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Croydon High School extends a warm welcome to you. We’d be delighted to show you what makes us stand out today as a school for inspirational young women. Dorinda Neligan, the school’s founder, used Ivy leaves in the girls hair to distinguish them from the crowd. Today, her legacy lies in the motivated, ambitious and confident girls we are proud to educate.
A diverse community brings a variety of experiences to and from the school. Our intake into the senior school is comprised of a large number of primary and prep schools, alongside our own junior school girls. Correspondingly, talents are identified as they emerge and nurtured in every direction for every girl. The results, exams or otherwise, speak for themselves. Whether it be meetings at Downing Street, finals at the Olympic Park, marching banners at the Royal Albert Hall, photographing the local Mayor, singing at the Royal Academy, treading the boards at the Edinburgh Fringe or launching your own tech company, justified ambition is enabled at Croydon High School.
Please do come and visit. Your tour guide may not boast about the fact she might be a poetry prize winner, an accomplished gymnast, a Team GB athlete, a Diploma level Harpist, a prize winning debater, a Victoria and Albert recognised artist… the list goes on. Even if she doesn’t tell you these things, you will probably sense that there is something special about her. What she probably will do, however, is celebrate her peers’ achievements, large and small.
That’s what makes her a Croydon High girl.
Subject Overview
This qualification is designed to inspire and motivate pupils, by enabling them to develop the skills they need to read, understand and critically analyse a wide range of different texts, in addition to producing
texts of their own. Pupils are assessed via two equally balanced papers, each including reading and writing in an integrated way and drawing upon both fiction and non-fiction texts. Pupils will encounter texts
from the nineteenth century to the present day. Pupils will develop skills in planning, writing, and editing in a range of styles and for a variety of audiences and purposes. There is also a compulsory spoken language component, in which pupils prepare a speech or presentation on a topic of their choice.
Course Content
In English Language, pupils will study:
- Literary fiction;
- Non-fiction reading and writing – presenting a point of view;
- Composition: narrative and descriptive;
- Speaking and listening: presenting a point of view
Subject Overview
This course is designed to immerse pupils in challenging literature from a range of times and places. Pupils will develop skills as critical readers and will learn about texts and the contexts in which they have
been produced and received. It aims to foster a love of reading and an understanding of the significant role that literature plays in both responding to, and shaping, societies and cultures.
Course Content
In English Literature, pupils will study:
- A collection of poetry from a named author;
- One literary fiction prose text (novel);
- One drama text (play);
- Texts leading to two pieces of coursework
Subject Overview
Throughout the course, pupils will continue to build upon the skills, knowledge and understanding that they have encountered in the Senior School. Pupils will continue to solve many different aspects of
Mathematics, including algebra, number, geometry and statistics. They will be given opportunities to develop further their mathematical communication skills and their use of technology. Pupils will
be encouraged to think logically to solve problems. In doing so, pupils will draw on a wide variety of techniques to explore new areas of Mathematics.
Course Content
In Mathematics, pupils will study:
- Problem-solving in a wide range of contexts;
- Manipulating algebra in order to model real-life problems in context;
- Geometrical problems including angle reasoning, constructions and Trigonometry;
- Statistical problems;
- Working accurately with numbers in a range of contexts.
Subject Overview
The study of Biology is relevant to everyday life: from your own health, to the country's food and how we can prevent, cure or even eliminate disease. It is a very diverse subject in which we investigate living
organisms and life processes from molecules, cells, individual organisms to the environment and our effects upon it.
We commence teaching the course in Year 9 building on topics already studied. The course is divided into five sections that are examined in two papers, but all topics allow pupils to develop the knowledge of
many aspects of Biology and an ability to apply their understanding to new and challenging situations.Considerable emphasis is also placed on scientific investigation, the analysis of scientific evidence and
mathematical skills. IGCSE Biology provides a firm foundation for progression to A level Biology.
Course content:
In Biology, pupils will study:
- The nature and variety of living organisms;
- Structures and functions of living organisms;
- Reproduction and inheritance;
- Ecology and the environment;
- Use of biological resource.
Subject Overview
Chemistry is all around us. From the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the beauty products we use, to the pharmaceuticals that treat our ills, the materials that keep us safe and the sports equipment that we
employ: all these things rely on Chemistry. There are few areas to which Chemistry has not made a substantial contribution. As such, Chemistry is an essential part of our modern society. Indeed, today's
Chemists are at the forefront in helping to control, reduce and avoid environmental pollution as well as working on the thorny issue of our climate.
Studying Chemistry unlocks a wide range of exciting careers from Medicine to Environmental Science. Chemistry pupils learn to identify patterns, acquire experimental and investigative skills and
develop a logical approach to problem solving in a wider context. These skills are highly sought after and are valuable in all types of further study and employment.
