We Welcome Your Interest in This School s1

NEWPORT GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE PUPILS AND PARENTS FOR YEARS 7 – 11

ENTRY 2018

1 CONTENTS

Welcome from the Headteacher 2 Student Ethos & Values 4 Curriculum Matters 5 Physical Education, Sport and Games 6 Extended School Curriculum 8 What Students Say 10 Pastoral Care of Pupils 11 Post 16 Education 12 SEN Arrangements 13

2 WELCOME FROM THE HEADTEACHER

I trust this information will begin to give you an insight into the ethos and values that the school promotes and the first-class education it provides for girls aged 11 to 18. The website will add to this should you require more details. Ofsted has rated the school as ‘outstanding’ on their last two inspection visits and the school is usually placed in the top state schools locally and nationally at GCSE and A level.

The school was founded in 1920 to provide a grammar school education “aiming at the harmonious development of the whole personality” and it continues to fulfil that aim today. The girls at Newport Girls’ High School achieve highly academically but are also enthused to take part in the wide range of extra-curricular activities that are offered. The caring and friendly environment is often commented on and our new Year 7 pupils settle in quickly.

“ I was nervous when I was led through to my classes but the nerves eased off through the day when I realised how friendly the teachers and students are. It was also nice to be able to integrate with students from other years through the tutoring system.” (A new Year 7 student)

Newport Girls’ High School became an Academy on 1st April 2011 and continues to work closely with the Local Authority. The school has increased in size over the last few years: there are presently 527 pupils on roll, including 136 in the Sixth Form. The school began admitting an extra form to Year 7 moving to a three-form entry from September 2013. It is, however, still small enough to ensure that each pupil is treated as an individual with an appropriately challenging curriculum, in a safe and supportive environment.

In March 2016 we heard we had been successful in securing government funding for a new teaching block and will have the extension to the school completed by October 2017. This will continue the development of our facilities which has included a music suite with a recording studio and additional classrooms, a multi-purpose hall for performances and sporting activities and four classrooms. Science facilities have also been upgraded and all of this has made an incredible difference to our learning environment and is a much deserved improvement for the girls and staff.

I hope you will take the opportunity to look around the school on Open Day and speak to staff and pupils to see for yourselves what a wonderful school this is. The pupils are by far the best ambassadors for the school and many have volunteered to help at the Open Day events to demonstrate their pride in their school.

If you are unable to visit us on this occasion, please contact the office to make alternative arrangements.

Mrs Ros Garner Headteacher

3 "Newport Girls' High School enables girls to become enriched and capable young women ready to accept any challenges and opportunities that are thrown at them. The encouragement and support from an exceptional team of staff allows girls to grow their confidence and thrive both academically and socially. The promotion of a caring and comfortable environment ensures that girls feel respected and safe within school, providing the security we need to discuss ideas and excel in both groups and on an individual basis. Beginning in Year 7, the school presents countless opportunities to girls, from LAMDA to fencing as well as university lectures to widen their subject knowledge. Girls are encouraged to explore a wide range of activities outside of the classroom, many of whom go on to excel and represent teams on national and international levels. Students are consistently offered numerous trips, which not only cement the content learnt in the classroom and widen our cultural appreciation, however also improves relationships between pupils and staff. Thanks to this strong integration, the close knit relationships established helps to maintain the family like environment here at Newport Girls’ High School. Exciting House events give students the opportunity to show off their talents in drama, music and sport encouraging a healthy competitive aspect to school life. Being a student at Newport Girls’ High School for the past seven years has prepared me thoroughly for the future and I value the opportunity I have been given to be part of such an outstanding school community."

(Heather Todd, Head Girl)

4 STUDENT ETHOS AND VALUES

Our School is a community of learning, we value…

Respect and Equality

This is demonstrated by:

 Respecting each other’s right to learn.

 Following the school’s behaviour guidelines and showing respect for school property and our surroundings.

 Valuing and celebrating each other’s contributions in lessons and other school activities.

 Treating one another with dignity and respect.

 Accepting individual differences and supporting one another with patience and compassion.

Friendship

 Actively helping to integrate new members to the form and to school.

 Showing commitment and courtesy to others.

 Looking for opportunities to get involved in school and House activities to forge links within the school community.

Contribution

 Putting our best effort into our studies and allowing others to achieve their potential also.

 Taking pride in our work and in our School overall.

 Following the behaviour and conduct guidelines at all times.

