SENIOR
WELCOME TO
BRIGHTON
As specialists in girls’ education, we tailor our teaching to the way girls learn best, and instil in them the conviction that there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
GIRLS SENIORS
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ALL-GIRLS’ EDUCATION
FACILITIES
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CURRICULUM
BEYOND THE CURRICULUM
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WELL-BEING
NEXT STEPS
Welcome to Brighton Girls
Brighton Girls couldn’t be anywhere other than at the heart of vibrant, open, forward-facing Brighton. We’re a dynamic, creative, friendly school where girls are confident, passionate and kind – not only ambitious for themselves, but for society. As a founding school of the Girls’ Day School Trust, we’ve championed girls’ education since it was in its infancy. We understand what makes girls tick and how to help them become all they can be. We do this by focusing on the joy of learning and on instilling curiosity, adventure and independence. All in a girlsonly environment that’s reassuring yet always stimulating, giving students the confidence and motivation to shine. We also have a strong sense of community and collective endeavour. Teachers are passionate about their subjects and draw the best from girls, as shown in our results. We combine this with sport, academic enrichment and other extra-curricular activities to develop knowledge, interests, emotional intelligence and teamwork. Talk to any one of our girls and you discover someone happy and positive. Someone who feels they belong and is able to succeed at whatever they decide to be. In other words, Brighton Girls.
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Head’s Welcome ROSIE MCCOLL
MA (Oxon), MPhil
“As a founding school of the Girls’ Day School Trust, Brighton Girls has a significance in the history of girls’ education. The spirit of the early pioneers, whose names are remembered in our four Houses, Grey, Gurney, Lyttelton and Stanley, is as strong as it has ever been and, today, we occupy a unique position: we are an allthrough school in the heart of the city of Brighton; we are as eclectic, enterprising, and creative as the city itself, and we command equal levels of affection. At Brighton Girls, innovative teaching, reimagined classroom spaces and a keen sense of social responsibility, make this a place where girls can truly learn without limits. Our girls are courageous, because they know where their strengths lie; they act with kindness, because they appreciate the value of community. Above all, we hope that they will develop the confidence and the character to go out and make a positive difference in the world, understanding that the real impact is felt when courage and kindness combine.”
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Where girls learn without limits
The Girls’ Day School Trust is the UK’s leading network of independent girls’ schools, with 23 schools and two academies throughout England and Wales. As a charity, we are committed to our students, not to generating profits for any shareholders. We are determined to improve social mobility and help every girl, whatever her background, to fulfil her potential and to realise her dreams. Our bursary programme allows us to give gifted girls a GDST education, regardless of a family’s financial circumstances. Currently we provide over 1,000 of these life-changing bursaries nationwide. We don’t just deliver academic credentials. We develop character. We help girls to be confident, resilient and fearless. In our schools, girls learn without limits, and nothing holds them back. As experts in educating girls, we recognise that girls learn differently. So we have created environments in which every girl is able to thrive, whatever her disposition and direction. Together - schools, GDST and alumnae - we enable each girl, to learn without limits. Visit us at www.gdst.net to find out more.
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The advantages of an all-girls’ education
As specialists in girls’ education, we tailor our teaching to the way girls learn best, and instil in them the conviction that there’s no limit to what they can achieve. Girls in single sex schools study a wider variety of subjects, participate more enthusiastically in sport and are more empowered in social relationships. They participate more in maths, science and languages. They make choices according to talent and interest, not gender or prejudice, leading to more satisfying and fulfilling careers; they also achieve far higher academic results than if they were to go to a comparable co-ed school. Girls at all ages are likely to develop differently from their male peers. Teaching and learning at our school exploits and celebrates the fact that 80% of girls and boys learn differently (according to research by Dr Jo Ann Deak et al). Research shows that girls educated in a single sex school enjoy active and fulfilling lives and relationships with both sexes. The only difference is that girls are more empowered to make their own decisions about relationships, and to be less influenced by peer pressure.
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Who wou ld study the che m i st r y
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of c hoco late ?
