Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.

Pablo Picasso

Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you’re not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were.

David Rockefeller

Everything in life involves business. Think about that new pair of trousers you bought last week and then think of what businesses made it possible for you to be wearing them right now?

The obvious ones are the shop and the manufacturer but what about the cotton growers? The label makers? The delivery company? Even the companies that manage the finances of all those businesses (accountants). Thinking about all those processes and people allows you begin to understand what Business Studies is all about.

Design is thinking made visual.

Saul Bass

“Design and Technology is a subject that enthuses and motivates young people because it is open ended and creative and uses problem solving – and these are just the type of skills employers are looking for.” (Rhys Morgan – Royal College of Engineering)

The vast majority of our students enjoy its practical, hands on approach to learning, which is underpinned with knowledge and understanding. This is applied across the different areas of the department which include food technology, graphics and resistant materials.

If you don't try at anything, you can't fail. It takes backbone to lead the life you want.

 Revolutionary Road, Richard Yates

Reading and writing, the basic principles involved in the study of English, serve as the gateway to a deeper level of thought. Studying literature and observing personal reactions can make one more aware of his or her own values - there is no area of study that English and communication skills do not influence.

Vous n'êtes pas encore arrivés mais vous êtes plus proche qu'hier.  (You haven't arrived yet, but you are closer than yesterday.)

                                    El Mundo es un panuelo                                       (It's a small world)

(Anon)

The study of a modern language should broaden students’ horizons and encourage them to step beyond familiar cultural boundaries. Just one in four of the world’s population speaks English, which means having another language will give your child countless opportunities to meet new people, make friends and network. It is reported that close to seven in ten teenagers say they’d like to work abroad at some point and the study of a language could help them in almost any career and open up opportunities at home and abroad.

Geography is a subject which holds the key to our future.

Michael Palin - Comedian, Actor and Television Presenter

Geography is one of the most interesting and relevant courses you can study. Issues such as climate change, migration, the environment and social cohesion are at the forefront of the political agenda. Student Geographers develop a wide range of skills including  data handling, problem solving, critical evaluation and field work skills.

History does not repeat itself, except in the minds of those who do not know history.

Kahil Gibran

Have you have wondered why Henry VIII had six wives or why the French Revolution happened, or whether the holocaust could happen again? 

Personal computers have become the most empowering tools we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity and they can be shaped by their user

Bill Gates

In a world where computer technology is constantly changing, indivduals will increasingly need to develop their knowledge in the fields of computing, ICT and digital literacy. These skills are now as essential as the traditional skills of numeracy and literacy.

“The important thing to remember about mathematics is not to be frightened” 

Richard Dawkins

Maths is one of the best subjects to develop your analytical, research and problem solving skills. Not only will maths give you the knowledge to tackle scientific, mechanical, coding and abstract problems, it will also help you develop logic to tackle everyday issues like planning projects, managing budgets and even debating effectively.

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe

Lao Tzu

Music is a universal language which stems from a multitude of cultures and societies.  It was one of our earliest forms of communication.  Music education should aim to engage and inspire pupils to develop both a love of music and their talent as musicians and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. Music at the Hayesbrook school will focus on many different types of world music, including music theory knowledge and understanding of specific instruments with a high proportion of the lessons being based on practical activities.

Boys need to engage with music as a subject and have a meaningful modern experience with music delivered in a 21st century way.  We have invested in the latest technology so that students can access all areas of music, making it relevant to them as to how they listen to, create and access music.

Drama is an essential tool for preparing students to live and work in a world that is increasingly team focussed rather than hierarchical. Drama helps students develop tolerance and empathy. In addition to this, drama helps reinforce other aspects of our school's curriculum by supporting PHSE topics as well as creative thinking.  Drama helps our boys to really understand how the world looks through another person's eye.

Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.

John F. Kennedy

At the heart of the PE curriculum is a philosophy of inclusion, enjoyment, high quality teaching and learning and holistic development of all students. The department focuses on healthy active lifestyles, development of physical literacy, the development of critical thinking skills and mental toughness. Inclusion and development of humanistic values remain at the heart of extra-curricular school sport, with more of a focus leaning towards development of the competitive mind set, resilience and mastery of skills and aspirations to be elite performers.

