EXPANDING HORIZONS
We offer a broad range of academic development opportunities within our curriculum and beyond. What new paths might you explore?
Developing Intellectual Curiosity
Consistently strong examination results reflect our academic rigour. However, we believe that stretch and challenge are for all and not just the most academic.
Our lessons encourage pupils to grapple with demanding ideas, fostering intellectual curiosity and developing a love of learning that extends beyond exam requirements.
We offer a broad programme of subject-specific trips, TIPS (Thinking Innovatively and Problem Solving) Days, our 1881 Curiosity Club, a Scholars Programme and academic extension clubs. A truly interdisciplinary approach is showcased in our biennial, year-long Creative Perspectives project.
Oracy is a longstanding strength here, developed through our Morison Verse Competition, Modern Languages poetry competitions and debating lessons – right up to Sixth Form TEDx talks.
Pupils also enjoy success in external academic competitions, alongside internal challenges led by teachers and Sixth Form Academic Ambassadors.
STEAM
Our STEAM programme helps pupils discover they have the power to shape the world around them.
Pupils can turn their ideas and theoretical understanding into real action to tackle real world challenges. They are empowered to create, lead, collaborate and stay endlessly curious by bringing together Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics.
Once they find a passion or have a spark of an idea, we work alongside them to make it happen. To date, we have launched high-altitude balloons to gather live environmental data, built a fully electric Greenpower go-kart and explored the feasibility of aqua and aeroponic farming in central London.
These hands-on adventures encourage pupils to think deeply about their impact on their community and develop the imagination and confidence needed in a rapidly changing world. They learn to take risks, grow from failure and think far beyond curriculum boundaries.
WESTMACOTT PROGRAMME
The Westmacott Programme develops the skills that pupils need to thrive in Sixth Form, at university and beyond.
Named after our first Headmistress, this broad and bespoke curriculum complements GCSE and A Level studies. It combines core and elective units in weekly timetabled lessons for mixed Year 10 and 11 groups.
Core units focus on transferable skills including decision-making, problem-solving, oracy, communication, teamwork, creative thinking and data interpretation. Stimulating electives include Introduction to Law, Italian Language and Culture, and Skills for Innovation.
A key Year 10 element is the Francis Holland Project Qualification (FHPQ): girls can explore a topic they are passionate about, following project-based learning principles. Each pupil’s journey is carefully documented, ensuring the focus remains on the quality of thought and learning rather than the final product alone. Recent projects have ranged from the ethics of AI to the evolution of fashion and the physics of hovercrafts.
THE LIBRARY
The library is integral to our school community, fostering a lifelong love of reading, storytelling and creative writing.
Cosy, welcoming spaces in an inclusive environment encourage pupils to curl up with a book at lunchtime, explore new worlds or quietly study. Author visits, book clubs and reading challenges help them discover stories that spark imagination and critical thinking.
Our Librarian, who is also in the Pastoral team, works closely with the Head of Literacy and Oracy, a published author, to support reading, research and writing across the curriculum. Pupils are guided in developing essential research and referencing skills, and creative and academic writing techniques.
