St James Senior Girls' School Prospectus 2021

Prospectus Speak the Truth | Live Generously | Aim for the Best

Pupils are highly self-motivated learners with excellent attitudes to learning, reflecting well the school’s values and aims.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

A warm welcome from us all here at St James Sarah Labram, Headmistress

For prospective pupils and parents alike, there are many factors to consider when making the decision about a new school.

You want to find somewhere that not only meets your expectations at an educational level, but also somewhere that speaks to your values and inspires a feeling that it’s the right fit for you.

At St James, we are committed to ensuring that all of our girls are confident in themselves and comfortable in their surroundings. We offer an enlightened education that nurtures mind, body and spirit, all within a happy environment where learning and personal development go hand-in-hand.

It is an approach that results in young women who balance academic achievement with emotional resilience; who are self-disciplined and self-aware but also socially confident and blessed with generosity of spirit; secure in themselves and ready to take their place in the world.

This prospectus provides an overview of our teaching and ethos to give you a flavour of our school. We would love, however, to invite you to attend one of our in-person or virtual Open Events so that we can tell you more and answer any questions you may have about life here at St James.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

Our broad curriculum and wide range of additional learning opportunities are designed to challenge the bright young minds in our care and also provide them with the means and encouragement to pursue their individual passions.

All the while, we support our pupils’ emotional wellbeing through a focus on mindfulness and by fostering a positive school atmosphere built on mutual respect and trust.

Sarah Labram Headmistress

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The School We are an independent day school for girls aged 11-18 located in Kensington Olympia and easily accessible via the tube, train or bus network.

Pupils say that they value the sense of community in school and credit the clarity of teaching, encouragement and support for their success.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

We are a two-form entry school, welcoming girls into Year 7 from our own prep school alongside those who transfer from other schools following the 11+ process.

Our teachers are, first and foremost, specialists in their subjects, but they are also dedicated to supporting the wellbeing and development of our pupils. Indeed, positive relationships permeate our school, and we are proud of the camaraderie that exists amongst the pupil body and between students and staff.

Girls grow to become well-rounded, selfconfident individuals during their time with us, emerging with a strong sense of their own unique strengths and talents, and equipped with a blend of academic, spiritual and emotional intelligence.

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The Curriculum Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure our pupils experience a broad range of subjects. From the starting point in Year 7, they will typically go on to focus on nine subjects at GCSE and three at A-Level.

Languages The study of language has always been at the heart of a St James education, with Latin and French offered to all pupils in Years 7 – 9.

New pupils follow an enlightening introductory course in Sanskrit in Year 7, and the study of Spanish begins in Year 8, when pupils with particular linguistic ability also have the option to study Classical Greek.

All are available as options at GCSE and, with the exception of Sanskrit, also at A-Level.

Science and Technology Sciences are taught separately as biology, chemistry and physics from Year 8 onwards. Computer programming, 3D design and the safe use of technology all form part of a comprehensive approach to information and communication technology (ICT).

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Art Art is offered to every pupil from Years 7 – 9 and is an option at GCSE and A Level. Pupils work from observation, imagination and memory, developing a visual vocabulary that enables them to express their ideas and creativity through drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Cooking and textiles are also part of the curriculum in Year 7.

Drama Drama forms part of the curriculum for Years 7 – 9. There are also drama clubs for pupils in Years 7 – 9 and those in Years 10 – 13, each of which will put on a school production.

Drama is offered as a GCSE option and Drama and Theatre is an A-Level option.

Music There is a strong emphasis on music within the school. Many pupils play an instrument and participate in the school orchestras and choirs, and all pupils regularly sing together. At the end of each year, the Girls’ and Boys’ Schools collaborate in a choral and orchestral concert, and every two years they are involved in a staged musical production.

Careers guidance At St James, we have a Futures Programme to help pupils develop skills and awareness in the areas of career exploration, career management and self-development.

This is complemented by regular talks from leading practitioners in their fields to provide information and inspiration on a wide range of professions.

School visits and trips At the end of the academic year, Years 7–12 take part in an off-site Activity Week either in the UK or overseas.

