HITCHIN GIRLS’SCHOOL · 2016-03-18 · books, project files, newspapers and magazines. SMART cards are used for payment in the Dining Room. These also act as each student’s library

HITCHIN GIRLS’ SCHOOLA Specialist Science School and Academy Trust

Prospectus2015-2016

“I was really happyat the end of myfirst week atHitchin Girls'School. Everyonewas really friendlyand the activitiesand workshopswere amazing, theyhelped our Formgroup to bond!”YEAR 7 STUDENT

“Everyone was so welcoming and they really tried to make us feel like we were partof the school” YEAR 7 STUDENT

Welcome to the Hitchin Girls’ School prospectus, which I hope will give you a real flavour of the school

and our values and expectations.

Our school has a long history of success and we offer a unique blend of innovation alongside tradition,

which is evident across the whole learning experience for our students.

We are very proud of our record of academic success over many years coupled with a drive for

personal success for all students at every level.

We are a fully inclusive school where the individual development of our students is our key focus. We

encourage them to develop independence in their studies to enable them to be life long learners.

As an OfSTED Outstanding school we are continuing to develop a culture at Hitchin Girls’ that puts

teaching and learning of the whole school community at the centre of all that we do, enabling us all

to grow, develop a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great personal accomplishment

and a positive growth mindset.

Our school community is friendly and wholly supportive of all its members and many of our students

refer to it as a family. Should you choose Hitchin Girls’ School we look forward to welcoming you and your

daughter into our community.

We welcome visitors to the school at any

time and hope that, having read about us,

you will be able to see for yourself how we

can support your daughter throughout her

secondary education journey.

Frances Manning

Headteacher

Hitchin Girls’ School is a high achieving, all-ability girls’ school serving the local community. There are 1091 students

on roll, including 265 in Years 12 and 13.

INTRODUCTION FROMTHE HEADTEACHER

Hitchin Girls’ School Prospectus 2015-2016 3

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

4 Hitchin Girls’ School Prospectus 2015-2016

‘The School on the Hill’

Sharing the same seventeenth century foundation as Hitchin Boys’ School, Hitchin Girls’ opened over a century ago

as a fee-paying day and boarding grammar school. It moved from Bancroft in the town centre to its present site

in Highbury Road in 1907.The County Council took overall responsibility for the school following the 1944 Education

Act. The last boarders left in 1960 and the school became a non-selective community school in 1974 for students

aged 11 to 18.

In 2004, the school was designated a Specialist Science school and is proud to hold the ICT Mark, International

School Award, Arts Award, Secondary Geography Quality Mark with Centre of Excellence status, Investor in Careers

and the CPD Mark in recognition of our high quality staff development programme. At the beginning of 2009, the

school was delighted to be redesignated as a Specialist Science School for a further period and we have

maintained this following our conversion to Academy Status in 2011. In June 2013 the school achieved

‘Outstanding’ status from OfSTED.

In March 2015 the school became a National Support School for a new Teaching Alliance which will work

collaboratively with schools in North Hertfordshire to provide training and support to their staff and those moving

into the profession.

The school is oversubscribed every year and our planned admission number for September 2016 is 165. Each year,

students join the school from over 20 junior schools in Hitchin and the surrounding villages. The school works closely

with many junior schools in the town and villages on link projects in subjects such as Science, Mathematics, PE,

Computing, Art, Music and Latin as well as through our extensive Sixth Form Ambassador scheme.

Our Sixth Form is very successful and currently comprises 265 girls. In addition we share teaching to provide a wide

ranging course offer with Hitchin Boys’ and The Priory School as part of our longstanding Hitchin Post-16 Consortium.

We also share in the celebration of Founders’ Day with Hitchin Boys’ School while various music, sporting and social

activities are arranged across the Consortium and by the Consortium Student Council.

The school has strong links with the local community – predominantly through our well established Hitchin Girls’

School Community Ambassadors who work in many of our feeder primary schools as well as in community groups,

clubs and organisations. In addition, our library staff run a monthly Book Club who meet to discuss a range of

diverse novels.

OFSTEDOur most recent OfSTED inspection took place in June 2013, where the school was graded as Outstanding in all five

areas: Achievement of Pupils, Quality of Teaching, Behaviour and Safety of Pupils, Leadership and Management and

Overall Effectiveness.

