Maida Vale School Prospectus

Maida Vale School Prospectus
A co-educational independent school for 11 to 18 year olds

WELCOME
Maida Vale School opened its doors to students for the first time in September 2020.
It is the fourth school to be founded by the Gardener Schools Group (GSG) following
the establishment of Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School in 1991, Kew Green
Preparatory School in 2004, and Kew House School in 2013.
We can achieve
the highest academic
results for each pupil,
without creating
“examination
factories”
Maida Vale School was founded to
meet the demand from parents and
students for a modern, innovative
and caring school, that puts the
students at the centre of the learning
experience.
As part of the successful Gardener
Schools Group, Maida Vale School
is founded on clearly defined values
that guide and inform everything
we do:
• Each student is treated as an individual and is inspired
and motivated to achieve their full potential.
• We engender confidence and develop self-esteem,
which leads to intellectual risk-taking and creates a love
of learning.
• We cultivate core tenets of respect, compassion, tolerance
and responsibility.
• We strive for excellence in all areas of learning and
exploration.
• Our approach is holistic, uniting head, hand and heart
in the learning journey.
At Maida Vale School we have an ‘open door’ culture,
whereby parents can come to the school and speak with
staff about their child’s progress and well-being at any time.
We believe that a child’s educational journey is shared
between the school, parents and the child themselves,
a co-curation of their education that gives agency and
ownership to all involved.
When at full capacity, Maida Vale School will have a roll of
600 boys and girls aged 11 to 18. Small class sizes and closely
supported tutor groups mean that students receive individual
attention and feel valued and recognised for who they are.
Many other senior schools remain modelled on traditional
19th century values of industrialised learning that prioritises
the school before the learner. At Maida Vale School each
student is respected as a valuable and emerging individual,
and teachers and staff work in partnership to achieve success,
happiness and well-being.
Maida Vale School is an energising, challenging and nurturing
environment. We look forward to welcoming you through
its doors.
Magnus Bashaarat
Head, Maida Vale School
Part of the
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3

OUR PHILOSOPHY
Maida Vale School takes a modern and
pioneering approach to every aspect of
school life. These are the key characteristics
upon which Maida Vale School is founded:
Individualised attention
With a broad curriculum, a vast enrichment programme and
an extended school day, Maida Vale School has the variety and
flexibility to enable pupils to develop their individual talents
and fulfil their potential. Our small teaching and tutor groups,
combined with the importance we place on communication
between home and school, allow us to provide the highest
level of pastoral care.
Selection criteria
Maida Vale School seeks to recruit intelligent pupils with a
confident sense of identity and an original approach to learning,
problem solving and creativity. Whilst Maida Vale School uses
assessments to select its pupils, we give equal weighting to
interviews, achievement in all areas and school references. We
believe that talent and potential should not be wasted. Each year
group is selected as a cohort in which children with different
aptitudes and personalities inspire and support each other.
Ethos
We welcome pupils with varying academic profiles, searching
out and encouraging the individual abilities of each child,
placing emphasis on confidence, self-esteem and creativity.
We believe this approach produces high levels of achievement
for each pupil. We operate a true “open door” policy,
welcoming parents and members of the wider community
to become a part of school life. Maida Vale School seeks
to cultivate the feeling of a family and social hub that offers
emotional support and security for all pupils and employees.
The curriculum
We provide a rich and broad education for all pupils from
age 11 to 18. The Gardener Schools Group track record
shows that we can achieve the highest academic results for
each pupil, but without creating “examination factories”.
Community involvement
Our school is outward-looking, taking full advantage of the
wide variety of cultural, scientific and business organisations
in London as a resource. Our locality also provides opportunities
to serve the local community. We continue our practice of
welcoming prominent visitors to hold seminars, lectures and
workshops at the school.
Modern and innovative approach
Maida Vale School takes a fresh approach to all areas of school
life and is not bound by current conventions and practices which
no longer seem useful. Whilst retaining the core traditional
values established in our schools, we continue to make bold
decisions about the curriculum, timetabling and the length
and shape of the school day.
Creativity and excellence
The school promotes individual and group creativity both
academically and in extracurricular activities, allowing talent
to blossom. We encourage individuality of thought and
self-motivation in all areas of study and exploration.
The ability to problem-solve and to be creative will become
increasingly important for young people entering employment
in the 21 st century.
4 5

