On Thursday 4th September, the Westmacott Programme, a bespoke programme for FHS, was introduced to the Year 10 and Year 11 pupils. The programme is named after FHS’s first Headmistress, Miss Roma Westmacott, who was a pioneer of girls’ education, and who established our school with Canon Francis Holland, creating the cornerstone we know FHS to be.
The Westmacott Programme aims to complement the curriculum and to develop and consolidate key skills, essential for life in the Sixth Form, and also for flourishing life beyond FHS, both at university and in the world of work. Some of these fundamental skills include problem solving, critical thinking, oracy and teamwork, all of which will help us to stand out in the modern-day job market and to be the difference that FHS has raised us to be.
These skills will be fostered in the Core and Electives units offered in the programme. Up and coming in the Autumn Term, students have the chance to choose between four electives, which will run in conjunction with the Core unit. These are ‘An Introduction to Law’, ‘Italian Language and Culture’, ‘Art Capitals’ (History of Art based) and ‘Skills for Innovation’ (IT based). All these electives cover a vast base of subjects and offer the chance to develop personal and employability skills which will help open doors for pupils, and assist us in stepping beyond the threshold of exam skills. For example, in the Spring Term students will have a chance to partake in a needlework elective; at first it might be hard to see its wider application but, for those interested in dentistry or other fields which require fine motor skills, demonstrating and practising this skill will serve as an advantageous head start.
Taking centre stage in our first session were two of our very own alumnae, Marysia (Class of 2022) and Maya (Class of 2025), who honoured us with some beneficial insights and who reflected on their experiences, explaining why the above-mentioned skills are so crucial, whether for completing a degree successfully at Oxford as Marysia did (alongside competing in the renowned Cambridge and Oxford boat race), to how Maya phenomenally published her own novel just after completing her A-Level studies.
Marysia stated “It was wonderful to return to Francis Holland today to speak to Years 10 & 11 about the Westmacott Programme and my experiences as a recent graduate starting my career. For me, the Westmacott Programme showcases how Francis Holland champions students’ wholeness.
Opportunities like this will prepare students for an ever-evolving world by providing them with the transferable skills they need to succeed academically and professionally. Students will also develop a sense of personal enrichment and fulfilment, equipped with the skills to apply what they have learned in the classroom to solve real-world problems.”
Overall, the accumulation of core skills and priceless tips that pupils have been presented with will really help us to flourish and stand out, transforming us into the game-changing, pioneering women of tomorrow. “Teachers are your greatest champions” as one of the speakers shared, is something we can truly relate to. We are so grateful to be offered this enriching opportunity and are excited to see where it takes us.
By Lucia and Katie (Year 11)