The full OfSTED report can be viewed in full on our school website and on the Ofsted website.

What the Inspectors said about Hitchin Girls’ School...

• The Headteacher, governors and staff have very high aspirations for students. Teachers create a lively and

productive learning environment in which students thrive.

• Students learn quickly and thoroughly as well as gaining high levels of enjoyment from their studies.

• Students’ work is often of a very high standard. Students are enthusiastic, creative and imaginative as well as

thoughtful in their work. They develop their personal and social skills very well.

• The Sixth Form is outstanding because students’ achievement is very high, they are prepared very well for their

next steps and many improvements have been made to the provision successfully.

• Students’ behaviour is exemplary in lessons and around the school. They work very well together and are very

proud of their school.

• Students’ safety is given high priority. Students know how to keep themselves safe and who to go to for help. High

levels of respect exist between students and staff and the atmosphere is harmonious and happy.

• The Headteacher and senior managers manage the school very efficiently and ensure that teachers improve

their practice including by using frequent lesson observations which inform rigorous performance management.

• Students who have special educational needs achieve very well, particularly

in Mathematics, Science and Humanities where they make exceptionally

good progress. The school’s monitoring of these students’ progress in the

current year shows that this high level of achievement is being sustained.

• Teaching is consistently good and often outstanding across all key stages

and subjects. Because of this consistency, students’ learning is secure and

developed very well across subjects and over time across the academic

year ensuring their very good progress.

• Staff support students well to find a good balance between working hard,

achieving challenging goals and having fun as shown, for example, by the

many educational school trips students enjoy and learn from.

• Bullying is rare and staff tackle this robustly where it occurs.

• Senior managers, led strongly by the Headteacher, are determined to sustain

and further improve the high quality teaching.


"Hitchin Girls’ School has opened up avenues in my life Iwouldn't have dared dream of six years ago when I firstwalked through the school gates. It will nurture yourdaughters to become smart women, good citizens; proudof themselves and their capabilities. It is a school wherestudents fulfil their potential." HEAD GIRL 2015

Hitchin Girls’ School is committed to giving every student a broad education and helping to develop their

individual talents to the full, in preparation for the demands of the outside world. In doing so, we respect the

different religious and cultural backgrounds of the whole school community.

We seek to maintain traditional values in work and behaviour and encourage our students to develop those

qualities of character which help them to make a worthwhile contribution to society. We believe that this can

best be achieved with the highest expectations within a firm yet flexible, caring environment with frequent contact

and close co-operation between parents and the school.

The School DayThe school opens at 8.20 am. The school day is as follows:

Facilities & resourcesThere are over 300 personal computers and laptops available for student use around the school as well as Apple

Macs, iPads and tablets, all of which are networked and internet-connected. Interactive whiteboards and digital

projectors are used in all departments across the school. Students also enjoy supervised access to the Internet and

the school has its own website (www.hgs.herts.sch.uk).

Our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Moodle, is continually being developed and is widely used to support

student learning in all subject areas. Parents are also able to access the VLE to view information regarding their

daughter. Students are issued with a school email account and can access their school emails, the school network

and the VLE during school and from home. Sixth Form students are encouraged to bring their own devices to

connect to our wireless network.

As well as department teaching rooms, there are also specialist

areas for Art and Design, Food, Textiles, Design & Technology,

Computing, Drama, Media Studies, Music and Science. Physical

Education and sporting facilities include a gymnasium, a newly

developed hard tennis and netball area together with a new

changing room facility. Our new Sixth Form Centre opened in

September 2014, providing an extensive and modern common

room and study facilities and three fully equipped classrooms

for Post 16 teaching.

The school Library is open between 8.30 am and 3.30pm every day, including break and lunch time with Homework

Club running for anybody who wishes to attend between 3.30pm and 4.30pm. Year 7 students have library lessons

and are encouraged to make full use of the up-to-date stock which includes fiction, non-fiction and reference

books, project files, newspapers and magazines. SMART cards are used for payment in the Dining Room. These

also act as each student’s library card, provide access to Highbury House teaching rooms, the Sixth Form Centre

and as an identity card.

THE AIMS OF THE SCHOOL


8.40 am Registration

8.45 am Assembly/Tutor Time

9.05 am End of Tutor Time

9.10 am Period 1

10.10 am Period 2

11.10 am Break

11.30 am Period 3

12.30 pm Lunch hour

1.30 pm Period 4

2.30 pm Period 5

3.30 pm School ends

The Hitchin Girls’ School curriculum can be defined as the totality of the educational experience. It is based on

the National Curriculum and the principles of breadth and balance, personalisation, relevance, progression and

continuity. All students are taught a wide range of subjects by specialist teachers. The learning experience is both

challenging and rigorous and seeks to develop independence, knowledge and skills in supporting students in

meeting the needs of a rapidly changing world. The curriculum is designed to provide a range of opportunities

for students to learn effectively.

CURRICULUM


Year 7 students are taught inpredominantly mixed ability tutorgroups, except for Mathematics,Science and French where they areset on entry to the school.

At Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9), studentswill study:

English MathematicsScience

Art & DesignComputingFrenchGeographyHistoryLearning for LifeMusicPhilosophy & Ethics (Religious Studies)Physical EducationTechnology

Ancient CivilisationsDramaLatinSpanishStudents experience all four of thelatter subjects across Year 7 andchoose two to continue into Year 8and one in Year 9.

The Key Stage 3 Experience

All students opt for GCSE courses forthe beginning of Year 10. All studentsstudy the core subjects of EnglishLanguage, English Literature, Mathe-matics and Science (Double or TripleScience), Learning for Life, PhysicalEducation, Philosophy and Ethics.

The options at GCSE and equivalentqualifications are extensive. Studentscan choose from:

Art & DesignAncient History Business Studies Computer ScienceDanceDramaFrench Geography GermanHealth & Social Care HistoryLatinMedia Studies MusicPhilosophy & EthicsPhysical Education Sociology SpanishTechnology – Food, Textiles,

Product Design & Graphic ProductsCollege – Work related courses

Key Stage 4, Years 10-11

The Sixth Form offers a wide range ofsubjects as part of the highlyeffective Hitchin Consortium with ThePriory School and Hitchin Boys’School. This enables students toselect from an extensive range ofsubjects at AS, A2 level, BTEC andother courses. Over 89% of our SixthForm students go on to university atthe end of Year 13.

Enrichment opportunities are varied.The Sixth Form are expected toparticipate in the life of the schoolthrough leadership opportunities,mentoring programmes and charitycommunity participation. They serveas Ambassadors for the school,making a valued contribution to theschool community. Work experienceis an important part of Post-16education.

A separate Sixth Form Consortiumprospectus is available from theschool.

Years 12 & 13, The Sixth Form

Curriculum Notes(i) Philosophy and Ethics (Religious Studies) is taught as a subject throughout the school and there are either full or group collective acts of

worship. If they so wish, parents may approach the Headteacher for the details of the arrangements that are made for their daughter notto attend religious worship or religious education.

(ii) Any matters concerning the organisation and content of the curriculum should be sent to the Headteacher in writing.

Your daughter in Year 7We hope that your daughter will be happy and

soon settle into the life of the school. She will belong

to a tutor group of about thirty students. The tutor

group meet at the beginning of the morning and

also work together on such things as charity events

and inter-House competitions.

In addition to the Open Days in the preceding

Autumn Term, your daughter will be invited to come

into school for an Induction Day during the Summer Term prior to her entry. This provides the opportunity for her to

take part in a variety of activities and to meet her Tutor and Head of House in addition to a number of other staff.

This is then followed up with an Induction Week to support her transition when she starts in the September.

Each Year 7 student will have a Year 10 ‘buddy group’ in her House to assist with a smooth transition into school

over the first term. The Head of House has an overall view of every student’s progress and general welfare.

The Form Tutor will develop the most complete knowledge and understanding of your daughter. This is done by

keeping a close eye on all aspects of her school life, and offering help and support as well as assistance with any

problems that may arise. Years 12 and 13 also take an active interest in the welfare of the younger members of

the school.

We believe communication between home and school is very important and you are always very welcome to

contact the Pastoral Support Assistant, your daughter’s Form Tutor or Head of House to discuss any matter.