Pupils are also offered the chance to go on biennial trips to Iceland and Germany as well as a school skiing excursion. Given our location, more frequent visits to historical sites, art galleries, concerts and the theatre form part of students’ cultural enrichment.

Co-curricular activities Further to their curriculum-based learning, pupils are given extensive opportunities to enjoy new learning experiences. These include a wide variety of sports, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, choirs, orchestras, a classical society, art, drama, dance, debating, politics, cookery and STEM clubs. Peripatetic music teachers also offer private lessons after school in singing and various instruments.

The main factors behind pupils’ excellent achievement are the high quality of teaching, which is intellectually rigorous, resulting in enjoyable, but often challenging lessons; and the suitability of the curriculum, which provides sufficient breadth and depth for very able pupils.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

Joint activities with St James Senior Boys’ School Our link with St James Senior Boys’ School enables our pupils to benefit from a variety of collaborative activities, including lectures, debates, Model United Nations conferences, musical productions, and a variety of social events.

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Spiritual As a non-denominational school, we welcome pupils of all faiths and none here at St James.

But while there is certainly no requirement to adopt a particular religion or belief, we wholeheartedly believe in the importance of spiritual enrichment, and the fundamental role it plays in pupils’ development.

Pupils have extremely positive attitudes to learning and are highly self-motivated. Pupils’ behaviour is impeccable, with a generally calm demeanour, the result, pupils say, of their reflective practices in school.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

Mindfulness, drawing on the traditions of meditative practice, is deeply integrated into our school life as a valuable and effective way to instil calm, bring focus to studies, and help with an understanding of the great questions of human existence.

Before and after every lesson, girls observe a brief period of silence during which they can prepare themselves to be receptive to the next event or activity. We also allocate five-to-ten minutes at the beginning of the day and after lunch to ‘Quiet Time’, providing the school with an opportunity to pause amidst the business of everyday life.

At a deeper level, pupils can opt to learn a specific method of mantra meditation through the School of Meditation, with mentors available to support their practice and discovery of meditation through termly one-to-one meetings.

More generally, our regular assemblies provide the opportunity to educate pupils across a range of spiritual, religious, social and cultural topics, which are brought alive by presentations from visiting speakers, pupils and teachers.

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Pupils are acutely self-aware, without being self-absorbed, because reflection and contemplative practice, together with consideration of others, are built into the everyday life of the school.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

Emotional At St James, we don’t just see pupils who are here to learn, we see people who are here to thrive.

Caring for the emotional health of our girls at an individual level is a fundamental part of our ethos, and personal development is embedded within our educational approach.

Teachers work collaboratively to guide all pupils, helping them discover and develop their particular interests, strengths and qualities. This provides them with the necessary support to develop their sense of identity and build self-confidence as they progress through the school. Our pastoral care is structured to equip pupils with strategies to develop their own mental health and nurture emotional resilience.

Alongside daily mindfulness practice they have access to a dedicated wellbeing coach and a pastorally mandated Deputy Head.

We also provide pupils with classroombased learning on spiritual, moral, social and health education topics through their PSHEE lessons. In addition, we offer a series of courses led by visiting speakers on subjects ranging from healthy living and nutrition to revision skills and relationships.

Beyond this, we understand the importance of taking a unified approach to emotional wellbeing that connects school and home life. To achieve this, we hold regular seminars to help parents support the school’s principles and we value the close communication we have with parents on an ongoing basis.

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At St James, Latin and computer science sit alongside core subjects such as English and mathematics, while art and drama are complemented by the study of Sanskrit and philosophy.

Our teachers support their pupils as they strive to fulfil their own potential and reach the levels of academic attainment they are capable of achieving. At a deeper level, we encourage them to be rigorous and disciplined in their approach to learning, taking personal responsibility for their studies.

The value of this approach can be seen not only in our excellent public examination results but by the fact that, when they leave, our pupils are fully prepared to move beyond their educational experiences and into the world around them.

Intellectual Our aim is to provide an education that offers genuine intellectual breadth and depth to expand our pupils’ minds and horizons.

