The Hawthorns School, Hawthorne School
Programs and prices, tuition fees in The Hawthorns School, Hawthorne School
Nursery&Reception
- Age of students — from 6 months to 4 years,
- Duration of study — five years.
The kindergarten is open 50 weeks a year, offering the youngest pupils a diverse and comfortable environment for all-round development. Classes are held both in classrooms with various materials for crafts and in the open area of the campus: in the Forest School, on playgrounds and sports grounds. Caring teachers help children explore the world around them, learn self-care and teamwork, and develop the talents of babies through visual arts, music, sports training and a variety of thematic events.
The preparatory group provides students with an environment where they gradually prepare for the transition to primary school: in addition to music, sports, and art, the basics of English, mathematics, and natural sciences are added. While gaining basic knowledge, students develop self-confidence and readiness for a more rigorous academic atmosphere.
Lower School
- Age of students — from 4 to 7 years,
- Duration of study — five years.
Primary school students are taught on a separate territory with several playgrounds, which are often used for main classes. Their daily schedule includes literacy and mathematics lessons, which provide them with a solid foundation for developing reading, writing, spelling, and mathematical skills. Children study both in small groups and independently, acquiring important social skills and developing the ability to take responsibility, defend their opinions, and help others.
As students get older, lessons with subject teachers in French, swimming, some sports sections, and computer science begin to be added to their schedule.
The core curriculum is supplemented by a diverse range of extracurricular activities that encourage children to focus on their interests, abilities, and talents. Under the guidance of specialized professionals, they try their hand at various sports, visual and performing arts, and social work, regularly participating in thematic events: competitions, contests, performances, and excursions.
Middle&Upper School
- Age of students — from 7 to 13 years old,
- The term of study is six years.
The Hawthorns School's secondary school program, covering grades 3-8, is divided into two phases:
Middle — grades 3-6
The program of this stage includes a wide range of subjects and extracurricular activities that help create a strong academic knowledge base. Teachers help students to master the interdisciplinary connection between subjects, broaden their horizons and find academic strengths.
Upper — grades 7-8
At the final educational stage, the Hawthorns School offers a balanced, challenging curriculum that provides students with in-depth consideration of core subject areas, a range of additional electives, and opportunities for extracurricular development of talents and abilities.
The curriculum is updated with subjects as students grow up:
- Mathematics,
- English language,
- Natural sciences: chemistry, biology, physics,
- Computer science,
- French language,
- Spanish,
- Latin,
- Physical culture,
- Visual arts,
- Music,
- Drama,
- Design, technology.
In grades 7-8, students complete their own "mini-EPQ", a variant of the Extended Project Qualification exam that many high school students take. In addition to the homeroom teacher, high school students receive the support of a tutor and subject teachers who provide private lessons outside of the schedule.
Description of The Hawthorns School, Hawthorne School
- Location: Bletchingley, Surrey County, England,
- Year of foundation: 1926,
- Number of students: approximately 520,
- Language of instruction: English,
- Type of education: mixed.
The Hawthorns School is an independent day school for children aged from 6 months to 13 years. It is part of the Caterham Family of Schools system, together with leading secondary educational institutions located in Surrey county.
Founded almost 100 years ago as a boarding preparatory school for boys, the Hawthorns School has evolved over time: in 1992 it transitioned to mixed form of studying, and in 1994 it abandoned boarding on campus. In 2024, the school joined the strong institutions of Copthorne Prep and Caterham Prep, maintaining independent governance and actively collaborating with them to share knowledge and organize inter-school events.
Today, approximately 520 pupils study at the Hawthorns School in preschool, primary and secondary departments. Each student is provided with comprehensive academic and psychological support — qualified teachers focus on revealing talents and strengths, developing important learning and social skills for all students. Thanks to modern teaching methods, a balanced schedule and a variety of extracurricular opportunities, students achieve excellent results both during their studies and after graduation — the school annually celebrates the successful transition of its graduates to leading senior schools in Surrey and other counties of England.
Faculties and colleges
The academic system of Hawthorns School covers three stages of school education:
- Nursery&Reception — kindergarten, preparatory groups for children from 6 months to 4 years old,
- Lower School — primary school for students aged 4-7 years,
- Middle&Upper School — middle classes focused on teaching students aged 7-13 years.
Accommodation, meals, prices
The Hawthorns School does not have residential facilities and operates on a day basis.
There are three large dining halls on campus — one for each academic department. All cafeterias are serviced by the CH&CO catering service, which creates a balanced menu based on environmentally friendly purchases of local products, fresh vegetables and fruits. Food is prepared directly at the school, guaranteeing quality nutrition for the younger generation. In addition to full meals, early breakfasts and various snacks after school are available. Depending on the age of students, their menu is gradually supplemented with various recipes, including a salad bar, healthy sweets and snacks. If desired, they can choose vegetarian or vegan dishes, or request an alternative menu based on their needs.
