Bales Independent School
Bales College operated solely as an independent sixth form college for many years, offering both A level and GCSEs. In 2006, we opened our doors to our first Key Stage 3 entrants, and since then have never looked back - establishing a full and successful secondary programme shortly after, with lower school entry from Year 7.
Learning at Bales takes place in small classes, and expert teaching staff provide students with the essential tools for examination success. William Moore, the Principal, founded the College and management of all educational activities is carried out by him and a management group of teaching and administrative staff. The staff-to-student ratio is very high, and there is continuous attention to the education and welfare of every individual student. The structure now is a combined independent school and sixth form college.
A Note from Mr Flatley – Head of Years 7-11
“Learning experiences outside of the classroom form an integral part of our curriculum. Our students partake in workshops at renowned institutions and undertake residential trips which aim to bring a range of subjects to life outside of the traditional classroom setting. Later on in the year, students have the opportunity to go on a longer excursion – students learnt to surf in Biarritz and explored the Pyrenees in France in June 2011. Taking students to new and challenging environments enables them to put their learning to use in a context other than the classroom. As such they are able to see the relevance of their education in the wider world at large.
At Bales College we work hard with parents and the local community to build a creative learning environment in which students feel both supported and inspired. Each term students will work on a cross-curricular project which encourages them to engage with people of different ages, beliefs and backgrounds. This will be creative work, culminating in an art exhibition, a film, or a short piece of theatre, whichever medium works best for the project in hand. At the end of term parents will be invited to attend a special evening in which the students display the work that they have done.
Aside from parents’ evenings, there will be many other opportunities for parents to involve themselves in the school. More informal events such as barbeques and five-a-side football matches for charity encourage students, staff and parents to meet and interact in more relaxed settings. The schoolis also keen to hear from parents who wish to volunteer their services. This may entail something as short and simple as a five-minute talk on their particular career, or a more longstanding arrangement, such as helping to build the set for a school play.
We are proud of our students and the good work we do at the college. It is our strong sense of community which sets us apart from other schools and which makes Bales College a truly great place to study.”