facilities
Maida Vale School is a large, airy Victorian
building situated in its own secure grounds
within a residential neighbourhood of
Maida Vale.
During morning break, at lunch and after school, pupils are
free to use the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), basketball
court, table tennis equipment or simply relax with friends in
one of the landscaped areas.
The Victorians believed in light-filled classrooms with high
ceilings and large windows and Maida Vale School certainly
benefits from this. We have, however, taken the school into
the 21 st Century and Maida Vale is fitted out with cutting
edge facilities and equipment including:
MVS is fitted
with cutting edge
facilities and
equipment
• Multiple Science laboratories
• Music suites
• Computing laboratory
• Theatre
• Dance studio
• Fitness studio
• Art studios
• Food and nutrition room
• Design Technology room and CAD design area
• Restaurant & parent café
• Library
When the School opens to Sixth Form, Maida Vale School will
have an innovative, ILC (Independent Learning Centre) as well
as a garden roof terrace.
The use of technology in the School and in the curriculum
is at the heart of all teaching and learning. All pupils have a
laptop and access to Microsoft 365 suite of apps including
Teams, OneNote, ClassNoteBook for the delivery of all
lessons both within school and remotely.
6 7

CURRICULUM
We provide a rich and broad education to all pupils whatever their specialism
pursuing excellence in all areas. We know that our approach to learning and
achievement works – excellent exam results must go hand in hand with the full
development of each pupil’s potential as a young person.
Pupils are able to enjoy a wide range of opportunities, including an increasing number of option choices that augment
the core curriculum. This range of subjects expands further at sixth form level.
The basis of the timetable is six taught hours per day. Most schools teach five hours a day - this means that the timetable
provides an entire extra days’ worth of taught lessons. In addition, the extra-curricular programme includes a large
number of academic, non-academic and sports-based clubs.
Our “Individuals in Society” (IS) course focuses on emotional, practical and intellectual personal development
throughout each pupil’s life at the school via regular, timetabled sessions and extensions of the school day. The IS course
ranges from political philosophy, global economics and sustainability to ethics, emotional intelligence and nutrition.
Years 7 & 8
In Years 7 & 8, each pupil explores a wide range
of subjects, including Modern Languages, Design
and Technology, Music, Food and Nutrition and
Art along with the Humanities, Maths, English and
Science. This breadth of subjects enables pupils
to make informed choices about exam options as
they move further up the school.
Years 9, 10 & 11
In Years 9, 10 & 11, the core curriculum remains in
place but an extensive range of challenging and
stimulating subject options are available. Options
choices for GCSE take place towards the end of Year
8 and are managed as part of a careers guidance
programme which supports our pupils in making
informed subject selections. The three year GCSE
programme enables some pupils to ‘fast track’, if
appropriate.
8 9

“The pursuit of
excellence in all
areas of study
and exploration
is our hallmark”
Sport & Wellness
Sport and well-being form an important part
of the curriculum at Maida Vale School.
The school houses spacious studio facilities for dance, yoga
and ‘HIIT’ (high intensity interval training) classes.
We are also fortunate to be situated in a convenient location
for access to a number of nearby sports grounds and
facilities.
Paddington Recreation Ground is within walking distance
from the school and offers Astroturf pitches, hockey and a
state of the art running track. Willesden Leisure Centre is
used for netball, badminton and basketball. Regent’s Park,
only a fifteen minute coach journey from the school, provides
superb pitches for all grass team sports and tennis.
Queen’s Park
(9 min walk)
KENSAL
TOWN
NORTH
KENSINGTON
WEST KILBURN
Kilburn High Road
Carlton Vale
Saltram Crescent
MAIDA HILL
Kilburn Park
(13 min walk)
Maida Vale
(15 min walk)
Warwick Avenue
MAIDA VALE
H
St. John’s
Wood
Wellington Road
A505
Regent’s
Park
Westbourne
Park
NOTTING HILL
Westway
Royal Oak
Edgware
Road
10 11