House SystemThe school operates a House system with six Houses, Austen, Bronte,

Curie, Frank, Jewel and Teresa. Each has around 170 students

comprising of a tutor group from each year. As indicated, the Head

of House is responsible for monitoring the academic progress and

well-being of each student in the House, ensuring that she develops

her capabilities to the full. Each Head of House also co-ordinates

the specific support of students in a particular year group. The Heads

of House visit all transferring students in their last term at primary

school to assist in the primary-secondary transfer process.

CARING FOR STUDENTS


“The support we had in our first year was really reassuring. Most of all Iloved having a Year 10 buddy.” YEAR 7 STUDENT

Student Development Department (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities)

The Student Development Department aims to ensure that every student, irrespective of age, ability, ethnicity,

language and social background fulfils their potential. To assist with a smooth transfer from Year 6 into Year 7, staff

from the department, as well as the Heads of House, visit primary schools. An initial assessment is produced using

information gathered from secondary transfer records, parents, group screenings for reading and other school-

based assessments. The department works closely with staff to ensure that all students gain full access to the

curriculum and to tackle any difficulties that interfere with the learning process. This is done on an individual basis,

within a small group, as support in the classroom or as advice to subject staff. Various mentoring schemes operate

with older students assisting younger students needing additional support and to extend those who are

exceptionally able. Older students also act as Peer Mentors to support younger students in non-academic areas.

A full copy of the school’s Special Educational Needs & Disabilities policy is available upon request from the school.

Additional information regarding the new SEND Code of Practice and the SEN Information Report (School offer)

can be found on the school’s website at www.hgs.herts.sch.uk - click on the About Us tab at the top and then the

Guidelines and Policies.

Assembly and Collective WorshipThe school holds regular school, House and Year assemblies led by staff and students. These are broadly Christian

in nature and take place regularly throughout the week. We also recognise the diversity of the school, local and

wider community through the celebration of festivals and events from other religions.

Parents may withdraw their daughter from assemblies by writing to the Headteacher.

School CouncilThe School Council is an important part of school life and meets six times a year. Each form elects a School Council

representative and then each year group elects two representatives to sit on the full School Council. Within the

Sixth Form, students have the opportunity to apply to join the School Council. The School Council is chaired by the

Head Girl and students are able to put forward their suggestions for the improvement of our communal life.

CommunicationWeekly bulletins and a termly newsletter are produced for students and parents providing reports on past events

and information regarding future activities. The school website and Learning Platform also has information, news

and advice and is regularly updated.

Most Able (Gifted and Talented)

We consider all our students to have unique abilities and strive to support each and every one to fulfil their

individual potential. However, sometimes students who excel in a subject, or have obvious or latent general ability

need some additional support and/or encouragement. At whole school level, students who are excelling, or have

the potential to excel across the curriculum, will be monitored by subject staff. Support starts in their lessons,

however additional help and guidance may also come from a range of people such as their Head of House, a

mentor or Year 12 Ambassador. An Assistant Headteacher has overall responsibility for our more able students

and will monitor those identified with specific strengths and interests throughout the academic year,

communicating with students and parents when necessary.


Hitchin Girls’ School will communicate progress regularly and we encourage parents to become fully involved

with this throughout their daughter’s school life.

Parent CommunicationTermly progress reports are sent home and every year group has an annual consultation meeting. This provides an

opportunity for parents to discuss their daughter’s academic work and progress with subject staff. Additional support

evenings for parents take place across the year and include a GCSE Options’ Meeting for Year 9, ‘Supporting your

child through GCSEs’ for Year 10 and a Post 16 Options’ Evening for Year 11 considering A Level studies.

Parents can expect to be contacted by the school if their daughter’s work or behaviour gives either her Form

Tutor or the teaching staff cause for concern.

Tutors and Heads of House are always happy to meet parents, by prior appointment, to discuss any matter.

Home LearningStaff set activities for home learning regularly throughout the school to encourage independent study and

reinforce and extend the work covered in lessons. Parents can assist by offering encouragement, providing suitable

working conditions and letting us know if there are any problems.