Course Content
In Chemistry, pupils will study:
- Principles of Chemistry (atomic structure; bonding; chemical formulae; equations and electrolysis);
- Chemistry of the elements (the Periodic Table; hydrogen and water and the reactivity series);
- Organic Chemistry (hydrocarbons and ethanol);
- Physical Chemistry (acids, alkalis and salts; energetics; rates of reaction and equilibria);
- Chemistry in society (extraction and uses of metals; crude oil and synthetic polymers).
Subject Overview
In Physics, we study a broad range of topics. They are exciting and engaging, with the opportunity to relate the ideas and concepts to everyday situations. While studying Physics, pupils' skills are broadly
developed but also deepened. For example, pupils' practical skills are developed by introducing them to some of the recommended practical work in the specification content which they carry out themselves.
These can be supplemented with discussion of their results to help improve pupils' analytical and logical skills; this process should help them apply these skills to a range of situations that could appear on the
examination papers. Their mathematical skills will be enhanced by tackling examination questions that are more problem-solving in style.
The subject is also designed to ensure good preparation for those pupils who wish to undertake A levels in Mathematics and Science. Physics is also useful for any field that requires analytical skills and an ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning.
Course Content
In Physics, pupils will study:
- Producing and measuring electricity;
- How electricity can be used in everyday life;
- Types of waves and their uses;
- The planets in our solar system and the stars beyond, and history of the universe;
- Forces and motion of everyday objects;
- Energy changes and transfers to explain typical processes;
- Nuclear processes and the energy from them;
- Uses of radioactivity in everyday life and medicine;
- Medical Physics: seeing inside our bodies; its role in diagnosing and curing illnesses.
Subject Overview
This subject focuses on the civilisations of Greece and Rome. It allows pupils to do something different at GCSE by studying a combination of literature, art, archaeology, religion, philosophy and history. Component 1: Myth and Religion involves the visual and ethical study of ancient ideas about the cosmos and our place in it. Component 2: The Homeric World involves the archaeological study of Troy and other sites, as well as a literary appreciation of Homer's Odyssey. This course will provide pupils with advanced analytical and evaluative skills, the ability to structure an argument in the form of an essay, and it is excellent preparation for a wide range of A level subjects.
Course Content
In Classical Civilisation, pupils will study:
- Myth and Religion;
- The Homeric world.
Subject Overview
This qualification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills established through the Computer Science elements of Enterprise Technology. GCSE Computer Science enables pupils to develop an interest in computing, gaining confidence in computational thinking and programming. Pupils develop their understanding of the main principles of problem-solving using computers.
Pupils apply their understanding to develop computer-based solutions to problems using algorithms and a high-level programming language. They also develop a range of technical skills, as well as the ability to test and evaluate computing solutions. This qualification will help pupils appreciate current and emerging technologies along with the benefits of their use. They also learn to recognise the ethical issues and
potential risks when using computers.
GCSE Computer Science is an ideal foundation for further study in Computer Science at A Level and beyond. Understanding the principles of Computer Science provides pupils with the knowledge required
for many other subjects in science and engineering; the skills learnt through Computer Science can also be used in everyday life.
Course Content
- Computer architecture;
- Hardware and software;
- Networks and security;
- Ethical, legal and cultural impacts of technology;
- Programming fundamentals;
- Computational thinking;
- Searching and sorting algorithms;
- Boolean logic;
- Design, programming and testing (Python and SQL)
Subject Overview
This GCSE course offers an exciting challenge to be involved in:
- Practical Drama;
•-Group work;
- Performance opportunities;
- Visits to the theatre.
Pupils will undertake:
- The practical study of two set texts;
- The exploration of scripts;
- The production of devised and scripted work for performance.
Pupils will need to enjoy all aspects of Drama and be able to work in a group. Pupils must be interested in people and the world around them.
Course Content
In Drama, pupils will study:
- Devising Theatre;
- Performing from a text;
- Interpreting Theatre.
Subject Overview
Fine Art is much more than drawing and painting. As well as traditional media, including sculpture, printmaking and photography, pupils have also produced textiles and fashion work, digital images and
videos. Each pupil makes their choice individually. On each project, pupils will develop their ideas via a sketchbook. They will be encouraged to think independently, research artists of their choosing,
visit exhibitions and eventually decide on a specialist area. This might be in ceramics, glass, photography, painting, printmaking, plaster or textiles. Past Art trips have been to Prague, Florence, New York, Venice and Rome. There is a residential trip planned for 2022 (COVID permitting) to St Ives, Cornwall. We have tutors from the Royal Academy teaching life drawing. Each year we have workshops from visiting artists.
