Sidcot School A GSG School
- Sidcot School
Oakridge Lane
Winscombe
North Somerset
BS25 1PD - Head: James Jones
- T 01934 843102
- F 01934 844181
- E admissions@sidcot.org.uk
- W www.sidcot.org.uk/
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 3 to 18.
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: North Somerset
- Pupils: 619; sixth formers: 123
- Religion: Quaker
- Fees: Day £10,005 - £23,298; Boarding £36,495 - £43,803 pa (last updated on 16/01/2025)
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
What The Good Schools Guide says..
The Quaker values at the heart of the school’s moral compass are powerful and a major draw for parents seeking an education based on empathy and integrity as much as academic excellence. The pastoral care, gentle approach to learning and determination to ensure inclusivity make this a kind and accepting community where opportunities are broad and curious exploration of each wholeheartedly encouraged. This is a school where learning is fun not forced, persuasive not pressured – ‘absolutely not a hothouse,’ glowed parents. A sense of calm pervades, sheep quietly grazing in the central paddock, rows of bulbs in the cottage garden and…
What the school says...
Sidcot is an independent day and boarding school which encourages children to make a difference in the world through teaching them to live their lives adventurously, to question and to take action. We celebrate individuality and challenge our students to think with greater depth to reach a better understanding of themselves in relation to the world we live in.
Sidcot is one of only a few schools in the South West where students can study either A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Sidcot is an inspirational environment with fantastic facilities spread over 160 acres of rolling Mendip Hills. There are activities everyday that utilise our stunning Arts Centre, Equestrian and Leisure Centres to ensure students can stretch their creative, sporty or adventurous side.
We set out 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 foster students natural intellectual curiosity and creativity. We want to educate our students, rather than simply train them to pass tests. Throughout their time at Sidcot School we help students to develop the self-motivation that will enable them to take responsibility for their own learning. In this way, we equip them with the skills and attitudes they will need for further education and lifelong learning. ...Read more
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Curricula
International Baccalaureate: diploma - the diploma is the familiar A-level equivalent.
Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
Fencing
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since January 2024, James Jones, previously deputy head at Wycombe Abbey. After reading history at the University of Sheffield he became an assistant housemaster at Brighton College before moving to Bromsgrove School as a teacher and senior boarding housemaster.
Junior head since 2021, Catherine Dykes, previously head of EYFS and assistant head pastoral at the school. Well liked by parents, ‘very on top of everything, approachable and professional’ and pupils adore her: ‘absolutely brilliant!’ repeated time and time again.
Entrance
Gentle testing of numeracy and literacy accompanies a two-day taster session for the junior school. Non-selective with children joining at every stage. A ‘surge’ in new starters usually in year 5 seeking to avoid exam pressures in other settings.
Senior school also non-selective; informal assessments in maths and...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
We are a mainstream school with a Learning Support Department (dyslexia). One to one tuition is available for literacy and maths, additionally we can offer support for maths in a classroom setting with an LSA. We can also offer provision for mild Asperger's, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, speech and language difficulties. 09-09
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder |
|
| HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment |
Y |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty |
|
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing |
|
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes |
|
| PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
|
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty |
|
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma |
|
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication |
|
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
|
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment |
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