Dear Parents,
A very warm welcome to Pownall Hall School!
I am delighted that you are considering Pownall for this very important stage of your child’s education, and I hope that our website will introduce you to all the academic, sporting, performing and creative arts, and co-curricular opportunities available here at Pownall Hall.
As a preparatory school, we thoroughly prepare our pupils for the top performing independent, grammar and occasional boarding schools in the North West and beyond.
We add value to all levels of academic ability; we stretch and challenge through a mastery level curriculum which allows all children to achieve above their innate ability, adding value to all aspects of themselves whether academic, creative, performance or pastoral.
Our mastery level core curriculum allows pupils to aspire and achieve the results required to attend the very best academic schools in the region, whilst supporting those who may need it to achieve their full potential. This combined with a rich and diverse range of specialist taught subjects means that we provide the very best academic opportunities possible: science in our laboratory, art and design and design technology in our studio, music and drama in our very own Boddington theatre, three languages and extensive grounds, an astro and a sports hall for our specialist PE and Games lessons.
“Our co-curricular programme of wellbeing, mental health and growth mindset enables us to educate the whole child, developing them both socially and emotionally to become curious, hard-working, aspirational, inquisitive, kind and caring children.”
Many families aspire for their children to attend top performing schools for their senior phase, yet still wish for them to be at a co-educational, local school in their formative years. At Pownall, we are the very best of both and will provide your child with the strong academic foundations required for the demands of 11+ whilst remaining a small class size, nurturing and family based school.
At Pownall Hall we are a community, a community of pupils, staff, parents, governors and friends, all working together to ensure an excellent academic outcome in a caring, safe environment. Our curriculum is creative, broad, active and diverse, wrapped in a caring ethos and all of this is underpinned by a no-compromise approach to the safeguarding of our children, ensuring a happy and safe place for your child to flourish.
We are very fortunate to have over 8 acres of beautiful grounds allowing us to have outdoor classrooms, a wildlife pond and forest school provision within our woodland areas; all of which provides excellent learning opportunities for all ages, with free flow inside/outside learning in all our early years provision.
Pastoral care is paramount at Pownall. Our staff really get to know your child and will always encourage them to talk if there is something on their mind; this of course will be shared with you, transparency is key. It is crucial that each family knows and understands their son or daughter in the same way that our teaching and support staff do. We will work together to ensure your child’s happiness. We also operate a buddy system between the children from the lower and upper parts of the school, further encouraging the importance of kindness.
We have a whole child approach at Pownall. Your child’s social and emotional development is very important to us and has a direct correlation to their personal progress and success. As well as the bespoke areas, there is an essential focus on wellbeing and mindfulness that enables your child to develop a growth mindset that will ensure that they flourish.
We believe that these values as well as mental health and wellbeing are just as important as the academic rigour we provide to achieving success in life. We want our children to see themselves as part of a bigger picture, we want them to see beyond themselves and how social values and the qualities of humility, kindness, compassion, discipline, and honesty, are such a very important part of who they will become and what they can be.
We are Pownall. Everything is possible.
David Goulbourn
At Pownall Hall School, we offer an exceptional educational experience that combines rigorous academic standards with bespoke learning. Our small class sizes ensure that every child receives personalised attention from our highly qualified staff, allowing us to tailor our teaching to nurture their unique abilities and aspirations. We also provide a wealth of resources and facilities, not only 8 acres of grounds to explore, but a state-of-the-art science lab that rivals senior schools, and our 1800’s Boddington Theatre, that enhance the learning environment, making Pownall Hall the top choice for families seeking the best for their children.
Our holistic approach to education focuses not only on academic performance but also on developing well-rounded individuals. We employ expert staff in pastoral care who work closely with each child, building self-esteem and resilience. Our rich, character-building programmes encourage collaboration, empathy, and leadership, ensuring that children leave us equipped for future challenges – both academically and personally – ready to excel in any environment.
The extra-curricular programme is a true highlight of Pownall Hall, boasting a diverse array of around 50 extracurricular clubs each term, specifically designed to enhance talents and interests. In addition to our competitive sports teams and prestigious musical ensembles, we offer specialised workshops in areas like chess, ballet, golf, and Spanish, taught by experts. These opportunities enable children to develop their skills beyond the classroom, have fun and build friendships.
We understand that transitioning to secondary school is a pivotal moment in a child’s educational journey. Our comprehensive transition programme nurtures independence and confidence, preparing children for the varied experiences they will encounter. Unlike traditional primary schools where children remain confined to one classroom, our pupils confidently and safely navigate our expansive site, attending lessons in specialised classrooms like the Science Lab, dedicated Maths and English rooms, Theatre, Art studio and our outstanding sports facilities. This mimicry of senior school life builds familiarity and ease in adapting to new environments.
In Form 6, children take on ‘roles and responsibilities’ – such as Head Chorister and Head of Pastoral – which encourage leadership and a sense of community. Additionally, we offer enriching experiences beyond the traditional curriculum, such as our Business Enterprise programme, where children collaborate in House Groups to create and run their own businesses, raising money for charity. Through these initiatives, we instil invaluable skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience, ensuring that our pupils leave Pownall Hall not just academically prepared but equipped with the character and experience necessary for success in the next chapter of their educational journey.
At Pownall Hall School, we view parents as essential partners in the educational journey. We actively encourage parental involvement through a range of exclusive events and committees, building collaboration between families and the school. Our fantastic Parent Staff Association (PSA) plays a key role in this engagement by hosting numerous events throughout the year, such as our Comedy Night, Quiz Night and our Summer Ball, all to raise funds for the school. The PSA meets a couple of times each term and warmly welcomes all new parents to join, helping to create a strong community from the outset.
Throughout the year, we organise various events that provide fantastic opportunities for parents to come together, weekly to support our fixtures, through to our annual events including Speech Day and Pownall Fest/Summer Fair. Additionally, each year, we invite parents to an informal ‘Tea and Chat’ with other parents in their year group, allowing you to engage with myself and other members of the team. This offers a chance to discuss Pownall life, share what you enjoy, and suggest ideas for making Pownall even better.
These events and groups not only nurture strong connections within our vibrant community but also ensure that parents are well-informed and actively involved in their child’s development.