Activities The Hawthorns School, Hawthorne School
A rich extracurricular program is open to all students starting from those entering preschool: under the guidance of specialized teachers, they can develop their talents in fine and performing arts, cooking, construction, computer technology, role-playing games, and sports. As students get older, the range of clubs expands — roller skating, judo, and chess sections are added to the already available ones, as well as classes in musical groups. Senior students can try their hand at a STEM club, debates, survival training, and other areas.
Regular workshops with invited specialists from various fields, thematic events and excursions around the region are organized on campus. Younger students visit animals at a neighboring site to develop important social skills and receive positive emotions. For older students, the calendar regularly includes events such as author meetings, samba workshops, science shows and inspiring speaker performances. A wide range of educational excursions includes visits to places such as Hever Castle, Drusillas Park, Hobbledown Heath Farm, Sea Life Centre, Fishbourne Roman Palace, Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium and Legoland park.
In addition to a rich extracurricular program for high school students, trips around the country and abroad are organized: fifth graders go on a three-day trip with accommodation at PGL Liddington, sixth graders — to Angers, and seventh and eighth graders — on sports tours to Jersey, Dubai, Exmoor, France.
Advantages
- Good ranking from ISI 2024,
- 100% of students continue their education in senior schools,
- 17% of graduates receive academic scholarships at their new place of study,
- Partnerships with leading schools in the county, providing students with ample opportunities for extracurricular development,
- Small class sizes of up to 20 students, allowing teachers to provide individual attention to each student. Also it contributes to more active communication with classmates.
Facilities and equipment at The Hawthorns School, Hawthorne School
The Hawthorns School is located on 35 acres in the quiet countryside of Bletchingley, near Oxted, Caterham, Reigate and other towns in Surrey county. The campus is a large green area with the historic Pundell Court building, which is often rented for ceremonial events and filming of movies and TV series. Nearby are well-maintained areas for sports training, games and outdoor recreation.
The school has separate buildings for teaching children of different ages. The infrastructure of the preschool department includes playgrounds, a Forest School, classrooms with many educational materials and tools. Elementary and middle departments offer students a number of study classes with interactive equipment, science laboratories, individual study and self-study rooms, and a library.
Sports center is a large complex, which includes:
- 20-meter swimming pool,
- Sports hall,
- Four badminton courts,
- Indoor/outdoor cricket zones,
- Dance studios,
- Tennis courts,
- Two all-weather outdoor team sports fields.
You can find three separate dining halls, a medical building, administrative offices, and departments of additional academic support on campus.
The Hawthorns School offers a transfer service for students living far from the campus: minibuses run between nearby towns in the mornings to help children get to the school buildings.
Admission dates and extra charges
The academic calendar consists of three trimesters:
- Autumn: September-December,
- Spring: January-April,
- Summer: April-July.
Classes are held on weekdays — the school day, including extended-stay club activities, runs from 7:15 AM to 6:00 PM. Students have time off on weekends, holidays, and during seasonal breaks.
Estimated list of additional expenses includes:
- Registration and administrative fees,
- Meals,
- Childcare before/after classes,
- Books, educational materials,
- Individual classes in subjects, extracurricular sections and clubs,
- Some extracurricular activities,
- School uniform,
- School transportation,
- Medical insurance,
- Personal expenses.
Enrolment process
Most students join the Hawthorns School at ages 2 and 4, however enrollment is possible in any age group. Prior to submitting an application, the applicant's family is invited to an Open Day to showcase the campus infrastructure, meet teachers and learn about the curriculum. After visiting or communicating online with staff, applicants submit their application and required documents, pay the registration fee. The admissions committee reviews applications in order, invites candidates for interviews and tests in core subjects (entrance exams depend on the child's age). Based on the results of this stage, admission committee makes a decision about enrollment, sending official invitations and detailed information about the start of classes.
Enrolment statistics
Admission of new students takes place when there are available places in the desired age group.
Perspectives
Graduates of the Hawthorns School achieve excellent results during their studies, allowing them to continue their academic journey in leading schools in Surrey and other regions:
- Ardingly School,
- Brighton College,
- Caterham School,
- Cranleigh School,
- Dunottar School,
- Epsom College,
- Hurstpierpoint College,
- Reigate Grammar School,
- Sevenoaks School,
- Blundell's School,
- Christ's Hospital,
- Croydon High School,
- Downsend School,
- Maidstone Grammar School,
- Moon Hall School.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
All applicants, regardless of age, must provide:
- Personal documents of the child and parent/guardian: foreign passport, medical insurance and health certificates, UK visa or residence permit,
- Academic transcript from the previous place of study / Extracts from specialists: speech therapist, psychologist, head of preschool group.
The older the future student is, the higher their level of English proficiency should be (checked at one of the stages of admission).
Scholarships The Hawthorns School, Hawthorne School
The Hawthorns School annually offers a number of scholarships in the following areas:
- Academic — it is awarded to students with outstanding academic results,
- Extracurricular development: sports, drama, dance, art, technology — awarded based on achievements in one of these areas, with the award being independent of academic performance.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about The Hawthorns School, Hawthorne School
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |