Founded in 1977, Abbey Gate College is a day school for pupils from 4–18 years of age.
Location and facilities. The senior school is set in 20 acres of beautiful grounds at Saighton Grange, some three miles south of the City of Chester. The history of Saighton Grange goes back long before the Norman Conquest, although most of the present building is Victorian. From 1853, the Grange was a residence of the Grosvenor family. Additional facilities include a large Sports Hall, playing fields and an Arts and Media Centre opened in March 2004 by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester. A purpose-built Art and Design & Technology Centre and new science laboratory were completed in Spring 2008 and opened by His Grace the Duke of Westminster. In 2013, developments included a new multipurpose classroom and drama studio. In 2016, a Sports & Teaching Pavilion was opened, followed two years later by the opening of an all-weather pitch. The recently renovated Sixth Form Centre includes personal study zones and a range of seminar classrooms. Future developments include two fully equipped and cutting-edge laboratories.
The Infant and Junior School is situated in Aldford, a picturesque village only two miles from Saighton. Facilities here include a new Foundation and Infant School building opened in 2018, with three spacious classrooms with covered outdoor areas, a library area, and a space for Learning Enrichment, along with excellent playing fields, an ecology and wildlife area plus a number of other outdoor learning spaces. The Infants and Juniors benefit from shared use of the senior site facilities and specialist staff that teach throughout the age range.
Aims and mission. ‘We are committed, within our safe and caring community, that each one of our pupils will become the best that they can be and have the self-belief to go forward into this changeable world with courage and with compassion.’
We pursue our whole-College mission, guided by three defining and aspirational aims:
•Self: each pupil is mentally and physically well, learns and achieves to their individual potential, and is comfortable and confident to be who they are in our diverse and inclusive College.
•Service: each pupil makes a positive difference to the lives of others in our College, as well as in our local and in wider, global communities.
•Sustainability: each pupil contributes towards preserving and protecting the planet we all inherit and share, and has the opportunity to be creative and innovative; to help further humanity’s progress in the future.
In achieving these aims, the College builds the self-confidence of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences in the next chapters of their lives.
Academic programme. The curriculum is balanced, broad and challenging to help pupils maximise their potential, empowering them with intelligence, resilience and the attitude to succeed. Exam results are strong across the board, with significantly positive value-added at each key stage. Pupils are constantly stretched and challenged. Small class sizes, the attention they deserve, and the school’s friendly, caring approach ensure they discover and develop their personal talents.
The College is well equipped with the latest technology: interactive touch screens in every classroom, access to a range of iPads, tablets, laptops and PCs, blended learning with Bring Your Own Device in the Senior School, 3D printers, computer-aided design (CAD) equipment, Wi-Fi, and a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), all help to develop the skills that pupils will need to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow.
The stunning woodland, gardens and natural, green spaces on both sites contribute to pupils' curricular learning and engagement with sustainability, as well as supporting the context of wellbeing, calm and respect.
Creativity is well-nurtured by the College’s specialist Art and Design Departments, in addition to the Music Department, which enjoys an excellent reputation in the region for the quality of its choir in particular, who delight audiences in the Chester area and beyond on a regular basis.
Many pupils of all ages take music lessons and, with visiting staff, are prepared for the Associated Board Examinations.
Sport. All pupils participate in physical education and games. Boys play rugby, soccer, cricket and tennis; girls play hockey, netball, tennis and rounders. Athletics is popular for both boys and girls and all sports provide full fixture lists for the various College teams. The local swimming pool is reserved each week for sessions with a fully qualified instructor for the younger pupils.
Other activities. Pupils visit all corners of the world, including History Department trips to the First World War battlefields, the USA and Poland, Geography Department trips to Iceland, Switzerland and Costa Rica and cultural trips to France. There is a well-established service project with a community of three schools in Eswatini and award-winning Young Enterprise teams. The College also have large numbers of pupils completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s award at bronze, silver and gold level.
Admission.
