A local prep school based in the heart of Tunbridge Wells has been rated excellent in all areas by the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI). Inspectors spent three days assessing all aspects of the running of the school. The report states that “Pupils’ achievement is excellent. They attain very highly and progress well. A high proportion of leavers attain places at selective senior and grammar schools”.
The Mead School is a non-selective independent school for children aged 3-11. Situated on Frant Road, near the historic Pantiles, the school achieves impressive academic results in a nurturing and supportive environment. When reflecting on the quality of the pupils’ personal development (rating: Excellent) the inspectors state “Pupils exhibit excellent self-awareness and self-esteem. They grow in confidence because leaders and staff treat them with much warmth and respect”.
Sporting Achievement
“There has been outstanding success in netball, with pupils being King’s Rochester Netball winners in 2019 and 2020, ISA Netball national’s finals plate runners up in 2022” (ISI Report, March 2023)
The ISI report notes much historical success in sports, and this year is no exception. The U11 girls’ Hockey team won the UKSA Plate competition before Christmas and won the ISA Netball regionals in March, which qualified them for the Nationals in April where they won the Plate!
The U11 boys brought home gold from the renowned Solefield Rugby tournament 2023, winning all five of their matches versus tough opposition, only conceding three tries the whole day. One boy also won ‘player of the tournament’!
Mrs Catherine Openshaw, the Headmistress, says, “We are so proud of all our children’s sporting achievements. We start young with specialist lessons right from Pre-Reception and we have PE/Games scheduled four times a week as part of our KS2 curriculum. We firmly believe in ‘Sports for all’ at The Mead. All children in KS2 have weekly fixtures and opportunities to compete at renowned sporting events throughout the year”.
Performing Arts
The ISI inspection report states that “Pupils have been crowned champions in the national ISA drama competitions three times in recent years, as well and winning best musical, best staging and best actor awards. Most pupils who have entered LAMDA examinations in recent years have achieved distinctions and other entrants achieving merits”.
In Music, the children were placed runners up in the ISA A Capella competition 2023. Performing is at the heart of the school with all children performing regularly at services, concerts, competitions and, of course our big summer and spring shows at the Trinity Theatre in town!
Early Years Programme
A quote from the report on the Early Years (Pre-Reception and Reception, ages 3-5) states: “[Early years] Children are extremely articulate… and display advanced mathematical understanding and excellent number skills for their age”
A focus on basic skills for beginning Literacy and Maths as well as specialist teachers leading French, PE and Music classes, giving the children the best from a young age. Lessons are just the start of it though: Afternoon sessions include woodwork, climbing, junk modelling, creative sessions, role-play and drama-based workshops and ballet. The Mead becomes a second home very quickly.
Click here to view the full report.
The Mead will be holding their next Open Day on Monday, 22nd May. Click here to book or arrange a personal tour. For young ones wanting a taster session, there is also ‘Mini Meadites’ on a Friday morning – an informal playgroup for pre-school children. To book, contact the school office on 01892 525837