Overdale
is home to pupils in Years 7 & 8. It is located at the corner of Beresford and
Bidston Road on the Main School campus. The pupils share all the main School
facilities but also have their own classrooms, recreational rooms, lockers and
playground.
With this arrangement, Overdale boys enjoy the best of both worlds: they are an integral part of the School community but at the same time they benefit from being members of a smaller school within a school. Our aim is to make the transition from Overdale into the main School as smooth and painless as possible.
High Standards
Coming from a variety of feeder schools, in both the state and independent sectors,
Overdale boys have two years in which to settle down, make friends and assimilate the standards and values of Birkenhead School. Considerable emphasis is placed on standards of behaviour, discipline and appearance. Form Tutors
and Heads of Year assume pastoral responsibility for the pupils during this important stage of their educational, physical and social development.
Success here is measured as much in terms of personal happiness and fulfilment as it is in academic achievement: indeed the two are clearly very closely linked. Academic progress is measured by grades (for both effort and achievement) each half term and Work Records go home to parents on a regular basis. Examinations are taken in June each year.
The School Day
The School day begins with
registration followed by either a short Chapel service, assembly or an extended Form Tutor
period. Most subject lessons are taught in Overdale classrooms, although boys move into the Main School for P.E., Music, French, Design & Technology, Art and Computer Studies, for example. There is a morning break when the tuckshop
is open and a lunch-time break of one hour and ten minutes. Several societies,
some exclusively for Overdale boys, meet during lunch-time or after School and
boys may take their pick from Art, Science Projects, Computers, Chess
Orienteering, Music, Sport and many others.
Mentors
Every new boy is assigned a Year 8 mentor who generally keeps a 'big brotherly' eye on proceedings and provides information not always readily available to members of staff! In addition some Year 8 boys serve as Prefects, Librarians or Monitors and thus contribute to the daily running and organisation of Overdale. Each form is allocated a Senior Prefect who plays an important role in the pastoral welfare of the boys.
Games
There are two Games afternoons a week: specialist members of staff begin by coaching every boy, from novices to 'veterans' in rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics and tennis. We have fielded some first- class teams at Under Twelve and Under Thirteen levels in recent years but we are equally proud of individual achievements, with many trophies on show in the display cabinet. It is essential that all boys have a maximum opportunity to participate in a variety of sporting activities and great importance is attached to sportsmanship and team spirit. An annual Sports Day rounds off our sporting calendar in the Summer Term.
Other Activities
In this, as in all other School activities, our aim is to develop skills and interests which can be enjoyed for many years ahead. Each boy has particular talents and it is our task to bring them out and nurture them. To this end Overdale boys are encouraged to learn a musical instrument, to join Music Club and the Choral Society and to participate in any Drama productions, some specifically for Overdale boys and to become actively involved in the co-curricular life of the School. There are regular School outings to the theatre and places of educational interest. Every Year 7 pupil takes part in a residential outdoor pursuits and study visit in his first term and later in the year has the opportunity to spend a few days in France.
Parents Welcome!
Parents are very welcome at all Overdale events, as close links between School and home can only be of benefit to the boys in our care.
