School Prospectus
Our Vision
Work together to provide students with an inclusive and equitable experience of school which empowers them to achieve ambitious qualifications, powerful knowledge, effective communications skills and the resilience to promote social justice for all.
Headteacher Welcome
Rae Potter Headteacher
“Leaders are ambitious for all pupils including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities’
November 2022
Welcome to Sarah Bonnell School – a highly successful school in Stratford, East London for girls aged 11-16. Our vision is to ‘work together to provide students with an inclusive and equitable experience of school which empowers them to achieve ambitious qualifications, powerful knowledge, effective communications skills and the resilience to promote social justice for all’ .
We successfully deliver this vision because, as a girls’ school, we are experts in how girls learn and have designed the curriculum to ensure they ‘learn more and remember more’ (Ofsted Report 2022). Students at Sarah Bonnell are empowered to learn because they are in an environment where they feel safe, valued and inspired.
Our approach is based upon research that shows that in a girlsonly school, girls learn better, achieve better and have better opportunities than in other settings.
Teaching is innovative and engaging and makes sure students achieve excellent GCSE qualifications and grow in confidence and character.
Sarah Bonnell is also a happy school based on the right values. Our values, which students developed, give clear guidance for all members of the school: Be Proud. Aim High. Work Hard. Be Kind. No Excuses. As a result, the school is buzzing with positive attitudes and behaviour and students are proud to take on a wide range of leadership roles in the school.
Our school puts equity, diversity and inclusion at the heart of work. Our curriculum is carefully designed to represent and reflect our students’ rich cultural heritage, history and experience and we celebrate the unique identity of all our students. We believe it is important for young people to develop their knowledge and understanding of the history of British racism, the present day experience of racism and the actions and attitudes required to promote social justice for all.
I hope this brochure gives you a helpful insight into what makes our school a great place to be and look forward to meeting you when you visit the school and see our excellent provision first hand.
The Sarah Bonnell Way
BE PROUD AIM HIGH WORK HARD BE KIND NO EXCUSES
We are proud of ourselves, our school and our community.
We are ambitious for ourselves, our school and our community.
We approach our learning and personal development with effort and determination
We are kind to ourselves and others and do the right thing even when no one is watching
We have the highest standards for ourselves, our school and our community
Our school values, and the norms required to live up to these values, are presented in The Sarah Bonnell Way. This provides a clear summary of the high expectations we expect everyone in the school community to follow.
Each value contains guidance on the behaviour and attitudes required for learning, self, school and others.
Head Girl Welcome
02
Amiya Glockling Head Girl
03
Sarah Bonnell is an amazing school which promotes sisterhood and aiming high. Here, we strive not only for academic excellence but also to create a space where everyone feels comfortable and open to being who they truly are. This allows students to excel and explore their ambitions, leading them to one day fulfil their dreams.
At Sarah Bonnell, students have the chance to explore new subjects and discover their passions. Throughout their time here, students have opportunities to join clubs, learn new skills, and develop their knowledge in areas that interest them. There are also many opportunities to put themselves forward for leadership roles, get involved, and speak out for their peers.
As Head Girl, I strive to amplify all of our school values—"be kind, work hard, aim high, no excuses, be proud" but especially "aim high," as I believe if we all aim high, anything is possible, whether it is big or small!
My personal motto as Head Girl is "Lead with Vision, Inspire with Action." This reflects how I not only want to listen to and amplify the student voice but also work toward improving small things at a time to make our school even more extraordinary. This attitude is shared not only by the student leadership team but by the whole school.
As we start a new academic year, let us all take inspiration from this quote: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts," and remember to keep working hard and staying positive in everything we do. I believe this is key not only to our school journey but also to our everyday lives.
“Students have excellent relationships with staff. Students feel well supported and cared for. They told inspectors they were highly valued, felt their voice was heard and they were encouraged to do the very best they can ”
Pupils benefit from a curriculum that is carefully sequenced and expertly taught by skilled staff. Lessons are engaging and delivered by teachers with very strong subject knowledge. This helps pupils to learn more and to remember more. Pupils are, therefore, very well prepared for the next steps in their education’’
November 2022
Be Proud
Our Student Leadership Team gives our students a voice and provides leadership opportunities which develop their confidence and communication skills. Opportunities for our students to participate in school leadership positions are available from Year 7 through to Year 11.
We recognise our students’ achievements every step of the way and ensure we celebrate their success.
We provide a v opportunities f including the E Key Stage 3 Am Prefect Team, Team, Digital L Mentors.
“Every student is a unique member of our school, we celebrate our history and diversity in many forums”
Year 8 student
We have strong links with a number of Universities both locally, nationally and internationally. Students have participated in seminars and workshops including Law, Business and Finance, Medicine, Engineering and Creative Media.
These experiences support students with the next steps at the end of Year 11.
“Pupils take an active role in the life of the school beyond the classroom. They participate in many of the clubs and activities on offer, perform in assemblies, help to organise events and activities and mentor younger pupils. School Leaders listen to pupils and involve them in decision making”
Aim High
Students who come to Sarah Bonnell achieve excellence. Our former students have secured places at the top universities and colleges such as Cambridge University, Queen’s College, Cheltenham Ladies College. Our alumni love coming back to inspire the next generation of students with their stories of hard work, determination and ambition.
Students at Sarah Bonnell work hard and show great attitudes to their learning. Students are engaged in lessons and achieve excellent outcomes in national GCSE examinations.
