In Senior School (Years 7-11) all pupils follow a balanced curriculum which enables them to experience a wide range of academic subjects and develop the depth and breadth of their knowledge and understanding before making their all-important GCSE option choices.
Middle School (years 7-9)
Our Middle School curriculum incorporates the best elements of the National Curriculum and so much more.
All students study the core subjects: English, Mathematics and Science (taught as a combined course in Year 7, and in separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons from Year 8). Throughout the Middle School years all students also study Art, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Drama, Geography, History, Music and Religion, Philosophy and Ethics.
In addition to timetabled PE lessons, students compete against other schools in a wide range of team and individual sports. All students take part in an annual Gym and Dance Show in Year 7 and Year 8.
By the end of Middle School in Year 9 students will have had the opportunity to study two modern foreign languages and will study at least one of them to GCSE. German, French, Spanish or Mandarin are our most popular languages. In addition all students study Latin from Year 7; in Year 9 they opt either to continue with Latin, to add Greek alongside Latin, or to follow a non-linguistic Classical Civilisation course.
On joining Senior School, students are allocated to a tutor group of approximately 20 pupils. The Form Tutor plays a central role in providing pastoral care, and is the first port of call for pupils, teachers, and parents. The tutor’s main role is to promote personal wellbeing, effective academic progress, and engagement with our extensive co-curricular programme through our GROW (Goals, Reality, Obstacles, Way Forward) coaching model, which enables every girl to realise her full potential.
Upper School (Years 10-11)
As students enter Upper School in Year 10, they embark upon their GCSE or iGCSE courses. All students take courses in English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, a Modern Foreign Language and one of the Humanities.
Students continue to be banded by ability in Mathematics, ensuring that each girl is able to tackle this course at a pace and depth that is best suited to her needs.
As well as these seven or eight GCSEs or iGCSEs, students are able to choose two further subjects. Our current options list comprises Art, Classical Civilisation, Classical Greek, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Drama, French, Geography, German, History, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies and Spanish.
PSHCE programme
Throughout Senior School the core curriculum is complemented by our bespoke Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) programme, in which pupils discuss social and current affairs, and follow modules on citizenship, political literacy, study skills, community involvement, ethics, sex and relationships education, self-esteem, personal and internet safety, social and moral responsibility and healthy living.
There is also a strong focus on Careers Education to help the girls consider future career options and their Sixth Form choices.