Leaders of subjects… identify quickly where extra help is needed or where a gifted pupil requires additional challenge and extension. This has led directly to the continued rise in attainment at both GCSE and A level.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

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Setting By Ability Girls learn in sets for mathematics from Year 7, for Latin and French from Year 8 and for the sciences from Year 9.

Aligning the pace of learning with their ability ensures pupils are challenged appropriately and given the individual attention required. Progress is reviewed at the end of every term, with adjustments to sets made wherever necessary.

Academic Enrichment Enrichment opportunities are offered to all pupils, but those who demonstrate either exceptional academic ability, notable sporting prowess or a particular aptitude for art, dance or drama are included on a register and closely monitored to ensure the potential of their talent is fulfilled. This register is reviewed each year. More capable students also

have the opportunity to enhance their studies with Classical Greek and additional mathematics or by taking part in the Horizon Group Project.

Learning Development Pupils with specific learning requirements or those who would benefit from additional assistance are supported by our Head of Learning Development (SENDCO), who maintains close communication with both parents and subject and form teachers.

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Physical Throughout our teaching and during our school day, we encourage pupils to live a healthy, active lifestyle. Our ultimate aim is to nurture a spark of sporting enthusiasm in each pupil, and for them to pursue and enjoy their chosen discipline at university and beyond.

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Our Physical Education (PE) programme brings a wide variety of sports into play, from team games to individual activities. In addition to our main sports of lacrosse, netball, athletics and football, in which we often compete at national level, pupils can also take part in cross country, handball, gymnastics, rounders, cricket, tennis and volleyball. PE is also a GCSE option.

Each week, pupils in Years 7-11 have three lessons of PE and choose from a range of extra-curricular sports options.

From Year 10 onwards, pupils are offered kickboxing or the use of the off-site facilities of the Hammersmith Fitness and Squash Centre. Sixth Formers can enjoy these opportunities too, in addition to their two lessons of PE each week.

Facilities Our on-site facilities include a spacious playground and gymnasium, and there is an excellent selection of outdoor facilities within a 15-minute coach journey. In the Autumn and Spring Terms, pupils travel to Will to Win in Chiswick for netball, and King’s House Sports Ground for lacrosse. In the Summer Term, pupils take part in athletics at Linford Christie Stadium or play rounders at King’s House Sports Ground.

Good Health And Nutrition We are proud to be a vegetarian school, serving up a delicious and nutritious menu that is carefully planned across the week.

Food is freshly prepared each day in our state-of-the-art kitchens which cater for pupils with allergies or food intolerances.

Pupils are also taught about the importance of a balanced and healthy diet and good personal hygiene, and they are supported in any healthcare or medical matters by our on-site school nurse.

Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to …lead a healthy lifestyle.

This is demonstrated through their involvement regularly in school sports and clubs and their focus on good nutrition.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

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Pupils develop strong leadership skills and their contribution to the life of the school and beyond is significant.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

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Character An education at St James is designed to be multi-layered, nurturing the intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of human nature.

The result is that our pupils develop and emerge as well-rounded individuals with real depth of character.

Community Action activities include: listening to readers, helping teachers, teaching Latin in a local primary school, cooking and serving lunch to elderly visitors from local nursing homes and visiting homes for the elderly.

They are sound of judgement and guided by a strong moral compass. They are creative, courageous and considered. They are focused yet flexible. Above all, they are confident in The school also chooses a charity to support themselves but understand the value in each year. In recent years this has included working with, or on behalf of, others.

The Future Hope School in Kolkata, Willberry Wonder Pony, St Mungo’s and Community Action The Dusty Yak Foundation, all of which Pupils are encouraged to put time and benefited from the pupils’ fundraising efforts. effort into both the school community St James Challengers And The Duke and the wider local community, helping develop their sense of social awareness Of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an and highlighting the strengths of excellent vehicle to support the personal collaborative working. development of young people, bringing a clear sense of purpose and achievement.

