Senior School

Senior School (10 to 18)

Life in the Senior School is challenging and very busy. There are approximately 320 girls, aged 10 to 18, who study a broad and varied curriculum, complemented by a wide range of extra-curricular activities. As well as the core of English (Language and Literature), Maths, French and Science, girls study the humanities (History, Geography and Religious Studies), a second foreign language (German and/or Spanish), Information and Communication Technology, Physical Education, Performing Arts (Music, Drama and Drama), Art (painting and printing), Food Studies and PSHCE. At Key Stage 3 all subjects are compulsory, but in Years 10 and 11, girls exercise some choice regarding their GCSE subjects and again at AS/A2 Level in Years 12 and 13. Further subjects are added to the curriculum in the Sixth Form: Politics, Economics, Psychology and Sociology.

Class size is small, usually with a maximum of 20 girls in each form. Teaching groups are smaller still at both GCSE and A Level. Academic standards are high, progress is carefully monitored, and the girls are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning. Pastoral care is strong; all pupils follow a course in personal and Social Education and Citizenship.

All students in Years 6–9 take Art and Design and, thereafter, it is a popular optional subject. Every year a number of leavers progress to Art Foundation, Design and Architecture courses. We have a good record of access to the top Art Schools in the UK. There are three art rooms. Students use the first for screen-printing and related activities, the second for drawing and painting, and the third for craft and independent study. Teaching is based on detailed work schemes and pupils are taught foundation skills throughout Years 6–9. We aim to provide the best opportunities for them to succeed. Students in Years 10–13 build on these skills and develop their own direction as the course develops. We follow the OCR Unendorsed Specification at GCSE and the AQA Unendorsed Specification at AS/A2.

Dance is taught to all girls from Year 6-9. Through skills-based schemes of work, they are given the opportunity to explore a wide variety of dance styles. These include Hip Hop, Salsa, Ballet, and Bollywood. This also ensures that the students develop a wider understanding of the historical, social and cultural development of this area of the arts.

Drama is taught to all girls from Year 6-9 at which point students can choose the subject as an option at Key Stage 4. Here at Leicester High School for Girls we follow the OCR GCSE course and the Edexcel Drama and Theatre Studies course at AS and A2 level. The lessons at Key Stage 3 are skills-based and progressive, making the transition to GCSE level easier. It is hoped that students at all levels will develop in confidence and self-discipline through working with each other in a safe and nurturing environment. Those who do best at Key Stage 4 approach the course with enthusiasm, mutual respect and commitment. Taking GCSE Drama is not a prerequisite for opting for Drama and Theatre Studies at A level, but it is considered advantageous. Recent A level productions have included ‘Agnes of God’, ‘The Garden Room’, and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Students are currently preparing for performance of ‘Shakers’ by John Godber and ‘Low Level Panic’ by Clare McIntyre. Pupils are also able to prepare for the LAMDA examinations in Speech and Drama in school.

Economics is offered at both AS and A2 Level in the Sixth Form. Our excellent facilities are all housed within our sixth form block and the teaching room is fully equipped with the latest teaching aids. The students often use the ICT suites and other research materials in the central library. Lessons are designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity and not simply to cover the narrow boundaries of the specification.  As such, the girls are expected to read the financial sections of newspapers and other relevant publications and are required to explain their views on current economic issues on a regular basis. There are opportunities for students to enter the Bank of England Target 2.0 Challenge and to take part in the Pro Share investment programme.

English lessons are wide-ranging, fun and highly stimulating, and are based upon a variety of full-class, individual or small-group activities. All pupils study English Language and English Literature as an integrated course to GCSE. A good proportion of students then go on to study English Literature at AS/A2, and some beyond. The girls are actively encouraged to participate in the extra-curricular opportunities provided by the department, including: theatre trips, in-house writer workshops, film shows, debating and public speaking, as well as entry to various local and national literary competitions.

Food Studies in Years 6-9 is followed for half the academic year. Every fortnight, pupils cook a dish related to the topic they are studying. They also complete an independent piece of research and an ‘Active Kids Get Cooking Food Award’. We aim to educate the girls in food preparation techniques, diet and nutrition, hygiene and safety, and wise food shopping. In Years 10 and 11, students follow the OCR GCSE course in Home Economics (Food & Nutrition). Coursework represents 50% of the total marks. The pupils have two classes a week: one theory and one practical. In the Sixth Form, as part of the enrichment course, all students have the opportunity to gain the Level 2 Award in Food Hygiene and Safety in Catering, approved by the Institute of Environmental Health. The OCR Food, Nutrition and Health specification is also offered at AS/A2.

