Discover The Wakefield Way.
STRATEGIC VISION Way Ahead. 2023 - 2028
FOREWARD FROM THE
CHAIR OF GOVERNORS THE
WAKEFIELD
WAY
It is my great privilege to be the Chair of Governors at Wakefield Girls' High School. Wakefield Girls' is a special place with a rich history of educating generations of girls across Yorkshire for nearly 150 years. I am immensely proud that the school continues to exist as an integral part of the locality today, with strong partnerships in place with local community groups and organisations throughout the city of Wakefield, surrounding areas and an ever expanding network of illustrious alumnae. A great education centres around what happens in the classroom and relationships in the school community. This is at the heart of what Wakefield Girls’ does so well. How Wakefield Girls' operates makes it recognised as one of leading independent schools in the North. As part of the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation, one of the country’s leading families of single-sex independent day schools, girls enjoy the best of both worlds. They benefit educationally from a personal, girls-only environment; but there is also close cooperation with Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in drama, music and numerous social and cultural activities, with some joint teaching in the Sixth Form. Looking to the future, the Board and I are committed to delivering this Strategic Vision; it is an important statement about who we are, who we want to be, and will help us to continue in the school’s trail blazing quest to enable all students, from every walk of life, to be the very best they can be.
Simon Chamberlain CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
As one of a family of three schools that make up the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation, our school follows the Wakefield Way, a shared ethos which defines everything we do, academically, socially and ethically. The Wakefield Way is about developing inspirational learning environments which celebrate and nurture the distinctive learning needs of boys and girls. It’s about encouraging each individual student to look outwards as well as inwards as they become remarkable people with the desire to make a difference in the world. It’s about building confidence, inspiring hearts and minds and instilling an empowering sense of purpose. But most of all, it’s about providing an imaginative foundation for life, learning and lasting achievement.
INTRODUCTION FROM
THE HEAD
Wakefield Girls’ is a remarkable place to belong to. Here we value tradition yet are not afraid to embrace tomorrow’s world through innovative and creative thinking. There exists here a genuine joy of learning and a great sense of excitement and discovery and we celebrate that our school life has a focus on achieving more than simply excellent exam results. In a fast paced, evolving world there is no time or space for complacency. Therefore we are committed to offering the best complete educational experience for your daughter through our talented, supportive and wellqualified staff. At the heart of our strategy and vision for Wakefield Girls’ is our students. We strive to always be an outward looking school, generous in its service and partnerships to others, inclusive and diverse in its outlook, forward thinking, agile, tech-savvy and willing and able to reach out to the experts who can help advise us in order to continue to be one of the North’s leading independent schools. We are committed to helping all students benefit from an education in our school through our bursary programme. We value all our students and it is our intention to have a positive impact so that together we make a difference to their future selves’ successes. We are proud of our diverse community with people from different cultural backgrounds coming together to share and learn from each other and together.
Heidi-Jayne Boyes
HEAD
AN EDUCATION FOR TODAY AND
TOMORROW
A complete education combining excellent academics with superb pastoral support and personal pathways to success.
OUR
VISION
We aspire to be a school that fully prepares students for lives of personal satisfaction, change and leadership, equipping each with the necessary future-facing skills, grit and confidence to identify and embrace opportunities. We always aim to provide an exceptional complete education, combining academic excellence with a wide variety of diverse extra-curricular opportunities in a kind, well supported, accepting and happy environment.
OUR
MISSION
To provide an exceptional education to all girls irrespective of background. Wakefield Girls’ students have the freedom to express themselves, explore what excites them and experience new interests, independence and friendships which will take them way beyond the classroom.
This is enabled by our shared values and programmes in school: Together Aware Empowered
8
Em
p o w ered
N
PR
th w
LEAD
T
EN PM
Toge th
Wellb ein g
MIND COLLA & SP BO IR RA IT TI O
HOW IT WORKS
RS
Pa
&
A
re wa
PE
AL
er
RIOSITY CU AL ION TU AT OR PL
N O
emic ad Ac
INT EL LE EX C
E R S HIP
OFES
D SIO N AL
E
L VE
O
ays To Succ
s s e
The golden thread is the Joy of Learning: the positivity, energy & respect that permeates every interaction at Wakefield Girls’. A Wakefield Girls’ education is not simply about passing exams but it is about the joy of learning each student experiences. Discussion, debate, collaboration and challenge are at the heart of what we do and our students are encouraged to explore beyond what they learn in the classroom, in order to develop their own ideas and interests.
12
Wakefield Girls’ offers a very broad and diverse curriculum, rich with opportunities for the students to learn in a modern context, using new technologies and making connections to other subjects. At all stages, the teaching and learning experience promotes creativity, active learning, problem-solving and collaborative ways of working in addition to developing confident and engaged learners.
OUR VALUES WHAT BRINGS US TOGETHER
TOGETHER We are a warm and caring, diverse and united community.
AWARE We are perceptive, concerned and well informed.