 Utilising the opportunities to show our talents and helping others to develop theirs too.

5  Encouraging and participating in form, House and community activities.

(Student Council)

6 CURRICULUM MATTERS

Despite being a small school, the curriculum provision is outstanding. OFSTED

In order to achieve our aims we offer a wide and balanced education to all students in line with the National Curriculum. In Years 7 & 8 students study the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Separate Sciences, French, German, History, Geography, Computing, Art and Design, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Personal, Health, Social and Citizenship Education (PSHE) and Design Technology. In Year 9 a core GCSE curriculum of English, Mathematics, Separate Sciences, Citizenship, Religious Education and Physical Education continues for all students. A choice of Modern Foreign Language, a Humanity and a practical subject is available to all students as well as one other free choice from the remaining available subjects. Further information on this process will be given nearer the time. Students will drop one of their subject choices at the end of Year 9 before continuing with their chosen GCSE studies into Year 10 and 11. Students are usually entered for 10 or 11 GCSE qualifications at the end of Year 11. There is little setting according to ability and GCSE classes are taught in groups of 28 or less. All age groups are offered opportunities to participate in theatre, museum and art gallery trips in addition to fieldwork visits for history and geography. Homework is set throughout the school to help consolidate work done in the classroom and to encourage pupils to conduct independent research. Work varies in time from about one hour per evening for Year 7 to 2.5 hours in Year 11.

7 PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SPORT AND GAMES

The aims of the physical education curriculum are:  to develop pupils’ competence and confidence to take part in a range of physical activities both in and out of school;  to provide opportunities for all pupils to enjoy and succeed in many kinds of physical activity;  to encourage students to develop a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas to perform successfully;  to foster an understanding of analysing, evaluating and making decisions to improve performance skills. PE helps students to develop personally and socially through the wide range of situations they work within and learn how to play fairly gaining a sense of personal and social responsibility. They are provided with opportunities to take on different roles within the lessons, such as leadership, coaching and officiating. Students learn to become effective in competitive, creative and challenging situations. Sports taught within the curriculum: Games: netball, handball, volleyball, football, hockey, tennis, rounders, cricket, badminton, pop lacrosse, tag rugby, ultimate frizbee. PE: athletics, fitness, dance, gymnastics, sportshall athletics, strength and conditioning, team building and problem solving. As part of the PE curriculum all students take part in two hours of timetabled lessons per week, including one games and one PE lesson. To encourage girls to participate in sport outside of the PE curriculum, a range of sports clubs are available in school and we also promote the importance of joining clubs outside of school. Extra-curricular activities: The PE department offer activities which are available to all students during lunchtime and after school. These include fitness, football, sport and dance leadership, dance, badminton, hockey, athletics, rounders, yoga, tennis and Couch to 5K. We also use local sports coaches to broaden the range of sports available to students including karate, cricket, handball, fencing and netball clubs. The girls are given the opportunity to take part in House competitions every half term. This enables students to participate in competitive sport and leaders are also given the opportunity to assist with the running of these events. It is our policy to support girls in their areas of excellence by releasing them for training and publicly recognising and celebrating their achievements. We have numerous county regional school players in a wide range of sports activities, these are awarded annually.

8 ‘NGHS offers a diverse range of enjoyable sports and activities for different abilities and levels of enthusiasm. However with amazing PE staff who are supportive and encouraging, lessons are made to challenge fitness and improve it, to enhance or develop skills such as coordination, teamwork and leadership; all valuable skills which can be applied in almost anything. From sports such as hockey, football and cross country in the colder months and changing with the seasons into summer sports such as rounders, tennis, netball and dance. There is plenty of opportunity to get involved with clubs and teams alongside lessons. Teams often participate in competitions of many levels in which we are very successful and we demonstrate not only our intelligence but also our physical and mental strength and ability which is equally important for a sustained healthy, active lifestyle, which is highly encouraged.’ A Year 10 pupil

I love PE at NGHS because there are a range of activities such as: hockey, netball, tennis, team building, dance, football, gymnastics, badminton and many more. Some of these are extra-curricular activities as well so I can enjoy them after school and at lunch time. We also go to competitions which involves county cups and sometimes national cups which we look forward to. A Year 8 pupil

9 EXTENDED SCHOOL CURRICULUM

The school offers a rich and diverse range of experiences for students during lunchtimes, after school and on numerous school trips. There are opportunities for each and every student to get involved in and contribute to the school community.

