Basic facts about the School
This section is designed to answer commonly asked questions that parents may have about the school. We welcome any suggestions for improvement which may be sent by email to admissions..at..beechwoodschool.com (substitute @ for ..at..)
Age range of children The youngest children at the School are in the Nursery class. They will all be 3 at the end of the academic year (31 August). Children leave in year 6 at which point they will all be 11.
From Easter 2008, we are planning to include children from the age of 18 months upward.
Classes Classes are given the following names. If a year is split, the suffix A is added to the main name
  • N, Nursery
  • R, Reception
  • K1, Kindergarten 1 (Year 1 in maintained schools)
  • K2, Kindergarten 2 (Year 2)
  • S3, Senior 3 (Year 3)
  • S4, Senior 4 (Year 4)
  • S5, Senior 5 (Year 5)
  • S6, Senior 6 (Year 6)
Class sizes The School limits each class or each teaching group to around 20 children. An average class size is around 12.
The School Day
  • Most children are admitted to the School Building at 0845. Registration is continuous and lessons begin at 0900 promptly. Some children are admitted at the earlier time of 0815 by prior arrangement.
  • 0930-1030 Lessons 1 and 2
  • 1030-1100 Break
  • 1100-1130 Lesson 3
  • 1200-1300 Lunch
  • 1300-1400 Lesson 4
  • 1400-1500 Lesson 5
  • 1500-1515 Assembly or preparation for dismissal
  • 1515-1530 Dismissal
After School Facilities There is an After School Service supervised by staff from the school which can care for children up to 5.45 p.m. Children can relax or complete homework tasks in a separate area or take part in club activities. There is a direct dial in number shown on the contacts page if you wish to speak to After School supervisors directly.
Homework The School sets homework at all age groups from the age of 3 upwards. The amount set will be appropriate for the age of the child and will range from 10-15 minutes for the nursery to approximately an hour for the oldest children. Children will receive English or Mathematics and another subject every day and Reading Homework will also be set each day.
School Handbook A paper copy of the School Handbook is available on request. Parents are nomally requested to access the version on the school website.This is regarded as an important reference for parents containing details of all aspects of school life at Beechwood. It is included on this site and is constantly updated. Please refer to the website for any changes.
Assessment and Examinations Formal Examinations are held twice a year for all children. In the case of Nursery and Reception, a special scheme is used for each child on a one to one basis.
Written examinations are held under strictly regulated conditions which is regarded as part of each child's training.
Continuous assessment also takes place on a weekly basis in the core subjects.
Parents's Evenings Parents are requested to attend individual meetings with their class teacher after each set of examinations and before the issuing of reports and individual actions.
Reports Reports are issued at the end of each term in which examinations are held. The full report will contain information about academic achievement and progress, punctuality and any disciplinary matters recorded during the term.
Uniform There is a compulsory School Uniform available from the school's uniform supplier. The uniform list is given in the School Handbook.
Nursery and Reception children have a different simpler uniform requirement. These items are available directly from the school.
Lunches School lunches are available and are prepared on site by the school caterers. A vegetarian option is provided for those children having special requirements. Approximately 85% of children take school lunches, the remainder will bring in to school a packed lunch.
Our school menu is basic food that we are sure children will eat. Lunch comprises a main course, a pudding and a drink. Fresh fruit and salad is also available on demand.

We do not include beef, pork or any food containing bones or nuts and french fries are included only once a week despite their popularity !

Wherever possible, we use suppliers that claim that GM components are not used in their products although parents will appreciate that at present these claims are difficult to verify.
In general, we will follow the same policy as other Lambeth Schools.
Assemblies The School holds regular weekly assemblies for all children. Senior classes will have separate assemblies and throughout the school, their content will consist of stories of a moral or religious content. These may well be derived from all the major religions throughout the world.
Children with special needs Children with minor dyslexia and related special needs are normally referred to expert agencies for assessment. The School will then work with parents to to decide on a suitable strategy to help overcome the problem. There is a small and growing number of children at the school with Statements of Special Educational Needs and these thrive in the small classes and close supervision available at Beechwood. Details of the school's policy on SEN are available on request.
Discipline Discipline within the School is regarded as being firm but fair. Withdrawal of day to day privileges is the normal course of action for minor problems.
The School Handbook contains all details of our disciplinary procedure together with a Charter of Pupil's and Parent's rights and contracts between all parties and the school. All members of the School's community are automatically expected to observe these requirements upon entry to the school.

Last updated 28.2.2008