Excellence for All

The Hertfordshire & Essex High Schooland Science College

Welcome to Herts & Essex.

The next step in your daughter’s life is a big one, and we understand how important making the right choice is. At Herts & Essex, girls joining us in Year 7 become part of a vibrant and happy community where they are given exciting opportunities enabling them to develop their talents, enjoy themselves and to flourish.

Girls start their journey at Herts & Essex in a single-sex environment - one that is recognised as being best able to promote girls’ learning and development - before moving to our dynamic mixed Sixth Form. Our aim is to provide an all-round education; our staff work with great skill and dedication to provide enjoyable and challenging experiences that stretch our girls’ learning. And whilst our results consistently prove that we are able to secure

the best academic outcomes, we place as much emphasis on the broader measures of success: our students’ personal development, their confidence and their ability to find their place in the school and wider community. Herts & Essex’s six core values of compassion, creativity, independence, initiative, resilience and respect lie behind every aspect of school life, whether inside or outside the classroom. We find that our students are bright and enthusiastic, thriving in our relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

At Herts & Essex we are committed to respecting each member of the school community as an individual. The transition programme at Herts & Essex reflects this and is specifically designed to make your daughter feel safe, secure and happy, thereby ensuring the best possible start to her secondary education.

The journey starts here…

4

We are extremely

impressed by the

teachers. Thank you

to all the staff for

making our daughter’s

secondary school

transition such a

success; we honestly

couldn’t ask for

anything more.

Year 7 parent

5

The school has stretched

and challenged our

daughter’s abilities without

stereotyping in subjects like

Maths and the Sciences.

She has thrived in the single

sex environment and is

confident of reaching any

goal she goes for.

Parent of current student

6

7

From the very start of her time in the Lower School at Herts & Essex, your daughter will be immersed in an exciting and varied curriculum which will allow her to explore a range of subjects before refining her educational pathway in the Upper School. Our students are encouraged to become truly active learners. We ensure that they have the freedom to explore knowledge and gain understanding, to question and challenge, research and discover.

As well as the full range of core subjects, students will study languages, humanities, technology, the arts and physical education in a dynamic, creative and supportive environment. Our status as a specialist Science College, reflects our commitment to scientific study for our girls.

Our Science staff nurture the necessary combination of enquiry, diligence and invention which allows our students to succeed in this field. Whether this leads to a career in science for some science or a lifelong fascination in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects for others, we believe that this is critical to an understanding of and participation in the modern world.

Students are involved in a variety of scientific events throughout the year including lectures, workshops and participation in national STEM competitions, which have been successful in recent years.

Dynamic learning…

8

We recognise that in order to flourish, your daughter needs to feel supported and happy. Our tutor system is designed to provide that support as students move up through the school. Form Tutors and Pastoral Leaders move on with their cohort which allows the teacher-student relationship to be reassuring and strong, and ensures each student is treated as a unique individual.

In the classroom our students are continually challenged and stretched and progress is frequently monitored, assessed and discussed in order for students to reach their potential. This is supported by a range of intervention programmes, both academic and emotional, which ensure that all our students - whatever their ability level or particular learning need - are able to flourish and thrive.

The comprehensive system of pastoral care includes time for reflection and developing resilience, as well as important opportunities for personal and social development. The exciting and extensive programme of residential trips and day visits, along with the annual Curriculum Extension Day and Activities Week are important events in the school calendar which support student learning and enhance social skills.

Support at every stage…

9

I am so impressed by the

support you are giving

my daughter; the pastoral

care is second to none.

I cannot speak highly

enough of the staff.

Parent comment

10

At Herts & Essex we know that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. Your daughter will be given a fantastic range of opportunities which will help build on the interests and talent she already has, as well as allow her to discover new and exciting areas.

There is a strong emphasis on extra-curricular activities and the programme is full and comprehensive. There’s never a dull moment! In Year 7 all students are encouraged to join clubs, not only to open their eyes to something different, but also to forge new friendships. From Arts Award to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, from debating to Mandarin, from netball to the Year 7 choir, our students acquire a positive commitment to joining in and have lots of fun in the process.

Life at Herts & Essex is further enriched by the opportunity students have to express themselves as musicians, artists and actors.

The annual whole school productions are dynamic and professional, drawing on a wealth of talent from the student body. Whilst being in the spotlight is the ambition of some students, others can get involved in set, costume or make-up design, lighting and post-production.

For those students who come to us via the sporting and musical aptitude route, there is a busy programme of clubs and ensembles to choose from. Our sports teams which include swimming, netball, football, basketball, athletics, rounders, rowing and volleyball, have had considerable recent success at local, district and national level. For talented musicians, the school provides an excellent environment in which to continue to excel. We are also able to offer bursaries for especially talented students on a second, orchestral instrument.

Exciting opportunities…

11

Our daughter is very

happy, her confidence

has grown so much

and she is taking full

advantage of the

opportunities she has

been given. We couldn’t

be any happier.

Year 7 parent

12

As part of the Herts & Essex community, your daughter will be encouraged to find her own place within it. Students have a strong sense of pride in and ownership of the school, with each of them belonging to one of the six houses: Astra, Castle, Forest, Hart, Lea and Seaxe.

