Academic and other achievements
Teaching
Teachers know how their pupils learn and they match tasks effectively to their abilities and prior attainment. Furthermore, teachers and pupils work collaboratively to rehearse key examination skills to give pupils the best chance of success. In addition to achieving high marks, pupils develop into skilled and resilient learners, well-equipped to cope with the future.
Pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding are outstanding. They make rapid progress in response to highly-effective teaching which uses a range of methods and resources. Expectations are high from teachers and from the pupils themselves. Pupils transfer and apply their knowledge and skills quickly from subject to subject.
Communication
Pupils read widely, prompted by initiatives from the library and elsewhere so that they have a rich range of expression available to them. Pupils write with equal care and precision on gothic literature and influential women. They respond well to plentiful opportunities to write at length.
Pupils speak fluently and persuasively, using sophisticated and appropriate language. This is true of their social interactions, and of their oral work in class. Pupils are respectful and attentive listeners, weighing others’ words carefully and responding appropriately.
Attitudes to learning
Pupils’ attitudes to learning are characterised by a proactive approach, whereby they are interested in extending and deepening their learning on their own account. Pupils are also generous and willing to volunteer questions and answers, to comment helpfully on others’ work and to offer their own for consideration.
Collaboration extends to the pupils’ support of their teachers, indicative of the way they make the most of the educational opportunities available to them.
Study skills
Pupils study skills are excellent. They draw knowledge from a wide range of sources and synthesise the information to reach conclusions. Pupils of all ages are successful in offering hypotheses in responses to questions which invite them to speculate confidently, because thinking critically and creatively is central to the school’s aims.
Pupils become increasingly conscious of how they learn most successfully, which enables them to become more proficient learners.
Achievements outside the curriculum
Pupils academic and other achievements are outstanding. They attain notable success in individual and team games, with many winning representative honours at local and national level, for example in Rowing, Cross Country, Netball, Hockey and Football. Similarly, pupils achieve high standards in instrumental and choral music in response to the extensive music tuition programme. Pupils excel in performing arts. The school's first A Level Dance pupils have won places at conservatoires to study Dance. Of nearly 100 candidates, almost all achieved merit or distinction in the Trinity College speech and drama awards, and six were at diploma level.
In response to the school’s programme of co-curricular and supra-curricular activities, pupils thrive and develop their knowledge and skills. Pupils say they acquire significant skills and self-knowledge through, for example, the Combined Cadet Ford, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, the Model United Nations and a range of fundraising initiatives in the UK and elsewhere.
Pupils also achieve highly in science Olympiads, UK Maths Challenges and essay prize competitions in different subjects.