YOUR DAUGHTER’S PROGRESS


AssessmentsThe school sets regular tests, assessments and examinations for all students, throughout their courses. Decisions

regarding examination courses and entries are made from Year 9 upwards in consultation with students

and parents.

Careers Advice and GuidanceOur Careers programme provides students

with the necessary self-knowledge and

information to make informed and realistic

decisions about their future. It is managed

by the Careers Co-ordinator, subject staff

and Form Tutors. We work closely with

Connexions, Further and Higher Education

institutions, and value our links with local

business. The Careers Resources Centre

includes a range of Moodle based

resources that offer careers information,

job details and employment opportunities,

Further and Higher Education links and a

variety of computer programmes.

Careers advice and guidance modules

are delivered through a combination of

form time and the Learning for Life

programme. In addition, enrichment days are organised for the students to support them with their GCSE

and Post-16 option choices.

In Years 12 and 13, a number of sessions are delivered to help students make appropriate Post-18 choices. These

sessions include one-to-one targeted Career guidance, visits to Higher Education conventions, student and parent

talks and a series of workshops on the UCAS process. In addition to this, Form Tutors are given targeted training to

help assist Sixth Form students with their decision making process.

In 2014 we were awarded the Investors in Careers accreditation.

Student PlannersAll students are issued with a student planner so that they can record homework and other information. Parents

are encouraged to check that this is being maintained on a weekly basis.


The school works to meet the School Food Standards and encourages students to eat and live healthy.

Catering ServiceThe school has a dedicated dining room which is open to students at morning break and lunch time. All food is

prepared and cooked in the school kitchen, using fresh ingredients. A range of options is available to encourage

healthy eating including cooked meals, salads, fruit, filled rolls and a vegetarian dish.

Healthy Eating GuidelinesThe Healthy Schools programme at Hitchin Girls’ School strives to bring a relevant realistic approach to promoting

good health, behaviour and achievement. This is delivered in a variety of ways, such as informal tasks around

school (e.g. Healthy Schools Challenge of the Week), form time and extra-curricular activities, as well as looking

at relevant topics in lessons. These include physical activity, healthy eating, sex and relationship education, drug

and alcohol awareness and through the Learning for Life programme within school. We seek to make students

aware of different aspects of health and make their own healthy choices.

Travel to and from schoolWhere practical and safe, the school encourages walking or the use of public transport to help alleviate

congestion around the school entrance. Further information on home to school transport is available on the

Hertsdirect website at www.hertsdirect.org and public transport timetables can be found at www.intalink.co.uk

HEALTHY SCHOOL


Behaviour for LearningHitchin Girls’ has a tradition of using common sense and courtesy in matters of daily routine and of showing care

and consideration to everyone involved in the school community. This is reinforced by our Charter of Respect.

We have an extensive reward system in place to recognise and celebrate success in all aspects of school life.

This operates in conjunction with our Behaviour for Learning system which provides a structured environment

enabling students to learn, teachers to teach and everyone to feel safe and secure at school. If inappropriate

behaviour choices are made, consequences are issued and the student is supported to make the right decisions

in the future.

Statement of Rights

• The students have a right to learn.

• The teacher has a right to teach.

• All within the school community have a right to be safe both physically and psychologically in the classroom.

Classroom Ground Rules Community Ground Rules

AttendanceStudents are expected to attend school at all times unless they are absent through illness. In the event of long term

illness, parents are asked to keep the school informed of their daughter’s medical progress and discuss her

educational needs with our Pastoral Support Assistant, Form Tutor or Head of House.

Students are not expected to take holidays during term time. The school will only be able to authorise absence

for time out of school for reasons other than illness in wholly exceptional or unavoidable circumstances. Should

requests be made which do not fulfil this criteria any resulting absences will be unauthorised and appear as such

on the student’s attendance record. We use Fixed Penalty Notices following the Hertfordshire County Council

Guidance for Schools.

EXPECTATIONS


• Arrive on time fully equipped.

• Remove outdoor clothes as you enter the

classroom.

• Follow instructions without argument or

comment.

• Listen to those who are meant to be talking.

• Use appropriate school language and respect

others.

• Allow others to get on with their learning: avoid

inappropriate use of hands, feet and objects.

• Mobile phones and portable music devices

switched off and in bags.