Geography covers a wide range of themes that focus on both physical environments, such as tropical rain forests and coasts, and human activities, such as settlement and population. Pupils learn about local, national and global issues in both rich and poor countries, and are encouraged at all levels to develop geographical and fieldwork skills. All of Year 7 are involved in a residential field trip to Norfolk where they study river and coastal processes. Other day visits are arranged in Years 8-11 and in the Sixth Form there is the opportunity of a further residential trip to Preston Montford. All pupils study Geography up to the end of Year 9. Many go on to take the subject at GCSE, AS/A2 level and at university. Recently, a geographical society has been established in school where outside speakers and interactive activities are enjoyed.

Government and Politics is a new subject at Leicester High and is currently being taught to AS and is being offered as a full A Level from next September. The AS course focuses on the key structures of British government and deals with contentious issues such as our voting systems, the role of the House of Lords and our entry to Europe. In the second year of the course, we look at US structures of government and political issues, such as how democratic their electoral processes really are. Finally we make interesting judgements on whether America is actually more or less democratic than Britain.

History is the study of people, place and time. Year 7 pupils look at Medieval realms, discovering the problems faced by medieval monarchs and the people they ruled. We aim to build key skills into every topic. In Year 8 the girls investigate the Tudors, Stuarts and French Revolution by analysing sources, comparing and contrasting time periods and learning to communicate thoughts and judgements through extended writing. Year 9 is centred on the study of human rights and how different societal groups may not have received equal treatment. GCSE is the opportunity to use the skills gained at Key Stage 3, with the acquisition of knowledge through the AQA syllabus to learn about aspects of international relations in the twentieth century. At A Level the focus returns to the Early Modern Period, with an emphasis upon religious reformation and political development in both England and Europe. To help embed this understanding and promote interest in the topics studied, students are invited to attend at least one history centred school visit per academic year. Year 8 girls visit Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire to aid their understanding of the Tudor period, while in Year 9 a moving visit is planned to the Beth Shalom holocaust memorial. The GCSE students attend a visit Belgium where the theoretical knowledge of the First World War is put into stark reality with visits to trenches and memorials along the front line.

Information and Communication Technology is taught for an hour a week for half the year to all classes in the Senior School until the end of Year 9. The aim is to ensure all pupils are competent and confident users of ICT in all their subjects, and, when given a task or assignment, the girls can make appropriate use of their ICT skills to enhance their learning. By the end of Year 9 they also have a level 1 qualification in basic ICT skills before they make their GCSE choices. ICT is primarily a service to enrich learning across the whole curriculum. There are three state-of-the-art computer rooms in school. All girls have routine access to these facilities during lessons and in the lunch hour, as well as after school.

Mathematics is taught as a core subject from Years 6-11. The course is based on the National Framework, and informal testing takes place at Key Stage 2 (Year 6) and Key Stage 3 (Year 9) to ensure parity with national standards. Setting in mathematics takes place from Year 7 onwards to ensure that each student learns at an appropriate pace and that more stretching work can be given to the mathematically able. All students are entered for the Higher Tier of the Edexcel IGCSE in Year 11, with the majority achieving Grades A* and A. Mathematics is a popular A level choice. The AQA GCE course comprises of two core mathematics (pure) units and one application unit (statistics, mechanics or decision maths) at AS level and the same at A2. Further Mathematics is also offered. The school successfully enters many students for the UKMT mathematics challenges, as well as the Team Challenge. In addition, many other internal competitions are organised and all students have access to the ‘Mymaths’ website which offers both games and also learning support for the curriculum.

The Modern Languages department’s ethos is not only one of academic excellence, but also to make young learners enthused about the study of Modern Foreign Languages, about the real people who use them, and about their cultures and countries. All pupils learn French up to GCSE level. In Year 8, 2 periods a week of both German and Spanish are provided for all so that students may have an informed choice of which second language they wish to follow in Year 9. At this point, they make their second language choice and are encouraged to take this additional language at GCSE level. French, German, and Spanish may be studied up to A2 level following the syllabus of the AQA board. The most up-to-date and effective teaching methods and resources are added to by language experience visits, hosting guest speakers and showing films.

The Music department’s aim is to give all students practical experience of the subject through composing, listening and performing. In Years 6-9, girls study music by using rhythm, scores, structures and harmony to explore music from around the world.  They listen to a range of pieces and compose and perform their own music, working in small groups, in pairs and individually. This can lead into the study of music at GCSE level.  The course builds on the skills students have acquired in Years 6-9 and the training given in individual instrumental lessons. Classical music, popular music and music from other cultures are all studied, alongside theory, the development of aural skills, performing and composition work. Music can also be studied at AS and A2 level, where the three strands of listening, performing and composing continue to be developed, alongside a more detailed study of set works from a range of musical genres and historical periods. A number of students go on to study the subject at a higher level; many more take advantage of its wide skill base as a foundation for the study of another subject. Individual music lessons are arranged by the department on many orchestral instruments, piano, percussion and voice; about 150 lessons take place each week. Many students also take part in a range of extra-curricular clubs, including three choirs, two orchestras and a range of chamber groups. 