Many students are very involved in school life and seek out opportunities to volunteer and make suggestions about activities they would like to take part in. Members of the Sixth Form are key to the range of clubs and societies; the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and take the initiative with these is widely encouraged. Pupil voice is embedded in school life. There is an active Student Council with representatives from all years. This is chaired by the Head Girl. The Sixth Form also have a development group to discuss Sixth Form issues and both groups meet regularly. There is a keen interest and involvement in both. There is also a Lower School Head Girl Team and these girls, selected from Year 9, lead a wide range of activities for Years 7 and 8.

Clubs and Societies such as Debating, Drama, English and Science are held on a weekly basis and are attended enthusiastically by a vast array of students. Most department areas also offer drop-in lunchtime sessions for students to get further help with homework.

This year the school has also set up a Health and Wellbeing student panel who meet each term to discuss? As part of this we have offered ‘Crafternoon’ activities for one week each half term to give students the opportunity to try new crafts like knitting, crochet, basket weaving etc. and also to give them some time and space to relax and unwind. Students who have attended these sessions have donated money to help support the charity ‘Mind’.

All attendance at extra-curricular clubs is recorded by staff and students are then awarded House Points to reward them for their commitment and dedication to the extra-curricular programme on offer.

Music There is an extensive range of music making opportunities in the school. In addition to the opportunity to take private music lessons in a wide range of musical instruments, weekly rehearsals are held for the Orchestra, Junior Choir, Senior Choir, Jazz Ensemble and many other smaller ensembles. Students are also encouraged to book rehearsal space during break, lunch and after school as needed to prepare for the next performance or recording in the school’s recording studio.

There are many opportunities for performance both within the community and at termly music evenings which are hugely popular.

House Events and Competitions House events and competitions are a key part of school life to which students respond enthusiastically. Belonging to a house and contributing to the success of that House is a responsibility students take much pride in.

10 Healthy competition is promoted in lots of areas of the House system, these include the main events: House Music, House Drama, House Point Cup and Sports Day.

Students are grouped into one of three Houses, Roddam, Seacole and Austen, which promotes a sense of identity and community within the school. Form groups meet each week for House meetings and assemblies. These involve students in the delivery of assemblies, fund raising events, celebrating achievements etc.

Curriculum Enrichment Week Curriculum Enrichment Week, held in the summer provides additional opportunities for cross curricular work providing the time to extend and enrich learning in such areas as Environmental Education, Engineering and Enterprise activities.

Trips and Visits There is a wealth of additional opportunities for students. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a popular activity with many students beginning their Bronze level in Year 9. Silver and Gold awards are also available for students wishing to pursue this further.

An annual French exchange takes place to the Ardéche for Year 9 students. The languages and history departments also provide a residential for Year 8 in Normandy or Berlin.

Visits to art galleries both in London and further abroad are arranged, these have included in recent years; Paris, Madrid and Florence.

There is a netball residential weekend at Condover Hall for Year 7 and a Teambuilding Day at Edgmond.

Careers Information and Guidance Careers education and guidance is embedded within the PSHE programme and begins with the introduction in KS3 to the world of work and making choices.

A programme of independent careers advice, including access to careers software and individual careers interviews, is provided for all students from Year 9 onwards. In Year 9 we have a Bright Futures programme on developing economic awareness.

In KS4 students take part in a one week work experience and receive information and guidance about choices at 16+.

A comprehensive and supportive programme is used with the Sixth Form, including sessions on preparation for higher education, a five day work shadow experience, a visit to a higher education fair and access to a Sixth Form careers library with information on courses, employment and vocational guidance. We also have opportunities for students to undertake specific industry placements, including a six month volunteering scheme with the National Health Service.

11 WHAT STUDENTS SAY:

“The teaching here is outstanding, they always encourage you to do well and provide you as much support as you want (including marking work that they have not set!). I enjoyed my time here.” Rebecca

“ Since Year 7 I have grown and developed to achieve my goal to attend a good university doing a course I enjoy.” Nicky

“ The support I have received from both teachers and fellow pupils here has been second to none. Both the memories and friends I have made here will stay with me for life.” Ellie

“There’s always someone to talk to about various problems.” Anna

“Lots of hard work, but it pays off with the results! Great friendships made!” Emily

“ I could not have wished for a better place to spend seven years of my life. The students and teachers, equally, were inspiring.” Jenny

“The teachers were incredible and really cared about our progress and making sure that we can achieve the very best we can. Being a student here really helped develop me as a person and I feel that without NGHS I wouldn’t be where I am now. Thank you!” Ailsa

12 PASTORAL CARE OF PUPILS

Day-to-day responsibility for administration and pastoral care of the students lies with Form Tutors who are supported by the Heads of Year and the Pastoral Administrator.

