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Our aim is to empower each and every one of our students with the knowledge, insight and motivation to enter adult-hood as ambitious, confident, conscientious and happy members of society.
Our young women leave school as true global citizens, armed not just with outstanding academic credentials, but also prepared to turn challenge into opportunity, to embrace change and innovation, to maintain a lifelong love of learning and to succeed on a path that is most suited to their individual talents.
Ready to take their place in a world of opportunity, Northwood girls are equipped with the proficiencies and dispositions to excel in the workplace and are fully cognisant of their own strengths.
We care deeply about the girls that we have the privilege of guiding into young adulthood. We know each girl, her strengths, talents, dreams and areas for development, and we make sure that each lesson and extra-curricular activity is designed to inspire and develop her.
Academic Approach
We are unashamedly ambitious for our girls. Our rich academic curriculum and culture of scholarship ignites curiosity and imagination; it encourages our young women to embrace knowledge and unlocks an insatiable curiosity and thirst to discover.
Our pupils exceed academic expectations. We achieve this by consistently tracking, assessing, supporting and challenging each girl. Our individualised learning programmes, and innovative pedagogical techniques, equip them with the most effective learning systems. We teach our young women how to think effectively: to think smart, think independently, think analytically, think creatively and to ultimately become a master in agile and critical thinking. My commitment to parents is that no student will fly under the radar – there are no limits placed on our girls’ achievements.
Coaching School
We believe that success and purpose stem from feeling valued and creating impact. Our outstanding pastoral guidance ensures that each girl feels resilient and supported as she takes on the challenges faced by young people today.
To really excel in our rapidly changing world, young women need more than examination results alone and we want our girls to leave school with healthy minds and emotional resilience. We teach the tools and techniques that enable each pupil to act confidently, courageously, ambitiously and authentically, always with optimism and conviction. Proven emotional resilience programmes encourage the girls out of their comfort zone and equip them with the necessary skills to face any future challenges.
Fostering Joy
At NWC we foster joy in all that we do because we truly believe that a happy girl will excel. We relish the fact that she will go on to enjoy friendships for life, which were formed in a school where she felt secure, valued and respected every day.
We are proud of our supportive, vibrant and warm community where the girls and staff look after one another and rejoice in one another’s success; we are confident that our girls leave school with the skills to continue to build meaningful relationships throughout their lives.
As a community, rather than just a collection of individuals, we are greater than the sum of our parts.
Moral Compass
We encourage our young women to act with compassion and integrity, with respect for other people and the environment. Our girls are thoughtful about different approaches to social and spiritual issues and we wholeheartedly celebrate our diversity of faith, heritage, culture and language.
The Art Department has a set of clear aims and objectives:
- Provide a creative atmosphere in which staff and students can work in a relaxed, imaginative and energetic way.
- Stimulate visual awareness in pupils by challenging, extending and intensifying their aesthetic experience both in nature and in the man-made environment through the unique contribution of the individual. Lessons in Art and Design are a channel for each pupil to express her own individual sensibility, sensitivity, intuition, feelings and emotions.
- Encourage independent study, investigation and extensive research. Pupils are always encouraged to use their own initiative.
- Develop an appreciation of the richness and variety of our culture; the curriculum in Art and Design develops an appreciation of the diversity of our and other cultures, and of the spiritual and moral dimensions of life.
- Encourage critical awareness; critical analysis of the work of artists and craftsmen is taught and encouraged, against the pupils' own work and the art surrounding her.
Extra-Curricular
Art clubs for all year groups are offered at lunchtimes, and after-school Art surgeries for GCSE and A Level students nearer their examinations. The girls also can go to a student-led Manga Art Club.
Pupils are encouraged to enter various competitions throughout the year. Last year the girls participated in:
- ‘Royal Academy Online' Competition
- ‘Nature Spirited Art' Competition
- ‘Fourth Plinth' Competition
- ‘GDST Film and Animation' Competition
Girls may also work in the studios during their study periods and by agreement after school to develop their coursework and portfolios.