Sarah Bonnell is committed to providing this high quality guidance to young people as part of their personal development as empowered citizens prepared for life in the 21st Century. At Sarah Bonnell CEIAG is known as the ‘Futures programme’. Through the Futures Programme all students are entitled to at least 100 hours of Careers Education Information, Advice and Guidance from year 7-11.
The programme also blends motivational talks and workshops with engaging and insightful visit universities and work places to ensure all students are supported they navigate through their caree journey. As part of the programm all students have the opportunity to attend a one week work experience placement once they have finished their GCSE examinations– most recently these have included placements at the Financial Conduct Authority, London Met Police, local primary schools and more.
At Sarah Bonnell School, we work closely with parents and carers to ensure the best educational outcomes for our students. Our Home School Partnership is fundamental to how we ensure that as a school, we work with our students and parents/carers to ensure that every student is able to excel during their time with us. We also use of a number of different ways of keeping in touch: student reports, newsletters, community events and parents’ evenings are all part of partnership approach.
Students at Sarah Bonnell achieve consistently well in examinations. In 2024 we achieved our best yet GCSE results with students achieving above national average in all key headline measures. 78% of students gained Grade 9-4 in English and Maths (47% got the very top Grades 7-9 in English and 33% got these top Grades in Maths).
“Pupils have very positive attitudes to their learning. Behaviour in lessons and around the school is excellent and pupils are safe.”
November 2022
“There
are a range of opportunities for us at Sarah Bonnell to express ourselves and to boost our confidence through the diversity of the school”
Year 10 Student
Work Hard
At Sarah Bonnell School we provide a well-designed curriculum that stimulates curiosity and is relevant and appropriate for all students so that they can ‘Be Proud. Aim High. Work Hard. Be Kind. No Excuses’. Lessons, clubs, events and visits are planned and delivered in a way that is closely matched to different learning needs and interests; so that all students can make the best possible progress and enjoy learning.
We are an inclusive school and our Access and Inclusion Department works with students and their families to ensure that all learners are able to achieve success at Sarah Bonnell and develop into confident young women. We work closely with professionals from a range of agencies to ensure we have the highest level of care for all our students. Students receive specialist support including in-class support, subject specific intervention, one to one and group support and enrichment activities.
Learning outside the classroom enriches our curriculum, every year students experience visits abroad and active outdoor residentials. We have strong links with schools in Morocco and Spain. We encourage participation in extra-curricular sport and lunchtime activities, our wide offer has something for everyone.
At Sarah Bonnell we have nurtured and developed extraordinary relationships with internationally known organisations such as the BBC, the Globe, the National Theatre, the Barbican and Bow Arts. This gives students an experience not only to motivate them within the Expressive Arts curriculum areas but in the wider life of the school.
At Sarah Bonnell School we aspire excellence across all academic disciplines which include STEAM. We are focussed on encouraging our girls into STEAM disciplines where women and minority groups can often be under-represented. Our links with STEM industries include: Faraday, Bloodhound, STEM in Education and many more to develop their understanding through workshops, lectures, visits, and hands-on experiences.
Digital leaders are a team of passionate girls leading on digital awareness across school. Our Digital leaders run whole school events to help raise awareness of online safety. We work closely with parents to ensure they are updated on the latest news for online safety Our dedicated team of digital leaders are well known in and out of school – we have been recognised and praised by Childnet, Facebook and the NSPCC on our work with students in the school
We work on building confidence, communication and working collaboratively in a team, all skills that are vital across every subject in our school
“Leaders
have high expectations of behaviour. Pupils have very positive attitudes to learning which they demonstrate through high rates of attendance at school”
November 2022
Be Kind
Our Student Leadership Team are excellent role models as ‘Big Sisters’ to Year 7 Students.
The move from primary school to Sarah Bonnell is supported by an excellent transition programme with a dedicated team of staff working to ensure that all girls become successful Sarah Bonnell students.
We understand that every girl is different and will need an individualised approach to joining secondary school. We have a Transition Group which allows us to provide a tailored programme of support and intervention for those students who need it most
Our state of the art school environment is spacious and well equipped with resources including computers, laptops and iPads for student use. Our Learning Hub is our innovative learning environment for students which is equipped with an ICT suite, a conference room and multiple study areas.
Respect for ourselves, each other and our surroundings is at the heart of our ethos.
“A well trained and experienced safeguarding team ensures that safeguarding is prioritised in the school. Pupils feel safe at school and they know who they can
speak to if they have any concerns ”
November 2022
No Excuses
Behaviour at Sarah Bonnell has been judged as Outstanding by Ofsted.
"Pupils take an active role in the life of the school beyond the classroom. They participate in many of the clubs and activities on offer, perform in assemblies, help to organise events and activities, and mentor younger pupils."
November 2022
We have clear, high of behaviour and att attendance is above averages and we wo with students and th ensure every studen 100% attendance.
There is a strong stru pastoral support for e group; this consists o teaching Year Leader a Progress Leader. Th each student’s emoti educational welfare i all times. All students form group and tutor with parents to ensure that every girl is successful at Sarah Bonnell.
“Look for
solutions
not excuses ”
We believe that collaboration with and regular communication between Parents/ Carers and the school is vital for students to be successful and we work hard to ensure that the partnership between student, school and home is as effective as it can be.
Year 8 student