Our Community Action Council provides a platform for girls of all ages to contribute Our pupils are offered the chance to achieve the Bronze and Silver Awards, and we help to a wide variety of projects. As pupils them by organising expedition training mature, they have opportunities to develop their involvement beyond participation, and qualifying expeditions as well as providing advice and encouragement to with the responsibility for planning and leadership resting with Sixth Form students. meet the requirements.

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Sixth Form The transition to Sixth Form is an important milestone in a student’s educational journey.

It marks the point where they take greater control of their own direction, making choices that will shape their next steps and influence their futures.

Sixth Form brings students the freedom to choose the subjects they love, opportunities to take on leadership roles, and greater independence. It also brings more responsibilities as they grow accustomed to pursuing their studies of their own volition, applying the intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and commitment that A-Level study requires.

We know that the right level of support and encouragement enables our students to grow to become life-long learners, blessed with an open mind and a generous spirit.

Our leavers take these strengths on to the country’s leading universities, often those within the Russell Group, where they are ideally placed to continue their learning and development at the highest level.

The Academic Programme At A Level, the value of an inquisitive mind really comes to the fore, and it is something that we aim to draw out through our teaching during this time.

Students in Year 12 will select four subjects to study from a diverse range of options, with the potential to blend the arts, languages and sciences if they choose.

The majority will then concentrate on three subjects in their final A-Level year, although there is the possibility of continuing with all four.

Every two weeks students spend an afternoon participating in our Wider Perspectives Programme. Its strong focus on citizenship, PSHEE and careers helps 18

prepare students for life beyond Sixth Form. Year 12 students also have the opportunity to complete the Extended Project Qualification, which is based on conducting a piece of independent research on a topic of their choice or undertaking a project to make an artefact.

Academic wellbeing and progress are supervised at an individual level by a designated tutor, who keeps in close contact with subject teachers. Leadership and direction are provided by the Head of Sixth Form.

The Broader Curriculum The maturity of students in the Sixth Form years is reflected in the broader curriculum, which includes stimulating subject matter such as philosophy lessons that examine some of the fundamental questions humanity has attempted to answer throughout history. Students also follow an advanced programme for PSHEE, careers and citizenship, take part in Model United Nations debates, and continue their physical education in the form of a weekly sports session.

Responsibility and Leadership As senior members of the school community, Sixth Formers are offered opportunities to develop their leadership skills. They are encouraged to volunteer in the wider community and to take on roles within the school, such as Form Prefects, who are an important part of the pastoral care offered to younger pupils.

Sixth-form pupils rightly observe that the excellent Wider Perspectives programme focusing on enhanced, broader approaches to study opens their eyes and equips them well for achieving the highest grades.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

Starting at St James: What it was like for me When I first started at St James, I felt nervous but after about two days I felt as if I had been here for years!

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It was so welcoming, and because it’s quite small, we’re more like a family. When you come to Year 7 you will be given a buddy to help you with anything you need, and your year group will be given prefects who will always be there to help you. You definitely won’t get lost, even on your first day!

We do the usual subjects (maths, English, science, history) but we also do lessons such as philosophy, cooking and textiles, which are all really interesting.

We have a variety of sports, including netball, lacrosse, rounders and athletics.

There are also plenty of after-school clubs to choose – anything from sport and music to drama, dance, educational clubs and lots more! There are other activities too, like shadowing the Carnegie medal shortlist and taking part in competitions for speech, debating, poetry and music.

We also do a lot of charity work. Every year we support a charity and raise money in lots of different ways.

At first, you may find the concept of mindfulness and pausing a bit strange, but you quickly realise that it’s easy and it’s also really helpful. It’s a way of clearing your mind so you’re ready and relaxed about the next topic.

At the end of the Summer Term we have Activity Week, where the whole school goes on holiday to different places like Devon, South Africa, Italy, the Netherlands and other places. It’s a brilliant way to end the school year.

I hope to see you here at St James soon and I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I do!

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Fresh energy through timeless thinking.

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St James Senior Girls’ School Earsby Street London W14 8SH 020 7348 1748 admissions@sjsg.org.uk stjamesschools.co.uk/seniorgirls Registered Charity No: 270156 Printed September 2021