PRENTONHigh School for Girls

Hesketh Avenue, Birkenhead, Wirral CH42 6RR

Tel: 0151 644 8113 Fax: 0151 643 9588 Email: schooloffice@prentonhighschool.co.uk

www.prentonhighschool.co.uk

PRENTONHigh School for Girls

“Making a difference”

Welcome to Prenton HigH ScHool for girlS.

On behalf of the Governors, staff and students of Prenton High School for Girls, I am very proud to welcome you to our school – an Outstanding Academy - and the only all-ability, all-girls’ school serving local communities throughout the Wirral peninsula.

Our reputation for academic excellence and success is not only recognised in the local community. In addition to receiving ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted reports in 2007 and 2011, in 2013 we were placed in the Top 100 schools nationally – a recognition of the academic progress made by all our students.

I understand that choosing the right secondary school for your daughter is one of the most important decisions you will take and that here in Wirral, with the selection process at the age of 11 or younger, it can be extremely stressful. At the ‘half-way’ stage in their education and with the most important years ahead, we subscribe to the view that young people should not be ‘written-off’ but should be able to look forward to academic success, progressing to higher and further education as well-qualified young women, with transferable skills and strong self-esteem.

Here at Prenton High School for Girls, we welcome all – of all abilities, those of faith and without faith, and we fully endorse the research that girls do better in all-girls’ schools. There is no doubt in our minds that the girls who choose Prenton have a distinct advantage over those who experience a mixed-gender education. Our girls can experience many exciting opportunities, taking on roles and responsibilities ahead of their years, that would not be available elsewhere.

Our Academy status allows us to provide a rich curriculum. A range of activities cater for our students’ individual needs and aptitudes and prepares them to take their place in the world of the future as confident and responsible adults who are empowered to make real choices in their lives.

Our aim is ‘to make a difference to the life aspirations and opportunities available to the students we teach’ and you will see from this prospectus this permeates all that we do. We strive for excellence and expect the highest standards and achievements from our girls at all times, be that in their appearance, their behaviour, their effort and their attitude, both within the classroom and in their personal lives.

We really encourage visits to our school – you don’t have to wait for the Open Evening and Open Mornings! Come and see our school in action; we will be delighted to show you around on a normal working day. Simply contact the school and appropriate arrangements will be made for either myself, or one of my senior staff, to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.

Experience for yourself the calm and purposeful atmosphere and outstanding behaviour recognised by Ofsted.

I look forward to welcoming you soon,on, Yours sincerely,

Lisa Ayling, Headteacher

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PRENTONHigh School for Girls

“The specialism pervades the school, with high quality artwork in all areas and creative and scientific projects across the curriculum.” OFSTED 2011

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AS An oUtStAnDing AcADemY WitH SPeciAliSt ScHool StAtUS in Science, mAtHS AnD tHe ViSUAl ArtS We giVe YoUng Women of tHe fUtUre tHe VerY BeSt oPPortUnitieS to tHriVe.

Academy status has given us the opportunity to build on the successes of our specialisms, and is used in many innovative ways to enhance the curriculum. For example our cross-curricular theme days deliver exciting lessons and stimulating learning experiences for students. We continuously seek ways to enrich the curriculum and have introduced Latin and Classics courses for Year 7 and 8 students.

We offer both Science and Separate Science triple GCSE courses and students have access to many challenging extra-curricular activities - as UK RoboCup champions for seven consecutive years, teams have travelled as far and wide as the USA, China, Singapore and Mexico.

An Outstanding Academy

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Prenton HigH ScHool iS AcADemicAllY excellent AnD oUr StUDentS AcHieVe Well ABoVe tHe nAtionAl AVerAge in All AreAS. We offer An oUtStAnDing eDUcAtion in WHicH All girlS AttAin tHeir mAximUm PotentiAl.

Ofsted recognises “The rich and varied curriculum is highly personalised… and every student can succeed.” GCSE results show a rising trend, providing clear evidence of the first class education Prenton provides.

We challenge every student, at every level, to reach their full potential. In 2013, we were recognised as one of the top 100 schools nationally for the progress our students make during their time with us.

The benefit of a small school means that everyone’s talents are recognised, and all students have the chance to flourish. As one parent said, “My daughter is not just a number. She has had numerous opportunities to visit universities, perform in the school play, become a prefect, take part in school trips home and abroad, and play for her school and county teams - to mention just a few.”

