The Upper School
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 Life in Year 10 is not all hard work! |
Girls in Years 10 and 11, the GCSE years, form the Upper School. A wide choice of GCSE subjects is offered, allowing girls to maintain a broad academic base for as long as possible. Flexibility is ensured as we have no set option pools: subjects are allocated each year from student choices. Our Pastoral Team offers girls help and advice on making the best possible subject choices, taking into account any plans for the future.
Each girl is given the time, encouragement and support that she needs to help her to rise to and enjoy the challenge of GCSE. We put together a Study Skills programme, which helps girls learn how to organise themselves efficiently, work to deadlines and produce work that is of their best. A carefully considered programme of homework and coursework ensures that all girls are able to manage their time successfully and confidently.
Girls are encouraged to develop an independent approach to learning within a structured framework. Access to fully networked technology rooms is provided both during and outside lesson time, and girls also have the support of a continually updated, well-equipped library staffed by a professional librarian.
But it is not all work and no play! We want the girls to explore the widest possible range of interests within and beyond the curriculum. Every day provides opportunity to take part in one of the many lunchtime and after-school activities. Clubs specifically offered to the Upper School include Life Drawing Class, Fitness Club, Drama Club, Photography Club and Science projects. As more senior students, girls in the Upper School have the chance to take on significant responsibilities that enable them to develop strong leadership and communication skills.
All girls in the Upper School are actively encouraged to work for the benefit of the local community by giving their time to help others. They assist at nursery or primary schools, local charity shops, residential homes and organise fundraising activities for those less fortunate than themselves.
Lunchtime lectures are held throughout the year on a range of subjects from external speakers, ensuring that girls have access to a wealth of knowledge about life outside of school. This term, for example, we have heard from a crime novelist who abandoned the business world to become a writer and from a judge who deals in immigration, among others.
Trips, both at home and abroad, are a regular and exciting part of Upper School life. These may relate directly to the curriculum, such as field trips in Geography, History, Classics and Biology, or they may be extra-curricular, such as the annual ski trip, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme expeditions, Language exchanges to Aachen, Andalusia and Montpellier, as well as international sportstours.
Trusted relationships are established not only between the girls themselves but also between the year groups and with their Form Tutors and Head of Section. To help build these bonds, whole-year group activities are organised. Girls have enjoyed ice-skating, the spectacular setting of the Natural History Museum and last year tested their nerve on the roller coasters of Thorpe Park. Needless to say, our girls regard the trips as a very enjoyable aspect of the school year.
Life in the Upper School is busy but full of activity and excitement.