• Only water in a clear plastic bottle is allowed.

• Follow the school Charter of Respect.

• Always be on time for school.

• Wear uniform correctly.

• Move around school in a quiet and orderly way.

• Food and drink must only be consumed in the

designated places.

• Chewing gum is not permitted in school.

• Treat the school with care and respect; do not drop litter.

• Do not leave the school site without permission.

• Treat the school environment with care and respect; do

not vandalise property.

• Offensive or dangerous items must not be brought into

school.

• Illegal substances, cigarettes and alcohol are not

permitted on the school site.

School UniformUniform is worn by all students at Hitchin Girls’ until the end of Year 11. Sixth Form students are required to wear

business suits. We believe it helps to encourage a good working atmosphere and promotes the feeling of

belonging to a particular school. We appreciate parents’ co-operation in making sure that students are dressed

appropriately. Full details of the current uniform requirements are available from the school or website.

School PoliciesThe school Governors are required to agree certain policies to protect the interests of students and employees.

Copies of these are available from the school or website. Below are brief summaries of some of our key policies.

Anti-BullyingHitchin Girls’ School is committed to dealing effectively with incidents of bullying. We recognise that it is the right

of every child to learn in a safe and secure environment and understand that bullying can seriously disrupt an

individual’s educational progress and achievement. The school’s anti-bullying policy is rigorously upheld by staff

and governors, and students are encouraged to report any instances of bullying. Parents should inform the school

if they suspect bullying is taking place.

Equality PolicyHitchin Girls’ School is committed to giving every student a broad education and helping to develop their

individual talents to the full. We seek to maintain traditional values in work and behaviour and our aim is to provide

a stimulating, problem solving and technologically rich approach to learning. This will encourage and support

students and members of the wider community in the full development of their intellectual, practical and

interpersonal skills and develop those qualities of character to enable them to contribute effectively to modern

society. We believe that this can best be achieved within a firm yet flexible, caring environment with frequent

contact and close co-operation between parents and the school.

POLICIES


Charges and RemissionsMany of our educational visits and experiences are only possible with the voluntary financial assistance we receive

from parents. In the school’s policy for Charging and Remissions for educational activities (full details available on

request) the Governing Body embraces the principle of free school education and that no student is ever

excluded from an activity because of financial difficulty. The Hitchin Educational Foundation responds generously

to requests from the school to fund a wide range of activities, both in and out of school and they also provide

grants for school uniform in case of need.

ComplaintsThe school treats parents’ concerns very seriously and tries to help as much as possible. Concerns or complaints

should initially be addressed to the Form Tutor or Head of House. A full copy of our complaints procedure is

available upon request.

First Aid and MedicationThe school is able to administer only basic first aid if students become ill or have accidents during the school day.

Additional medical help will be sought as appropriate. Medicines should only be brought to school where essential

i.e.where it would be detrimental to a student’s health if the medicine were not administered during the school

day. The school will only accept medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner or

pharmacist prescriber and are in the original container as dispensed by a pharmacist and include the prescriber’s

instructions for administration. No medication will be administered without prior written permission from the

parents/carers. The Headteacher will then decide whether medication will be administered in school following

consultation with our qualifed First Aiders. (Non-prescribed medication will only be administered in exceptional

circumstances with approval of the Headteacher.)

Health and SafetyHigh priority is given to Health and Safety. Health and Safety covers emergency aid, the school environment, trips

and expeditions, fire procedures and welfare issues. There are a number of qualified First Aiders in school. The

School Health Advisor is available to students and other support agencies are called upon to assist students when

necessary. The School Health and Safety Committee meets once a term.

SafeguardingThe school is required to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of students and follows the required

statutory procedures.

A member of the Senior Leadership Team is the Designated Senior Person (DSP) for child protection within

the school.


“Everyone was really helpful and they helped usto find our way around the school” YEAR 7 STUDENT

All students are encouraged to develop their personal interests through the many extra-curricular activitiesavailable. These are organised and led by staff and students and take place at lunchtime and after school. Someextra-curricular events also take place at weekends orduring school holidays. Students are also encouraged toparticipate in a range of visits and trips throughout the year.

