WHS Prospectus 2019

AT WYCOMBE HIGH SCHOOL

WE LOOK 2

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We look beyond the traditional grammar school.

We look beyond league tables and examination results.

We look beyond stereotypes and conventions.

We look beyond a world where futures are fixed.

Wycombe High School is a school that does not stand still.

Our students, the future graduates and employees, will be working in an increasingly complex world, requiring a wide range of skills and knowledge, as well as high levels of flexibility. We are ensuring our students have the social, academic and practical skills they need to thrive in the twenty-first century.

We believe our students are capable of achieving their greatest ambitions. Whether they want to be a doctor, a charity worker, an accountant, a scientist, an engineer, a designer or a performer, we support them in every endeavour.

Year on year, our students attain at the very highest levels and 04

we retain our position as one of the top state schools nationally.

Our examination results are outstanding and our students are exceptionally well prepared to make choices about their future, whether that is university, apprenticeship or employment.

We have a strong commitment to the performing and visual arts, and sport. We organise concerts, festivals, musical productions, school plays, dance and gymnastics shows, art and technology exhibitions and leadership programmes for our students. We regularly reach regional and national finals in a range of sports and other extra-curricular activities. Indeed, for us, school life is about so much more than results. It is crucial that our students are well-rounded, sociable and joyful when they move on to pastures new.

Do come and visit us. We would be delighted to welcome you and let you see first-hand why we are so proud of our girls. I hope you’ll find a school which, as we put it, ‘looks beyond’; beyond league tables and results, beyond stereotypes and conventions, and beyond a world where futures are fixed. A place where you will meet girls who relish challenge, chase excellence and inspire those around them.

Sharon Cromie Headteacher

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OUR VISION A school where students relish challenge, chase excellence and inspire those around them at every stage of their lives.

OUR MISSION 06

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We build an ambitious and compassionate community of people who contribute eagerly to school life. We provide opportunities which propel our students out of their comfort zone, whilst supporting them at every stage and guiding them towards diverse futures.

Infectious Joy School days should be “the best days of your life”.

We create a joyful environment where each girl can experience the thrill of success, seek opportunities that make her smile and develop long-lasting friendships.

Limitless Ambition 08

We reject the notion that there is anything in the world that a girl ‘cannot’ do or ‘should not’ strive for. We galvanise every girl to be boldly brilliant in whatever she wishes to achieve, pushing her limits without fearing failure.

Insatiable Curiosity For us, learning is a process which extends beyond your time at school; it’s a lifelong passion. We aim to uncover a thirst for discovery in our girls, whatever their chosen subject(s) might be. We prepare our girls to think big and think globally.

Generous Spirit We champion a collective and collaborative spirit.

We provide an unbreakable support network, sharing in our girls’ successes and enabling them to bounce back from times of difficulty.

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OUR CURRICULUM

Key Stage 4: Journey of Discovery The journey of discovery begins in

We always remember that the girls we teach today are the women who will shape tomorrow. Our curriculum is broad, flexible and responsive to the needs of these future citizens.

Year 9 where our students commence a three-year Key Stage 4 with 19 different subjects from which to choose. This enables them to express their passions and talents across a wide range of areas.

Students are encouraged to pursue creative subjects alongside English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Languages (modern and ancient), to develop a culture of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) and maintain breadth of

Key Stage 3: Getting Ready to Fly

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Key Stage 5: Broadening Horizons

choice for the future. Students build on the learning habits developed in

Our Sixth Form Curriculum broadens

Our Key Stage 3 prepares students to

Key Stage 3 with a continued focus on

horizons. It is an expansive curriculum

maximise their time at Wycombe High

Positive Psychology and are supported

which gives students a free and broad

School. They follow a broad two-year

by a pastoral system tailored to meet

choice of 3 or 4 A Levels (from 26

curriculum, studying over 14 subjects,

individual needs. There is a continued

options) and supports students’ ability

developing a range of skills designed to

focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle

to respond to challenges and complexity.

prepare them for further study at GCSE

through the provision of timetabled

Independence in learning is developed

and A Level, and more importantly life.

non-examined PE and a range of PSHEE

and leadership encouraged. Self-sufficiency,

This is where students find their passions:

Days. Students will finish Key Stage 4

global awareness, physical and mental

the subjects they enjoy; the subjects they

with experiences across a broad range of

wellbeing and Spiritual, Moral, Social

are desperate to find out more about;

subject areas including Digital Learning

and Cultural development (SMSC) are

the subjects at which they excel; the

and in a position to excel in Sixth Form

integral to our Key Stage 5 experience,

subjects they may spend the rest of their

and beyond.

as is preparation for the next stages

lives pursuing. Students are supported

of life (university, apprenticeship or

through this exploration by the provision

employment). We take advantage of

of a tailored Personal, Social, Health and

strong links with neighbouring schools

Economic Education (PSHEE) curriculum

to maintain a broad offer of subjects.

where they learn the value of independent

Whilst students do have a free choice

Your daughter will be welcomed into

thought, resilience and a love of life-long

of the subjects they select, we advise

a friendly place of learning where she

learning. There is a thorough exposure to

students to study Mathematics in some

will grow in knowledge and confidence,

Digital Learning within all subject areas, as

capacity, including Core Mathematics,

be encouraged in her efforts and

well as specific coding lessons and Focus

particularly if they are studying a

praised for her achievements. In the

Days devoted to digital activities. Physical

science, social science or Economics.

classroom, she will experience a variety

and mental health are promoted through

of teaching strategies intended to

timetabled curriculum periods, such as

Please see our website for more specific

inspire and challenge.

