Blackheath High Senior Prospectus

INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL

FOR GIRLS AGED 11-16 EST. 1880

INSPIRATION CURIOSITY DISTINCTION

WELCOME

Welcome to Blackheath High School, where girls have thrived in an environment tailored to them since we opened our doors in 1880 as the first purpose-built school of the Girls’ Day School Trust.

We have a come a long way since then. Our community has grown significantly to offer a complete education for girls from ages three to 18 years, but we have chosen to remain small and perfectly formed – a rarity in this dynamic, global, capital city.

As experts in girls’ education, we have also chosen to remain a single-sex school: the belief (backed up by a wealth of research) that girls do better where they have the freedom to be themselves underpins everything we do. It is well-documented that girls achieve higher academic results in a single-sex setting; it is our aim to ensure Blackheath High School girls carry these achievements into every area of life with the courage, intellectual flexibility and emotional resilience to succeed, whatever their chosen path.

Following our £18million redevelopment, I invite you to visit the School in person and see our community in action – when you do, you will understand why our students are proud to be part of Blackheath High School.

Carol Chandler-Thompson Headteacher

EMPOWERING GIRLS FIRST

Blackheath High School is pioneering, established in 1880 for the education of girls at a time when this was far from the norm. Our sole purpose remains to provide the very best opportunities for each and every girl that enters the school.

The dynamic in a girls-only setting is different: there is evidence that girls are more likely to boldly take intellectual risks, adopt leading, active roles and be less inclined to conform to stereotypes than in a co-educational environment.

The modern world makes huge demands of our young people. We strive to ensure the Blackheath High pioneering spirit lives on in our girls as they become young women, with the ambition, confidence, courage and intellectual rigour to flourish, no matter where their life takes them.

INSPIRATION

Blackheath High School has high expectations of every member of its community. The highest standards of teaching from expert staff who are passionate about their subject (and a whole lot more besides) ensure that each and every girl aims high and achieves success.

Our school is a learning community where girls and staff strive for excellence at every turn. The quality of teaching is second to none. The broad and balanced academic curriculum is complemented by a co-curriculum that challenges, stretches and ultimately prepares girls for life beyond school.

Our aim is to challenge perceptions and widen horizons, reflected in the subjects we offer such as Ancient Greek, Computing, Further Maths and Performing Arts. We are in the perfect location for our girls who are selected to study Astronomy GCSE at the Royal Observatory.

We are proud of the huge achievements of Blackheath High School, meaning every girl attains real success that is measurable, not only through examination results but also in their intellectual and emotional confidence.

ENDEAVOUR

To try and risk failure is immeasurably more valuable than never trying at all. Blackheath High School girls are encouraged and supported to boldly try something new, learn from every experience and have fun along the way, whether on the hockey pitch, in the laboratory, on an expedition, in the art rooms or at the debating podium.

At the Senior School, girls participate in a very high number of activities – inside and outside of the classroom – which take them outside their comfort zone. Teaching and learning evolves as girls progress through the School, increasingly requiring more imaginative thinking, responsibility, teamwork and leadership. Girls learn to stretch their creative muscles through our bespoke Academic Enrichment programme, learning beyond the curriculum.

Problem solving and entrepreneurial projects challenge and stimulate girls to ‘think outside the box’. Achievement is measured through the ability to approach perceived obstacles differently, to take the road less travelled.

BLACKHEATH HIGH GIRLS ARE ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED TO BOLDLY TRY SOMETHING NEW, LEARN FROM EVERY EXPERIENCE AND HAVE FUN ALONG THE WAY

BALANCE

The truth is, many schools say they offer an ‘all-round education’. Blackheath High School actually delivers: academic excellence within a balanced education for every girl at every stage.

The breadth and depth of opportunities at Blackheath High School allows each and every girl to discover hitherto hidden talents and passions. We work hard to ensure Senior School life embraces exciting, innovative and life-enhancing activities: from 3D printing to politics, Iron Woman training to computer coding, radio broadcasting to enterprise projects.

Sport at Blackheath High is offered in many forms ensuring that girls gain from the multiple benefits of taking part and enjoying exercise as a lifelong habit. Girls improve their physical health, technical and mental skills, team-work, leadership, confidence and, most of all, have fun. Extensive time is dedicated each week to exercise and sporting activities both at our own five-acre sports complex and at local specialist centres. From fencing to football, hockey to horse-riding, athletics to cricket, and rowing on the Royal Albert Dock to sailing, there is something for everyone.

BREADTH AND DEPTH OF OPPORTUNITIES

THE

AT BLACKHEATH HIGH SCHOOL ALLOW EACH AND EVERY GIRL TO DISCOVER HITHERTO HIDDEN TALENTS AND PASSIONS

INDIVIDUALITY

Blackheath High School flourishes on the strength of relationships that exist within this exceptional school. Our girls benefit from first-class resources and state-of-the-art facilities while enjoying the focussed support and attention only possible with dedicated teachers and the highest standards of pastoral care.