Day trips to art galleries and museums are offered to Years 9/10/11/12/13 including trips to Tate Modern, Tate Britain, V&A Museum Wallace Collection, Saatchi Gallery, Portrait Gallery and National Gallery. Sixth Form have the opportunity to do life drawing workshops after school weekly. We also had a ‘Portfolio Day' for Sixth Form.
The annual Art & Design exhibition displays all year groups from Nursery up to Year 13, and includes GCSE and A Level work in the Summer Term.
During Years 7 & 8, all pupils study Latin and develop their knowledge of the language and Roman culture through the Cambridge Latin course. In Year 9, our students progress to Taylor's ‘Latin to GCSE' course, alongside which they develop their knowledge of Roman mythology. Thus, by the end of KS3, along with linguistic awareness, pupils have developed an understanding of the foundations of Western Civilisation through the study of classical history, philosophy and mythology. We frequently integrate laptops, iPads and Interactive Whiteboard activities into our lessons to provide an engaging and stimulating teaching environment for our students.
At GCSE, we follow the OCR syllabus and we continue to develop translation, comprehension and prose composition skills. We also focus on the relationship between Latin and the Modern Foreign Languages, as well as the cultural context in which the language was used. Students also explore an unadapted text of Latin poetry or prose from a range of authors, and develop an understanding of its historical and cultural context.
At A Level, students continue to improve their understanding of Latin grammar and syntax and build up to translating unadapted prose and verse passages confidently. A greater emphasis is also put on prose composition. There is the opportunity to study a wide range of Latin, including a variety of authors such as Virgil, Ovid, Cicero, Tacitus, Livy and Apuleius.
Extra-curricular
We regularly offer abroad residential trips to classical sites around Europe. In recent years we have alternated trips abroad to Italy and Greece. Our trip to Italy included Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, the Bay of Naples, as well as a few days in Rome itself.
Regular day trips are organised throughout the year, including visits to the British Museum, National Gallery, Verulamium, Museum of London and various Lecture Days in the Sixth Form. A weekly Latin Surgery is offered for those who wish to improve or expand their knowledge of the language.
Classical Civilisation is offered as a new subject at GCSE, following the OCR syllabus. We study a wide variety of Greek and Roman topics relating to Myth and Religion. These include literature and visual courses relating to Gods, Heracles/Hercules, Temples, Beliefs in the Afterlife and many more. In addition, we explore Homer's Odyssey, one of the most famous and influential works of literature in history. Our students develop observation and analytical skills from reading and exploring a wide range of ancient sources and gain an awareness of life in a different time and culture.
At A Level, Classical Civilisation is again open to all students. We aim to gain an appreciation for how the classical world has shaped our own society and cultivate knowledge of their spiritual, cultural and moral values. The course consists of further exploration into the literature of Homer and also delves into Rome's greatest epic, Virgil's Aeneid. In the Greek Theatre module we build an appreciation for ancient drama by reading two tragedies (Sophocles' Oedipus and Euripides' Bacchae) and a comedy (Aristophanes' Frogs). We then expand our understanding of ancient thought and ideas through the ‘Greek Religion' module.
Extra-curricular
We regularly offer abroad residential trips to classical sites around Europe. In recent years we have alternated trips abroad to Italy and Greece. Our very own Greek Odyssey included visits to Olympia, Delphi, Mycenae, Tiryns and a weekend in the capital of Athens, soaking in all the wonders of the classical world.
Regular day trips are organised throughout the year, including visits to the British Museum, National Gallery, Verulamium, Museum of London and various Lecture Days in the Sixth Form. In school, we currently offer ancient Greek for beginners and advanced students.
Computer Science is the subject that takes you into the future. In an age where computing power has doubled every seven years, we are keen to make sure the students are computer literate for their future.
Students have access to the latest computing software and hardware in order to be given the chance to explore many aspects of IT from Microsoft Office and Google suite skills to web design and programming.
The department has two fully equipped suites that are used for the teaching of Computer Science, as well as being used by other departments to support their subjects – e.g. Mathematics for graphical work, languages for vocabulary exercises and Geography for Google Earth.
Students study Computer Science from Year 7 through to Year 13. They are able to take a GCSE full course in the subject, as well as A Level.
