AT WYCOMBE HIGH SCHOOL
WE LOOK 2
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We look beyond the traditional grammar school. We look beyond league tables and examination results. We look beyond stereotypes and conventions. We look beyond a world where futures are fixed.
Wycombe High School is a school that does not stand still. Our students, the future graduates and employees, will be working in an increasingly complex world, requiring a wide range of skills and knowledge, as well as high levels of flexibility. We are ensuring our students have the social, academic and practical skills they need to thrive in the twenty-first century. We believe our students are capable of achieving their greatest ambitions. Whether they want to be a doctor, a charity worker, an accountant, a scientist, an engineer, a designer or a performer, we support them in every endeavour. Year on year, our students attain at the very highest levels and 04
we retain our position as one of the top state schools nationally. Our examination results are outstanding and our students are exceptionally well prepared to make choices about their future, whether that is university, apprenticeship or employment. We have a strong commitment to the performing and visual arts, and sport. We organise concerts, festivals, musical productions, school plays, dance and gymnastics shows, art and technology exhibitions and leadership programmes for our students. We regularly reach regional and national finals in a range of sports and other extra-curricular activities. Indeed, for us, school life is about so much more than results. It is crucial that our students are well-rounded, sociable and joyful when they move on to pastures new. Do come and visit us. We would be delighted to welcome you and let you see first-hand why we are so proud of our girls. I hope you’ll find a school which, as we put it, ‘looks beyond’; beyond league tables and results, beyond stereotypes and conventions, and beyond a world where futures are fixed. A place where you will meet girls who relish challenge, chase excellence and inspire those around them. Sharon Cromie Headteacher
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OUR VISION A school where students relish challenge, chase excellence and inspire those around them at every stage of their lives.
OUR MISSION 06
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We build an ambitious and compassionate community of people who contribute eagerly to school life. We provide opportunities which propel our students out of their comfort zone, whilst supporting them at every stage and guiding them towards diverse futures.
Infectious Joy School days should be “the best days of your life”. We create a joyful environment where each girl can experience the thrill of success, seek opportunities that make her smile and develop long-lasting friendships.
Limitless Ambition 08
We reject the notion that there is anything in the world that a girl ‘cannot’ do or ‘should not’ strive for. We galvanise every girl to be boldly brilliant in whatever she wishes to achieve, pushing her limits without fearing failure.
Insatiable Curiosity For us, learning is a process which extends beyond your time at school; it’s a lifelong passion. We aim to uncover a thirst for discovery in our girls, whatever their chosen subject(s) might be. We prepare our girls to think big and think globally.
Generous Spirit We champion a collective and collaborative spirit. We provide an unbreakable support network, sharing in our girls’ successes and enabling them to bounce back from times of difficulty.
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OUR CURRICULUM
Key Stage 4: Journey of Discovery The journey of discovery begins in
We always remember that the girls we teach today are the women who will shape tomorrow. Our curriculum is broad, flexible and responsive to the needs of these future citizens.
Year 9 where our students commence a three-year Key Stage 4 with 19 different subjects from which to choose. This enables them to express their passions and talents across a wide range of areas. Students are encouraged to pursue creative subjects alongside English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Languages (modern and ancient), to develop a culture of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) and maintain breadth of
Key Stage 3: Getting Ready to Fly
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Key Stage 5: Broadening Horizons
choice for the future. Students build on the learning habits developed in
Our Sixth Form Curriculum broadens
Our Key Stage 3 prepares students to
Key Stage 3 with a continued focus on
horizons. It is an expansive curriculum
maximise their time at Wycombe High
Positive Psychology and are supported
which gives students a free and broad
School. They follow a broad two-year
by a pastoral system tailored to meet
choice of 3 or 4 A Levels (from 26
curriculum, studying over 14 subjects,
individual needs. There is a continued
options) and supports students’ ability
developing a range of skills designed to
focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle
to respond to challenges and complexity.
prepare them for further study at GCSE
through the provision of timetabled
Independence in learning is developed
and A Level, and more importantly life.
non-examined PE and a range of PSHEE
and leadership encouraged. Self-sufficiency,
This is where students find their passions:
Days. Students will finish Key Stage 4
global awareness, physical and mental
the subjects they enjoy; the subjects they
with experiences across a broad range of
wellbeing and Spiritual, Moral, Social
are desperate to find out more about;
subject areas including Digital Learning
and Cultural development (SMSC) are
the subjects at which they excel; the
and in a position to excel in Sixth Form
integral to our Key Stage 5 experience,
subjects they may spend the rest of their
and beyond.
as is preparation for the next stages
lives pursuing. Students are supported
of life (university, apprenticeship or
through this exploration by the provision
employment). We take advantage of
of a tailored Personal, Social, Health and
strong links with neighbouring schools
Economic Education (PSHEE) curriculum
to maintain a broad offer of subjects.
where they learn the value of independent
Whilst students do have a free choice
Your daughter will be welcomed into
thought, resilience and a love of life-long
of the subjects they select, we advise
a friendly place of learning where she
learning. There is a thorough exposure to
students to study Mathematics in some
will grow in knowledge and confidence,
Digital Learning within all subject areas, as
capacity, including Core Mathematics,
be encouraged in her efforts and
well as specific coding lessons and Focus
particularly if they are studying a
praised for her achievements. In the
Days devoted to digital activities. Physical
science, social science or Economics.
classroom, she will experience a variety
and mental health are promoted through
of teaching strategies intended to
timetabled curriculum periods, such as
Please see our website for more specific
inspire and challenge.
