The school curriculum
A Blackheath High School education inspires and equips girls to strive for personal excellence in all her endeavours: intellectual; physical; creative; cultural; social and moral. We prepare and empower girls for the future by providing an atmosphere in which academic curiosity is cultivated, confidence is built, and a balanced, open-minded outlook is nurtured.
As an all-through school for girls aged 3-18, we have the luxury of being able to design a curriculum entirely tailored to these aims in every key stage.
Early years
In Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), we know that girls flourish when they can explore, investigate and engage with the world around them. Imaginative games, role-playing and making things, all incite creative thinking and collaborative behaviour during this first all-important phase. Learning takes place at every moment. Forest school; assembly performances; or meeting Bob, the school’s giant African snail; every moment matters!
Junior School
At the Junior School, girls experience the highest standards of teaching from staff who are passionate about junior years education. Girls are taught by subject specialists from Year 3 onwards.
An imaginative and challenging bespoke academic curriculum is complemented by a co-curriculum that challenges, stretches and ultimately prepares girls for the world of secondary school and beyond. Junior subjects include French, Latin and Critical Thinking. Although core subjects are based upon the National Curriculum, we value our ability to provide the distinctive opportunities and exciting projects which enrich classroom teaching; the theme of our curriculum is the ‘Joy of the Challenge.’ Teaching is differentiated and focuses on engaging individuals across a range of learning styles, with superb resources and time devoted to grow the potential of every girl.
Senior School
The Senior School curriculum offers breadth with an element of choice, to inspire students and deepen their understanding of specialist subjects. Along with English, Maths and Sciences, everyone studies creative, physical, technological, linguistic and philosophical subjects, as well as the Wollstonecraft Enrichment Programme and the choice of French or Spanish, Mandarin or German. This all makes for an exciting and rigorous curriculum. Most girls take nine or ten GCSEs, and for those who want more, there is the opportunity to study GCSEs in Astronomy and Ancient Greek as enrichment options. Our extensive co-curricular opportunities support and augment the opportunities available to the girls in their academic lessons, extending their learning through performance, debate, discussion and creative activities.
Sixth Form
Our Sixth Form curriculum offers students a choice of over 25 subjects to study at A-level. Our standard model, followed by the majority of students, is three A-level subjects and an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) in a subject of their choosing; although it is possible for students to take four or potentially even five A-levels. Students also take part in the Wollstonecraft enrichment programme, which includes regular talks from visiting speakers. They run academic societies and receive support and preparation for university admission tests. We know that when they leave us for university and beyond, our students are confident, composed and ready to thrive in whatever paths they choose to follow.