Students are equipped with a full range of digital literacy skills, in addition to being taught how to use various multimedia applications including sound editing, web design and game making software. They also gain computer programming skills which they use in the development of their own computer games and websites.
The network extends throughout the school, so girls are able to access their work easily. Students may also access their email and files from home. The school continually reviews the ICT system, and is in the process of expanding and updating the network.
At GCSE, the Computer Science syllabus offers girls the opportunity to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of how computers work and their application in the real world. There are two written examinations. Computer Science is also offered at A level.
The facilities offered by Northwood College are modern and spacious. Two computer suites are used to teach Computer Science, and every classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard and has high speed Internet access. All students enjoy a high level of remote access to the work and IT resources.
Drama at Northwood College has a very high profile and there are numerous opportunities for girls to participate in both the classroom and extra-curricular activities.
Drama is taught throughout the Senior School as a discrete subject and by drama specialists. Girls have an hour of Drama every week throughout Years 7, 8 & 9. In Years 10 and 11 Drama is a very popular option at GCSE. A Level Drama is also available and some girls continue with the subject at University or Drama School. We have a number of former students working as actors and also behind the scenes in design areas ranging from Costume to Lighting and Stage Management.
Drama is taught in a purpose-built Performing Arts Centre. The Drama Studio itself has a sprung dance floor, full length mirrors along one wall, a computerised lighting system, and full black-out facilities.
House Plays
In the Summer Term girls have the opportunity to audition for the house plays which are performed in front of the school. A prize is awarded to the winning house and individual prizes go to the best performers in Lower School, Upper School and Sixth form respectively. This year each house will be performing a short section of a comedy performance.
In Economics and Business , girls will learn about both the whole economy (macroeconomics) and its workings and individual markets and businesses (microeconomics). Both A Levels are introduced as new subjects in the Sixth Form, and have proven to be very popular with around a third of the cohort taking one of the courses…
Economics is a social science studying how societies decide what goods and services to produce, in what quantity, by what means and ultimately ‘who gets what'. For example, girls will consider the effect of tax rates and government spending decisions on the economy, the effects of regulation and subsidies, and how development can best be aided. We follow the Eduqas (WJEC) specification.
Business A Level follows the Edexcel specification where pupils understand what makes an entrepreneur start up a business, the skills required to develop an idea into a profitable business. Subsequently the learning is applied to the growth of larger businesses and how these are organised by function. The role of marketing, Financial, Operational and Human Resource functions are looked at in detail.
The Economics and Business department also provides a range of extracurricular activities. Lunch and Learn talks are fortnightly, with lunchtime speakers from a range of backgrounds including commercial, financial, banking, and marketing careers.
All sixth formers are also encouraged to participate in Young Enterprise, where they will work as part of a group to develop their own small business enterprise. This involves selling products or services both in school and at trade fairs to members of the public. They get to compete with against teams from other schools and, if successful, go on to the West London Final.
Many students go on to study Economics or Business related courses at prestigious universities including Warwick, LSE and Nottingham.
At every stage of their English education the pupils are taught to write English clearly, purposefully and accurately, developing their existing skills and acquiring new ones.
Our extra-curricular activities are enjoyable, challenging and interesting and deliver opportunities for anyone with an interest in English to pursue their talent further.
We aim for every pupil to enjoy the study of English and to approach it with enthusiasm and dedication. We feel passionate about laying the foundation for essay writing and communication, which eventually our pupils will take on and build from as they go to university and in to the workplace.
We deliver GCSE English Language and English Literature through AQA and this allows for the teaching of traditional and contemporary texts. We have been preparing our Key Stage 3 students for the rigour of the new qualifications through our creative and exciting new curriculum offer.
At A level we offer English Literature through the AQA Specification A which offers the students a wider selection for their more advanced studies and is an extremely popular choice.
Trips are organised frequently, including to the theatre to see texts in performance, workshops, and academic lectures to stretch and challenge the learning of all of our students. All these trips promote a more ‘holistic' approach to the learning experience of the subject. The Department is fully supportive of, and involved with the library, timetabling lessons in there and participating in its author visits. On average, 97% of girls achieve 7-9 in their GCSE examinations which is considerably higher than the national average.
