St Catherine's, Bramley case studies (15)

Impact of partnership work done in 2024 (ISC annual Census 2025)

• 12 state schools involved
• 201-500 state school pupils involved
• 250 staff hours given

Impact Statement

The School continues to develop its existing links with state schools in the immediate locality, particularly closer working partnerships with Bramley Infants School and Gosden House (a special needs school almost adjacent to our site). Overseas, there are historic links with the Magnet Orphanage and School, Nairobi, and Girls’ Schools projects in Afghanistan via the Afghan Connection Education Charity in general, founded by an alumna, Dr. Sarah Fane OBE.  We continue to support the charity, School Club Zambia with funds for projects helping rural schools and the sixth form expeditions to Zambia have, for the third time, this year supported the village school in Chisyabulungu, Zambia.

The School provided its venue and staff free of charge on many occasions. These included continuing to enable 4 local schools to teach swimming in our pool on a weekly basis in term time without charge, including Gosden House School, Bramley Infant School and Wonersh and Shamley Green Primary School. Holy Trinity School, Guildford, and George Abbot School, Guildford, also used it free of charge on an occasional basis and at other times at a very reduced rate.  Swimming coaching was provided free of charge for Wonersh and Shamley Green School, Bramley Infant School and Shalford Infant School.  Cricket and Rounders coaching was also provided for Wonersh and Shamley Green School.  A member of the Classics Department continued to teach Latin to GCSE at Glebelands, the community comprehensive school in Cranleigh, with excellent results.  A Senior School Music teacher continues to run a Music Club at Loseley Fields Primary School.  We provided the venue and equipment for “Spring Sing” primary pupils from Bramley, Wonersh, Shamley Green, Chilworth, Ewhurst, Busbridge, Shere and Shalford Infant Schools who all come together for a concert each year. A member of the Art Department visited the London Free School for two days in the Summer term to assist them on the development of their Art Department. 

Local schools and colleges were invited to be the audience for the French play in October 2018. An International University Roadshow day was held in September 2018 and was attended by Guildford County School, who also attended the What Can I do with a Degree in Maths or Physics seminar in September 2018 along with Godalming College and St Peters School.  St Peters School also attended the Law Workshop held in November 2018 and What Can I do with a Degree in Classics Seminar in January 2019. 

The Guildford Classical Association Latin and Greek Reading Competition was held in March 2019. Cathedral Choristers again had full use of the Auditorium and boarding facilities for a bonding weekend in March 2019. The Southern semi-final of the ECF National Girls’ Chess Tournament was held at the School in January 2019 and the residential Finals were held in April 2019 attracting new record numbers of young female chess players from state and independent schools. 

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Surrey Award Annual Presentation event was held in the Auditorium in April 2019.

We provided equipment for a number of events including Music Stands and rehearsal venue for Blackheath and Bramley Choral Society.  The annual Bramley Hall Cycle Event used the School site for parking.  

We have supported Gosden House with a number of items throughout the year and continue to do so.  Sports leaders went weekly in the summer term to help with Year 7 PE lessons.  Pupils came to watch the Prep School Nativity in December 2018. Primary classes entered the Prep School Hort-eco-ultural show in April 2019 and their Senior School students assisted with the judging and other pupils came to visit and look at the entries. Pupils were collected and returned to their school when they came to watch a concert. We have provided IT support throughout the year and also loan full use of one of our minibuses on a weekly basis.

In the wider community, St. Peter’s Primary School, Walworth, came, as they do every year, for their Sports Day in July, with all equipment, food and transportation provided by St. Catherine’s School with the event run by the Sixth Form Charities Board.  Again, the School provided a reduced charge Organ academy, with support from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and from the patron, internationally acclaimed recital organist, Dr Jennifer Bate OBE. Budding female organists can enjoy residential training sessions for which bursary funding is available. Alumnae from this course, that celebrated its 15th Anniversary in 2019, go on to lead music making in churches nationwide.

To encourage new entrants to the academic profession two members of staff completed their Initial Teacher Training (ITT) as employees. Their courses involved placements at local state schools, which encouraged the cross-fertilization of good ideas.  Closer ties were developed as a consequence with the Music Department of George Abbott School, Guildford. 

One potential teacher visited the school, spending time in classrooms observing lessons.