The thriving and energetic Physical Education department offers a diverse range of activities for all abilities ranging from netball and hockey to rock climbing, squash and golf. We enjoy excellent levels of participation with small groups and dynamic staff, enabling us to develop positive attitudes towards sport. GCSE PE is a popular option and the department also run AS and A level courses. Leicester High School offers competitive opportunities for all students, entering both national and local competitions, as well as providing numerous inter-house competitions. We also run trips to national sporting events such as netball test matches and Badminton internationals to inspire and reward our students. The department has worked hard to develop links with local schools, clubs and agencies and values the expertise that specialist coaches provide. Tennis is a popular activity with specialist coaching being provided at no extra cost both within the curriculum and as an extra curricular activity throughout the summer term. We are proud of our ‘Sport for all’ philosophy and feel that the large numbers of girls still opting to take part in Sixth Form games is a testament to this.

The aim of the PSHCE programme is to enable students to become confident and informed citizens of the community. All pupils have a weekly timetabled lesson delivered by a member of the PSHCE team or their form teacher. Guest speakers and external agencies are invited to lead sessions in their specialist fields. Visits also take place, for example, to the Galleries of Justice and Warning Zone. PSHCE lessons allow the girls to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make safe and healthy choices and to respect the rights of others. The topics covered include relationships, personal safety, drug awareness, well-woman issues, study skills, money matters, politics, crime and legal awareness. A variety of learning opportunities are employed, encouraging self-expression and allowing students to make responsible and positive decisions about issues affecting themselves and others.

AS Psychology gives you a real taste of this exciting subject and is delivered through the study of cognitive and developmental psychology, research methods, biological and social psychology as well as abnormality. The A2 course affords the opportunity to specialise in key areas such as biological rhythms, sleep, relationships, aggression, eating disorders, schizophrenia and addictive behaviour. Lessons are generally tutorial in style where you are expected to read and discuss material together and work beyond lessons independently on a variety of tasks. There are opportunities to attend revision conferences, as well as open days.  Psychology is at the cutting edge of modern behavioural science and it is no surprise that many students read for degrees in psychology, as well as the law, medicine, engineering and management to name but a few. The opportunities are endless.

Religion affects all aspects of life and influences many decisions and actions. It is therefore important to develop an insight into areas of knowledge, belief and thought central to an understanding of the modern world. Through a study of philosophy, ethics, teachings and the world’s major religions, pupils will be equipped with a range of skills which will help them to make sense of contemporary events and will prepare them for a wide variety of careers. Religious Studies is compulsory from Years 7 to 11, although pupils can choose whether to take Full or Short Course at GCSE level. At A level students study theoretical and applied ethics, as well as a Biblical or philosophy component. The approach concentrates on lively discussion, as well as a variety of written academic tasks and some visits, courses and conferences.

Science is taught in two double periods in Year 6, after which students are taught in separate subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. Girls acquire a broad range of scientific skills and knowledge of how science works through experimental and investigative work. We offer both Science and Additional Science at GCSE or all three separate sciences. Science is very popular in the Sixth Form. Currently over 70% of girls take at least one subject to A-level and many go on to study science and technology based courses at university.

Biology courses introduce students to the diversity of life all around them. A purpose-built animal house is popular with younger girls and, in the summer, ducks or chickens are reared from eggs. Residential field courses are well supported and a wide variety of day trips are organised - many using the University facilities which are close to hand.

Chemistry is vital for the understanding of biological, environmental and industrial processes. Taught with the opportunity for practical experience in mind and a sense of fun, the department is also keen to integrate ICT into all aspects of the courses and to provide as much variety as possible.

Physics is fundamental to all the sciences and is taught in the context of the real world. A wide range of practical activities helps understand the concepts involved including the use of data loggers. Lecture visits, the annual celebration of Einstein’s birthday and participation in ‘Headstart’ courses are popular and encourage many of our girls into engineering related courses.

The AS Sociology course gives a solid introduction to this vibrant and ever-changing subject. The key topics include Families and Households, Education and Sociological Research Methods. At A2, there is the opportunity to study topics in more depth and currently this includes: Crime and Deviance, Beliefs in Society and Sociological Theories and Methods. Lessons are generally tutorial in style where material is read and discussed together. Students work beyond lessons independently on a range of tasks. There are opportunities to attend revision conferences and open days. Some students read for a degree in sociology, but there is a wide range of other opportunities and students may go on to read degrees in English, History, Social Policy.  Business management, teaching and the law are just a few of the careers which sociology students may pursue. The opportunities are immense.