Overdale
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 children 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 to Senior School as smooth and painless as possible.
High Standards
Coming from a variety of feeder schools, in both the state and independent sectors, Overdale children 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 children move into the Main School for P.E., Music, Design & Technology, Art and ICT, for example. There is a morning break when the tuck shop is open (run by parents) and a lunch-time break of one hour and ten minutes. Several societies, some exclusively for Overdale children, meet during lunch-time or after School and children may take their pick from Art, Science Projects, Computers, Chess, Orienteering, Music, Sport and many others.
Mentors
Every new Year 7 pupil is assigned a Lower Sixth Peer Mentor who generally keeps a 'big brotherly/sisterly' eye on proceedings and provides information not always readily available to members of staff! Once a week Year 7 pupils enjoy lunch with their peer mentors. This presents an ideal opportunity for our new pupils to get to know the older students and to share their thoughts and ideas.
In addition some Year 8 pupils serve as Prefects and thus contribute to the daily running and organisation of Overdale.
Games
There are two Games sessions a week: specialist members of staff begin by coaching every pupil, from novices to 'veterans', in rugby, hockey, cricket, netball, lacrosse, athletics and tennis. We have fielded some first-class teams at Under 12 and Under 13 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 children 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 co-curricular activities, as in all other School activities, our aim is to develop skills and interests which can be enjoyed for many years ahead. Each child has particular talents and it is our task to bring them out and nurture them. To this end Overdale children are encouraged to learn a musical instrument, to join Music Club and the Choral Society and to participate in Drama productions, some specifically for Overdale, 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/her 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 children in our care.