The transition from junior school to senior is a landmark moment in every girl’s life. Whether moving up from our own Junior School or joining our community from local prep or primary schools, your daughter will be welcomed and well known before her first day.

The quality of relationships between girls, and our peer mentoring structure, ensure that friendships made at Blackheath High School are firm and long-lasting. Staff and pupils get to know each other as individuals and staff are always available with a listening ear for any issues that arise, be they academic or personal.

STAFF AND PUPILS GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AS INDIVIDUALS AND STAFF ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE WITH A LISTENING EAR

COMMUNITY

Our diverse student body reflects both the local community and the fact that we are situated in a city that is home to families who have relocated from around the globe. This dimension underpins the school’s aim in developing an international and inclusive mindset in all our students, raising their awareness of the ethical, physical and economic issues facing the world today. Blackheath High School has been awarded the International School Award in recognition of our integration of international work in the curriculum and in preparing students for life as global citizens.

Staff and girls recognise the importance of local, regional and indeed international communities, and the school has links with a number of charities and volunteer groups, such as the SHINE programme, in which our staff devote their Saturday mornings to supporting girls and boys from local primary schools in workshops from art to music, and coding to design & technology projects.

We value the part we play in local life, so to mark the school’s 140th Anniversary we designated 2020 to the ‘Year of Promise’, to help towards a sustainable environment. The school community – students, teachers, staff and parents – committed to making 140 environmental pledges throughout the year. The pledges ranged from bamboo bicycle making workshops, local litter picks, to the study of ocean plastics - appreciating our location near to the River Thames, Greenwich.

LIFE BEYOND SENIOR SCHOOL

The vast majority of our Senior girls continue at Blackheath High School into the Sixth Form. As well as rigorous preparation for IGCSEs and GCSEs in Years 10 and 11, girls are encouraged and supported in considering their next step. Work experience and undergraduate shadowing days, career events hosted by the School, plus trips to inspirational workplaces and universities, allow girls to make better informed decisions about A-levels and routes beyond Sixth Form to a rewarding career.

Our Head of Futures offers advice and practical support to every girl to ensure her subject choices, results and wider life skills enable her to pursue her dreams in higher education and employment.

Blackheath High School is fortunate to have over 140 years of history and heritage, meaning there are thousands of Old Girls who have benefited from a Blackheath High School education and made their way in the world. Our alumnae span the globe and boldly enter every professional sphere imaginable, from engineering to couture fashion, broadcasting to academia. Notable alumnae include Charlene White, broadcast journalist and Mary Quant, fashion designer.

We cherish our alumnae and are delighted to welcome them back regularly as valued members of our community.

We are proud to have a passionate and thriving alumnae network who are dedicated to giving back to students at school. Through sharing their stories and tips for the future they inspire our students to boldly step out into the world.

THE GIRLS’ DAY SCHOOL TRUST

Blackheath High School is enormously proud to have been among the first GDST schools in England.

The GDST are pioneers in, and shapers of, the future of girls’ education. Their purpose is to help every girl fulfil her potential and her dreams. This permeates every aspect of Blackheath High School. We continue to innovate in our teaching and learning, and throughout the School environment.

Our membership of GDST provides unrivalled benefits to the School and our girls through:

•Unique networking opportunities, conferences and inter-school collaborations and competitions for students (e.g., Young Leaders’ Conference; Oxbridge Preparation Conference and GDST Cultural Festival)

•Membership of the GDST Alumnae community, with over 70,000 former students

•The enormous depth of expertise and knowledge in girls-only education

•Tailored professional development and training for teachers

•Access to the GDST Limitless Learning Programme for Year 13s, including university bridging seminars and life skills courses

•Financial stability and shared best practice

To find out more visit: www.gdst.net

LOCATION

Our founders chose the perfect setting for Blackheath High School. Just five miles from Canary Wharf and eight miles from central London, our Senior School benefits from all that our capital city has to offer while enjoying the village atmosphere and extensive heathland of Blackheath itself.

The School is adjacent to Greenwich Royal Park, 13 acres of open space with extraordinary views across the River Thames to St Paul’s. The Park is home to the Royal Observatory and the Greenwich Maritime Royal Heritage Site, close to the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Naval College and the magnificent Cutty Sark.

Transport links are superb by road, rail and bus. Our private minibus transport service offers a range of routes which are updated each year to reflect demand, ensuring girls get to school safely and securely and allowing parents respite from the school run.

VISIT US

Of course, the only way to see what Blackheath High School does so well is to visit us. Contact our Admissions Team to arrange a personal visit or to attend one of our Open Days.

We look forward to meeting you.