Blackheath High Junior Prospectus

BL A CKHE A TH HIGH

INSPIRATION CURIOSITY DISTINCTION

WELCOME

Welcome to Blackheath High Junior School, where girls begin their journey through formal education in an environment tailor-made for them.

Our learning community allows girls the freedom to be themselves while respecting the values and opinions of others. Expert pastoral care, specialist teachers and enviable resources during these formative years enable Blackheath High Junior School girls to gain the strongest of foundations for future achievement. We aim to equip every girl with the intellectual skills, emotional confidence and resilience to try to take risks and to succeed whatever their chosen path.

I warmly invite you to visit the Junior School to see for yourself the energy and enthusiasm of our girls and staff.

Sarah Skevington Head of Junior School

PUTTING GIRLS FIRST

Blackheath High School is a pioneering school, established for the education of girls in 1880, when this was far from the norm. The Junior School still occupies the impressive original site of the School and our sole purpose remains to provide the very best opportunities for each and every girl.

The dynamic in a girls-only setting is different: there is evidence that girls are more likely to take intellectual risks, adopt leading, active roles and be less inclined to conform to stereotype than in a co-educational environment. We instill in our students the understanding that all subjects are girls’ subjects.

The modern world makes huge demands of our young people. We strive to ensure the innovative Blackheath High spirit is embraced by our girls during their crucial younger years – to allow them to become young women with the ambition, courage and intellectual rigour to flourish, no matter where life takes them.

OUR SOLE PURPOSE REMAINS TO PROVIDE THE VERY BEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR EACH AND EVERY GIRL THAT ENTERS THE SCHOOL

INSPIRATION

We have high expectations of Blackheath High Junior School girls and staff. The highest standards of teaching, from staff who are passionate about junior years education, ensure that each and every girls aims high and achieves success. Girls are taught by subject specialist teachers in Year 3 onwards.

The broad and balanced academic curriculum is complemented by a co-curriculum that challenges, stretches and ultimately prepares girls for the world of Senior School and beyond.

We are delighted to have launched a new, unique programme for our pupils at our Junior School. The Blackheath High Mighty Girls Challenge is a challenge-based programme aimed at inspiring our pupils to develop core skills that will be central to their development now and in the future. The programme focuses on helping our girls become even more Ambitious, Brave and Curious. The Blackheath High A, B, C.

Our aim is to challenge perceptions and broaden horizons. Although core subjects are based upon the National Curriculum, we value our ability to provide the distinctive opportunities and exciting projects which enrich classroom teaching. Girls take part in public performances in iconic settings, such as the Old Royal Naval College, have interviewed leading women working for the United Nations and have worked with a composer on a modern Cantata.

Teaching is differentiated and focuses on engaging individuals across a range of learning styles, with superb resources and time devoted to grow the potential of every girl.

CURIOSITY

Within the safe, caring environment of the Junior School, girls develop the confidence to seize fresh opportunities and try new experiences. Whether on the football pitch, in the science lab, on a residential trip, or in the theatre, they are encouraged to be enquiring.

Their imaginations are sparked through our Creative Curriculum, with stimulating input in the classroom and beyond. Fascinating trips, workshops and outside speakers, as varied as polar explorers and internet entrepreneurs, encourage the girls to investigate the world around them with related activities which push them outside their comfort zone.

Drama and music workshops, Maths Challenges and design workshops promote imaginative thinking, problem solving, responsibility and team work. Girls learn to think independently, try different approaches and, of course, have fun.

AS THEY PROGRESS THROUGH THE JUNIOR SCHOOL, GIRLS PARTICIPATE IN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES – INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

BALANCE

Blackheath High Junior School delivers an ‘all-round education’: academic excellence within a balanced education for every girl at every stage.

The Junior years are a time for discovering talents and interests, potentially developing them into passions. Girls will always find an activity to inspire them among the broad – and continually evolving – range on offer: from Mighty Girls Club to Junior Chamber Choir, Jazz Dance to Chess.

Sport is offered in many forms, so that girls enjoy taking part and recognise the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Regular interhouse competitions and inter-school fixtures across a number of team and individual sports are opportunities for fun, involvement and performance. Time is dedicated each day to sporting activities either at our own five-acre sports complex or at local specialist centres. From gymnastics to football, tennis to yoga, street dance to swimming, there is something for everyone.

SPORT IS OFFERED IN MANY FORMS, SO THAT GIRLS ENJOY TAKING PART AND RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

INDIVIDUALITY

Blackheath High Junior School flourishes on the strength of relationships that exist within this exceptional school, with focused support and attention only possible with small class sizes and the highest standards of pastoral care. Teachers and students 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. A school counsellor, employed exclusively by the School, is also on hand to talk to about any problems.

Starting Junior School is a big moment in every child’s life. In EYFS and Years 1 and 2, the school day is slightly shorter to reflect the girls’ age. Our Buddy Group system links students of different ages in groups with a teacher, fostering friendships across year groups and creating an inclusive community.

We know Blackheath High School parents work hard for their families: our before and after-school clubs provide superb care, activities and time for homework, to give working parents peace of mind and ensure that time at home is quality time.

BLACKHEATH HIGH JUNIOR SCHOOL FLOURISHES ON THE STRENGTH OF RELATIONSHIPS THAT EXIST WITHIN OUR WELCOMING SCHOOL

COMMUNITY

Our learning community has five Pillars of Learning at its core: resilience, enterprise, innovation, community spirit and environmental awareness. Girls are encouraged to recognise how even small actions can have a positive impact, and the value of working together.

Our diverse student body reflects both the area and the fact that this part of London is home to families who have relocated from around the globe. This international and multi-cultural dimension is an important facet of the School and we value opportunities to play an active role in local life and beyond. The Junior School is committed to supporting a number of charities and volunteer groups, such as the Superkids Charity based at Kidbrooke and the Nasio Trust, a charity helping schools in Africa.

LIFE BEYOND JUNIOR SCHOOL

The vast majority of our Junior girls continue at Blackheath High into the Senior School, where they are joined by girls from other primary and prep schools. One of the many reasons families choose Blackheath High School is the seamless and positive experience of moving up without having to move on.

As early as Year 3, girls will visit the Senior School for teaching, to use specialist facilities and for special events. The Buddy Group system means that our Year 6 girls already know friends and familiar faces in the Senior School. Additionally, our Summer School week in August provides the perfect opportunity for all girls entering Year 7 to get to know each other and become more familiar with Senior School life.

No matter where life takes your daughters, they will forever be part of the Blackheath High School alumnae. Our alumnae span the globe and 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.

THE GIRLS’ DAY SCHOOL TRUST

Blackheath High School is enormously proud to have been among the first GDST schools in England, built in 1880.

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 Junior 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:

•Access to immersive learning experiences at the national GDST conferences - visit Oxford University for the GDST Maths Conference, the Royal Institution for a Science conference and perform at the GDST Shakespeare Conference.

•Unique networking opportunities, inter-school collaborations and competitions for girls

•GDST Academic and Honorary Scholarships available at transition to Senior School at 11

•Membership of the GDST Alumnae community, with over 65,000 former students

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

•Tailored professional development and training for teachers

•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 Junior School benefits from all that our capital city has to offer while enjoying the village atmosphere and extensive heathland of Blackheath itself.

The Senior School and Junior Schools are on opposite sides of the Heath, 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 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 Junior School does so well is to visit us. Contact our Admissions Officer to arrange a personal visit or to attend one of our forthcoming Open Days.

We look forward to meeting you.