Performing Arts
Maida Vale School offers a rich performing
arts programme including music and drama.
The Performing Arts department offers a wide variety of
drama and musical opportunities for all our pupils ranging
from whole school plays and productions, orchestras,
jazz bands, rock groups, choirs, to workshops and regular
concerts for all ensembles.
The ability to perform in public is crucial in pupils
determining their future success, it is through performing
arts that young people can develop their self-confidence,
resilience and show the sophistication that employers are
often looking for.
PASTORAL CARE AND
SUPPORT FOR LEARNING
Pastoral
At Maida Vale School every member of staff, no matter who
they are, has a responsibility for the pastoral care of every
individual pupil. For us, effective Pastoral care and a focus
on pupil wellbeing are at the heart of ensuring success
for young people. Here, the Personal Tutor Group system
contributes greatly to this – the Personal Tutor remains with
the pupil throughout their time at school and the groups
are vertical, meaning that pupils across all year groups are
in each set. In time the older pupils will act as role models
for the younger pupils to follow. The Personal Tutor Groups
meet every day and are the gateway for communication
between school and home. This approach means that we
know what is happening in your child’s life, what makes them
tick so that we can provide appropriate care and support at
all times so that they can achieve to the best of their ability in
all areas of their life.
In addition, the value of our Open-Door Policy means
parents are welcome at any time at the school in the Parent
Café and that the personal tutor and teachers will always be
available at short notice to both pupils and parents.
Learning Support
Maida Vale School’s Learning Support Department works
closely with pastoral and tutorial staff to identify needs at
an early stage and provide the support required to enable
each pupil to thrive within the curriculum. Teachers trained
in Special Educational Needs will work with pupils internally
but, where appropriate, parents may be referred to external
agencies for further support.
12 13

Enrichment
Enrichment of the pupil day, and the huge
amount that takes place beyond the formal
curriculum at Maida Vale School, sets it apart.
Taking advantage of the school’s location close to the heart
of London, Maida Vale School makes use of the city as a
resource. The school utilises already established links with
local and city-wide organisations, including businesses,
community groups, arts foundations, scientific institutes and
museums, and will be outward-looking to life beyond the
school gates.
Maida Vale School invites guest speakers and visitors into
school to inspire the pupils. Workshops and interactive
sessions are held during the main school day, after school,
during the school holidays and at weekends.
Maida Vale pupils are able to take part in residential school
trips during their time at the school. These include activitybased
courses in the UK as well as cultural experiences
abroad.
A wide variety of clubs including sport, robotics, dance,
digital photography, theatre and film will take place before
and after school, as well as at lunchtime.
14 15

pupils have the opportunity
to visit multiple countries
world-wide
ICELAND
Geography
Belgium
History
Germany
Languages and
History
SPAIN
Sport and Languages
Trips in the UK and beyond may vary from a theatrical troupe going to France to geographers visiting Malawi in Africa, from
outdoor pursuits in Cornwall to art appreciation in Rome. Such trips are designed to bolster confidence and independence
as well as to provide inspiration.
Italy
Music, Classics,
Food Technology
and Skiing
LAOS
Charity
environmental
work
Barbados
Sport (Netball)
History trip to see Auschwitz Ski trip to the Italian Alps Charity work in Laos
Switzerland -
Cern
Physics and Maths
16 17
FRANCE
History, Music,
and Languages
Poland
History

SIXTH FORM
Curriculum
Maida Vale will open at Sixth Form in 2023
as the school grows to this point. A wide
ranging Sixth Form Curriculum will be
delivered by experienced subject experts,
teachers who seek to enthuse students with
excitement and passion for their chosen
areas of study.
We guide students through the A Level selection process
with a view to their ambitions post Sixth Form. We then add
depth and breadth to these chosen subjects through quality
and frequency of contact. Maida Vale School will provide a
tailored Sixth Form education for each student. This will be
reflected in a high number of one-to-one and small group
sessions with teachers and the flexibility of the timetable
and options choices. Our teachers possess track records
of success in both A Level examination results and helping
students achieve their post-school ambitions.
18 19

