You’d be forgiven for thinking that our boaters and blazers signify a very traditional offering. The reality could not be more different. St Christopher’s is a progressive school, that innovates thoughtfully whilst adhering to timeless values.

Excellence and empathy run throughout all we do. They are a potent combination and intrinsic to success.

We see excellence as a mindset and way of life, not an outcome. That’s why it permeates all we do: excellent manners, respecting rules and trying hard are all key tenets. The benefits of pursuing excellence are evident in the many external awards we have won, the quality of the work on display and the prestigious schools our leavers go on to. However, excellence alone can only take your child so far.

Your child will be inhabiting a future we can scarce imagine. As AI dominates, empathy and emotional intelligence is what will set your child apart, which is why it underpins all we do at this early age.

Three key values support our focus on excellence and empathy:

Despite being a noun, we like to think of it as a verb, or in the language of young children ‘a doing word’.  It’s a conscious choice to treat others with respect and make them feel good without expecting anything in return. It spans friendliness, generosity, consideration, care, compassion and empathy. We model it in the way we notice and connect with your child, and we celebrate the daily reflections that come back: making sure a friend is OK, holding hands down the stairs, thinking of others at a school council meeting, sharing….

The ability to act despite trepidation is central to personal growth. Qualities such as honesty, integrity and perseverance all depend on the motivating force that is courage. As do valuable workplace traits such as challenging the status quo, speaking up, proposing new ideas. Courage is contagious. When your child sees a friend or trusted adult stepping outside their comfort zone it inspires an inner strength to face obstacles themselves. Overcoming obstacles builds your child’s resilience, self-confidence and self-esteem, which in turn strengthen the courage muscle.

It is widely established that curiosity and a love of learning go hand in hand. A curious mindset compels your child to ask more questions, explore new things and seek deeper understanding, which in turn builds knowledge. It also makes learning more effective and joyful because your child is more likely to engage actively and independently if their curiosity is piqued. As important to us though, is the broader impact that being curious brings:  increased empathy, better problem-solving skills and the enhanced judgement that comes from gathering more information before concluding.