Physical Education and Sport The school has a strong tradition of offering a wide range of physical activities to all its students. Students areencouraged to adopt a more active lifestyle. Over 60% of our students regularly participate in a full sportingprogramme which operates during the lunch hour and after school. Various clubs offer specialist coaching for thosestudents interested in Athletics, Dance, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Rounders, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Tennisand Trampolining. The school teams are entered for Local, District, County, Regional and National Championships.Matches take place after school and on some Saturday mornings. Some team members also play in County andRegional Squads but they are also expected to retain their commitment to the school teams. The annual Dance andGymnastic displays give students the chance to demonstrate their skills in front of parents and friends.

MusicThe Music Department offers a variety of opportunities for every girl to develop herindividual and group musical skills. Students are encouraged to play a musicalinstrument, both for personal enjoyment and to help develop self-discipline.Lessons are available on the piano, keyboard, recorder, drum kit, guitar, voice andthe normal orchestral instruments, e.g. strings, woodwind and brass.

Group activities include Senior and Junior Orchestra, Clarinet Group, StringQuartets, Recorder Group, Jazz Group, Flute Group, Guitar Group, Folk Group, Pop Group and Wind Band. There are also numerous choral activities includingSenior and Junior Choirs. Students perform regularly in local and county ensemblesand occasionally at national level but they are also expected to retain their commitment to the school choirs andinstrumental groups. A large number of concerts and recitals are given each year to which parents and friends arealways invited. Music Technology classes are also run for students, with particular interests in recording and ICT.

Clubs and ActivitiesThere are a variety of lunch-hour and after-school activities including clubs and groups for those interested in Art,Business and Computing,Classics,Drama,Food,Languages,Mathematics,Music,Reading,Textiles,Science and Sport.Full details of these can be found on our website and Learning Platform.

Trips & OutingsMany expeditions, field study trips and outings take place duringschool time, in the evening, at weekends and during the holidays andthey form a natural extension to the school curriculum. Outings arearranged to the theatre, opera, ballet, concerts, art galleries, museums,places of worship, stately homes, castles, sporting events, residentialstudy centres, lectures, demonstrations, conferences and exhibitions.Recent overseas trips include the Ancient Civilisations trips to Italy andGreece, History trips to Berlin, Business Studies trip to New York, Spanishtrips to Barcelona and Granada, a Design and Technology trip to Paris,a Geography trip to Iceland, PE sports tour to Holland a and a Biologyexpedition to Dominica. For the past 4 years a delegation of Sixth Form students have participated in the StudentGlobal Leadership Institute programme in Hawaii.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award SchemeThe Bronze Level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is introduced to students during the Autumn Term ofYear 10.Many progress to the Silver and Gold Levels and there are currently 80 students participating in this Award Scheme.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES


“I can't wait to join all the new clubsand am looking forward to being aproper student at HGS!” YEAR 7 STUDENT

Enriched & Extended LearningInternational Opportunities Your daughter will learn and earn in a truly global society. We are proud holders ofthe International Schools Award 2013-16 from the British Council in recognition of the global dimensions of ourcurriculum and the partnership work that we do around the world.

• We are also extremely proud to be the first and only UK school to be invited to be members of the highlyprestigious Student Global Leadership Institute which is an intensive two week summer programme hosted byPunahou School in Hawaii every August.

• We are partnered with The Chapin School, New York City and have a network of over 20 schools from countriessuch as Japan, Sweden, Denmark, China and the USA through being SGLI members. These fantastic learningopportunities, in conjunction with emerging technologies, will allow your daughter to learn from andcommunicate with students from around the world.

• We pride ourselves in the internationalcharity work we do. The school is involvedin raising money to support children andschools in Ecuador with an emphasis onmore children being able to access aneducation. We are also exceptionallyproud to be part of the US based MemoryProject through which to date we havecreated over 150 portraits of orphaned orvulnerable children in Honduras, Haiti,Nepal and the Philippines.

Ambassador Programme & Leadership Opportunities This is a pivotal element to being an HGS Sixth Form student.

• Every Year 12 student (and many Year 13s) undertake a Hitchin Girls’ School Community Ambassador role tosupport the learning and well-being of others either here at HGS, in our family of primary schools or in the wider community. This programme equips our students with excellent life skills that will support their UCAS or job applications.