PE, Positive Psychology and Tutor time.

information about the subjects we offer.

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We offer over 80 different clubs

students participating in music

and societies run by both staff and

and sports tours as well as being

students, affording our girls the chance

able to experience different cultures

to take ownership whilst developing

through visits and Homestays in

organisational and leadership skills. These

France, Italy and Spain, plus regular

societies range from sport, music, drama,

student exchanges with our partner

dance and debating, to religion, politics

school in Sri Lanka.

and philosophy, Ultimate Frisbee and yoga. There is something for everyone.

We also run a very successful outdoor and adventurous activities

Students not only engage with these

scheme, giving students the

opportunities; they excel. Our musical

opportunity to complete the Duke

ensembles regularly perform in public

of Edinburgh Award, participate in

to great acclaim and our sporting teams

an Outlook Expedition or take part

compete successfully at a regional and

in an Adventure Activities weekend.

national level, so much so, that we have been consistently ranked as one of the top

We encourage students of all age to

state schools for sport in the country.

take part in these activities, express themselves and showcase their

Additionally, we offer a significant

talents. This undoubtedly helps boost

number of educational visits throughout

self-esteem and gives our girls the

the school year which complement the

confidence to take on life and succeed.

academic aspects of school life and enable students to grow as individuals. A

Please see our website for a full list of

number of these visits are residential, with

extra-curricular activities.

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OUR COMMUNITY

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We know that our duty of care extends far beyond academic learning. We take that charge seriously, providing dedicated pastoral support for each student, giving her the chance to discuss whatever she needs with someone who truly cares.

There is a sense of togetherness here at Wycombe High School which we consciously nurture. We want our girls to develop long-lasting friendships during their time at the school and also to feel part of an environment where they are free to express themselves, whatever their area of passion might be.

We provide holistic support at every stage of each girl’s development, be it through their Personal Tutors or our dedicated Student Support Team, ensuring each girl can thrive.

Wycombe High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are required, before taking up a post, to undertake a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

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OUR ALUMNAE

Nicola Brown (1986 – 1992)

We’re always excited to hear what our alumnae achieve beyond Wycombe High School. Many of our former students come back to visit and share their experiences with current students.

Nicola received a BSc degree in Geography from Portsmouth University which was linked to University Air Squadrons. She is now a Captain with British Airways.

Dr Aliyah Yousuf (2004 -2011) Aliyah studied medicine at King’s College London and completed a Master’s degree in Reproductive and Sexual Helen Bone (1988-1995)

Health Research at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She

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Helen is a Senior Geologist for Fairfield

is currently working as a Senior House

Energy (an oil and gas company). Her

Officer in Accident and Emergency at

role is to take a wide range of geology

West Middlesex University Hospital.

data acquired from drilling rigs and interpret the presence and volume of

Flo Wilson (2007-2014)

hydrocarbons.

Flo undertook an apprenticeship as a Erin Orford (2000 – 2007)

Chef at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, in partnership with the University

Erin received a BSc in Business

of West London and the Gordon Ramsay

Management from The University

group. She has worked at The Savoy and

of Birmingham. Erin is a Programmes

is now working at The Conduit in London.

and Social Media Assistant at COINS Foundation, as well as being a para-dressage European Champion and member of Team GBR Equestrian.

Rachel Burden (1987 – 1993) Rachel studied History and Politics at Trinity College in Dublin and Broadcast Journalism at Cardiff University. She is a radio news reporter and presenter.

She has presented the BBC Radio 5 Live weekday breakfast show since 2011.

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Girls are eligible to be considered for admission to Wycombe High School in Year 7 if they meet the required qualifying score of 121 in the admission tests or have 18

been deemed qualified by a Selection Review Panel.

Two tests, each of approximately 45 minutes duration, are taken in the September of the year prior to proposed admission. The tests comprise elements of verbal, numerical and non-verbal ability. Each child’s scores in the different elements of the tests are age-standardised and added together, therefore setting all children on an equal footing regardless of when their birthday falls within the year.

For the full Admissions Policy, visit our website: www.whs.bucks.sch.uk/admissions/ admissions-process

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AT WYCOMBE HIGH SCHOOL

WE LOOK

We look beyond the traditional grammar school.

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We look beyond league tables and examination results.

We look beyond stereotypes and conventions.

We look beyond a world where futures are fixed.

Wycombe High School, Marlow Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 1TB 01494 523961

@WycombeHighSch

www.whs.bucks.sch.uk