PE, Positive Psychology and Tutor time.
information about the subjects we offer.
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We offer over 80 different clubs
students participating in music
and societies run by both staff and
and sports tours as well as being
students, affording our girls the chance
able to experience different cultures
to take ownership whilst developing
through visits and Homestays in
organisational and leadership skills. These
France, Italy and Spain, plus regular
societies range from sport, music, drama,
student exchanges with our partner
dance and debating, to religion, politics
school in Sri Lanka.
and philosophy, Ultimate Frisbee and yoga. There is something for everyone.
We also run a very successful outdoor and adventurous activities
Students not only engage with these
scheme, giving students the
opportunities; they excel. Our musical
opportunity to complete the Duke
ensembles regularly perform in public
of Edinburgh Award, participate in
to great acclaim and our sporting teams
an Outlook Expedition or take part
compete successfully at a regional and
in an Adventure Activities weekend.
national level, so much so, that we have been consistently ranked as one of the top
We encourage students of all age to
state schools for sport in the country.
take part in these activities, express themselves and showcase their
Additionally, we offer a significant
talents. This undoubtedly helps boost
number of educational visits throughout
self-esteem and gives our girls the
the school year which complement the
confidence to take on life and succeed.
academic aspects of school life and enable students to grow as individuals. A
Please see our website for a full list of
number of these visits are residential, with
extra-curricular activities.
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OUR COMMUNITY
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We know that our duty of care extends far beyond academic learning. We take that charge seriously, providing dedicated pastoral support for each student, giving her the chance to discuss whatever she needs with someone who truly cares. There is a sense of togetherness here at Wycombe High School which we consciously nurture. We want our girls to develop long-lasting friendships during their time at the school and also to feel part of an environment where they are free to express themselves, whatever their area of passion might be. We provide holistic support at every stage of each girl’s development, be it through their Personal Tutors or our dedicated Student Support Team, ensuring each girl can thrive. Wycombe High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are required, before taking up a post, to undertake a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
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OUR ALUMNAE
Nicola Brown (1986 – 1992)
We’re always excited to hear what our alumnae achieve beyond Wycombe High School. Many of our former students come back to visit and share their experiences with current students.
Nicola received a BSc degree in Geography from Portsmouth University which was linked to University Air Squadrons. She is now a Captain with British Airways. Dr Aliyah Yousuf (2004 -2011) Aliyah studied medicine at King’s College London and completed a Master’s degree in Reproductive and Sexual Helen Bone (1988-1995)
Health Research at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She
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Helen is a Senior Geologist for Fairfield
is currently working as a Senior House
Energy (an oil and gas company). Her
Officer in Accident and Emergency at
role is to take a wide range of geology
West Middlesex University Hospital.
data acquired from drilling rigs and interpret the presence and volume of
Flo Wilson (2007-2014)
hydrocarbons. Flo undertook an apprenticeship as a Erin Orford (2000 – 2007)
Chef at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, in partnership with the University
Erin received a BSc in Business
of West London and the Gordon Ramsay
Management from The University
group. She has worked at The Savoy and
of Birmingham. Erin is a Programmes
is now working at The Conduit in London.
and Social Media Assistant at COINS Foundation, as well as being a para-dressage European Champion and member of Team GBR Equestrian. Rachel Burden (1987 – 1993) Rachel studied History and Politics at Trinity College in Dublin and Broadcast Journalism at Cardiff University. She is a radio news reporter and presenter. She has presented the BBC Radio 5 Live weekday breakfast show since 2011.
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Girls are eligible to be considered for admission to Wycombe High School in Year 7 if they meet the required qualifying score of 121 in the admission tests or have 18
been deemed qualified by a Selection Review Panel. Two tests, each of approximately 45 minutes duration, are taken in the September of the year prior to proposed admission. The tests comprise elements of verbal, numerical and non-verbal ability. Each child’s scores in the different elements of the tests are age-standardised and added together, therefore setting all children on an equal footing regardless of when their birthday falls within the year. For the full Admissions Policy, visit our website: www.whs.bucks.sch.uk/admissions/ admissions-process
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AT WYCOMBE HIGH SCHOOL
WE LOOK
We look beyond the traditional grammar school.
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We look beyond league tables and examination results. We look beyond stereotypes and conventions. We look beyond a world where futures are fixed.
Wycombe High School, Marlow Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 1TB 01494 523961
@WycombeHighSch
www.whs.bucks.sch.uk