• Our Learning Leader group consists of students from Years 7 – 13. They are involved with many different activitiesand events throughout the year. Their focus is how best teaching and learning can be delivered at HGS andthey work closely with both student and staff groups on a regular basis.

Support for Learning We provide many different forms of support so that your daughter can achieve her very bestin school. Throughout the year there are opportunities to attend events that will provide additional insight intoyour daughter’s education. Some examples are:

• Welcome Evening for all new intake parents in July where you can meet your daughter’s Form Tutor and Headof House and be introduced to many aspects of school life.

• Expectations and Revision Guide evenings for different year groups to support them at each stage of their learning.

• Specialist Science School events including our Science Week and annual Science Fair as part of the NationalScience and Engineering Week, our hugely popular Mathematics Club and Mathematics Challenge andAstronomy Club.

Partnership WorkingHitchin Girls’ School is committed to partnership working with other schools in the community and is part of theHitchin Schools’ Partnership. This is a family of all primary schools and the three secondary schools in Hitchin, workingtogether to provide services for our children and parents. The Strategy Development Officer for the partnership isNicky Pedder and there is a team of Family Support Workers based in The Cabin at Wilshere Dacre School. Theircontact details can be found on our school’s website. We also work with a number of other outside agencies tosupport our students and their families as and when required.


Entry to the SchoolAs an Academy the school is its own admitting authority. The admissions process for secondary transfer has been

delegated by the Governing Body to the Local Authority who also manage in-year admissions to other year

groups. Further information about secondary transfer, including admissions criteria, is to be found in the booklet

‘Moving On’, which is available from Hertfordshire County Council. 614 parents applied to Hitchin Girls’ School

for September 2015. On accepting a place at this school for their daughter, parents are required to undertake that

she will attend school regularly and punctually, keep its rules and accept its authority.

Entry to the Sixth FormEnquiries about admission to the Sixth Form should be made initially to the Director of Sixth Form at the school. The

vast majority of our students continue their education with us Post 16 and we also welcome external applicants

for entry. Sixth Form Prospectus is published in the Autumn term and is available from the school or website.

Access ArrangementsThe school welcomes people with various physical abilities and disabilities. However, due to the age and layout

of the school buildings, not all parts of the school are accessible to someone in a wheelchair. We have toilet

facilities for disabled people. Details of the school’s accessibility plan is available from the school.

Home-School AgreementAll students and parents are asked to sign a Home-School Agreement when they join the school.

PublicityStudents may be filmed or photographed for publicity or promotional purposes during school activities. Any student

or parent who does not wish a child’s image to be used in publicity shots should inform the school at the start of the

academic year.

HGFSAAll parents are automatically members of the HGFSA (Hitchin Girls’ Friends of the School Association) which seeks

to foster good relationships between the school and its parents and friends through social, educational and fund-

raising events. Over the past few years, the HGFSA have helped with the purchase of new furniture for the Library,

new curtains for the Lower Hall, redecoration of the main School Hall, support towards the new Pavilion changing

room and assisted departments with additional items for use in lessons.

Financial SupportParents who are in receipt of certain benefits may be eligible for financial support towards certain items including

travel costs, school meals and individual Music tuition. Further details are available on the Hertfordshire County

Council website, www. hertsdirect.org. Students and parents can also apply for funding from several financial trusts

including the Hitchin Educational Foundation – information is available from the Bursars.

ADMISSIONS


The information in this prospectus relates to plans for the academic year 2015–2016 and was correct as of July 2015.

However, it should not be assumed that any of the arrangements or particulars would remain unchanged either

before or during the year in question and in subsequent academic years.

HITCHIN GIRLS’ SCHOOLA Specialist Science School and Academy Trust

Hitchin Girls’ School, Highbury Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 9RS

Telephone: 01462 621300 Fax: 01462 621301 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.hgs.herts.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mrs. F.C. Manning

Chairman of Governors: Mr. C. Hall

Pictures by ClassPictures.co.uk

Registered in England – Company Number 07697117

HITCHIN GIRLS’SCHOOL · 2016-03-18 · books, project files, newspapers and magazines. SMART cards are used for payment in the Dining Room. These also act as each student’s library

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