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Facilities
Brighton Girls is centrally located in the heart of the city with excellent transport links. We are fortunate to have a mix of heritage and modern buildings as well as a charming outdoor space where the girls often picnic in the summer months. Classrooms are equipped with modern, interactive screens that support the use of technology for learning. There are three dedicated IT suites and seven Science Labs to cater for the high demand for science subjects. Our art studio encompasses a photography suite, as well as specialist facilities for art including a professional studio space for our Artist-in-Residence. In our Music House, which houses our music practice rooms where individual music lessons are taught, we also have a Mac suite for music editing and production, catering for a wide variety of music genres. The Hall is enhanced by auditorium seating and is a busy venue for school events, accommodating 300 for performances, with a large backstage area, and drama studio next-door so that our girls can move seamlessly from the intimate space of the drama studio to a larger scale performance area.
#BGDesignHub
Students at Brighton Girls benefit from teaching approaches which encourage them to be active participants, taking responsibility for their learning. Throughout the school, there is an educational focus on nurturing curiosity, the joy of learning, adventure and independence. While teaching and learning, and the enabling technology, have changed radically, the physical spaces in which it happens take longer to adapt. Brighton Girls has recently launched the #BGDesignHub. The Brighton project seeks to provide learning environments that allow teachers and pupils to take learning to the next level. Each room is dedicated to a particular stage in the ‘design thinking’ cycle. Pupils are able to work independently or in groups, to discuss, research, define, design, prototype, evaluate and present. The Design Hub is available for classes or individuals to work on projects, and offers a flexible, inspiring learning environment – a safe space in which to experiment and innovate. The Hub helps to reinforce exciting new ways of teaching and learning.
In addition to our outdoor netball and tennis courts, our Sports Centre has a multi-purpose Sports Hall with viewing gallery, with a fully equipped Fitness Suite and sprung floored Dance Studio. Our Year 7 have a dedicated building for their form-rooms, so that they can transition into life at the Senior School with a nurturing space of their own.
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Curriculum
A broad and balanced curriculum is offered to suit individual interests. We are committed to providing all our students with the skills they need to thrive in the modern world. Years 7-9
All pupils study English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Modern Foreign Languages – French or Spanish, Art, Dance, Drama, Geography, History, Information Communication Technology, Latin, Music, Philosophy Religion & Ethics, Physical Education and Food & Nutrition.
GCSE
At GCSE all girls take English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, a Modern Foreign Language, three separate sciences or Double Award Science (two GCSEs). A further two or three GCSE subjects are also chosen from the following: Art & Design, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Dance, Drama, Food Preparation & Nutrition, French, Geography, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Philosophy Religion and Ethics & Spanish. All year groups follow an extensive extra-curricular and well-being programme.
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Beyond the Curriculum
A broad range of extra-curricular activities are available at lunch time or after school, including drama, art, debating, coding and science clubs to name just a few. Sport
Hockey, netball, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, rounders, badminton, athletics and fitness, lacrosse, basketball, bouldering, tag rugby, volleyball, stand up paddle boarding and wind surfing. Squads of all ages compete on a local and national level with an ever-growing fixture list.
Dance
Pupils have the opportunity to participate in the annual school dance show, Momentum, and many national dance competitions. Dance can also be studied for GCSE and A Level.
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Music
There is the opportunity for everyone to perform in a range of orchestras, groups and choirs. In addition to studying music within the curriculum there is the opportunity for every Year 7 girl to learn an instrument with tuition being supplied by one of our many visiting music teachers.
School Trips
Pupils of all ages enjoy a rich programme of educational visits and residential trips both in the UK and abroad. In Year 7 the students participate in a five day residential visit to France and in Year 8 the girls visit our field centre in Wales for an activities week. Over recent years girls from Years 10-13 have visited Ethiopia, Romania and Malawi, running summer schools for local children. These trips have been run in conjunction with the charity, CRED, and have been memorable and life changing experiences for pupils. Closer to home, visits to the vast range of museums and galleries, as well as the Sussex coast, make subjects come alive and our proximity to London enables us to take advantage of the exhibitions and performances there. Each term all year groups in the Senior School also have a day off timetable to take part in enrichment activities – in the past these activities have included health and well-being days; enrichment activities such as wind surfing and assault courses and a wide range of cultural experiences from theatre visits to film making.