Course Content
In Fine, Art, pupils will:
- Develop their existing skills and discover new ones;
- Broaden their knowledge of artists and designers, past and present;
- Learn how to think creatively and work independently;
- Learn from their mistakes and problem solve.
The culmination of the course is the ‘GCSE Exhibition' where pupils' best work is presented and appreciated by family and friends who will be invited to a private viewing.
Subject Overview
Geography is about our contemporary world and prepares pupils to move on to further studies and employment. Whether pupils are interested in the wonders of the natural world, the complex activities of
humanity, or the impact of people on the environment, Geography will help them to make sense of things. The range of topics means there is always something interesting to explore.
Fieldwork skills are important part of the course and is examined in Paper 3. We have field trips in both Years 10 and 11. New demands from top universities have driven Geography to be taught through a
systems-based approach. As such, pupils will make good use of data. This will enable pupils to take a logical and analytical approach. Pupils will also make good use of specialised technological applications
such as Geographical Information Systems to enhance their understanding of data sets and what they tell us about the world.
As geographers, pupils will be encouraged to care about what is happening to the planet and to take an active interest in Geography related events in the UK, and around the world.
Course Content
In Geography, pupils will study:
- Living within the physical environment (e.g. physical hazards and natural landscapes in the UK);
- Challenges with the human environment (e.g. urban issues and challenges and the changing economic world);
- Geographical applications (e.g. issue evaluation and fieldwork);
- Geographical skills.
Subject Overview
IGCSE History is not all about dead people! It is about asking ‘why?' It shines a spotlight on the present; it increases pupils' understanding of how historical events have shaped the world in which we live today. Do you want to find out about how people's lives have changed and how people in the past thought differently from us? If so, then the IGCSE History course will provide pupils with an opportunity to explore some of the most fascinating and vital aspects of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Course Content
In History, pupils will seek to answer questions such as:
- What happened to the USA during the ‘roaring 20s'?
- Who are the Ku Klux Klan, and why did they have 500,000 members by 1924?
- Why was Alfonso Capone Chicago's most successful gangster?
- How did Hitler become the leader of Germany in 1933?
- What was life like living inside Hitler's Third Reich?
- How far was Malcolm X responsible for African American people gaining more civil rights?
- Was Martin Luther King Jr a ‘saint' or a ‘flawed sinner'?
- What were operations like in 1840 and how quickly could the best surgeon of the age amputate your leg?
- What was ‘Germ Theory', and how did it revolutionise medicine?
Subject Overview
This is the only course available where pupils can combine a language with a humanity. It is also a pupil's only opportunity to read and appreciate literature not composed in English. This subject is the most interdisciplinary of all; in Latin pupils study language, literature, history, religion, philosophy, art, religion, politics, psychology, design, architecture, and much more!
Latin will provide pupils with the platform to understand the structure of language and the mechanics of English syntax. Some 80% of French and Spanish vocabulary derives from Latin and German has many
grammatical similarities. Research in the USA has shown that pupils who study Latin achieve significantly higher test scores in Mathematics and the Sciences.
Latin pupils are highly valued for their ability to analyse information and produce critical, well-structured and independent responses. They also develop an advanced level of cultural sensitivity and empathy.
Latin pupils are highly regarded by the leading universities and employers for the intellectual rigour and analytical skills which they develop through the course.
Course Content
In Latin, pupils will study:
- Latin language;
- Latin literature;
- Roman civilisation or further literature
Subject Overview
By studying one or more IGCSE Modern Foreign Languages, pupils will develop their language skills with an emphasis on practical communication. Pupils will build on topics covered in Lower School,
such as Food and Drink, Health and Fitness, Free Time and Social Activities, but also study new topics including: Technology and Media, Culture and Festivals, and the Environment. Pupils will continue
to develop the four skills of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. They will also work from authentic materials including newspapers, magazines, books, films, radio and television, and the Internet.
Why should you choose French?
- French has long been the language of international politics and diplomacy and largely remains so. The French economy is strong and diversified, offering many employment and trade opportunities. French
is also a common business language in large parts of Africa and the Mediterranean;
- French combines well with the study of History, Art, Social Sciences and Humanities. It is very highly regarded by elite universities and they especially value students being able to access important texts
and research in the original. In a changing world, the ability to communicate in one of the globe's most important and widely spoken languages can offer competitive advantages in all kinds of areas.
Why should you choose German?
- Did you know that German is the most spoken language in Europe with over 100 million native speakers?