Geography is taught in two spacious and modernised classrooms, both of which are equipped with interactive whiteboards.
Our aim is to encourage an interest in and understanding of our surroundings on a local, national and global scale. All topics include elements of Thinking Skills, Geographical Skills and topic content. Fieldwork is an integral part of learning and pupils usually take part in several trips during their studies. The Geography Department is an intensive user of digital e-learning tools and it encourages the girls to develop their use of existing and emerging technologies to support their enjoyment of the subject.
Through the study of History, pupils will have the opportunity to understand their own world and develop the vital transferable skills of analysis, critical thinking, explanation, evaluation, empathy, understanding and of course argument!
In order to develop these skills pupils will use the latest ICT, books, DVDs, podcasts and many other fascinating resources and visual materials. History is renowned for its essay writing, factual presentation and debating all of which the girls will be involved in.
Year 7 begins with a study of the nature of history, introducing the roles and skills of the historian before moving on to examine some of Britain's most famous historical events and characters such as the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, Henry II and Thomas Beckett, and King John and the Magna Carta. These events and people are placed in the context of the wider world during the Medieval period.
In Year 8, historical skills are further built upon as we introduce the political and religious themes surrounding the Tudors and look at the issues raised by the history and legacy of slavery. These topics are linked by an investigation into Britain's role in the trading of human beings from Africa to the Americas.
Year 9 concentrates on the First World War, considering its causes, events and consequences. They also study the fight for female suffrage in Britain in the early 1900s and other important events that have shaped the modern world, such as the dictatorships of the 1930s and the use of nuclear weapons at the end of World War II.
Extra-curricular
All pupils in Years 7-9 study History and each year group has the opportunity to take part in extra-curricular trips and clubs.
Previously pupils have visited Penshurst Place, Warwick Castle and the World War One battlefields in France/Belgium, and have enjoyed taking active roles in History Book and Film Clubs.
Maths is our secondary language, one which speaks in facts and figures calculating everything in life.
Mathematics is the foundation for many academias such as science, accountancy and business and will be introduced to children at the earliest possible age, just as a language would, to give them the best possible start.
The Mathematics Department at Northwood College for Girls comprises five full-time and one part time teachers each dedicated to the subject with years of experience in the field. We teach the Edexcel Syllabus at IGCSE AS and A level and are proud of our outstanding results in GCSE, A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics Examinations.
Mathematics students in all year groups are entered for the UKMT individual competitions; we also select our top pupils to represent the school in team challenges to give a competitive edge to the subject.
The Mathematics department operates an open-door policy and students are encouraged to be proactive learners, seeking the support of their teachers outside of lessons.
The department is well resourced with every student having the latest edition of the relevant mathematics textbook; delivery of the curriculum is further enhanced by the use of specialist online subscription websites such as Active Learn, Integral and Hegarty Maths.
It is our aim to encourage students to gain confidence in their skills and develop a love and enjoyment of our subject.
Every girl has the opportunity of studying Spanish and a second modern language (French or Mandarin) from Year 7 to A level.
Welcome to the Modern Languages Department. We aim to foster proficiency and accuracy and cover a wide range of complex structures. We also work hard on improving the accuracy of pronunciation and intonation. We recycle lots of high frequency language and make it automatic. By tasting this success early on and throughout, girls enjoy learning languages and about the culture where they are spoken.
Learning a foreign language enhances communication, a skill much prized in a wide range of careers, including medicine.
Our modern courses offer opportunities for practice in the four skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Lessons are fast-paced and interactive. We are keen to ignite the girls' intellectual curiosity outside the classroom. To that end, we offer numerous extra-curricular activities.
Every girl has the opportunity of studying two modern languages from Year 7 to A Level. Before joining in September, girls are given the choice of two languages from French, Spanish and Mandarin.
In Years 10 and 11 girls are encouraged to continue studying two languages to GCSE and there are five hour-long lessons per fortnight. Conversation classes with native speakers take place in Years 11, 12 and 13. For GCSE (French, Spanish and Mandarin), we are currently following the new AQA GCSE (9-1) syllabus, the new AQA A Level syllabus and Cambridge Pre-U in Chinese.