The important thing is to never stop questioning.

Albert Einstein

Science is a fascinating subject that enables students to develop their understanding of their bodies and the importance of keeping fit and healthy to how the wider world around them works.  Studying Biology, Physics and Chemistry can lead to a multitude of careers including psychology, medicine, sport and exercise and pharmacology. Learning Science will help to nurture scientific literate citizens of the future, who will be to use their knowledge to solve every day, and future issues.

You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with a sense of wonder and always challenge yourself to try new things.

Nate Berkus

The Enrichment afternoon allows students to experience a variety of activities outside of their normal timetabled lessons. It has been designed to give students the opportunity to select from a wide range of alternative activities, all of which aim to broaden their personal, social, moral and spiritual development. The enrichment afternoon was established to support some of the key outcomes of the 'Every Child Matters' agenda, such as enjoying and achieving, being healthy and making a positive contribution.

The activities have been decided through consultation with staff and students and involve both onsite and offsite activities. Examples include skiing, Young Leaders, sports clubs, woodwork, reading, art clubs, cooking, cross-country, fitness training, Air-Fix model making, language clubs and many, many more.

As well as our enrichment offer, there are a host of extra-curricular activities on offer to broaden horizons outside of the core curriculum and ensure each pupil achieves their very best outcomes at The Hayesbrook School.

Physical Education

A broad range of extra-curricular clubs and competitive fixtures are run throughout the year. Football runs from September to Christmas (and beyond for those teams progressing further in the various cup competitions), and all year groups are entered into a local schools league, the West Kent Cup and the Kent Cup. We also have a Chelsea Football Academy in the 6^th form, who play in the Academy Premier and Championship League, as well as the U19, U17 County Cup, and the National Cup.

Basketball, rugby, tennis, badminton, table tennis, handball and athletics fixtures and clubs are run wherever possible at various times throughout the rest of the year.  A clubs timetable is published on the website at the start of every term.

Science 

We are fortunate to have good links with two universities – Christ Church, Canterbury and the University of Sussex.  The department has benefited from themed science days run by the universities, as well as masterclasses by lecturers who are leaders in their fields specifically aimed at encouraging pupils  to consider careers in the lucrative STEM industries (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). 

Links with industry and other local schools have been made to share equipment to ensure the pupils have an opportunity to use cutting edge technology, not normally found in the classroom.

Science Club offers a hands-on science curriculum enrichment program, designed to teach scientific concepts and skills through practical activities.

The emphasis is on problem solving and collaborative team work, with sessions building on the context of scientific development.

The sessions themselves have a central theme, such as: demonstrating the properties of fuels; using methane bubbles and Hydrogen balloons; making glow-in-the-dark jelly; turning copper pennies into silver and gold and exploring ways to put an egg in a conical flask.

What our pupils have to say about the Science Club….

“It is my favourite place to be!”

"I like science club because it is fun and it makes me do challenging work”

"It’s not just cool, you also get to learn stuff”

“Why would anyone not like this Science Club?”

“I love Science Club, sometimes we can also choose our own experiments”

Maths

The Mathematics Department offers the following additional opportunities:

• Junior and intermediate UKMT Maths Challenge
• Participation in UKMT maths Team Challenge
• Stock Market trading during enrichment- this involves a lot of mental arithmetic
• Maths club
• Maths Games days
• Attendance at ‘Teen Tech’ in Tonbridge
• Family learning events
• Link with Tonbridge school – supporting Further mathematics

Homework Club

Students can visit our Student Services department at lunchtime (5 days a week) or after school (4 days a week) in order to complete homework in a calm and quiet environment with the support of Learning Mentors. Everyone is welcome.

Music

In addition to time-tabled music lessons, individual or group instrumental tuition is offered via visiting 
peripatetic music staff.

The Hayesbrook School understands that activities outside of the classroom enhance learning and we offer a broad range of day and residential trip opportunities as well as departmental excursions and our very popular 'End of Year Activity Day'.

Recent trips have included:

End of Year Activity Day

The End of Year Activity Day is part of the celebration for all the hard work achieved over the year. In recent years students have chosen from Paintballing, Laser Tag, Thorpe Park, Seasonal Cooking at Bore Place, and Totally Tonbridge and Craft and Cooking.