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Community Minded
Brighton Girls sees itself as an integral part of the local community; volunteering and charity are strongly encouraged at Brighton Girls. The school has a strong tradition of charity fund-raising. There is an annual Christmas Fair, a community tea party which is held for our elderly neighbours and each term form groups have the opportunity to raise money for their chosen charity with cake sales and other events. We are committed to supporting community events, sponsoring St Ann’s annual family festival and the Stonewall Equality Walk, running a water station at the Brighton Marathon and taking part in the Children’s Parade at the beginning of the Brighton Festival.
Artist in Residence
Crimson Trebar is our artist in residence and is based on site a few days each week. In addition to working on her own projects, she supports the students with their coursework and individual interests.
Resident Dance Company
Our dance company in residence, Penny & Jules Youth Dance, offer contemporary training and additional performance opportunities for both our senior and youth dance companies.
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Well-being
Every girl’s health and well-being is our highest priority. We create an atmosphere of support, inspiration and aspiration and are dedicated to ensuring the happiest environment in which your daughter can develop. Our small class sizes and year groups allow all our staff to understand your daughter as an individual and enable her to achieve her future hopes. At the Senior School, our pastoral system is led by the Deputy Head and is centred on developing a close bond between each girl and her Form Tutor. It is enriched by a strong, well-developed House system throughout the school and by an innovative Peer Support system. We also have a full-time school nurse and a school counsellor based at the Senior School. Well-being is a planned programme of teaching and The four key strands of learning that promotes the spiritual, well-being at Brighton moral, cultural, mental and physical Girls are: development of pupils. It develops • Health and well-being in our students the knowledge, • Relationships skills and understanding they need • Living in the wider world to lead confident, healthy and independent lives, playing a full • Work-related learning role in wider society.
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“We chose Brighton Girls because they promised to offer our daughter a caring, nuturing and supportive environment for her to progress educationally and grow in confidence. Their support throughout her time at Brighton Girls has been exemplary” Parent, Y11
Peer Support
In Year 9 students have the opportunity to apply and train to be Peer Supporters. They start their work in Year 10 and work closely with the new Year 7 pupils to help them settle in and are also available to students in Years 7-9 who may need some support with anything ranging from friendships to homework.
Special Educational Needs
Treating every pupil as an individual is important to us and we welcome girls with special educational needs who can make the most of the opportunities we offer and who can flourish in our caring environment. Our Learning Support provision is designed to support our girls’ access to the mainstream curriculum.
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School Life Houses
When girls join us, they are allocated to one of the four Houses: Lyttelton, Stanley, Grey or Gurney, which are named after the founders of the GDST. Pupils meet regularly with other members of their House from all year groups and over the year they will work together to take part in the many Inter-House competitions and activities. These include the House Book Quiz, House Science Quiz, House Plays, House Public Speaking and various sporting competitions such as Netball and Hockey. As a member of a House the girls gain support from older students and quickly integrate into the whole school community and the family environment that makes Brighton Girls so special.
School Council
All students participate in Student Voice questionnaires. School Council is run by the Sixth Form Leadership Team with representatives from each year group. Through School Council, girls develop their communication and leadership skills and are able to consult with members of the Senior Leadership Team about issues important to them and their form. Each year the whole School Council participates in a training day where they further develop their teamwork, leadership and communication skills.
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School Uniform
A school uniform is part of the DNA of any school, bringing the community together, creating equality and reminding students that they are part of a working environment and we have an on-site uniform shop.
Contact With Parents
Good contact between school and home is key and maintained in a variety of ways. Regular newsletters, Parents’ Evenings and termly reports are just a few examples. The school learning platform, Firefly, is regularly updated with homework, links to on-line learning resources and departmental news. All parents, pupils and staff have access to Firefly.
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Further Education and Career Guidance
Years 7-9 •
Pupils learn to talk positively about their strengths and explore what success means to them. A series of careers lectures inspires them to be open-minded and ambitious
• Pupils will also learn about the importance of enterprise and develop their employability skills •
When making GCSE option choices, pupils will take part in a careers profiling programme and receive one-to-one guidance from our Head of Careers to ensure informed decision-making
Years 10-11
• Pupils take part in an employability masterclass and learn about current workplace recruitment practices • More in-depth careers profiling takes place and pupils receive one-to-one careers guidance interviews, resulting in an individual action plan • Pupils are guided as they prepare to undertake a week-long work experience placement at the end of Year 11
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Sixth Form
Many girls stay on for Sixth Form and enjoy a variety of benefits. With a recently refurbished Sixth Form centre in The Vicarage and access to the Design Hub, Brighton Girls offers a great base to further your studies. With small class sizes, teaching styles can be tailored to the individual ensuring the best possible results. There are also a range of opportunities from being a GDST Sixth Former including regular conferences with other schools in the family, Oxbridge application weekends and Leadership conferences.
