Academic

"...at both GCSE and A level pupils make exceptional progress relative to pupils of similar ability..." Independent Schools Inspectorate Report, 2011

Consistent excellence at GCSE and A level testifies to the quality of education provided at Notre Dame.

The Senior School provides every girl with a broad, balanced and relevant education which allows for continuity and progression whilst recognising that each girl possesses their own unique combination of gifts and talents. We recognise and nurture strengths, identify and resolve weaknesses, and encourage individuality and independence. From their first day in the Senior School, well-motivated girls are challenged by a wide-ranging curriculum, delivered by highly qualified subject specialists.  We foster achievement through enjoyment of learning with enthusiastic, motivating and inspirational teaching.

Opportunities for personal, social, moral, spiritual and cultural education are an integral part of the curriculum.  We want our pupils to not only be prepared for the next stage of education but for lifelong learning and be able to take their place in the world as confident young women, secure in their values, and able to make their own contribution to Society.

We enjoy superb facilities for Swimming, Science and ICT and Autumn 2011 saw the opening of The Montaigne Theatre, our outstanding Performing Arts Centre that provides a worthy setting for the exceptional Drama and Musical productions in which all our students have the opportunity to participate.

Our purpose built Science facility caters for experimental Science learning for all our students, with many students continuing to study Science into their higher education. Right from the first day, students study a range of Modern and Classical Languages and also have the opportunity to join our Italian and Mandarin clubs. In Design & Technology, our superb facilities enable students to make their own products and creations from Year 7 through to A Level. Our Art students' work has pride of place throughout the school with sculptures, mosaics, paintings and print demonstrating their talents, which have been nutured by our excellent team of Art professionals.

Mathematics at Notre Dame Senior School is vibrant and engaging with active learning and curricula tailored to the individual needs of the girls in small class groups. In the Humanities, all our students are encouraged to explore and debate topics and issues in the context of challenging programmes of study. English is thriving at Notre Dame Senior School as students interact with literature, poetry and contempory culture, underpinned by a solid grounding in literacy skills, public speaking and debate. ICT is taught in our three well equipped ICT suites as a seperate subject from Key Stage 3 to A Level, it is also an integral part of our whole curriculum, used to support and extend learning in all subjects.

We know our girls well and track our students' progress carefully to ensure a bespoke, tailor made experience for each individual. Every girl has challenging, objective targets against which her development is measured. This means we can intervene quickly to assist us in keeping all students on track, to achieve above and beyond expectation.

At GCSE and Sixth Form, each girl has an Academic Mentor who provides individual support and advice as part of our integrated academic/ pastoral system. Parents are kept fully informed of their daughters' progress and are welcome partners in the educational process.

We are justly proud of our girls and their achievements, you are most welcome to come and meet our pupils and our dedicated, professional teaching staff at one of our Open Days or on a personal tour.