PROSPECTUS Tomorrow’s Women GIRLS
BURGESS HILL GIRLS | TOMORROW’S CONTENTSWOMEN03|04|06|08|10|12|14|16|18|20|22|HEAD’SWELCOMECOMMUNITYACADEMICSTUDENTINTERVIEW | SENIOR STUDENTSPORTSCO-CURRICULARINTERVIEW | PREP CREATIVE STUDENTBOARDINGARTSINTERVIEW | BOARDER TOMORROW’S WOMEN KEYMER BURGESSHILLGIRLS.COMTELADMISSIONS@BURGESSHILLGIRLS.COMRH15WESTBURGESSROADHILLSUSSEX0EG+44(0)1444241050 CONTACT US
WELCOME TO BURGESS HILL GIRLS
There is a buzz and excitement about academic engagement at Burgess Hill Girls, about amazing opportunities that go beyond the curriculum, about life outside of subject specifications. Our school motto is ‘I am, I can, I should, I will’ which encapsulates the journey from discovering who you are, what you are capable of, and developing the will to achieve your dreams - in doing so you become part of a unique community of articulate and confident girls and young women for whom there are no limits. If you share our values and passion for learning, in an environment where you are surrounded by kind and compassionate individuals who laugh a lot and where you can form incredible friendships - come and visit us soon and you may begin to see the person that you want to become.
LARS FOX | HEAD
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BURGESS HILL GIRLS | TOMORROW’S WOMEN 4 Burgess Hill Girls stands in 14 acres of beautiful grounds within a conservation area close to Burgess Hill’s centre. All aspects of the school are located on this one campus: Nursery, Pre-Prep & Prep, Senior, Sixth Form and Boarding Houses. This makes for a unique and happy community where we all support and learn from each other.
As an all-girls school, we champion girls and women, and their role in society. Our empowering community gives students the freedom to be bold: to take risks, to challenge themselves, to try new experiences, and to make and learn from mistakes. We are active in the local community. Students regularly organise and host community events, as well as performing at local venues. We also embrace any opportunity to raise funds for those in need, from the Nursery all the way through to Sixth Form. “The community at Burgess Hill Girls is very special. The way we bond with our teachers is not something you come across every day. I feel very lucky to be a part of this school.”
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We pride ourselves on truly inspirational teaching, with lessons that excite and inform in equal measure. Our supportive, stress-free approach develops inquisitive, bold and creative pupils who leave us with a lifelong love of learning. We are one of the top-performing schools for GCSE and A levels across Sussex and consistently find ourselves in the top 100 nationally for parent satisfaction. These outstanding results are achieved without being superselective; we welcome pupils performing at or above the national average. More important to us is the value we add to every single pupil’s performance. According to Durham University’s CEM measurement, pupils achieve on average one to two grades higher than would be expected for their ability.
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“The school is almost nonselective and yet achieves better results than many more competitive schools.”
GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE
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PROSPECTUS9ROMILLY | INTERVIEWSTUDENTSENIOR
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.
WHAT ARE YOUR ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FUTURE? I love drama, and Burgess Hill Girls has really supported and encouraged this. I have been lucky enough to be involved in many productions, such as performing in the school musical Chicago and working as crew in James and the Giant Peach. We’ve also visited Stratford-upon-Avon as well as numerous other theatre trips. The members of staff in the Burgess Hill Girls Drama department are so talented and inspiring that it’s really helped my passion for drama grow.
WHAT MAKES BURGESS HILL GIRLS SPECIAL?
WHAT’S YOUR PASSION?
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AT BURGESS HILL GIRLS?
“The thing that makes Burgess Hill Girls special to me is the wonderful community and the support system that is in place, particularly for helping new pupils like I was myself was a year ago.”
My name is Romilly. I am 15. I joined Burgess Hill Girls in Year 9.
To be bold and take on new challenges. I would never have signed up to do Duke of Edinburgh if it wasn’t for Burgess Hill Girls. I have so much more confidence in myself and am more open to taking risks.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT?
The thing that makes Burgess Hill Girls special to me is the wonderful community and the support system that is in place, particularly for helping new pupils. I think I will spend some time travelling after Sixth Form and then go on to university, as a degree will give me lots of different career opportunities. The Senior School has an extremely friendly atmosphere where you feel supported by both teachers and peers, but at the same time are always encouraged to take risks and step out of your comfort zone.
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CO-CURRICULARGUIDE
‘Getting involved’ and ‘doing stuff’ are the norm when it comes to being a Burgess Hill girl. Amidst the daily academic focus, each and every student also benefits from a huge range of opportunities and experiences spanning sport, the arts, crafts, community, travel, competitions, careers and much more.
GOOD SCHOOLS
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“The holistic approach to education, where equal value is placed on academic achievement and soft skills, produces extremely confident young women who grow up to believe they can be whatever they want to be.”
We help pupils to discover their unique talents and passions, often informing the direction of their future lives and careers. Whatever their passion, we believe in being flexible so girls have the time and support to hone their skills and fulfil their potential.
For Tomorrow’s Women, skills such as complex problem-solving, people management and creativity will be just as important, if not more important, than academic results. Our co-curricular programme plays a vital role in helping every student develop these skills.
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School fixtures are played from Year 4 to the Upper Sixth, primarily on weekdays after school. Pupils who are highly competitive are encouraged to join local clubs and play in adult leagues. Many also represent Sussex at county level.
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Sport plays a crucial role in building confident, resilient and healthy young individuals. Girls learn self-discipline, commitment, teamwork and leadership skills. Being 100% girls provides a relaxed environment for PE where students can get ‘stuck in’ without undue Thepressure.core curriculum is broad and balanced, with an extensive extra-curricular sports programme. We believe in participation for all, ensuring all pupils understand the benefits of exercise and, most importantly, enjoy it!