Alumnae
Brighton Girls as part of GDST family have an active network of 70,000 alumnae including Samira Ahmed, Professor Mary Beard, Cressida Dick, Helena Bonham Carter, Olivia Colman, Sophie Kinsella, Esther McVey, Afua Hirsh, Miriam Margolyes and Sophie Raworth. To enable every GDST Sixth Former to connect with and benefit from our alumnae, we’ve teamed up with rungway.com, the mentoring app – so now, at the touch of a button, they can ask the burning questions they have about study and life after school, anywhere and at any time.
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Where
Girls
Learn
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Wi
ithout Limit s
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Next Steps Book a visit
We would strongly recommend that you visit the school and would be delighted to welcome you. A visit will give you the opportunity to see the school in action, meet staff and current students and have any questions answered. Visits can either take place by individual appointment or by attendance at one of our Open Days.
How to apply
Please use our on-line application form which can be found at www.brightongirls.gdst.net or call our Admissions Department to request a paper copy. The application form should be sent with a nonrefundable fee of £100 to our Admissions Department. We will then be in touch to confirm receipt and your daughter will be invited in for assessment.
Admission into Year 7:
Our entrance test comprises of three short papers: Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and English and are designed to test potential rather than knowledge.
Admission into Years 8 to 11:
Applications into Years 8 to 11 are also welcome although entry into Year 11 mid-way through GCSE courses can be tricky but we do our best to work with you regarding what is best for your daughter. We aim to make offers by the middle of February. At this point we ask successful candidates for a holding deposit of £500. If for any reason your application is successful but you can’t take up the place we would ask you to let us know immediately so we can make the place re-available. Our welcome day at the senior school for new pupils is arranged in the summer term. They can meet their new classmates and familiarise themselves with the school before the new term starts. To arrange a tour or if you have any further questions please contact Rebecca Findlay on 01273 280170 or admissions@brightongirls.gdst.net
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Scholarships and Bursaries
The Bursary and Scholarship Scheme aims to ensure that GDST schools are accessible to all able students. Nearly 20% of girls at GDST Senior Schools receive a bursary or scholarship to help towards their fees. This amounted to £14m last year.
£35,000 per year who have no capital assets other than their home. It is highly unlikely that a bursary would be awarded to a family whose annual income is greater than £85,000 other than in very exceptional circumstances.
Scholarships 11+
We welcome applications from talented girls from lower income families. We recognise that to be fully included in the life of the school there are other costs to be borne, and there is additional support for those receiving a bursary of 95%. This may include free lunches, a uniform grant, travel costs to school and certain trips and visits. For talented musicians there can be support with instrument hire and lessons.
Scholarships are awarded to girls showing exceptional academic ability, as measured in a competitive entrance examination usually taken in January and are irrespective of financial means. There are also awards for those showing particular aptitude in Music. Temple Scholarships for all round achievements are awarded to girls joining Year 7 each year.
Bursaries
Bursaries are available to girls entering the school at Year 7 or Year 9. A bursary takes into account academic merit, but every bursary is means-tested and its value is related to the income and financial resources of the pupil’s family. The maximum value of the bursary can be the full published fees; however, awards for full fees are rare and the amount of any bursary award will depend upon local demand and available funding. Most higher-value bursaries are awarded to pupils from families with a total income of less than
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HOW TO APPLY Please complete the on-line application form prior to the entrance test in January. This can be found at www.brightongirls.gdst.net. If you have any further questions please contact Rebecca Findlay on 01273 280170 or admissions@brightongirls.gdst.net
Nursery & Prep School (3-11) Radinden Manor Road | Hove | East Sussex BN3 6NH Senior School & Sixth Form (11-18) Montpelier Road | Brighton | East Sussex BN1 3AT For all enquiries please contact us... 01273 280170 admissions@brightongirls.gdst.net www.brightongirls.gdst.net Design: GeoMedia Photography: Danny Fitz Photography