Sidcot School

Sidcot, situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the rolling Mendip hills, North Somerset, consists of two schools, the Junior school (ages 3-11) and Senior school (ages 11-18) which includes a Sixth Form.

Sidcot traces its roots back to 1699, when it was founded by an independent group of Quakers to teach boys. It was formally re-established as a co-educational school by the local meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1808, to teach the children of members of the Society “in low circumstances” and is one of the oldest co-educational boarding schools in the UK. Although much has changed since then, the enduring school values and spirit remain as strong as ever, providing an inspirational vision for the future.

Our Junior school is sometimes the first encounter a child has of a school and we take our responsibility in making it an awe inspiring experience, very seriously. We aim to spark their imaginations, encourage curiosity and stimulate ideas to start building the skills they will require in their education. This crucial early stage is about building self confidence, developing creative thought and inspiring an enjoyment of discovery, these important characteristics nurture a love of learning for the future.

How we achieve these aims is through offering an exciting and happy learning environment supported by a curriculum that utilises our fantastic facilities and natural surroundings at every opportunity. Small classes enable our staff to get to know the children very well, adapt lessons and learning goals to meet individual needs and stretch the children’s abilities to cultivate talents. A stunning, environmentally friendly building that is full of light and space coupled with specially designed outdoor play areas and 150 acres of land and woods to explore, provides the perfect setting for an inspirational all round education.

Senior School. At Sidcot there is a deep-rooted aim to provide a creative and stretching education that inspires children to want to learn. To achieve this, our curriculum is shaped to meet government requirements, but without an exam obsessed and prescriptive syllabus. Our curriculum and teaching methods are designed to harness our children’s natural intellectual curiosity and encourage independent thinking and creativity. We want to educate rather than train to pass tests, to foster self motivation and enable our students to take responsibility for their learning. This will prepare them with the skills and knowledge they need for further education and a love for life long learning. Our broad and stimulating curriculum provides the qualifications our students need to enable them to access an international range of universities.

 “The pupils’ personal development is excellent. They show high levels of spiritual development in response to the school’s Quaker ethos, particularly self-esteem and a natural confidence.” Independent Schools Inspectorate (2011)