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“There are so many different sports: hockey, cross country, athletics, swimming, cricket, netball, there’s a ski team now, there’s horse riding, so much to do. If you love sport, there’s no better place than Burgess Hill Girls.”
KIRSTY | YEAR 11
WHAT IS IT LIKE AT BURGESS HILL GIRLS? WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT?
“You get lots of music and sports lessons. I also love all the teachers.” You get lots of music and sports lessons. I also love all the teachers. Mrs Allen is one of my favourite teachers as my mummy taught her sign language. She now teaches Year 1s a little bit of sign language.
PREP WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO IN THE FUTURE?
I don’t know yet what I want to be. I might be a singer or a ballerina or an interpreter or a presenter or maybe even really good at karate or swimming. Burgess Hill Girls is a really caring school. It gives me lots of opportunities. It is also a really good school because it encourages you to be better at things. I have learnt how to make videos using my first language, British Sign Language, as well as voiceovers, so both hearing and deaf people can watch them. My mummy and daddy are both deaf and I am very proud of them. My dad is a presenter on TV, and my mum swam for the GB team and she swims in the lake and the sea. I don’t know why, but jellyfish always like to sting her on the ear!
INTERVIEWSTUDENT
My name is Amber. I am 7. I am kind and helpful. I am good at cheering up my friends if they are sad. If I was an animal I would be a lion because a lion is strong and fierce.
WHAT MAKES BURGESS HILL GIRLS SPECIAL?
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. AMBER |
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“Burgess Hill Girls has given Daisy the opportunity to play music in a massive range of groups, with both Prep School and Senior School students, a benefit of all parts of the school being located on one site.”
CREATIVE ARTS
The arts are an essential part of the curriculum at Burgess Hill Girls, giving girls freedom to express themselves and develop invaluable creative and performance skills. In the younger years the curriculum is wide-reaching, giving students the opportunity to discover their passions. Plastic Tromtastics is a fantastic example of this, encouraging students to have fun with wind instruments at an early age. Students receive an early introduction to Design Technology and Textiles, with the possibility to specialise as they move through the school. We also take part in local, regional and national competitions with an impressive history of success. Art has always been a popular subject at Burgess Hill Girls, with the curriculum supplemented by artist workshops and a variety of clubs. A deep love of the medium converts to excellent results, with a 100% A/A* record at A level in recent years. Our Drama results are just as outstanding. But beyond academics, our spectacular school productions offer pupils of all levels the opportunity to get involved in a professional-level show, either in front of or behind the curtain.
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Boarding at Burgess Hill Girls is not just a place for the girls to stay while they are studying; it is a second home where they are nurtured and encouraged to thrive. New boarders quickly settle in due to our innovative induction programme, which ensures every girl gets a friendly boarding buddy and their very own Little Miss Alwayscharacter.on hand are our experienced boarding staff, who are fully committed to creating an environment where boarders feel safe, comfortable and fully Insupported.theevenings the fun really starts, with activities ranging from gym classes to baking to anime club. At the weekend we make the most of the beautiful Sussex countryside on our doorstep. There are also regular trips to Brighton and London.
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“If you are thinking about boarding at Burgess Hill Girls then I completely, 100% recommend it. I absolutely love it, and it’s changed my life.”
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WHAT MAKES BURGESS HILL GIRLS SPECIAL?
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My name is Rumbi. I am 17 and an African girl with a large smile who takes great pride in her braids and often has a mug of hot chocolate to share. Burgess Hill Girls is special because of the community spirit found in each and every girl, especially in the lunch queue! I will be the owner of multiple properties, a successful businesswoman and investor as well as a leader and inspiration to many women like me. Life in boarding is like a home away from home. I am lucky to be a boarder, as I get the full school experience. The girls are all really nice and support each other, and there are lots of clubs and activities to keep you busy. I am really enjoying being in the Sixth Form. The teachers encourage us to challenge ourselves. They are also happy to listen and respond to our opinions. This makes for a unique and tailored experience, helping us discover who we really want to be in the world.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT? “Burgess Hill Girls is special because of the community spirit found in each and every girl, especially in the lunch queue!”
WHAT’S YOUR PASSION? I can write poetry and short stories, adapt to new situations, speak comfortably and take charge in front of large crowds. I try to find fun and laughter in every moment.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AT BURGESS HILL GIRLS?
INTERVIEWSTUDENT
I love creative writing. The teachers have really encouraged me to develop my passion further, by providing opportunities to enter competitions and write scripts for school performances.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. RUMBI | BOARDER
WHAT ARE YOUR ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FUTURE?
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“Being a pupil at Burgess Hill Girls gave me a very strong sense of who I am, where my strengths are and what I should be doing in the future.” MBE | BOLD GIRL
At Burgess Hill Girls, our mission is to develop Tomorrow’s Women. As you journey through our school, you will pick up all the skills and attributes you need to be ready for your next step. In the Nursery we spark imagination with exciting new experiences. In the Prep School you will gain confidence, a whole new world of interests and a love of learning. Moving up to Senior School, you will be ready to challenge yourself, developing direction and a desire to succeed.
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Finally, in the Sixth Form you will grow in academic rigour and mental strength, so you are ready for university and the world beyond. Above all else, throughout your journey, you will make friends for life and have a lot of Ultimatelyfun. you will leave Burgess Hill Girls with all the self-belief, determination and life skills you need to follow and achieve your dreams. After Burgess Hill Girls you won’t be called an ‘old girl’. You will become a Bold Girl.
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BURGESS HILL GIRLS | TOMORROW’S WOMEN 24 www.burgesshillgirls.com Tomorrow’s Women GIRLS