Greenfields School in Forest Row Greenfields School is an independent, non-denominational, day and boarding school. We service children from 2 to 18, having a Montessori based Pre-school & Reception class, followed by Infant, Junior, Senior, 6th Form and EFL classes, including a Summer School for 11-17 year olds. This runs from June to mid August with a minimum stay of 2 weeks. We are in the heart of the country with easy access to London, Brighton and many attractions. We have an excellent reputation for great service!
The Institute
In 2011 Inspectors from the independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school as overall good following a 3 day inspection. They found that: "Greenfields School enables its pupils to gain good standards and make good progress in both public examinations and in their personal development".
Greenfields has one of the most culturally diverse student bodies of any school in the south of England, with Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Scientologists, Evangelists and Hindus in our numbers. We are completely non-denominational and welcome children of all faiths.
We feel it is important that children are aware of the spiritual nature of man and practice religious tolerance. Being an international school, one of our great joys is seeing children from many countries and various religious and ethnic backgrounds forming lasting friendships. Learn more..
Programmes
We offer either short term EFL courses (2 weeks or more) throughout the year, or longer term courses during term times. For these, after the initial weeks of English tuition (depending on ability), some integration into classes begins with Sports and Art. As comprehension improves, students learn key words for specific subjects and study Maths and ICT when they are able. Emphasis is on increasing ability and raising confidence not only in English but all subjects.
Certificates and Diplomas
Once they have graduated from EFL, students continue with the Cambridge English Programme to gain certification in the First Certificate in English, followed by the Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English and finally in the Proficiency in English examination, recognised world-wide.
Teaching Materials
Specifically, the Greenfields EFL Curriculum consists primarily of a programme of phonics, and reading along with written and spoken exercises designed to increase a student’s ability to read and speak English on a gradient appropriate to each individual.
During this EFL Programme, students go to cultural sites to practise their English and to see, first hand, what they have been learning about. This gives them a balance of theory and practical, rather than just studying books all day long.
Methodology
Greenfields’ study method – Study Technology, as developed by educator and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard – first isolates the barriers preventing a child from learning, and then provides precise tools to deal with them. This leads to self-motivated students. Then the need for severe discipline falls away and all kinds of positive results are possible.
Study Technology does not involve “speed reading” or mental “tricks” or “magic” – like any technology, it begins with specific principles one learns and specific steps one consciously applies.
It resolves the most common reasons students do not grasp what they have read and even the underlying reasons they cannot concentrate on their studies. Once this subject is understood and correctly applied, one possesses the tools to learn anything.
Social and Cultural Activities
The school is involved in many local activities such as fund raising for a local charity, or raising funds for "We Day". We encourage the students to take care of others as well as themselves, and to contribute to the local environment.
Cultural outings are included in the Summer Programme schedule - two or more outings each week to National Trust institutes, museums etc, as well as sight-seeing in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton etc
Accommodation
Greenfields started as a day school but as its reputation and numbers grew, over one fifth of the student body became made up of boarding students. There are over 40 spaces available for boys and girls from 11 to 17 years old (younger students may occasionally be considered if accompanied by a sibling).
The boarding house is supervised by a team of dedicated and caring people most of whom are themselves parents.
Boarders are situated in the main school which sits in 6 acres of school grounds on the edge of the Ashdown Forest. It is a safe, peaceful and beautiful location within walking distance of the local village and bus routes to other areas.
Excursions and Visits
There are also plenty of organised sports and other activities such as visits to the local swimming pool, gym, bowling alley, cinema, shopping trips, orienteering etc. The school is fortunate in its location on the edge of the Ashdown Forest as it has riding schools, sailing clubs, cycle routes, climbing facilities and many other outdoor activities within a few minutes drive or walk of the school . All of these activities and more can be organised via the school and taken up as hobbies if desired.