Godstowe Welcomes its new Headmistress This September, Godstowe Preparatory School welcomed new headmistress Sophie Green. She succeeded David Gainer who retired after 11 years of service. Sophie hasn’t moved far, having previously been Head of Herries Preparatory School in Cookham, near Maidenhead. She has a wealth of experience and Godstowe is very fortunate to have her at its helm. Godstowe caters for boys and girls in the Nursery (age 3-4) and in Pre-Prep (ages 4-7), known as “Lodge”. Children can start in the recently refurbished Nursery, before moving to the Beginners Building, where the Reception classes are housed. The Beginners Building features two spacious classrooms, has its own garden area overlooking the sports fields and has direct access straight out onto the main playground. Children thrive here, in classes no bigger than 18, and they have access to the wonderful facilities in Lodge, including the art room, library and dining hall. All the children in Lodge, including Kindergarten and Transition (Years 1 and 2), enjoy a multitude of activities which includes PE in the Jubilee Sports Hall – a multi-million pound facility which was opened five years ago. There are after-school clubs, including ballet,
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judo, drama, technology and French. Once the girls move up into Main School (Years 3-8), the list of clubs on offer is extensive, amounting to more than 50. There is certainly never a dull moment at Godstowe. Girls have the option to board from the age of seven – full time, weekly or flexi – and it is in high demand. There are three boarding houses, each run by a full-time housemistress and deputy housemistress. The weekends are jam-packed with outings, activities, cooking, film nights, sport and much more. However, there is always time to read a book and relax too. Many of the boarders opt to stay in for the weekend just so they can enjoy what’s on offer.
Godstowe is non-selective, yet girls achieve unrivalled academic results. Over the past two years, more than 80 scholarships to senior schools were awarded. However, the school isn’t an academic “hot-house”. It is through innovative teaching ideas, dynamic and caring staff and first-rate facilities and grounds that they thrive and succeed. Godstowe’s next Open Days are on Tuesday 27th February 2018 (Years 3-8), from 9.30am and Thursday 1st March 2018 (Nursery – Year 2), from 9am. To book an appointment on either of these days, please contact Mrs Annie Bird on 01494 429006 or email registrar@godstowe.org.
Living Along The Thames | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2017