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Upper School (Years 10 and 11)
The Upper School is busy, purposeful and enjoyable. Girls are encouraged to maximise their potential and to develop a strong sense of self-awareness and self-belief in a supportive learning environment.
Our tutorial team, led by Natalie Tekell-Mellor (Head of Upper School) and Amanda Goodman (Senior Tutor), is experienced and committed to helping the girls in Years 10 and 11 develop their independence, with emphasis on the girl as an individual and not just a 'cog in the system'. Tutors guide their form, encouraging creativity, adaptability and persistence for these important GCSE years. Each form also has an attached tutor who helps with pastoral matters. Pastoral care is important and tutors are able to react quickly to any concerns.
Mentors are provided in Year 11 for those girls who we think would benefit from regular friendly one-to one contact with a teacher. All girls have individual Careers interviews and the Head of Sixth Form and her Senior Tutor work closely with us as the girls move from Year 11 to Year 12 .
An effective timetabled Personal, Social and Health Education programme is in place which enables the girls to question, analyse, understand and cope with the decisions that face them and the position of the individual in society. We value the input from our Sixth Form and health workers in this programme.
Social awareness is encouraged and all girls have great fun taking part in Charity Fundraising Initiatives. Activities have included Easter egg hunts, duck racing, talent shows, dressing up days and sponsored walks. Charity Weeks are very successful and money is raised for each form's chosen charity. New activities are available to the Upper School girls such as joining the Combined Cadet Force, beginning the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and taking up competitive rowing.
We mark the end of Year 10 with a theatre trip. The Year 11 girls have a picnic on their last day at school before the GCSEs begin. Upper School life ends with a day out to a theme park and a Year 11 Dance to celebrate the end of the girls' examinations and their move to the Sixth Form.