They say that school days are the best days of your life, and in the Senior School these happy memories are fostered. Pupils focus on achieving their full potential both academically and personally. With exams a large part of school life, the academic environment becomes more demanding.

The Key Stage 3 curriculum in the Senior School remains broad and blends the best traditional schooling with the latest curriculum initiatives. Science is separated into Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and Latin is introduced to complement French.

The GCSE stage is all about choice and, while the two core subjects, English and Maths are compulsory, pupils choose at least a further six subjects to study. Pupils are encouraged to take a broad range of subjects to ensure a balanced education as they begin to think of their careers for the future.

From the age of 14, pupils really begin to focus on examinations, and staff work closely with pupils and hold additional revision classes to ensure they have all the support they need. A clearly defined pastoral support system is at the heart of the Senior School’s caring atmosphere. Teachers carefully monitor assessment grades and examination results so that help can be given to pupils where necessary.

However, it is not all work and no play in the Senior School. There are clubs and activities at lunchtime and after school, and sports teams have regular practices and fixtures. All pupils in Year 10 upwards are encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

Working together is encouraged, and the regular inter-house competitions ensure a competitive, but friendly, environment. One of the greatest strengths of the Senior School is the relationship between staff and pupils. Discipline and respect are key ingredients which, when mixed with friendliness, make a great recipe for exam and personal success. At the end of their time in Senior School, pupils look back fondly and have memories that will last a lifetime.