- Germany is also the fourth largest economy in the world and is the economic powerhouse of Europe. It is the UK's largest European trading partner and the second largest business partner for the UK in absolute terms (after the US);
- German is also the business language of choice in large parts of Eastern Europe, South-East Europe and the former Soviet Union;
- There are many German companies with investments in the UK, and UK companies are also strongly represented in the German-speaking world. This means that both German and UK businesses are looking for people with a knowledge and understanding of the German language, and this is becoming much harder to find;
- With German language skills you have a competitive advantage in business, politics, the law, arts & media and journalism, to name just a few areas;
- In terms of future study, German is especially well-combined with sciences owing to Germany's preeminent position in engineering, chemistry and human biology. It also combines well with History, Law, Music, Art, Social Sciences and Literature.
Why should you choose Spanish?
- It's the second most spoken language in the world; indeed, it's the mother tongue of an estimated 450 million people all over the world;
- Spanish enjoys official language status in 21 countries across Europe, Africa and the Americas;
- Spanish is a phonetic language which means that you pronounce letters consistently and each letter represents a certain sound, making it easier to learn and speak;
- The use of Spanish online has risen by an incredible 800% in recent years and this means it's the third most popular language on the internet, not far behind Mandarin and English;
- With excellent examination results, Spanish has always been a popular choice at GCSE and A level at Croydon High School.
Subject Overview
Music is a highly respected subject in both the academic and working environments. This is because it is a broad subject which covers a whole range of skills such as aural perception, performing, self-discipline,
composing, music appreciation and teamwork.
For GCSE Music, pupils will be required to play at least one musical instrument or have a good singing voice and have a good ear for (and interest in) Music. The practical element consists of two prepared
performances (one solo and one ensemble). Pupils will need to submit two compositions. Music Technology will undoubtedly be used to assist in the production of a quality piece.
The listening examination is designed to broaden pupils' musical experience through the study of eight set works from four different areas of study. Pupils' knowledge of music theory will help in this section
and they will have the opportunity to attend concerts and workshops.
Course Content
In Music, pupils will study:
- How to compose idiomatically;
- How to perform on your instrument;
- Instrumental music 1700-1820;
- Vocal music;
- Music for Stage & Screen;
- Fusions of different musical styles.
Subject Overview
GCSE Physical Education is 60% theory and 40% non-examined assessment (practical performance) of which 30% will be based on being a player/performer and 10% will be the analysis and evaluation of the performance.
Course Content
Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport (30%)
- Applied anatomy and physiology;
- Movement analysis;
- Physical training;
- Use of data.
Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport (30%)
- Sports psychology;
- Socio-cultural influences;
- Health, fitness and well-being;
- Use of data.
In the practical element of the GCSE PE course (40%), pupils will be assessed in three different activities in the role of a player/performer. One must be a team activity; one an individual activity and the third either a team or individual activity
Subject Overview
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy is a GCSE course designed around responding to the philosophical questions of what might be considered right and wrong. Pupils will explore some of the philosophical questions which have puzzled and perplexed the greatest minds for millennia, for example, ‘Is there really a God?' or `When does life begin?` Pupils will also investigate the impact that religion has in Britain today.
The GCSE is divided into two parts. Pupils will have one examination on the Beliefs, Teachings and Practices of two religions and one examination on Philosophical and Ethical issues surrounding these
religions. Throughout the course, pupils will be given various opportunities to review their ability to recall, explain, analyse and evaluate their learning.
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy provides pupils with the critical enquiry skills which can be adapted to a range of subjects at Sixth Form, including History, Psychology, Sociology and the Sciences. Beyond Sixth
Form, Religion, Philosophy and Ethics is a well-respected qualification which demonstrates the ability to debate, think critically and assess different sources.
Course Content
In Religion, Ethics and Philosophy, pupils will study:
- Christianity: Beliefs, Teachings and Practices;
- Islam: Beliefs, Teachings and Practices;
- Four topics which are chosen by the class from six different themes. These are Relationships; Life (including topics such as abortion, euthanasia, the environment and life after death), Religion, Peace and Conflict; Crime and Punishment; Human Rights and Social Justice; and Religion and Revelation.
Subject Overview
Pupils will learn how to develop their ideas for furniture, product design, architecture and jewellery from the 'drawing board' into finished products. GCSE 3D Design is a 'project-based' course. As well as
working on set design briefs, pupils will also be encouraged to discover and investigate design problems of their own, choosing and developing their own original solutions. The emphasis will be on designing
and making products which are based on an interest in the work of historical and contemporary designers of all kinds.
Course Content
In the Three-Dimensional Design course, pupils will study:
- The work of historical and contemporary designers;
- How to use computer-aided design (CAD) programmes to develop and illustrate their ideas;
- How to work with hand and machine tools in the workshop;
- The qualities of different materials, including wood, metal, plastics, ceramics and glass;
- How to develop technical drawing skills in one-point and two-point perspective as well as exploded view diagrams;
- How to use our laser cutter and 3D Design printer.
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