Senior School Prospectus
‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more’ We are a high-achieving, academic and dynamic school which fosters the well-being of each individual within an exciting, challenging and supportive environment. We recognise commitment, hard work and success, setting ourselves the highest academic We are proud of our school and its Christian values, yet respect the beliefs of others in our community. We believe in social justice for all and feel a sense of responsibility for those less fortunate, for whom we provide support both locally and globally through our fundraising and community service.
Life in the Senior School is always exciting. We seek to engage the girls in the pursuit of excellence across the board, both academically in the classroom and through an extensive range of enrichment activities. Girls are encouraged to think for themselves, challenge themselves, question and explore, always supported by their inspirational and committed teachers. High levels of expectation lead to excellent attitudes to learning throughout the school.
AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
challenges to develop our talents to the full.
Welcome
Mrs Susan Goff Headmistress
They are aspirational and positive in their approach to their studies and always committed to achieving the highest standards.
00 + 01
I want the girls to enjoy their school days and we do all we can to offer them exciting opportunities and activities both locally and overseas to complement their academic pursuits.
SE NIOR SC H OOL
The girls are developed through the Gifted and Talented programme from Year 7 right through to the Sixth Form. There is also a Learning Enhancement Co-ordinator to support girls individually as and when necessary.
Contents Getting off to a good start
10
The benefits of a full and varied curriculum
12
Encouraging academic achievement
14
Modern, well equipped, facilities
16
What makes us different?
18
Fees, scholarships and bursaries
20
Transport links
20
Years 7 and 8 Years 7 and 8 form the Lower School – our youngest group of senior school pupils.The Lower School equips each pupil with academic, organisational and social skills appropriate to their increasing level of maturity.
Years 9, 10 and 11 Years 9,10 and 11 form the Upper School. The key focus in these years is to encourage academic achievement at GCSE level and the opening up of many more opportunities outside the classroom.
Enrichment All girls are encouraged to take advantage of a wide range of opportunities that are offered to them. The activities take place either before school, during the lunch break, after school or at weekends.
Pastoral Care The Pastoral Team work closely with the form tutors who mentor individuals to ensure that every girl receives support appropriate to her needs and ability.
Getting off to a good start Moving up to Senior School is a serious transition detailed focus on a wide range of diverse and more demanding subjects. Great care is taken in these first two years to ensure that we give the girls the skills and abilities to master and feel comfortable with the educational challenges facing them.
AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
from a world of exploration and discovery to a more
10 + 11
Independent Schools Inspectorate Report
Girls will normally join the Senior School in Year 7, whether they have moved from our Junior School or are joining Alderley Edge School for Girls for the first time. Great care is taken to give the girls a positive start and to ensure that the transition to Senior School is made as effortlessly as possible. To help them to feel at home, each girl is given a Sixth Form Peer Mentor, who behaves like a ‘big sister’ and will look after her and help in any way she can. In Years 7 and 8 the girls are in the care of the Head of Lower School. This ensures that girls settle well into Senior School academic life and meet expectations. The key focus in Years 9, 10 and 11, known as Upper School, is to encourage academic achievement at GCSE level and to demonstrate the choices and opportunities on offer. Throughout these three years, guidance is given to each pupil individually with regard to subject choices, A Level study and future careers.
SE NIOR SC H OOL
A particular strength of the curriculum, especially in the Senior School, is the attention given to enriching courses of a general nature.
All the benefits of a full and varied curriculum Variety is claimed to be the ‘spice of life’ but it is also the basis for stimulating developing and inquiring minds. The broad curriculum and enrichment activities we provide ensure that the girls can pursue those subjects and areas that they find fulfilling and
All girls will follow a full and varied curriculum including a rich creative programme and the study of four languages in Year 7 and two languages in Years 8 and 9. They will study a large number of subjects including separate Sciences from Year 7.
Language Options: German Latin Spanish Year 7 girls study all of the language options for a term each, and in Year 8 are asked to select one of these languages to study alongside French throughout Years 8 and 9.
Learning new skills and stimulating fresh interest All girls are encouraged to take advantage of a wide range of enrichment opportunities that are offered to them, either before school, during the lunch break or after school. The choice changes from term to term and by Year Group and the enrichment timetable is updated each term. Activities include: Athletics Club Badminton Club Brass Group Choirs and Orchestras Clarinet Group Computer Club Comenius Dance Groups Debating Society DT Workshops Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Enterprise Activities Flute Group Hockey Jazz Band Language Clubs Library Club Manga Club Netball Rounders Science Club School Productions Spanish Blog Club String Group Tennis Wind Band
12 + 13 SE NIOR SC H OOL
Art Biology Business Studies (Year 9) Chemistry Computing Design Technology Drama & Dance English Food Technology French Geography History Mathematics Music PHSE PE Physics Religion and Philosophy
AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
enjoy the most.
The education as a whole gives the pupils good experience in and contributes effectively to the girls’ linguistic, mathematical, scientific, physical, aesthetic and creative development. Independent Schools Inspectorate Report
Encouraging academic achievement Academic ambition and achievement are two themes that underpin the entire programme of the Senior School. Realising potential and achieving high levels of attainment are paramount for each girl.