Pastoral Care in the Sixth Form
Our strong pastoral care system is at the heart of our ethos.
All students are valued and supported. Sixth Formers have
specific pastoral needs and we provide comprehensive,
realistic, practical and in-depth support that enables students
to navigate the potential pressures of their later teenage
years. The Personal Tutor’s role, as described above, is crucial
in this regard but the school will be a community with each
individual taking responsibility for the well-being of the
whole.
Careers and UCAS Applications
We provide our students with maximum exposure to careers
related experiences and guidance meetings take place
throughout Year 12. Maida Vale School will build on Gardener
Schools Group’s established links with local and city-wide
organisations including businesses, community groups,
arts foundations, scientific institutes and museums. A two
week work experience placement in Year 12, contributes to
students making informed decisions about the future.
We will closely tutor and guide our students throughout the
UCAS process over the course of the Sixth Form. Gardener
Schools Group has a track record of success at A Level with
a high percentage of students gaining first choice university
entrance.
Our staff’s wealth of experience and contacts with universities
ensure that our students know how best to apply for the
country’s most prestigious institutions. We give careers advice
and guidance in one-to-one tutorials as well as using outside
speakers from universities and industry.
Sixth Form Independent Learning Centre
Maida Vale Sixth Form students will benefit from having their
own Independent Learning Centre. This area will reflect the
fact that our students are approaching adulthood and will
encourage independent study in an attractive environment.
This will include a Sixth Form Café, library, social break-out
spaces and quiet study areas. Maida Vale School will also be
installing a roof deck for social break-out space and outdoor
study.
Enrichment – Beyond Examination
Admission to the best universities and the most demanding
courses in the country requires more than high grades alone.
A successful applicant must stand out from the crowd and
our enrichment programme will allow our students to do
this. Our Individuals in Society course produces engaged
young adults, preparing them for the real world and includes
seminars on body language, emotional intelligence, nutrition
and personal finance.
We inform our students about the dangers of the adult world
and how to make informed choices to survive in it.
The Extended Study Project (EPQ)
All students will be encouraged to complete the extended
study project in addition to their A-Level studies. Students
apply the independent learning skills they have been taught
in a real-life context and cover an area of learning that they
alone have decided upon. The EPQ can be used towards
university admissions, counting as half an A-Level.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Award will be an integral part of
the life of students at Maida Vale School. The experiences it
provides will be of huge value to them. We will encourage our
students to take part so they can demonstrate to universities
and employers that they can operate outside their comfort
zones and can cope with any challenge thrown at them.
Leaders in the Community
Our Sixth Formers will be seen as leaders, treated as young
adults and provide an example to the lower year groups
of the school. Our Head Boy and Girl will lead a Sixth Form
Headship Team which liaises with the School Council in Years
7 to 11 to direct charitable activities and volunteering within
the community. We will forge links with other local schools
and charities which will allow students to help those less
fortunate than themselves.
We provide
comprehensive,
realistic, practical
and in-depth
support
20 21

Registration
& Admission
We seek inquisitive, intelligent pupils
who will engage with and enjoy the
wide curriculum we offer.
Although we use entrance assessments, greater emphasis
is placed on interview, samples of work and the pupil’s feeder
school report. The interview is a chance for pupils to talk
about something they are passionate about and they should
prepare for a presentation with the Headmaster or senior
staff member.
Each year group is selected as a cohort in which we strive
to identify a balanced mix of boys and girls with different
strengths and personal qualities who will support, motivate
and inspire one another. We welcome children from all
educational backgrounds and hope to see students and
parents throughout the course of the year prior to entry.
What next?
Browse our website
maidavaleschool.com
Book a visit online at
maidavaleschool.com/openevents
Feel free to call us for further information
020 4511 6000
Complete online registration form
maidavaleschool/com/register
To register, please go online:
www.maidavaleschool.com/register
Any information given will be held confidentially. Prior
to entry, the school will send you information regarding
assessment and interview procedures.
Registration will ensure that you are kept up to date
with news, information and invitations to events.
Full details of the admissions process can be found
on the website.
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Queen’s Park
(9 min walk)
KENSAL
TOWN
NORTH
KENSINGTON
WEST KILBURN
Kilburn High Road
Carlton Vale
Saltram Crescent
MAIDA HILL
Westbourne
Park
NOTTING HILL
Kilburn Park
(13 min walk)
Westway
Maida Vale
(15 min walk)
Warwick Avenue
Royal Oak
MAIDA VALE
H
St. John’s
Wood
Wellington Road
A505
Edgware
Road
Regent’s
Park
Maida Vale School
18 Saltram Crescent
London
W9 3HR
Where we play sport/games:
Paddington Recreation Centre
Hockey, astroturf, tennis, running
track and basketball
Randolph Avenue, Maida Vale,
London W9 1PD
Moberly Sports Centre
Swimming
25 Chamberlayne Road,
Kensal Green, London NW10 3NB
Willesden Sports Centre
Basketball, badminton and netball
Donnington Road, London
NW10 3QX
Regent’s Park
Football, rugby and more
Chester Road, London NW1 4NR
W: maidavaleschool.com E: admissions@maidavaleschool.com T: 020 4511 6000
@MaidaValeSchool