Jane Thorpe joined prep school Swanbourne House School as Head in September 2018 and replaced the traditional Saturday School with a robust, varied and innovative Enrichment Programme. The programme works hard to inspire and engage young minds in new ways, broadening horizons and creating opportunities, while giving a platform to learning new skills and opening minds to different career paths. Enriching activities outside the traditional classroom setting are hugely important in the school’s commitment to nurturing and developing each child’s potential, unearthing new passions and abilities.The changing nature of the workplace in the 21st Century, as seen with the incredible progress of digital technology and the advent of artificial intelligence, leaves no doubt about the importance of the need to teach and foster certain skills to thrive. This is recognised at Swanbourne where strong academic foundations and a cross-curricular programme are complemented by the activities, workshops and courses that make up the Enrichment Programme. This gives children the room and opportunity to see new things, learn different ways of thinking and approaching a problem, and discover new interests and passions.
The engaging activities create challenges that harness the child’s capabilities to grow in new and different ways, becoming resilient team-players and creative individuals while having fun. It is vitally important that as they grow, they will have the opportunity to develop outside interests and passions away from the classroom and, eventually, away from the workplace that help them thrive in life.
Key to this successful enrichment programme is having a broad and inspiring range of options the children to take part in (most of which are included in the school fees). At Swanbourne this has included:
– Fashion & Design workshops
– Classes in the ancient art of fencing
– Performance car design and building
– Learning Ancient Greek.
– Being part of an Enterprise Club, learning all about modern business
– Talks from representatives from the Red Arrows and Tesla
– Clay pigeon shooting
– Sports elite training
– Bushcraft skills, including den building in the grounds
– Photography classes
– Parliamentary debating
Swanbourne House is an Independent Day and Boarding Prep School for children aged three to 13 years, set in the Buckinghamshire countryside 20 minutes from Milton Keynes. Join the Open Morning on Friday October 9th (booking is essential) or arrange a private tour by calling 01296 720264 or emailing admissions@swanbourne.org.
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