One question prospective parents frequently ask me is, "What do we offer that is different from other schools?" For me, there are many things, but the key differences are our Quaker ethos, the tailored teaching we provide, and the broad range of opportunities available to our pupils. These opportunities encourage them to step outside their comfort zones and explore activities they may never have considered before, often discovering hidden talents and surprising themselves with what they can achieve.
Education is a journey that continues throughout our lives. I feel incredibly privileged to work at a through school that nurtures students from the age of three right through to 18. This unique environment allows us to be an integral part of each child’s educational journey during these formative years. We provide a consistent and supportive learning experience that evolves with the children, giving them the confidence to embrace new challenges and exceed their own expectations.
I joined Sidcot in 2018. This means the students who were in J6 and transitioned into the Senior School in my first year are now preparing to take their A Levels, IB, and BTEC exams. It is a rare privilege to accompany students for such a significant portion of their educational journey. I have seen these students transform, surprising themselves with their resilience, creativity, and ability to achieve what once seemed impossible. Similarly, I have been a part of the current J6 cohort’s development throughout their primary years, watching them grow into confident and capable individuals.
Below, you will hear directly from some of these students as they share how Sidcot has enabled them to discover new talents, step beyond their perceived limits, and surprise themselves by achieving more than they ever imagined.
Nell - "I really love Performing Arts, and when I was in Year 4, I was picked to play the main character in the school play. I had to learn lots of lines for my age, but it was so much fun, and I was really proud of myself for remembering my lines and performing in front of an audience. One of the things I love the most about Sidcot is how creative we can be in lessons, in plays and shows and in Art. I’m now a Lead Learner in Performing Arts, and I love expressing my creativity in this way."
Ella - "I agree with Nell about creativity at Sidcot. I’ve always enjoyed English, but one of the things I like the most is how, as we’ve moved through the school, we have more opportunities to express ourselves in English lessons and do more creative writing rather than just follow a set text.
"One of the other things I love about Sidcot is learning about our Quaker values and being a Quaker Elder. I’m really proud of my involvement with Quaker Peace and Global Studies and look forward to doing more in the Senior School."
Monty - "When I was in Year 2, I was selected as a goalkeeper. To start with, I didn’t really know how to be a goalkeeper, but my PE teacher encouraged me, and during the summer holidays that year, I practised in my garden every day, and I got really good. Then, last year, when I was in Year 5, I was picked to play in the Year 6 A team, with students the year above me, and I couldn’t believe it! All my hard work and practice meant I was now playing with older students and was so proud of myself."
James - "One of the biggest ways I’ve surprised myself at Sidcot is by playing football. I didn’t get into football until Year 4, and I took to it like a duck to water. Like Monty, I spent hours in the garden practising, and then later, in Year 4, I was picked for the Sidcot A team. I couldn’t believe that in a few months, I had gone from never playing football before to learning how to play to then being selected for the A team. It was just so astonishing to me, and I’m still playing for the School team now in Year 6.
"In terms of my favourite subjects, I have always loved Sport, Maths and Science, but when I was younger, I really didn’t like English; my younger brain just didn’t enjoy it. As I’ve moved through the School, my teachers have made English lessons really engaging, challenging in a good way, and fun, and it has really helped me to enjoy English more and now it’s one of my favourite subjects.
"I also didn’t really like Art and Performing Arts when I was younger, but as I’ve got older and have had lots of opportunities to try these subjects and use the Senior School Art and Drama rooms, I now really enjoy them, too."
Learn more about Sidcot Junior School by attending an open event or booking a private tour.
Written by Cath Dykes, Sidcot Junior School Head