We subscribe to a number of language websites which provide the girls with additional practice at school and at home. Each language room is equipped with audio-visual facilities and the Department is supported by interactive whiteboards.
Extra-curricular
We are keen to promote languages outside of the classroom. To that end, we organise numerous extra-curricular activities; including:
- Bi-annual visits to France, Spain and China
- Trips to Chinatown and Northern France
- University Theatre productions of foreign-language plays
- Sixth Form work experience in France and Spain
- Language Competitions
- Visiting Theatre Company Productions
- Our very own Languages Magazine entitled ‘Glowball'
- External speakers e.g. GCHQ / University of Cambridge
- Foreign film society
- Salsa Club
-Film workshops at the Institut Français and BFI
Northwood College for Girls is a school where Music is a thriving and busy department and most girls are involved with music one way or another. Hundreds of girls take individual music lessons and concerts routinely have more than 100 girls performing.
Music is a compulsory subject in Years 7-9 and includes work on singing, instrumental performance, listening skills, composition, music theory and music history. Music is a popular option at GCSE and A Level, usually running two GCSE groups and an A Level group. Girls regularly choose to study Music at university, and we currently have two alumna studying Music at Oxford, three at Durham, and one at Bristol.
We have a wide variety of instruments including a steel band, set of djembé drums, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet and piccolo as well as a full set of orchestral instruments, all available for pupils to use.
Extra-curricular
We offer a host of extra-curricular groups for all girls to join. Current groups include Senior Orchestra, String Orchestra, Wind Band, Hummingbirds Choir, Jazz Band, Rhythm and Blues Band, Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, as well as many smaller groups such as ensembles for Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones and Guitars as well as various vocal ensembles and String Quartets and trios.
We run a lively concert programme of chamber concerts, composers' concerts, a carol service as well as performances of popular music and major works. Recent and planned concerts include performances of, Bizet's Carmen Suite, Mandel's Messiah, the Vivaldi Gloria, Jenkins' Adiemus, Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals and many more.
We run an annual House Music Competition where every girl in the entire school joins in.
The Physical Education Department is a team of dynamic individuals, who strive to motivate and enthuse girls to participate in physical activities and sports which they love!
The aim of Physical Education at Northwood College for Girls is to inspire all students to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through developing a lifelong love of physical activity; providing students with the skills to participate in a wide range of activities not only throughout their schooling but also throughout their life. By developing positive self-esteem, fostering self-confidence and the desire to participate as well as providing an outlet for healthy competition that gives all students the chance to experience that ‘winning feeling'.
This is achieved through delivering high quality lessons that are active, fun and stretch all ability levels. Members of the Physical Education department act as role models for students to aspire to, using their expertise to build confidence and achieve the best out of all students. Intra and inter school competition in a wide range of sports develops higher performance skills and students are directed and channelled towards both internal and external sports clubs to further their experiences and the chance to reach their full potential.
We have an extensive fixtures calendar and participate competitively in many different sports throughout the year.
Facilities
25 metre 6 lane indoor swimming pool, large 4 badminton court sports hall with climbing and traversing wall, netball & tennis courts, small all-weather pitch, sports field with 200 metre athletics track, long / triple jump pit, dance studio and fitness suite.
Extra-curricular
There is an extensive extra-curricular timetable, which provides opportunity for both elite and recreational participation. Girls have the opportunity to represent the school in netball, hockey, football, swimming, badminton, dance, gymnastics, athletics, tennis and cricket. The school enters a range of leagues and tournaments at different levels, as well as participating in friendly fixtures against other local independent schools and competing at GDST Rallies. Fixtures take place on a regular basis, after school during the week. They will also be able to access a range of recreational clubs, which allow girls to participate in physical activities in order to support positive wellbeing. Squad practices and recreational clubs take place during lunchtimes and after school.
Pupils have the opportunity to join the annual ski trip to the USA or Canada and biennial a water sports trip to France or Spain.
