We recently headed over to Winscombe in Somerset where we visited co-ed independent school Sidcot School, one of only 7 Quaker schools in the UK. We recently placed a student from Israel there who we caught up with during our visit. She is absolutely loving the school.
A Quaker School that teaches integrity and mutual respect
Although the majority of staff and students are not Quakers, the Quaker principles of truth, integrity, respect, simplicity, equality and sustainability are woven throughout life and education at the school. To summarise a piece about Quakerism on their website. The school, founded in 1699, is administered on the principles just mentioned. The respect for these testimonies means that they value each member of the community equally resulting in gentle, courteous, and friendly relationships between staff and pupils. Their working ambience is rigorous but conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect in which each person can master how to learn with integrity; with the highest standards of commitment, truthfulness, and consideration expected.
It was a really useful day and we were lucky enough to have a delicious school lunch in their amazing dining hall whilst there. Here are some of the things we loved about Sidcot:
– A beautiful rural location in North Somerset
– Offers IB and BTECs.
– Has an exceptional and modern arts facility. In addition to art GCSE & A Level, they offer Design Technology, Product Design, Photography, Textiles, Food Preparation and Nutrition.
– Boasts an equestrian centre – students can bring their horses.
– Has a Wellbeing Centre. This is a dedicated building with 2 full time counsellors.
We finished our tour struck by how relevant and poignant the Quaker principles are in recent events. How particularly integrity, consideration and mutual respect need to be reiterated right now. As it says on a wall hanging in Sidcot school “Together, let us reject the clamour of fear and listen to the whisperings of hope.”
