St Gabriel’s
St Gabriels
Org 1: The Society of Heads
Org 2: GSA
Org 3: IAPS
Sandleford Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 9BD
Telephone: 01635 555680
Open events: Saturday 1 March 2025 9 am–12 pm; Saturday 10 May 2025 9 am–12 pm
Key dates: Autumn term: Thursday 5 September 2024 to Friday 13 December 2024
Half term: Thursday 24 October 2024 to Friday 1 November 2024
Spring term: Tuesday 7 January 2025 to Wednesday 2 April 2025
Half term: Monday 17 February 2025 to Friday 21 February 2025
Summer term: Thursday 24 April 2025 to Friday 4 July 2025
Half term: Monday 26 May 2025 to Friday 30 May 2025
Age Range: Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Pre-Prep/Infants, Prep/Junior to 11, Senior to 18
Day or Boarding: Day, Day Only
Gender: Co-ed
Exams offered: GCSE, A Level, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Scholarships Tick: Academic, Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Sport
Bursaries and discounts: New entrant bursary
Number of Pupils. 477 through Nursery, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form.
St Gabriel’s is a co-educational day school, where pupils excel and reach their true potential through a balanced and inspiring education, which combines academic rigour, breadth of opportunity and a strong sense of community. As a school, our responsibility is to provide each pupil with the right combination of opportunities and challenges to create a pathway for academic success while at the same time unlocking and developing their talents to give them the confidence and self-belief to pursue their ambitions.
Curriculum. The curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure that it is broad and well-balanced, providing an education that is relevant for the 21st Century. Inspirational teaching delivered by highly qualified and dedicated staff encourages pupils to question, to think critically, to work collaboratively, to persevere and to celebrate each other’s achievements, while equipping them with the skills and experiences required to succeed in their careers beyond St Gabriel’s.
A choice of 25 subjects is offered at GCSE of which English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, all three Sciences, and a Modern Foreign Language are compulsory.
At Sixth Form, students choose three subjects to study to A Level from the 26 offered. All students also undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which is equivalent to half an A Level, and is designed to develop key skills such as researching, project management, academic writing, and referencing in preparation for university study.
Results. Examinations are seen as a pathway to achieving personal goals and our academic team encourage, motivate, and support all our pupils to pursue their aspirations. St Gabriel’s is justifiably proud of its students’ achievements and it is not surprising that they go on to study a wide and diverse range of courses at their chosen universities.
Extra and Co-Curricular Activities. Learning extends beyond the classroom with a wide range of co-curricular opportunities. By encouraging pupils to express themselves in different ways, the school creates a happy and rewarding educational environment. Numerous activities and visits extend and enrich the learning experience and pupils are positively encouraged to try new things. The performing and creative arts, sport and a wide range of clubs and societies ensure that pupils progress to the next stage of their education with confidence. Whether it is through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Green Car Challenge, Debating Society, or on the pitch or performing in front of an audience, our pupils constantly rise to meet new challenges.
Music. A broad range of choirs, orchestras and instrumental groups ensure able musicians have the opportunity to perform at the highest levels. Most orchestral instruments can be learned and music theory tuition is given to pupils who show a considerable aptitude for composition.
Sport. Football, Netball, Basketball, Hockey, Swimming, Rounders, Athletics, Cricket, Cross-Country, Dance, Gymnastics, Rugby, Badminton and Tennis. The school also has an equestrian team.
St Gabriel’s: a school founded on community, inspiration, understanding and balance.
Supervised Prep. This is provided on a daily basis between 4.00pm and 6.30pm.
Scholarships & Bursaries. Academic, Sport, Art, Dance, Drama and Music scholarships are awarded at 11+ and 13+. Sixth Form scholarships are also awarded at 16+. Bursaries covering up to 100% of fees are available through the Montagu Award scheme, which aims to ensure that St Gabriel’s is accessible to pupils who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the unique education the school offers.
Admission. Entry to the Junior School for children aged 6–10 years is by assessment. Entrance examinations are held in November for entry at 11+ and 13+. Students are accepted in to the Sixth Form on the basis of their GCSE results and an interview.
Fees per term (2024-2025). £7,354-£7,623.
Junior School. (See entry in IAPS section). Charitable status. The St Gabriel Schools Foundation is a Registered Charity, number 1062748. It seeks to promote and provide for the advancement of education of the pupils at the school.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Chairman: Mr N Garland, BSc Hons
Mr S Barrett
Mrs S Bowen
Mrs J Heywood
Mrs S Hutton
Mr D Peaple
Mr N Rankin
Mr S Ryan
Mrs J Whitehead
Principal: Mr R Smith, MEd, MA, PGCE
Vice-Principal: Mrs A Chapman, BA Hons, PGCE, QTS
Bursar & Clerk to Governors: Mrs P Setter, BA Hons
Deputy Head (Academic): Mrs Anna Chicken, MA, BA Hons, PGCE
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mrs Emma Hammons, LLB, PGCE
Head of Sixth Form: Mrs H Trevis, BSocSc Hons, PGCE
Head of Upper School (Years 9, 10 & 11): Mrs J Shillaw, BA Hons, PGCE
Head of Lower School (Years 7 & 8): Mrs R Wright, BSc Hons, PGCE
Head of Junior School: Mr P Dove, BA Hons, PGCE
Deputy Head of Junior School: Miss A Smith, BEd Hons, QTS
Nursery Curriculum Manager: Mrs C Lawrence, BA Ed, QTS
Nursery Manager: Mrs K Noonan, BA Hons, EYTS
Nursery Deputy Manager: Mrs Naomi Kelly, NVQ3
Compliance Coordinator: Mrs V Vaughan, BSc Hons, QTS
Challenge & Extension (Senior School): Mrs A Chicken, MA, BA Hons, PGCE
Challenge & Extension (Junior School): Miss A Smith, BEd Hons, QTS