During Year 11 guidance is given to each pupil individually with regards to subject choices and A Level study. As well as the regular feedback through the reporting system, each pupil and her parents attend an interview with a member of the Senior Management Team to ensure they are making the most appropriate decisions for their future development. Each girl has the opportunity to ‘shadow’ A Level lessons and participate in a workshop led by Upper Sixth students on subject choices in addition to regular mentoring both before and after mock GCSE results.
A broad range of GCSE options to choose from In the Upper School, all girls study a mix of core and optional subjects. Compulsory GCSE Subjects – English Language – English Literature – Mathematics – Dual or Triple Award Science (all girls study all three sciences: Biology, Physics and Chemistry) – A Modern Foreign Language (French, German or Spanish) Dependent upon their choice of award for Sciences, three or four subjects are then chosen from the list below: – Art – Business Studies – Computing – Design Technology – Drama – Food Technology – Geography – History – ICT – Latin – Modern Foreign Language (second) – Music – Physical Education – Religious Studies: Philosophy and Ethics The Non Examination Subjects covered are Physical Education and Preparation for Adult Life (PAL)
14 + 15 SE NIOR SC H OOL
Years 9, 10 and 11 form the Upper School where the key focus is to encourage academic achievement at GCSE and the opening up of opportunity. The pastoral team continues to build upon the skills and self-awareness developed in the earlier years to support girls’ learning.
AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
We are small enough to know the girls as individuals and accommodate their learning styles but also large enough to offer a full complement of subjects at GCSE and A Level. Option blocks at both GCSE and A Level are based on the girls’ choices – the school accommodates them rather than them having to fit pre-existing blocks.
AESG has encouraged our daughter to work hard and give her best in all she does. We believe the school has played a critical role in her success and as she now leaves us for university, we would like to thank the school for everything you have done to enable our daughter to realise her true potential. Mr and Mrs Bates Parents
Modern, well equipped facilities In recent years there has been significant and continuous investment to ensure that the facilities are in place to support and develop the most effective learning techniques. Our state-of-the-art technology ensures that the girls can spend a greater proportion of their time studying individually and developing and at home via our Virtual Learning Environment.
All girls have their own school email account which enables them to send work to staff or ask any questions they may have.
The previous report recommended more widespread installation and use of ICT equipment and the school’s positive response has been evident during this inspection. The girls and their teachers have made truly imaginative use of ICT throughout the school. Independent Schools Inspectorate Report
16 + 17 SE NIOR SC H OOL
The school is extremely well equipped to support the girls’ learning. Regular use is made of the five modern ICT suites, which includes a dedicated suite for Modern Foreign Languages. Our Virtual Learning Environment (called FROG) allows girls to access notes, mark schemes, use revision guides and model answers; this supports them in their journey as independent learners throughout the Senior School. The six science laboratories are well resourced and all the teaching classrooms either have an interactive whiteboard or a data projector and a computer.
AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
their knowledge and understanding, both at school
Monitoring Progress
Opportunities to Excel
Monitoring of girls’ progress runs right through the school, including girls’ self assessment and target setting. Parents receive termly reports which explain progress and highlights potential areas of improvement. Our Learning Enhancement Co-ordinator offers a full range of in-house testing should there be areas of concern.
The enrichment programme extends and challenges the girls and allows them to shine in a variety of areas and levels – including Public Speaking, Music, Sport, Drama and Dance. This in turn feeds back into academic success and instils a positive mentality in the girls who believe in themselves and their ability to succeed. AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
What makes us different? We are committed to the development and encouragement of all pupils. Monitoring of girls’ Confident Choices
progress runs right through the school, including girls’ self assessment and target setting. The enrichment programme extends and challenges the girls and allows them to shine in a variety of areas and levels – including public speaking, music, sport, drama and dance.
A ‘Can Do’ Attitude Recognising Merit A Supportive Environment Excellent discipline and high expectations are evident at all levels, allowing girls to make real progress in a studious, aspirational and supportive environment.
18 + 19
The Merit system allows us to reward girls for excellent work in class or in school. Positive encouragement is used to motivate and congratulate the girls and they enjoy working their way through their Merit card and receiving the various levels of recognition as the year progresses. The ultimate reward for the highest achievers is a day out with the Headmistress in Manchester!
The girls are part of a community in which all are valued, feel safe and encouraged to make a contribution. Girls feel safe to try things without a fear of failure or being ridiculed – there is a real ‘can do’ mentality in evidence.
Development and Encouragement We are committed to the development and encouragement of all pupils, whether they are Gifted and Talented or whether they need additional support. If your daughter is Gifted (academically across the board) or Talented (in one specific area, either academic or non academic), this will be identified through various levels of testing and she will be placed on the programme for close monitoring stretching and in some cases accelerated exam entry. We are selective, but not exclusively so, and therefore girls feel comfortable about their achievements and encouraged to push themselves even further. The use of setting in some subjects from Year 7 allows us to identify girls’ strengths and ensure that they are achieving to their maximum.