The semi-vertical tutor groups are split into Years 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12 and 13. Year 7 students are well integrated into the school through induction, Form and House activities and they share school experiences with each other in family groups. In this way, students gain greater awareness of activities for particular year groups such as Year 8 Options. They also learn to communicate with students from all years and as such there is a group support system in each form. Sixth Form students act as mentors and work with Form Tutors to help organise and develop a range of activities.

Guidelines to enable the smooth functioning of the school are included in the school behaviour policy, which is given to parents of all pupils entering the school. The emphasis is upon positive procedures and the self-discipline of the girls. The school seeks to recognise those who have displayed a positive approach to their studies and their contribution to the wider school community. This is done through a variety of means, such as House points, achievements assemblies and letters home.

Regular attendance at school is essential to ensure uninterrupted progress and to enable children to extend their potential. The attendance pattern for all pupils is monitored closely by the pastoral team, with the school seeking to work actively with parents to ensure a regular pattern is maintained. The school’s expectation is that attendance should be 95% or above, in line with DfE best practice guidelines.

Students are welcome in school between 8:00am and 5:00pm when there is sufficient adult supervision. There are rooms allocated where girls may do their homework or read for pleasure, until they are allowed to go to their form rooms.

13 POST 16 EDUCATION

Students are welcomed into the Sixth Form from any school.

The Sixth Form curriculum is rich and stimulating, combining the rigours of A level study with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and an enrichment programme of visits, courses and speakers designed to develop cultural and environmental awareness.

Nineteen subjects are offered at A level and most girls in Year 12 choose a combination of three or occasionally four, to study as linear courses over the two years. The specifications offered are those from the examination boards OCR, AQA, WJEC and EDEXCEL.

The majority of Sixth Form students from Newport Girls’ High School enter higher education, including Oxbridge and Russell Group Universities, and a pass rate of 100 per cent at A level is regularly achieved.

Sixth Form provision is outstanding. Teaching and learning are good so that students achieve well, sometimes very well. Teachers have excellent subject knowledge and build up a good rapport with their classes. Care, guidance and support are outstanding, and students’ personal development is too. Those who join the Sixth Form from other schools speak highly of the induction programme and how welcome they feel in the school. Students say how much they value the personal, social and health education programme as it prepares them for life after school. Careers education is very good and students benefit from three days of work-shadowing in Year 12. Last year all students who wanted to went on to higher education. The school offers an appropriate curriculum for its students. Leadership and management are outstanding. Students consistently express a very positive view of the school. OFSTED

Readers are reminded that this prospectus is aimed at pupils between the ages of 11 and 16. A separate Sixth Form Prospectus is available and you are strongly advised to consult this if your interest lies at this level.

14 SEN ARRANGEMENTS

The Special Educational Needs code of practice ensures that the special educational needs of all students are identified, assessed and provision made to meet such needs. The curriculum, teaching methodology and extra-curricular provision are all devised with the aim of providing our pupils with a learning environment that allows each to extend herself to her full capacity.

Teachers, in all subject areas, plan and use differentiated materials in order to help individuals learn. It is our aim that all pupils will receive excellent teaching and therefore will make progress as a result.

If this is not enough to help your child to make progress, any additional support needed is classed as special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.

SEND provision can take many different forms and will be tailored to suit the needs of your child. Examples include;

 Different materials  Special equipment  Additional training for staff  Individual or small group support from external agencies

The school works closely with parents and monitors pupils carefully to ensure that SEND provision meets the needs of pupils.

Please inform the school if you have any concerns about your child or if your child has any special educational needs or disability.

Our policy is available on our website.

15 Thank you for your interest in Newport Girls' High School.

Should you require any further information please contact:

The Headteacher Tel: 01952 797550 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nghs.org.uk

We expect all staff and volunteers to share our commitment to safeguarding children. We follow safe recruitment practices and all appointments are subject to successful DBS checks.

All details contained in this booklet are correct at the date of publication (April 2017). Readers are advised that circumstances may dictate changes after this time. You are invited to contact the school about specific points, which you may wish to verify.