The College

• Welcome to The College
• Our Commitment to your child
• Curriculum
• Sport For All
• Music & Drama
• Activities
• A Word From Our Girls

Curriculum - Modern and relevant education is our primary aim

We follow an enhanced National Curriculum, designed to stimulate and challenge our girls, enabling them to make the choices that are right for them in the years ahead.

Many of our girls will reach adulthood having spent all of their school days with us and we understand our responsibility to prepare them thoroughly for life in our fast moving, technologically advanced, multi-cultural society.

Academic success is vital and each girl is motivated to develop her own potential to its fullest - we are justifiably proud of our academic success. We also recognise the importance of producing interesting and informed individuals and so inspire our girls to develop skills in other key areas such as art, drama, music and sport.

A wide range of extra-curricular activities is offered along with a varied programme of educational outings and residential trips.

We will maintain a close eye on your daughter's development and will keep you closely informed of her progress.

Early Years (4+ - 7)

Key Stage 1 - Reception to Year 2

We know how important the early school years are. The grounding girls receive with us now lays the foundation for the rest of their schooling.

Initially the emphasis is very much on reading, writing and arithmetic and a good part of the timetable is devoted to acquiring these essential basic skills.

Form teachers and classroom assistants are backed up by a team of specialists in reading support, music, sport and French. The girls will be introduced to, and become familiar with, The College's extensive computer resources.

Good learning habits and attitudes are fostered from the start and the children are encouraged to develop self-reliance, self-discipline and self-confidence.

Juniors (8-10)

Key Stage 2 - Year 3 to Year 6

As the work becomes increasingly challenging more specialist teaching is introduced, though form teachers are still heavily involved in teaching the class.

The curriculum is wide and varied and though the emphasis is still on core academic subjects a wide range of other topics is also taught.

These include technology (wood, metal, plastics and food materials), drama, art, and music. The girls will also make more extensive use of The College's ICT facilities.

Each girl is helped to develop her special talents to the full. We know that success in one area will build the confidence to succeed in others.

At the end of this Key Stage every girl will have covered not only the demands of the National Curriculum but much more besides.

Senior School (11-16)

Key Stage 3 - Year 7 to Year 9

Having acquired good work habits and a thorough grounding in the primary skills, our girls face the bustle and challenge of secondary education. Now they will study a wide range of subjects including several languages and all the major sciences in preparation for their GCSE years. We also introduce learning methods, study techniques and thinking skills. At this stage, there are opportunities to work collaboratively with the boys at Claires Court.

GCSE/Key Stage 4 - Years 10 & 11

Particular care is taken when our girls select their final GCSE course to ensure that as many options as possible are kept open. Most girls will take 9 or 10 GCSEs including core subjects: English, Mathematics, Modern Languages and the Sciences.

They will also choose from a wide range of optional subjects that can include: Art, Business Studies, Drama, Geograph, History, ICT, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies and Technology.

Good career guidance is crucial at this stage and is covered explicitly in the final three years of senior school.

This will include lessons, conventions, visits and counselling as well as the opportunity to be involved in work experience programmes.

Most girls progress to our Sixth Form when they complete their GCSEs. During their final year of study we liaise closely with our girls and their parents to ensure that the most appropriate choices are made prior to selecting sixth form courses and destinations.