Hereford Cathedral Junior School

Hereford Cathedral Junior School offers a unique and enriching educational experience for children aged two to eleven. The school, which follows a Church of England ethos, allows children to join the nursery from the term they turn three. Main intakes to the junior school are at reception and age seven, but places may be available at other ages, subject to space and suitability. For older children, entry involves interviews, tests, and reports from their current school.

Nearly all pupils progress to the senior school, and most parents choose the junior school with this in mind. The school provides ample notice if this may not be the right course for a child.

Our visit began with a walk through the cathedral cloisters to the song school, where we listened to choristers rehearsing. The choir, founded in 1165, began admitting girls in 2022. We met the first girl chorister, who was thrilled about her place in history. Children audition in year 2 and spend year 3 as probationers before becoming full choristers. Although boarding is not required, being a chorister is a significant commitment with evensong five days a week, Sunday services, and other special events. The song school is owned and run by the cathedral, but there is close liaison with the school to avoid timetable clashes. Substantial bursaries are available for choristers, along with a pension in recompense for their service when they leave in year 8. Some parents feel the choir could be more widely celebrated, and information about the choir is somewhat hidden on the school’s website.

Next, we attended a prep assembly where even the youngest pupils displayed exemplary behaviour. The children, dressed in smart navy and gold uniforms or tracksuits for games, enthusiastically sang hymns. Mrs Hoffmann gave a lively talk about bullying for ‘Odd Socks Day,’ showing her own mismatched socks. Certificates were handed out for various achievements, a new focus on recognising a breadth of skills and qualities welcomed by parents.

We visited the charming nursery, where children were engaged in activities like making Divali firework pictures and props for the Christmas play. The nursery has a modest but well-equipped outside play space, overlooked by the cathedral. Nursery children walk to the main school dining hall for lunch and are served first, often catching a glimpse of older siblings. Breakfast and after-school clubs are staggered for parents’ convenience.

A spirited pupil duo gave us a thorough tour of the school, showing us the library, classrooms, and playgrounds. The limited outside space means breaks are staggered, and there’s a year group rota for play equipment. The school’s various buildings are somewhat scattered, making it a bit of a maze. The historic site includes a medieval room and a 16th-century room now home to the art department. The recently refurbished science lab, reached via an external staircase, seemed well-equipped.

Parents praise the staff for being approachable and the pastoral care for treating children as individuals. The school has a counsellor who works across both sites. Communication on an interpersonal level is very good, though it could be better at the whole school level.

The school caters for a broad range of abilities and takes an integrated approach to support learning. The Learning Skills department works closely with other staff, providing specialist support for mild to moderate SEN and a high achievers’ programme. The needs of highly able children are met through classroom differentiation and tailored support from the Head of Learning Support.

The school offers a busy week with matches on Wednesdays and various clubs running every day, including debating and cookery. There is an increased focus on participation in sports, with pupils using senior school facilities. Music is a strong point, starting in the nursery and continuing with opportunities to learn instruments and join ensembles. Drama is also encouraged, with impressive results in LAMDA examinations.

The school’s demographic is more diverse than one might expect, with a large eastern European community and a notable military presence. A bus service brings children in from surrounding areas. Parents appreciate the focus on values, individual treatment of children, and the unique links with the cathedral.

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