If you are interested in the debates and issues surrounding modern government, this subject is ideal for you. Politics is not just about Westminster and Washington, it is about us all and the decisions that affect society.
By studying Politics you will develop knowledge and understanding of the real structures of power and authority within the UK and the USA, and have a grounding in key ideological concepts.
Politics is available as part of the Sixth Form curriculum. Previous knowledge is not required to study Politics. If you have taken GCSE History, many themes and theories will be familiar to you, but GCSE History is certainly not a requirement. Interest and enthusiasm definitely are!
The Year 12 course focuses on British politics, with modules that look at the relationships and connections between the government and the people, and at how Britain is governed. We also consider the checks and limits on government power as well as considering areas of possible change to Britain's institutions. Finally, we look at the core political ideas of Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism.
The Year 13 course focuses on politics in the United States, looking at government (the Constitution, President, Congress and the Supreme Court) and representation (elections, political parties and pressure groups). There is a particular focus on civil rights. We also look at the political idea of Feminism, alongside comparing US and UK politics.
The study of Psychology entails a quest to understand the Human mind and behaviour.
At Northwood College for Girls Psychology is introduced into the Sixth Form Curriculum and enters as a Science – and as young psychologists the girls learn about not only the biology of a human brain but about cognition and behavioural patterns. Those who master the basic theories of psychology will be able to gain a grasp of the behavioural patterns of those around them.
Psychology is popular within the Sixth Form, with a high number of the cohort studying the subject, to complement their other A level subjects. We aim to provide students with general knowledge and understanding of the psychological field, as well as becoming familiar with the main schools of Psychology and applying theoretical knowledge to everyday situations.
The A Level is fascinating and contains interesting topics such as Forensic Psychology, Psychopathology, Relationships and Attachment. We follow the AQA specification. Throughout the course, students will learn how to design, plan and conduct psychological research of their own.
The second year of the course expands upon the knowledge gained from the first year and delves further into human behaviour. Topics include Forensic Psychology, Relationships and Stress.
Trips in the past have included visiting the founder of Psychology Freud's Museum, and seeing where he lived and worked, and visiting London Zoo to understand why phobias exist and how they are treated.
We are always delighted with the success our girls have in A Level Psychology, with many girls going on to study Medicine, Law, Dentistry as well as Psychology or related courses at prestigious universities.
Biology provides a wide breadth of knowledge which touches on many varied topics. These range from the internal workings of organisms in physiology and the interdependence of living things in ecology, to social issues including human influences on the environment and the ethical considerations of genetics. The study of biology therefore encourages an appreciation of these issues and their implications as well as providing an insight into the living world.
GCSE Biology begins in Year 9 and continues into Year 10 & 11 taught by subject specialists. Students follow the AQA GCSE Biology specifications in Double Award Science or as a Separate Science; current Year 11s continue to study the Edexcel International GCSE Biology course.
At Advanced Level, the girls study the OCR A Level Syllabus, which provides an excellent foundation to support the further study of biological courses at university. We take an investigative approach to studying biology in which girls participate in many investigations, including fieldwork which is currently undertaken during Year 12 at Amersham Field Centre. Biology is a very popular A Level, providing an excellent preparation for further study of either a natural science subject or clinical courses such as medicine, dentistry or pharmacy.
Extra-curricular
- Students can participate in a number of biology activities throughout the year starting with Biology Week in October and drop in dissection activities throughout the year.
- Girls interested in ecology can get involved in the Eco-Warriors club.
- We have also started to run optional conservation trips every two years to important biological sites across the world.
- For aspiring medics, we have Biomedical Society and provide support for taking the BMAT and UCAT exams.
- All girls take part in many Royal Society of Biology competitions including: Biology Challenge in Year 10; the Intermediate Biology Challenge in Year 12 and the British Biology Olympiad in Year 13.
Chemistry is everywhere in the world around us. It is in the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the medicines we take, and even the art we make. Our bodies and how they work are as much about chemistry as they are biology. It is exciting to learn about the composition and structure of materials, including biological molecules and the development of smart materials such as thermochromic pigments or carbon nanotubes.
