Joining together
Art, drama, music and sport all have firm places in our schools, and everyone takes part for enjoyment as well as for the competition. Membership of the group of Quaker schools has great practical benefits too, as it allows our choirs and musicians to join together regularly to perform important choral works which cannot be tackled alone. Other joint activities such as athletics meetings, expeditions, conferences for pupils as well as staff. These are typical of the cooperation that gives our young people even more opportunity of broadening their experience.

Wider horizons
Our pupils are also encouraged to be outward looking and adventurous. The strong Quaker concerns of internationalism, of active participation in global as well as local issues, lead within the Schools to involvement with the community outside, environmental projects, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, trips and expeditions abroad and money- raising for charity. Participation on this scale stimulates initiative as well as a healthy concern for the needs of others.

A School is only as good as its staff, and the level of commitment demanded of a teacher in a Quaker School ensures that "nine-to-fivers" do not apply! Turnover of staff is generally low, although the demands on their time for activities, tutorial care, careers guidance, individual help, are unusually high. Without their dedication and energy the schools would be immeasurably less enriching places in which to grow.

A way of living
In summary we can say that the Quaker emphasis in education lies in participation and caring, which are natural offshoots of the Quaker concern for peaceful cooperation. We work to prevent any bullying in our schools and to develop young people who will reject conflict in favour of cooperation. We do not try to impose the aims of the school on our pupils, but to lead them to accept these principles for themselves, encouraging them to share in the responsibility of running the school and the pleasure of its success.

Find out about Bursaries available to Quakers...

For further information, contact individual schools (see list)
or write, phone or fax the Friends Schools Joint Council,
Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
T: 020 7663 1000 F: 020 7663 1001