Senior School: Most pupils enter the senior school at age 11 following an Entrance Examination held in the Spring Term, although where occasional places occur in other year groups, assessments can be made mid-year. Each pupil is allocated to one of the Senior School Houses; the house system encourages competition, community and positive attitudes through the allocation of home points.
Junior School: Pupils are admitted to the Junior School by means of short assessment and interview at ages 7, 8, 9 and 10, dependent on spaces being available. It is expected that children already in this part of the school will move directly into the College at age 11.
Infant School: Entry at ages 4, 5 and 6 is also available. Reception places are limited and assessments run on separate occasions throughout the year.
Sixth Form: Priority is given to existing pupils but places are offered to others and are conditional on meeting the entry criteria with their GCSE results.
Scholarships. Academic scholarships are available following the results of the Entrance Examination. A comprehensive Bursary Scheme also operates for pupils from Year 3 and above, widening access to deserving pupils.
For musical talent awards are offered, including the Daphne Herbert Choral Scholarship and the Music Exhibition Scholarship at Year 7.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Tuition: Infant School £4,306; Junior School £4,447; Senior School £6,265. (From 1 January 2025, including VAT.)
Abbey Gate College Alumni. All pupils are encouraged to join the Alumni Association, Old Saightonians. Further details of the Association can be obtained from the Registrar at the College.
Charitable status. Deeside House Educational Trust is a Registered Charity. number 273586. It exists to provide co-education for children in the Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales areas.
Governors & Staff:
Visitor: His Grace The Duke of Westminster
Chair of Governors: A Grime
Head: C Jenkinson, MA Oxon, PGCE, MInstLM
Senior Deputy Head: A Austen
Academic Staff:
J Andrews
K Anger
E Axon
T Baglole
K Bailey
S Ball
C Bennett
S Blain
M Booth
K Burdon
A Byers
L Chapman
C Cutler
G Darbey
M Dickins
S Dolan
Z Dunn
G Evans
C Faithfull
E Garcia-Estrada
V Gray
A Gresty
S Hall
H Highton
L Hornby
C Houghton
D Jenkinson
L Johnson
E Jones
D Kebell
H Kitchin
E Leatherbarrow
Z Leonard
J Lloyd-Johnson
S Mackenzie
A Neal
G O'Leary
L Poyser
M Richardson
D Rowett
E Sanders
F Slingsby
N Stammers
G Thomas
P Thomas
C Tilly
S Toosey
K Whitwell
H Wood
E Worth
Infant & Junior School:
Head of Infant & Junior School: A M Hickey
N Jones
A Hughes
E Newman
L Parker
S Parry
W Richards
S Tomlins
C Travis
A Williams
Teaching Assistants:
G Foulkes
A Higgins
A Hughes
W Jones
A Kinsey
M Nevett
K Reid
E Turner
Finance Manager: A Williams
Admissions Manager and External Relations Manager: S MacClaren
HR & Staff Wellbeing Manager: S Moran
Finance Officer (Operational): S Tagg
Finance Office (Technical): H Keenan
Marketing and Promotions Manager: F Hodgkinson
Librarian: F Chiasson
Lead First Aider & Counsellor: P Sheckley
Technicians:
R Freeman (Art)
S Horsefield (DT)
S Huxley
H Rawson
Executive PA: K Simons
PA to Head of Infant and Junior School and Receptionist/Administrator: A Ivory
Data Manager: H Goodall
Examination Officer: A Owen
Attendance Officers: K Jackson, K Lindley
Office Administrators/Reception: S Handley. K Jackson, K Lindley, N York
Digital Development and Network Manager: A Rose
Senior ICT Technician: J Adamson
Estates Manager: Ms D Coakley
Head Gardener: Mr T Frodsham
Head Caretaker: P Hamilton
Caretakers: G Dawson, S Peers, R Tyrrell
Gardener and Maintenance: Y Laidouni, J Hughes
Mini Bus Driver: D Owen