LYONSDOWN SCHOOL
EMBRACING ALL GIRLS’ EDUCATION
For over 110 years, Lyonsdown has been preparing pupils aged 3 to 11 to thrive at some of London’s top independent and maintained schools. We are delighted to announce that over the coming months and years we are planning a series of exciting developments, to further strengthen the excellent education we offer. We are: •
Embracing all girls’ education
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Enhancing our facilities
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Enriching all aspects of our curriculum, both in and outside the classroom.
Our School Development Plan will clearly set out how we will broaden and deepen every girl’s learning experience so she thrives academically, whilst continuing to benefit from excellent pastoral care that nurtures and develops her emotional wellbeing. We are excited about the future and we look forward to keeping you all updated, as our plans unfold.
Christopher Hammond Headmaster January 2019
Andrea Morley Chair of the Board
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EMBRACING ALL GIRLS’ EDUCATION Having previously offered places to boys up to the age of seven, our Nursery class will become single sex from September 2019. We are planning a phased transition over the next three years that will enable Lyonsdown to become an all girls’ school by September 2022. This change will allow us to better meet the high demand for girls’ places in our Nursery class. We are delighted to be fully embracing all girls’ education and to be able to focus entirely on their specific development needs from age three upwards. Single sex education for girls is well-regarded for many reasons: for encouraging confidence, facilitating better academic results and enabling girls to develop their interests and talents away from gender stereotyping, notably in STEM subjects. From the very beginning, in our September 2019 Nursery class, we will be focused on preparing our girls to thrive both academically and personally, so they are ready for tomorrow’s world.
ENHANCING OUR FACILITIES We are embarking on a phased plan of developments that will update our building and facilities to further enhance all aspects of our School site. We are planning to develop the following facilities initially, with building works to be undertaken mainly during the holidays to minimise any disruption to School life: •
Extending and improving our Dining Room, to provide a larger space for more pupils to enjoy hot lunches, as well as creating a multi-purpose area that can be used for other activities such as Music and Drama
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Enhancing our provision for STEM by upgrading our current Science classroom to a Laboratory
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Improving our outdoor space, resurfacing the playground to provide a safer play environment for pupils
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Creating a new Library and refurbishing classrooms.
ENRICHING OUR CURRICULUM We strongly believe that the best education is broad and balanced, allowing girls to grow their talents, interests and confidence both in and outside the classroom. Over the coming months and beyond we will be further enriching the curriculum we offer. We plan to expand our extra-curricular provision through an increased range of clubs and improved wraparound care to support all our pupils and their busy parents.