a data-geek, he’s focussed on using statistics and evidence to inform his policies – he has a Masters in Educational Practice. He’s also a big believer in wellbeing, and encouraged feel-good sessions like meditation for all members of school from the nursery up, following post-COVID feedback. “Happy staff, happy school” he says – and he does seem genuinely caring and interested in how children can thrive given the right start. “I disagree with the idea of ‘state till eight’” he adds, and as he’s had experience in both sectors

He’s also passionate about Early Years Development and building children’s confidence outside of academic success through a programme he calls “Self-awareness, self-expression, self-esteem” – the school seeks to find out a child’s strengths and encourage them in those areas, also to help them master their emotions and express them to build confidence. He cites the confidence of a group of Y7 and Y8 pupils who approached him about having time off to watch the England World Cup matches last year and was impressed they felt empowered to put a good argument to him for it – and promised to catch up on work afterwards.

LITTLIES

St Francis takes care of children from 6 months – 4 years old in their on-site pre-school which includes access to the rolling acres of grounds, the Forest School in their woodland and even the chickens. To get them started early, they also receive weekly French, PE and music sessions. The advantage of starting these lessons at such an early stage is not just that they are prepared when they start Reception, but also that they can form relationships with teachers who will be teaching them throughout their time at St Francis and who will come to know their strengths and weaknesses. The Nursery building is spacious, with a nurturing atmosphere – they even run Baby Spa days, with Baby Foot Spas and massages.

QUIRKS

The higgledy-piggledy layout of the school and mix of old and new buildings gives the school an down-to-earth feel. Although up to Y5 children stay in their own buildings. Hit the grand old age of nine and pupils have individual subject teachers, moving class and sometimes building for each subject. Daunting? Nah. They love it and it helps them take responsibility, become more organised and prepares them for senior school. It might even help them keep their bedrooms tidy (dream on).

There’s also a wooden Eco-Home near the grass cricket ground to aid with learning around sustainability. It has solar power, a water recycling system and a Thermowood outer – a treatment that lasts for a minimum of 60 years. St Francis is currently revisiting its eco-school status and aiming for gold.

It takes advantage of its location opposite the Kennet and Avon Canal. St Francis has its own entry point to the river now offers canoeing club.

SEND

Finally there’s plenty of provision for SEND children and extra support for those struggling in certain areas, with dedicated breakout areas provided for learning support, two learning support teachers and two learning support assistants as the school believes that focussing help in early years will reap benefits for children as they grow up.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship assessments take place every Spring and are open to existing and new pupils entering Y7 or Y8 the following September. Pop January in your calendar, because applications need to be in by then. The awards are reviewed annually, so your talented kids will be kept on their toes.

ISI REPORT

Inspectors visited the school last year, and the report can be read here.

WRAP AROUND CARE

Frazzled parents rejoice. Drop off as early as 7.45am and pick up as late as 6pm. There are also a large amount of clubs and activities on offer at all times of the day but particularly after-school including Homework Club for children in Y3-Y8 from 4pm-5pm, but also fencing, sewing, cooking pottery, orienteering, Lego and doodling. During holidays there are also regular holiday camps between 9am-4pm exclusively for St Francis pupils and the nursery is open 52 weeks of the year.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Parents LOVE how nurturing and family focussed the school is. The kids don’t need to have sharp elbows to thrive here. The ones I spoke said there are sportier and more academic schools in the area, but they felt the softer approach – putting happiness, opportunity and inspirational teaching – front and centre, suited their kids.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: It’s a solid all-rounder, producing happy, well-adjusted kids. There are plenty of clubs and activities to help them develop their skills and interests – and entertain them after-school if you work. If you’re after a family feel, you’ll find it here.

Not for: Those who are looking for large school with a diverse cohort. This is a local school with a place in the surrounding. It’s also light on formal discipline, preferring a more understanding approach which may not be to your liking.

Dare to disagree? Be my guest – you can book a tour any day according to your schedule (how useful is that?!) just contact the Admissions team on: 01672 563228 or email admissions@stfpewsey.co.uk.

St Francis School, Marlborough Road, Pewsey, Wilts SN9 5NT

St Francis School, Pewsey

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