The central purpose of Tavistock and Summerhill Preparatory School is to provide an environment where pupils can enjoy a positive and energetic learning experience which brings out the best in each individual, where they will all make the progress that their varying abilities allow. In order to achieve this we set the highest possible standard for approximately 121 pupils in the Upper School (Reception to Yr8) and around 70 pupils in the Nursery Department. We also seek to make provision, in addition to this, for educational activities and other associated activities for the benefit of the community.
Tavistock and Summerhill has for many years given a priority to providing public benefit by widening access for pupils who would otherwise not be able to attend the School through subsidizing pupils' fees, running educational holiday courses and making many of its facilities available for public use.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The School offers scholarships and bursaries designed to widen access to the education that Tavistock and Summerhill provides. In this context 'scholarships' are fee reductions awarded through competition on academic, musical or sporting merit, and 'bursaries' are fee reductions awarded according to need. Assessments of financial need are made through detailed means tests intended to determine the amount of assistance that is needed in order to enable a pupil to come to Tavistock and Summerhill who otherwise could not do so, or to stay at the school in the event of a change in circumstances. (The scholarship and bursary schemes are described under 'Charitable activities' below.)
Charitable Activities
At present, Tavistock and Summerhill educates 121 boys and girls. The School delivers excellent academic results, above the national average. Many children also go on to achieve scholarships to other Public Schools, both at 11 and 13. Internally the School awards scholarships at Year 2 and Year 6.
Bursaries
Bursaries are fee reductions awarded according to need. As well as those that may be added to scholarships, bursaries are available to boys and girls who would not otherwise be able to afford to come to Tavistock and Summerhill. There is an increasing number of means-tested bursaries not associated with scholarships.
Events in the Community
Tavistock and Summerhill uses its facilities (and teaching expertise) for the public benefit by running Summer Schools during school holidays. It is actively seeking to develop its provision in this area to enable the local community to benefit from its grounds and general facilities.
Music - The School visits local residential care centres for the elderly every year. The local community is also invited in to the school for selected performances. The school also takes part in concerts given to the public through the Ardingly Choral Society.
Sporting Courses - this runs year on year at the school for a period of 3 weeks each summer.
Drama - The local community is invited in to the school for selected performances.
Fund Raising
For its size, the School raises a great deal of money for various charities and good causes. Though the School does not have one dedicated charity, it regularly supports the same charities each year as well as reacting and responding to new requests and appeals. Our recent fund-raising activities have involved working with:
Shoe Aid for Africa
The NSPCC
Red Nose Day
BBC's Children in Need
Lions Club Shoe-Box Appeal
Macmillan Cancer Research / Coffee Morning (Friends?)