Chemists learn to look for patterns and to control chemical changes. They ask questions such as ‘What causes an explosion?' or ‘Why are plants green?' and they develop new theories, planning investigations to test these theories.
Chemistry is taught by subject specialists from Year 7 to Advanced Level. At GCSE, students follow the AQA GCSE Chemistry specifications in Double Award Science or as a Separate Science; current Year 11s continue to study the Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry course.
Chemistry is a very popular Advanced Level subject. We follow the OCR A Level syllabus and through it students develop their interest in chemistry, with excellent preparation for further study and careers in chemistry and other related scientific disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or engineering.
Extra-curricular
- Students can take part in chemistry activities during Science Week or through CREST Award sessions.
- The Chemistry club runs interactive and creative practical activities on applications of chemistry.
- There are visits and lectures organised for GCSE and A Level students.
- Students in Year 8 to 11 can participate in competitions including the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) ‘Top of the Bench' competition and Salters' Festival of Chemistry.
- The Sixth Form take part in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge and the Chemistry Olympiad.
Physics is the study of the fundamental laws that govern all natural phenomena. It pervades every part of the world of science, technology and engineering. Its methods and insights are widely applicable. A key ingredient is a curious, questioning mind. Physics is an exciting subject to study, stretching the mind and helping to develop critical reasoning and analytical abilities. Without physics there would be no space rockets, digital cameras, mobile phones, non- invasive imaging techniques in hospitals or fibre optic technology to name a few applications. Focusing on everyday applications of the principles of physics stimulates interest. Experienced teachers ensure that physics is accessible to everyone by placing it in context.
GCSE Physics begins in Year 9 and continues into Year 10 & 11 taught by subject specialists. Students follow the AQA GCSE Physics specifications in Double Award Science or as a Separate Science; current Year 11s continue to study the Edexcel International GCSE Physics course.
At Advanced Level we consider the development of pupil practical skills crucial to the enjoyment of learning physics and the department is very well resourced with equipment for investigations into topics such as heat, light, sound, electricity, forces, motion, radioactivity including the use of data-logging probes and motion sensors. Students also learn how to use our fantastic refractor telescope to make astronomical observations both of the night sky and of our closest star, the Sun.
Physics department extracurricular activities:
- The Physics department organises several trips, lectures at the Institute of Education for both GCSE and A Level student's as well as a trip to CERN, Geneva.
- Students can join the Astronomy Society and make use of our school Astronomical telescope as well as our solar telescope. This includes daytime observations of the Sun at high magnification using our Herschel wedge.
- The department has helped pupils organise summer school activities between Years 11, 12 and 13. Examples include the “Headstart” engineering courses at university. The Year 13 students take part in the Physics Olympiad competition and Year 11 students take the Physics Challenge.
In Textiles pupils develop creative and practical techniques and technical knowledge preparing them to participate in a world of rapidly changing technologies. They learn to be creative and imaginative in solving problems, developing invaluable life skills.
Lower School (Years 7-9)
In KS3 Textiles pupils develop an understanding of how art, design and technology have a leading role in the rapidly changing world today.
This creative subject is taught to all pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 in mixed ability groups. The students are encouraged to be creative, inventive and carry out research independently. They study the work of artists and designers and learn new textile techniques each year to build on their previous knowledge. This then leads them on to design and create their own individual and unique textile piece using a wide range of equipment and materials.
Upper School (Years 10 AND 11)
GCSE Textiles follow the Art and Design: Textile Design AQA Examination Board. Year on year grades have been outstanding in this subject.
In this course pupils learn how to create textile pieces using many creative techniques and skills such as silk painting, transfer printing, dye work, appliqué, embellishment, building texture, free embroidery, garment construction, fashion design and much more……
Extra-curricular
- Weekly Textiles clubs are offered to all year groups and prove to be extremely popular.
- Textiles trips to the Knitting and Stitching Show, where girls get the opportunity to meet a Textile Artist and participate in a workshop, and the Victoria and Albert museum are offered to Years 10-13.
- There is an annual exhibition, combined with Fine Art in the Summer Term showcasing a vibrant and inspiring display of sketchbooks, display boards and final pieces of all the girls work.
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