EMPOWERED We are outward looking and motivated to support each other and make a difference.
TOGETHER Our community is grounded in purpose and our priority is to empower our students to thrive. In our school, we recognise that success comes from being part of a warm, happy and supportive environment. Our school culture welcomes and values a diverse community and fosters collaboration, tolerance, respect and inclusion. On their journey from child to adult, students are supported to grow in confidence and to use their voice in a positive way to make a difference inside and outside of school.
STRATEGIC AIMS WELLBEING, PASTORAL PROVISION & RESPECT
A CONNECTED COMMUNITY
Promote respect to underpin our school community so we encourage each student to be their authentic self.
Create wider opportunities and promote positive relationships between year groups using our House system, extra-curricular offers and student leadership roles.
Maintain our emphasis on enabling our students to learn and flourish in a happy and supportive environment. Build on our strong support systems which mean that each student has a ‘go to’ person someone who will listen and empathise. Develop our people and processes to ensure we are always ahead when it comes to student mental health and wellbeing.
To be outward looking in our thinking and our approach, acting with empathy and integrity. Grow our educational partnerships and improve our engagement with the communities around us.
A DISTINCT, INCLUSIVE & DIVERSE COMMUNITY
Build on our academic, extracurricular, pastoral and leadership opportunities to offer our students a range of diverse perspectives and experiences which demonstrate the importance of collaboration, tolerance, respect, diversity and inclusion. Foster a culture which empowers each member of our community to use their voice in a positive way to make a difference in school, as well as beyond the gates. Broaden our Pathways To Success programme to reflect the diversity of communities and career pathways around us, appreciating different points of view.
AWARE We are wholly invested in the success and wellbeing of every Wakefield girl. In our school, we establish cohesive programmes for academic excellence, wellbeing, personal and professional development to accelerate the strength of every student to thrive. On their journey from child to adult, our school culture equips Wakefield girls with the tools they need to safeguard their emotional, intellectual and physical wellbeing.
STRATEGIC AIMS SELF REFLECTION, EMPATHY SELF AWARENESS & GRIT
Nurture supportive relationships in our community through kindness and empathy at all times with an emphasis on being the ‘best version of our authentic selves’. Offer challenging opportunities for every student in all aspects of school life to develop grit, determination and perseverance to succeed. Foster confidence through a vibrant and relevant creative arts programme. Build upon and provide opportunities for all our members of our community to work together and learn from each other. Develop intellectual risk taking and better understanding of the power of failure to unlock potential.
LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
Create opportunities for students to lead through a student-led model of service learning that engages them in school, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Leverage our network of alumnae to create exciting learning opportunities that allow Wakefield girls to make connections between their curriculum and careers. Develop our partnerships with local primary schools, working together to maximise impact. Continue our collaborative projects with Pinderfields Hospital, local care homes, food banks and the refugee shelter in Wakefield to deliver social impact and promote best practice in education. Ensure our operating model is costeffective, efficient and makes the best use of our resources.
CRITICAL THINKING & INNOVATION
Provide learning opportunities that deeply engage students, fostering curiosity, boldness and confidence in problem solving. Develop creative and critical thinking skills, encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit. Provide academic and extracurricular opportunities to engage with new technologies and a digitally connected world.
EMPOWERED Our community is grounded in purpose and our priority is to empower our students to thrive. Wakefield Girls' is uniquely positioned as an all-girls school to empower young women for lives of academic and professional excellence, satisfying their personal aspirations. Our school culture empowers Wakefield girls to discover their strengths and realise their full potential as a scholar and leader. On their journey from child to adult, students develop from interdisciplinary teaching, rich with experiential learning, responsive to their own interests.
STRATEGIC AIMS ACCELERATE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS
PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ensure we teach to the top to get the best out of every student, offering both challenge and personal support when needed.
Support students to be their authentic selves, nurturing strengths and developing a sense of self-worth through collaboration and engagement with others.
Build community, connection, personal and professional skills.
Embrace new ideas to keep our curriculum relevant. Review our recruitment, induction and training processes to attract, develop and retain diverse and high-quality staff. Support staff in their commitment to lifelong learning, creativity and agility through high quality professional development. Maintain the emphasis on academic excellence and inspirational teaching and digital innovation including generative AI.
Provide a comprehensive Careers Programme which supports exploration of a range of options desired by students, including university destinations, Degree Apprenticeships and careers advice. Develop an alumnae programme to include lectures, coaching and work place advice to help students for their future pathways journey.
Engage with student views to keep our pastoral and extra-curricular offers timely, relevant and effective. Inspire our students to engage as leaders and change makers in the way that suits them best. Foster a supportive and collaborative staff community across departments, sections and schools. Nurture future facing skills so our students are ready for life.
TOGETHER AWARE EMPOWERED
Wakefield Girls' High School Wentworth Street Wakefield WF1 2QS
01924 231600 wsoffice@wgsf.net
Discover The Wakefield Way.
Way Ahead.