“Through its values, aims and objectives, which staff, pupils and parents understand and share effectively, the school gives clear direction and sets out firm principles that guide all areas of school life.� ESTYN, 2008 2 Senior School Prospectus
Welcome to Howell’s At Howell’s our primary aim is to encourage each of our girls to become self-aware, enquiring, positive young women with the skills to equip them for life. With an independent mind and values of courtesy, sensitivity and responsibility your daughter can join society with the foundations for a glorious future. The school holds an exceptional record of academic excellence; since its founation in 1859 the upmost has been done to ensure the girls excel in their academic potential and develop a passion for learning but that is just the beginning of what we can offer. Your daughter will develop enthusiasm, independent work habits and a true sense of achievement which will spur her love of learning, all of which are the benefits of our educational ethos that is present throughout all age groups at Howell’s. There is clear evidence that girls perform best in all-girls schools where they can focus on their education and Howell’s is the only all-girls boarding school in Wales. The school also offers outstanding extra curricular and enrichment activities which allow your daughter’s talents to develop and flourish. I would like to invite you to visit our community and experience our unique environment where learning, arts, competitionand exploration prosper. Emma Jones Academic Principal Senior School Prospectus 3
A Rich Curriculum Whether she is stepping up from the Junior School or it is her first time at Howell’s; arriving at the Senior School will mark the beginning of a new chapter in your daughter’s journey through education.This voyage will take her on an exciting trip of self discovery where she can learn for the life ahead of her. During her secondary education your daughter will need time, space and the opportunity to mature into a young woman. A girl’s only academic environment enhances life at school for our pupils; there is a safe ‘risk taking’ atmosphere and ‘can-do’ philosophy, in classes without social distractions. The rich curriculum in the lower year of the Senior School allows your daughter to explore a wide variety of subjects. The range of subjects stimulates enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge that puts them in stead for the progression to GCSE where they are able to narrow their interests. The GCSE curriculum consists of compulsory subjects; Mathematics, English, Games and the Sciences. Also various optional subjects for students to pick from: • • • • • • • • • • 4 Senior School Prospectus
Art and Design Religious Studies Physical Education Geography Business Studies Music Welsh French History Information Technology
“The school places emphasis on maximising each pupil’s potential in a caring and supportive environment with aspirations for each pupil to develop a thirst for knowledge and the skills to enable lifelong learning.” Estyn, 2008 Senior School Prospectus 5
“The school extends and enriches the experiences of pupils and students by providing a particularly wide range of out-of-hours and off-site activities. � Estyn, 2008 6 Senior School Prospectus
Creativity We strive to foster an atmosphere of creativity at Howell’s with our arts programme of dance, drama, music, drawing and painting which contributes a diversity of experience to the curriculum and vibrancy to school life. In their first three years all girls take part in a programme designed to stretch the imagination and compliment academic studies through the development of vital personal skills; self confidence, self awareness, self expression and communication. The school’s excellent facilities ensure our students have the best opportunity to progress in their creative outlets; from our professional recording studio to the fully furbished dance studio. Girlsfrom years 7 to 9 take English Speaking Board examinations The music department works closely with the performing arts programme providing many and varied opportunities for all girls to perform. Senior and Junior choirs perform within school and the wider community. The school is a centre for the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music examinations and many girls participate at all grades and to a very high standard in these examinations.
Senior School Prospectus 7
Sports and Skills Howell’s provides an opportunity to experience a wide range of activities both on and off campus. Our girls have a great record in sporting competition as individuals and as team members on a local, regional and national levels. Games and PE in the key stage 3 curriculum include, amongst others, hockey, netball, tennis, rounders, athletics, lacrosse and swimming. A number of other physical activities are available as part of the enrichment programme. In year eleven and the Sixth Form the range is extended. The school’s sport facilities are immense with its own sports hall equipped with a climbing wall, fitness suite and caving complex. There is also an outdoor heated swimming pool, extensive tennis courts, equestrian centre and off campus sailing and water sports centre. Howell’s prides itself on sportsmanship and students are regularly praised for their sporting etiquette when representing the school at competitions. With fair play, resilience, courage and team spirit among the many personal skills that can be gained through competition, we believe that sport brings together students no matter what their ability.
8 Senior School Prospectus
“The daily enrichment activities allow pupils to develop their skills and knowledge across a range of sporting, linguistic, scientific, artistic and cultural activities. These contribute greatly to pupils’ self-confidence and decision making.” Estyn, 2008 Senior School Prospectus 9
“The school provides pupils with very good care, guidance and support that enables them to achieve high standards of personal, social and moral development.� Estyn, 2008 10 Senior School Prospectus
Boarding at Howell’s Girls who decide to board at Howell’s are given access to a whole wealth of new social and cultural opportunities which contribute to their well rounded development. Enabling your daughter to become independent, responsible and socially adept through regular boarding activities and trip away at weekends. The trips can be very diverse, from shopping and a trip to the cinema one week to a tree tops adventure course or ice skating the next. There are also optional church visits on Sundays. A great sense of camaraderie is present between all ages of boarders and strong bonds in both of the houses, with the girls making great friends and memories they will never forget. Our housemistresses are friendly, well qualified, non-teaching staff and have a great relationship with the boarders; every girl is monitored closely to ensure she is comfortable and happy with appropriate support in all aspects of a boarder’s life. All boarders benefit from extra curricular support and homework support from senior teaching staff in the evenings following enrichment time. The younger girls live in St George’s House where excellent dormitory and leisure facilities provide the perfect balance between academic study and social activities. Stanley’s House is for the older girls from Year Eleven to Thirteen and offers an environment which reflects the girl’s growing maturity, self reliance and inference. Sixth Formers have the privacy of a study bedroom and a life style which totally prepares them for every aspect of university life. The facilities available to borders are second to none, with their own full equipped gym, kitchens and communal social area. The houses also have their own nursing staff who are highly qualified and experienced in caring for girls in house, our student’s health and safety is our upmost priority. Senior School Prospectus 11
Howell’s School Park Street, Denbigh, Denbighshire, LL16 3EN Phone: +44 (0) 1745 813631 Email: enquiries@howells.org www.howells.org
Photographs by Byrom Barr: www.byromphotographics.co.uk