THIS month's School of the Month is Westbourne School, Penarth.

Name of headteacher

Dr Gerard Griffiths is principal of Westbourne School, a role he has held since September 2017, having joined initially as Head of the Prep School.

Number of pupils

380 pupils across Nursery, Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form (aged two to 18).

Number of staff

We have 85 staff who support our students.

Tell us a bit about the school

"One of the most consistently high-achieving independent schools in Britain" (Sunday Times Schools Guide 2021), Westbourne is one of the UK's leading academic schools, rated excellent in all five inspection categories and named IB School of the Year by the Sunday Times.

Westbourne is known for its small class sizes, personalised support for every pupil, and for its friendly, approachable community.

Penarth Times: Dr Gerard Griffiths, Principal of Westbourne School

Every teacher knows every student by name, and pupils and parents describe a "family feel".

From the moment they join the school, pupils are nurtured to thrive both academically and personally, quickly building their confidence and skill level, and developing a love of learning that carries them into their futures.

Attending class is just one small part of the experience. Awaiting students is a vibrant global community, offering uncapped support and igniting a lifelong love of learning.

Classes are capped at a maximum of 18 in the Prep School and 20 in the Senior School.

Pupils are guided by staff on a one-to-one basis to achieve their fullest potential.

Penarth Times: Westbourne School, in the heart of Penarth

With a 127-year reputation for academic excellence, Westbourne in 2023 is innovative and pioneering, with students benefiting from access to cutting-edge technology and a global learning network.

The school's approach is future-focused and innovative. Learning is transformed through cutting-edge technology.

In 2021, the school was added to the prestigious EdTech50 list for shaping the future of UK education through innovation, and is currently shortlisted for 'Best Use of Technology' in the TES Schools Awards.

One of the first schools in Wales to use AI, pupils develop advanced skills in coding and programming, supported by the latest robotics, and 3D modelling and printing labs.

A new "Innovation Hub" at the school is a centre for STEM excellence - and it's also home to the school's electric racing car. With a growing network of elite academic schools globally, including Sydney and Singapore, Westbourne UK students are part of a dynamic global hub for knowledge exchange, taking part in webinars, workshops and exchange trips, and meeting students from all over the world. Preparing and inspiring the next generation of leaders sits at the very heart of Westbourne's mission.

Penarth Times: Small class sizes and personalised academic support for children aged 2-18. (I am not able to name children as it is against data protection)

Established links with universities as well as world number one business school, INSEAD, allow students to get a head-start on the career ladder, learning directly from industry experts.

If relevant, what are your exam results like?

In summer 2022: IB Sixth Form: 93 per cent A*-B in the IB Diploma; GCSE: 100 per cent A*-C in all core subjects, 71 per cent A*/A (9-7).

With 90 per cent graduate access to highly competitive STEM courses at Russell Group, including Oxbridge, and international equivalents, Westbourne has a long history of sending students to the very best universities.

What sorts of things do your pupils get up to in the average school week?

Every week is different to the next! We pride ourselves on offering a stimulating, engaging curriculum with hands-on learning opportunities through speaker visits, trips and immersive learning experiences.

Alongside the core subjects, lessons cover everything from philosophy, to Latin, to coding.

Pupils also enjoy regular outdoor learning, alongside a dynamic co-curricular programme which supports their resilience, independence, confidence and teamworking, as well as giving opportunities to contribute to the local community.

Tell us a bit about your extra curricular activities?

Clubs include climbing, sailing, horse riding, kayaking, skiing, yoga and ice skating.

Penarth Times: Students benefit from a dynamic extra-curricular programme including 40+ club options, using the area's most outstanding facilities

The school has an innovative wellbeing app to encourage students to monitor their wellbeing on a daily basis, as well as a thriving Saturday Sports fitness club.

The school uses the very best facilities locally to ensure pupils benefit from a first-class extra-curricular experience - including the Olympic-sized pool at Cardiff International Pool, the ice rink, water sports centre, and other local sports and leisure facilities.

How do parents get involved?

We run regular events for our parents to meet and get to know each other, including Celebration Afternoons (where parents come into school to see their children in class or doing various curriculum-based activities), pizza nights for parents who have recently joined the school community, and our annual charity ball. We regularly invite parents to speak to children across the school to share their professional expertise.

What's the highlight of the school year?

The further expansion of our global schools - and successfully deploying cutting-edge technology to link up students from all over the world, sharing learning, insights and resources - has to be a highlight.

What does the future hold for your school?

Our vision as a school is to provide students with the global opportunities, the skills and self-belief to pursue the careers of the future, in a range of competitive industries.

Westbourne's Penarth headquarters is the hub of a groundbreaking international network of academically elite schools, which has grown over the past year to include Westbourne College Sydney and Westbourne College Singapore.

Offering the world's first global network of elite IB schools, Westbourne's rapidly growing global network facilitates unmatched learning and personal development opportunities for students, including international exchange trips.

Penarth Times: Westbourne's Forest & Beach (FaB) School runs weekly for children in the Prep School, with locations including local beaches, islands and the school's very own farm site.

The future sees the further expansion of this global learning hub, as we launch new schools worldwide. We are also excited to further build our relationships with leading universities and industry experts.

This month, for example, we launched Future Leaders Lab - a cutting-edge entrepreneurship programme aimed at creating the world's next generation of business innovators. The highly competitive one-week summer programme will run in Westbourne campuses in the UK and Singapore this summer, and is open to the brightest young minds from across the globe.

Anything else you think we should know?

There is a Senior School Open Day, on July 6 where you can experience Westbourne's award-winning approach for yourself. Tour the campus, meet the school's friendly staff and pupils, and learn more about how Westbourne can support your child to excel. A range of academic scholarships are available.

  • If you would like your school to be featured as our School of the Month, email jo.barnes@newsquest.co.uk for details.