The student voice is greatly valued at Herts & Essex and every student has the opportunity to join The School Council and Student Leadership Teams. These bodies make valuable contributions to many aspects of school life playing an important role in the recruitment of new staff and leading improvements to the school environment. Girls in every form have the chance to become actively involved. They are able to help support other students by becoming part of the buddying or peer mentoring programme or they may choose to take on specific leadership roles - Form or House Captain, Charity or Sports

Representative. This, together with the strong house system, strengthen the student-to-student bond and school loyalty, whilst developing communication skills and providing valuable learning experiences.

Our girls grow to exhibit a generosity of spirit both within school and beyond it. Raising awareness of and funds for a wide variety of charities locally, nationally and abroad is always high on our students’ agenda. Interact, the student run, Rotary-supported charity committee, is instrumental in this; charity events take place throughout the school calendar and the summer break sees groups of students embarking on life-changing experiences helping families in Cambodia and living alongside African students at our partner school, Eden High School in Uganda.

At Herts & Essex we are proud of the place our students take within the school community and in society as a whole.

Taking their place…

13

Herts & Essex link with

Eden High School is

effective in fine tuning the

individual’s perceptions,

priorities and ways of

doing things, equipping

our students to live in the

global village.

Moses Sizomu, Headteacher at

Eden High School, Uganda

14

Herts & Essex is not just

about creating academically

able students. The school

allows you to develop into

a well rounded individual

who is confident in their

own abilities and knows

that they can succeed.

Ex Year 13 student

13

The school motto, Sic Itur Ad Astra, translates as ‘reach for the stars’ and at Herts & Essex your daughter will be encouraged to aim high and to achieve her goals, whatever they may be. Herts & Essex students are highly aspirational; they embrace the challenge of being given high expectations, and the confidence and ability to meet those expectations is constantly nurtured by our staff.

Our aim to provide an education ranked amongst the top 5% of state schools in the country has been achieved consistently in recent years*; our GCSE results are exceptional, with a high proportion of students gaining A and A* grades. Excellent groundwork throughout the Lower School means that your daughter will be ready to sit her GCSEs with confidence and maturity, knowing she has all the skills she needs to succeed.

Students continue their education in our highly popular, mixed Sixth Form, where this ethos of hard work and achievement enables them to be successful at A Level.

Our Sixth Formers are very special young women and men. The final years of their school career, with their extra responsibilities, prepare them for the world of higher education, employment and beyond. At the end of their time here, our students leave as confident, well-rounded and mature young people, ready to take their place with confidence in an increasingly complex world.

*DfE league tables 2015

Reach for the stars!

14

Emmeline Gee 2008 - 2015

Now studying Medicine at the University of Manchester, I feel incredibly lucky to be

where I am. The support I received at Herts & Essex was priceless, and undoubtedly allowed me to succeed on this course.

As a student at Herts & Essex for seven years, I have made life-long friends and I can take away many happy memories. The teachers at the school are driven and passionate, and we would always be encouraged to achieve the best we could. During my time there, there were many opportunities to take part in activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and visiting our partner school in Uganda. However, I think the most valuable lesson that being at Herts & Essex taught me is to believe in yourself and to not let anything hold you back.

Medicine, University of Manchester

Emily Day 2008 - 2015

Herts & Essex gave me the grounding and opportunities I needed to aim high and achieve

higher. The dedication of the staff did not go unnoticed and I am eternally grateful for their academic and emotional support throughout my seven years there. My teachers inspired me to aim for Durham University to study Arabic, Politics and French and I could not have succeeded without their unwavering perseverance.

The teaching is high quality and engaging and has without a doubt, fostered my enthusiasm for learning. Teamed with a number of fantastic opportunities to get involved with the school community and volunteer abroad, as I did in Cambodia, Herts & Essex’s education is one of a kind. I am a very lucky student to say I enjoyed every minute of my high school education, and now I am loving university every bit as much.

Arabic, Politics & French, University of Durham

Naomi White 2008 - 2015

I will always remember my time at Herts & Essex. It is a school that provides a caring

environment and from the first day of Year 7, I felt part of the Herts & Essex community.

The academic side of Herts & Essex is fantastic. The teachers are extremely dedicated and will go above and beyond to ensure that all students achieve what they set their mind to. Herts & Essex fuelled my passion for learning and this, combined

with excellent support from members of staff, allowed me to gain A Level grades that I am extremely proud of and a place to study Psychology at the University of Birmingham.

I was given so many opportunities; there is a vast number of extra-curricular activities and leadership roles on offer. I was also lucky enough to visit our partner school in Uganda - an experience I will never forget.

Psychology, University of Birmingham

Rachel Nash 2008 - 2015

I thoroughly enjoyed the seven years I spent at Herts & Essex; I have many happy

memories of my time there. The great teaching was combined with a wide variety of extra curricular activities which I enjoyed.

I am currently studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge and during my time in the Sixth Form at Herts & Essex was given all the support I needed to achieve this. The enrichment opportunities, including completing an Extended Project Qualification, along with the support and preparation for university interviews were extremely beneficial.

I have been back to visit to talk to current students; I hope it helped them in the way I was helped and guided when I was there. Herts & Essex is a great school. It’s an excellent place to reach your potential and go beyond it.

Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge

In their own words…

I can’t wait for the

next five years ahead

of me. Herts & Essex

is a brilliant school

- I love it here!

Year 7 student

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The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College

Warwick Road, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 5NJ

Telephone: 01279 654127 Fax: 01279 508810

Email: admin@hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk Website: www.hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk

Headteacher: Cathy Tooze MEd (Cantab)