SE NIOR SC H OOL
The all girls’ nature of the school encourages them not to have any preconceptions about subjects; they feel just as confident in choosing subjects such as Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry (as a typical profile for A level) as they do creative subjects, Languages or Humanities.
Admissions Overview for the Senior School
AL D ERLEY ED GE SC HOOL F OR G IRLS
20 + 21
Girls wishing to enter the Senior School must sit an academic assessment which is arranged through the School Registrar, Julie Bedigan. Girls joining us into Year 7 will sit the Entrance Examination when they are in Year 6 of their current school.
Fees The current fees for those girls joining us in the Senior School are £3,278 per term. The fees include school lunches and personal accident insurance. Please note: The fees listed are for academic year 2013 – 2014, and are subject to an annual review. Additional Children
SE N IOR SC H OOL
Should you have subsequent children joining the school and your first child is paying full fees, you will receive a sibling discount 10% – Second Child 20% – Third Child 50% – Fourth Child
Before School and Homework Club Senior School pupils can enter school from 8.00am. After School, we run a supervised homework club which is provided free of charge and is available from 3.45pm – 5.45pm.
Application Procedure If you would like to visit the Senior School, please contact Julie Bedigan, School Registrar to book an appointment. Admission to the Senior School in Year 7 is by Entrance Examination. Papers are taken in English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning each January for entry the following September. In addition to joining us at the start of a new year, mid-year entry is possible but this is dependent on availability within year groups. Admission to the Senior School for entry into Years 8 – 11 is by examination, interview and a school reference. Typically prospective pupils will spend an initial Taster Day in School followed by a morning when they will sit papers in English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. Depending on the year of entry, Science papers may also be sat. Examination results, references and information obtained from the day in school will all be taken into consideration before an offer is made. If you would like to apply for a place, please complete the enclosed application form and return it to us at your earliest convenience. An admission fee of £75.00 is payable at this time. The admissions policy and all other school policy information is available on our website www.aesg.co.uk.
Scholarships
13+ Scholarships
16+ Scholarships
We are keen to nurture and recognise exceptional talent in the Senior School and, through the Scholarship programme, seek to reward those girls at 11+, 13+ and 16+ who will achieve outstanding academic success throughout their school career and display an independent and inquiring approach to their studies. Scholarships are awarded purely on academic merit and as the result of an outstanding performance in the 11+ Entrance Examination and the 13+ or Sixth Form Scholarship Examinations and interviews.
The 13+ Academic Scholarship is based on performance in the 13+ Scholarship Examination which will consist of 3 x1hour examinations in Maths, English and a general paper plus an interview. A reference from the Head of Lower School will be required for internal candidates, external candidates will require a reference from their Head of School.
Scholarships are also offered at 16+ in the Sixth Form. Sixth Form Academic Scholarships are based on performance at GCSE, Scholarship Examinations and a successful interview. Music and Sports Scholarships are also available in the Sixth Form. Further details can be found in the Sixth Form Prospectus.
Scholars are placed on the Gifted and Talented Register and are monitored throughout the Senior School by the Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator and the Director of Studies, who carries out the annual progression interviews for scholars.
Music Scholarships are also offered at 13+. Music Scholars are expected to play a full part in the musical life of the School, including annual Scholars’ Concerts and regular school concerts and performances. They will need to demonstrate real commitment to their musical development and make consistent progress. It is expected that girls will have achieved at least Grade 5 standard in one or more instruments.
In addition to Academic Scholarships being available at 11+, Scholarships for Art, Music and Sport are also offered. Girls applying for Art, Music and Sport Scholarships will be invited to attend a day of testing and interviews to take place after the Entrance Examination. Full details are available from the School Registrar, Julie Bedigan.
A small number of Bursaries are awarded annually and are subject to review during the summer term for the following academic year. Each application will be considered on an individual basis. Further details and application forms can be obtained from the School Registrar, Julie Bedigan.
11+ Scholarships Academic Scholarships are awarded at 11+ on the basis of performance in the Entrance Examination papers.
Bursaries (all ages)
Transport Links Situated on the A34 Bypass in Alderley Edge, we are easily accessible by car, train and bus. The location of Alderley Edge Railway station, directly opposite the school, also helps to open up access for our girls with regular direct trains to Manchester and Crewe. We work with several private hire companies and the minibus and coach routes bring students to and from school from a wide area. The stops en route are flexible and we try our utmost to accommodate girls joining the school and to find options which will work for all.
Open Days Our Senior School Open Days are being held on: Thursday 10 October 2013 from 7.00pm – 8.30pm Saturday 12 October 2013 from 10.00am – 12.30pm In addition, we offer working day tours and Taster Days at your convenience.
Alderley Edge School for Girls, Wilmslow Road, Cheshire, SK9 7QE T. 01625 583028 F. 01625 590271 E. schoolmail@aesg.co.uk www.aesg.co.uk Registered Company No. 2659703 Registered Charity No.1006726