Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Independent School in Danbury, Essex
Heathcote School has been nurturing young minds since 1935, providing a tailored educational experience for children aged 2-11. Our dedicated team of qualified professionals combines academic rigor with character development, ensuring each child receives personalized attention in small class settings. With a curriculum that extends beyond traditional academics to include specialist teaching in music, French, and physical education, we foster holistic growth. Our ISI-rated 'Excellent' provision reflects decades of commitment to educational excellence, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a nurturing environment. The school's 11+ preparation program consistently achieves a 79% pass rate for local grammar schools, demonstrating our academic prowess.Through co-curricular clubs and outdoor learning opportunities, we cultivate curiosity and resilience. Our leadership team brings extensive experience in primary education, maintaining strong partnerships with families to support each child's unique journey. The school's historic Danbury location provides a secure, inspiring setting for learning, with modern amenities including a purpose-built nursery and extensive outdoor spaces. Our commitment to continuous improvement is evidenced by regular curriculum enhancements and staff professional development. This combination of tradition and innovation ensures Heathcote remains at the forefront of independent primary education in the region.
Services
Nursery Provision
11+ Preparation
Holiday Clubs
Specialist Teaching
Outdoor Learning
Co-Curricular Clubs
Parent Partnerships
Transition Support
Assessment Programmes
Early Years Education
Details
- Year established: 1935
Highlights and features
- We offer small class sizes ensuring personalized attention for every child
- Our 11+ preparation program achieves a 79% pass rate for local grammar schools
- We provide specialist teaching in music, French, and physical education
- Our ISI-rated 'Excellent' provision reflects decades of educational expertise
- We combine academic excellence with character development through monthly values education
Associations and certifications
- Independent School Inspectorate (ISI)
What people say
Nurturing environment
Small class sizes
Excellent staff
Academic success
Confident children
Services
Nursery Provision
Our nursery provides full-day care from 7:30am to 6pm during term time, with specialist teaching in phonics, French, and music. Children benefit from outdoor learning sessions and access to school facilities including a purpose-built garden with climbing equipment and mud kitchen. The program follows the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum while maintaining ratios exceeding government guidelines.
11+ Preparation
Specialist 11+ lessons focus on verbal reasoning and core academic skills, achieving a 79% pass rate for local grammar schools. Our program combines targeted instruction with regular assessments to track progress, supported by experienced teachers who understand the specific requirements of entrance examinations for secondary school placements.
Holiday Clubs
Operating during all school holidays, our clubs offer structured activities for children aged 2-11 from both our school and the local community. The program includes educational activities alongside recreational options, with flexible booking available for working parents seeking quality childcare during school breaks.
Specialist Teaching
Our curriculum includes specialist instruction in music, French, physical education, and computing. This approach ensures children receive expert tuition in key subjects while maintaining the benefits of small class sizes and personalized attention from subject-specific professionals.
Co-Curricular Clubs
We offer a rotating selection of lunchtime and after-school clubs covering academic extension, sports, and creative arts. Current options include athletics, music theory, science experiments, and drama, with new programs introduced each term to maintain engagement and develop diverse interests.
People
Samantha Scott
Head Teacher
MEd Cantab qualified leader with extensive experience in primary education, overseeing curriculum development and staff training while maintaining strong academic standards across the school.
Questions
What age range does Heathcote School cater for?
We accept children from 2 years old through to 11 years, covering nursery, reception, key stage 1 and key stage 2.
Is Heathcote School affiliated with any educational organisations?
We are regularly inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and maintain affiliations with professional educational bodies.
What are the school's academic results like?
Our recent assessments show 82% of KS1 pupils above national average for reading, with 100% of KS1 pupils achieving above average standards in reading.
Do you offer after-school care?
We provide wraparound care through Breakfast Club (7:30-8:30am) and Twilight Club (3:30-6:00pm) every school day.
What facilities does the school have?
Our facilities include specialist teaching rooms, extensive outdoor learning areas, a purpose-built nursery, and sports facilities for various activities.
How does the school support child development?
We combine academic instruction with character education through monthly values themes, PSHRE curriculum, and co-curricular activities that develop confidence and resilience.
Reviews (2)
Fred Shapely
Jan 11, 2020
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Heathcote is one of 5 Elementary Schools in Scarsdale, NY. The building itself was built in 1954 and its unique design was featured in Life Magazine that same year. Scarsdale is a union free school district and teachers are some of the highest paid in the state. And they are also some of the best. Both my kids excelled at Heathcote because of very good teachers.
Susan Lerner
Dec 31, 2019
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I liked that they perfected the security ,also they installed new doors and added on to the building.also I like when they plant vegetables in their garden in the summer ,what a great idea.