Outstanding Achievement

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“Girls at single sex, non-selective state schools outperform girls of the same intelligence at mixed comprehensives, according to the first research to confirm the benefits of an all-female state education.” ThE GOOD SchOOlS’ GuiDE

“The ethos, culture and practice instilled and exemplified by the Headteacher and her senior leadership team ensure that students and staff are highly ambitious, and have the skills and resources required to fulfil those ambitions.” OFSTED 2011

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it’S not jUSt in leSSonS tHAt StUDentS cAn excel –

Over recent years we have received many community awards, including the Wirral International School Award, the Princess Diana Award, the John Moores’ University Good Citizenship and Achievement Awards, the Eco Schools Award and the Tranmere Rovers Community Award. Students’ art is permanently on display in the SEAL Unit and the Day Care Centre at Arrowe Park Hospital and their work exhibited at the Lady Lever Art Gallery and in the Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre. Every year students raise substantial sums for Breast Cancer, Claire House, the local Society for the Blind and many other charities close to their hearts.

We offer a highly impressive range of extra-curricular opportunities, including school and lunchtime clubs, plays and concerts, sporting competitions (our Under 15s are Wirral Indoor and Outdoor Cricket champions and our Year 9 Volleyball team are also Wirral champions), foreign study tours, ski holidays, gardening club, film club, and robotics - the RoboCup Governing Body regard Prenton as ‘one of the global elite’. With over forty different clubs in which to participate, there is something for everyone.

Outstanding School Life “There is an extensive range of extra-curricular activities. High participation rates indicate that these activities are enjoyed and appreciated. Visitors to school and educational trips are used extremely well to support and enrich learning, stimulate curiosity about the wider world and foster ambition.” OFSTED 2011

Students are placed in one of three Houses - Bedford, Riviera and Hesketh– that help to look after students’ wellbeing, progress and success. The House system is at the heart of our support network, led by the three Heads of House, their deputies, Learning Mentors and supported by House Captains.

Outstanding Support & Progress

“The exceptional quality of care, guidance and support the school provides, including outstanding safeguarding, ensures that all students feel very safe and well cared for and that every student can succeed.” OFSTED 2011

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“The exceptional support that students provide for each other through the peer mentoring programme is a striking example of their excellent personal development.” OFSTED 2011

From their early years they can become Form and House Captains, Peer Mentors, School Council members, Sports Leaders, Reading Club Leaders, junior Librarians, student interview panel members, Head Girl and deputy Head Girl, Film Club reporters interviewing stars at red-carpet events in London,

take leading roles in full-scale school productions and musical concerts, and become international standard RoboCup competitors.

Outstanding Student Responsibilities

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Prenton StUDentS tHriVe on tHe extrA reSPonSiBilitieS tHeY Are offereD.

“Making a difference to the life aspirations and opportunities available to the students we teach.”

A mUlti-million PoUnD refUrBiSHment AnD re-BUilD, folloWeD BY A fUrtHer UPgrADe in tHe SUmmer of 2013, ProViDeS oUr StUDentS WitH A WonDerfUl enVironment WitH StAte of tHe Art fAcilitieS.

These include a championship-size Sports Hall with multi-gym, a purpose built Dining Room with swipe-card technology, Science laboratories, Art and Design Technology rooms, a Learning Resource base with a wealth of books and facilities to support learning and ICT equipment expected in any first-class establishment, with interactive whiteboard technology in every classroom.

We also have a superbly furnished Impact Studio, a Drama studio and cinema, a Planetarium, and a Music room complete with Apple-mac technology using the very latest software, enabling the girls to produce multi-media and music projects of the highest quality.

Outstanding Facilities

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“My time at Prenton has been an amazing experience and if I had the opportunity I would do it all over again.”

“Prenton has changed me in so many ways and I will cherish every one of my school days.”

“There have been times I’ll never forget. The staff are brilliant; I will miss them all.”

“I know I couldn’t have had the ‘Prenton experience’ anywhere else.”

“I love school. It’s the place where I have been the happiest.”

“Prenton has been inspirational.”

“As a girl in care, I’ve moved around – but I’ve stayed at Prenton. It’s like my home. I’ll miss it.”

“I will cherish every one of my school days at Prenton.”

“My time at Prenton has been incredible. Memories I shall never forget.”

“I love Prenton – it’s like one big happy family.”

“Prenton has been exciting and a great experience.”

“When I was in Year 11 at Prenton I was the priority. Now I’m at Sixth Form College, I’m the priority here – I can’t lose!”

“When I was looking for an ‘A’ level course, I couldn’t believe the number of schools who wanted me to join them!”

“Prenton is a truly exceptional school.”

What Our Leavers Say:

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PRENTONHigh School for Girls

PRENTONHigh School for Girls

Hesketh Avenue, Birkenhead, Wirral CH42 6RR

Tel: 0151 644 8113 Fax: 0151 643 9588 Email: schooloffice@prentonhighschool.co.uk

www.prentonhighschool.co.uk

PRENTONHigh School for Girls

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