School Feature: Pinefield Schools

School Feature: Pinefield Schools Lekki

LagosMums interviews Mrs Barbara Morayosola Fadipe, the founder of Pinefield Schools Lekki. She discusses the school curriculum, ethos and more.

Please introduce yourself and your background?

I am Barbara Morayosola Fadipe (Mrs). I am an educationist with a Montessori background. I decided to be a school owner many years ago when I had my first two children and they were not doing well in school. They went to a typical Nigerian Primary School and they had difficulties in retaining, assimilating and comprehending. Then I just wondered what the problems could be and that was when my interest in education started and I started researching into different methods of education.

What is the name of the School and when was it founded?

The name of my school is Pinefield Schools (Montessori Nursery, Primary and College). The Primary was established in September 1999 while the College was established in 2007.

Where is the school located?

The school is located on 1.8 hectares of land, purpose built on Christ Avenue Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Nigeria.

Please give details of your staff/administration?

Teaching Staff

Primary- Eleven (11) teachers.

Basic Qualifications – B.Ed, B.Sc, M.Ed, PGDE.

College- Eleven (11)

Basic Qualifications – B.Ed, B.Sc, M.Ed, PGDE, CIE Certification.

Admin Staff: Ten (10)

Support Staff: Twelve (12)

Ratio of kids to teachers?

EARLY YEARS: 1:4

Primary:  1:15

College:  1:3

Number of children in the school and the capacity?

Capacity: 15 – 20 students per class.

What age range are your students? And classes?

Playgroup and Montessori Nursery – Ages 1-4

KS1 & KS2 – Ages 5-11

KS3 & KS4 – Ages 12 and above

What is the curriculum/teaching methodology?

We run the English National Curriculum with emphasis on Nigeria and Africa in Geography and History. Yoruba, the language of our environment, is taught from Age 3.

Extra-curricular activities available? School Hours and any after school services offered?

Extra-curricular activities:

• Art & Craft
• Baking
• Dance: Ballet, Calisthetics
• Gymnastic & Salsa
• Taekwondo
• Drama & Jazz Club
• Chess
• Elocution
• Computing Club
• Jet Club
• Literary & Debating

School Hours: 8.00a.m -3.00p.m for Primary, 8.00a.m – 4.00p.m for College.

What is the admission process? Deadline? Is it rolling?

PRIMARY:   An Assessment Test in Literacy and Numeracy

COLLEGE:   Entrance Examination which holds between January and March each year. Parents’ and Students’ interview will follow the examinations.

The school will admit students based on the following criteria:

Students seeking admission into Year 7 at the start of a school year in September must reach the age of 11 years by the 31st August in that same year. Admission into the years above Year 7 (JS1) depends upon vacancies in those years. Students seeking admission into other years will be required to provide character reference from previous schools regarding their conduct and behaviour and the last two school’s reports.

Students seeking admission into the school must pass our entrance test and interview.

Tuition? Is there a payment plan for parents?

It is in our financial policy that all fees must be paid on or before resumption of a new term. A two (2) weeks grace is given after school resumption.

How do you assess students’ progress?

Through Topic Tests, Mid and End of Term Exams, Debate and Quizzes.

Discipline methods?

This depends on the level and degree of the offences committed. However, the school has a code of conduct and punishment for contravening the code of conduct.

Do you offer a school bus service? Yes.

What should parents be looking for to decide if your school would work for them/their children?

Our learning environment is warm and homely with small class sizes that enable teachers give individualized attention and support to children. We also have the following facilities:

• State of the art air conditioned classrooms
• Science laboratories
• Computers with internet connection
• Interactive whiteboard room
• Language laboratory
• Music studio
• Art studio
• Design and technology room
• Swimming pool
• Multi-purpose sports court
• Football pitch
• Clinic
• Library

How is your school preparing children for learning and operating in the 21^st century?

We ensure the continuous provision of modern 21st Century technologies and the exposure and training of our teachers in modern teaching and learning skills.

Any other information you would like to share?

Pinefield Schools desire a qualitative education within a purpose built school environment.

The school sits majestically on a 1.8 hectare site located in a serene part of Lekki phase 1. Visitors to the school are awestruck by the spacious environment that is undoubtedly conducive and essential for the social and academic development of the young minds we nurture.

How do we contact you for more information? Or to schedule a visit to the school?

Contact: Christ Avenue, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Nigeria.

Tel: 01-2705959, 7751596, 08023158055.

Website: www.pinefieldschools.com

E-mail: [email protected]