Senior school

In year 9, pupils move into the senior school. These next three years are an incredibly exciting time, with pupils gaining a greater sense of independence and self. It is also another period of transition as they embark first on their GCSE courses and then decide on their A Level choices.

When year 9 move into the senior school, their previous year 8 form groups are mixed up. This gives pupils the opportunity to build relationships with a greater number of their peers to ensure a truly integrated year group. It also helps students to continue to develop confidence in making new friends. As a result, senior school pupils enter year 10 feeling confident to work alongside and collaborate with all members of their year group.

The senior school continue to benefit from a varied compulsory personal, social, health, citizenship and economic education (PSHCEE) provision, including learning about the brain and what it means to have a “growth mindset”, helping the pupils to further develop their skills of resourcefulness and resilience.

Throughout the senior school, opportunities are offered for the pupils’ personal development through the provision of a variety of trips and exchanges, including the chance to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver schemes. Years 9-11 also benefit from a variety of careers education events and talks, such as one-to-one sessions with a careers adviser and attending Life After City careers talks alongside the sixth form. There are also leadership opportunities, taking the role of house co-ordinators, for example. In addition, year 10 act as reading mentors for local primary schools and at the end of year 11 volunteer in several of the City family of schools.

At the end of year 10 pupils spend a day off timetable gaining a taste of life in the sixth form, and start thinking about their A Level choices. Final choices are made in year 11 after consultation with staff.

The senior school meet regularly for an assembly. Often the pupils lead the assemblies themselves, with themes including: What it means to fail; The importance of humour; and The necessity of compassion.

Each pupil is offered individual support via her form tutor and deputy form tutor, head of year, head of section and the sixth form prefects. This is in addition to the support offered by the learning support centre, the careers department, the school nurse and the school counsellors. The pastoral team are always available to contact via email, phone or in person in their offices. Pupils and parents are encouraged to approach any member of the pastoral team if they have any questions or concerns or would like further support pastorally or academically.

Madeleine Davis
Head of Senior School