Challenging traditions

DEVELOPING INDIVIDUALITY

www.trurohigh.co.uk

Developing individuality

ChALLENGING TrADITIONs

Dr Glenn Moodie

hEADMAsTEr’s MEssAGE

Truro high school is a very special place. I was welcomed into the Truro high community in september 2014, having previously worked at a variety of independent schools around the UK, and it has made quite an impression. What struck me about the school from my first visit was something very special - a unique quality that is hard to define, a warmth and a spirit that touch all those who pass through our doors.

We have a long tradition, dating back to 1880, of providing an all-round education to girls from a wide variety of backgrounds. Each is different and making the most of that individuality and maximising potential is what we are all about. As a small school, there is a warm sense of community here that is clearly visible around our campus. Pupils of all ages mix and interact freely and with confidence – supported and guided by an experienced and very dedicated body of staff. Perhaps it is the Cornish air, or the friendly yet purposeful approach, but the buzz about the campus is one of happy girls and staff working together to make things happen.

At Truro high school we don’t just know our pupils well, we also know (and share) their dreams and aspirations.

” Girls in single sex schools are 3 times more likely than girls nationally to study Physics at A level.

Institute of Physics

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Truro high school caters for a wide range of academic abilities, but the strong work ethic of our pupils and the dedication of our staff mean that we achieve outstanding results, regularly topping the county’s league tables.

Girls are encouraged to work hard and to persevere in their studies. They are aided by a body of experienced and able teachers who use a range of approaches in lessons and provide extensive feedback. The teachers’ dedication extends to outside of lessons, where teachers and pupils are regularly seen meeting to go over difficult concepts or to discuss pieces of work.

Our curriculum is varied and challenging in order to stimulate academic and personal development. It is based on a broad range of subjects in the younger years with the opportunity to narrow in focus, to some extent, at GCsE and specialise at A Level. All pupils are expected to take English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, three sciences and at least one modern language at GCsE.

The girls themselves have a very positive attitude to work and study. They work well independently and, just as successfully, in a team or group. It is the drive and discipline that the girls possess

that sets them apart, coupled with their innate sense of fun and their balanced approach to life.

ACADEMIC

Chloe, aged 8 Regional Chess Champion

PrEP sChOOL

We take girls aged 4-11 and introduce them to a wonderful world of fascinating facts and intriguing possibilities. Our pupils are hungry to learn and they do so with a smile.

Our Prep school is situated on the same site as our senior school and the girls thrive in a warm, friendly, forward-looking atmosphere. Encouraged to take part in all that is on offer, they learn to love learning and are fully prepared for their secondary education in a safe, supportive environment where both pupils and staff get to know each other well.

We have just under 100 girls in the Prep school. There is usually one form per year group and each class comprises an average number of about 14 children.

An increasing range of subjects, including PE, Art, science, Computing and Modern Languages, are taught by specialists as girls progress through the year groups, with French a part of their curriculum from Year 1. however, the form teacher remains at the heart of everything we do and English and Maths are central to our focus.

Alanah, aged 16National Time Trial Medallist

Visitors are always struck by the friendliness and all-round enthusiasm of our senior pupils. Encouraged to follow their dreams, they like to aim high.

Whilst aiming for and achieving the highest standards of academic success are very important, we also focus on helping girls develop their personality, their creative and sporting ability and their friendships. Now is the time to ‘stretch talent’ and our girls learn to take on responsibilities too.

The growing-up years from 11to16 can sometimes be a difficult time emotionally, but we are extremely proud of our ‘outstanding’ pastoral system. The relationships between girls and staff are strong. These years guide our pupils to success at GCsE and prepare them for the rigours of sixth Form.

sENIOr sChOOL

Graduates of all-girls’ schools are 6 times more likely to consider studying mathematics, science and technology beyond school.

Goodman Research Group

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sIxTh FOrM

Our sixth Form offers young women a unique opportunity to achieve their very best academically and to develop their sense of adventure and their leadership skills in a supportive, caring environment. At Truro high school they receive the individual teaching attention they need to ensure they feel happy with their work and do well.

Combining first class academic teaching with small class sizes and a wide range of sporting, cultural and social experiences, our pupils develop the skills needed to cope successfully with work at A Level, university and beyond. We have a wide range of subjects on offer, from Chemistry to Latin, Textiles to Business studies and Geography to Psychology. In addition, many pupils choose to take the Extended Project Qualification.

Our sixth Formers have their own separate space where they can revise, relax and enjoy downtime with friends. The centre is fully equipped with wi-fi, ample study space and a brand new café. All sixth Form pupils are encouraged to play a full part in the life of the school. Many take on roles of responsibility and take a lead in our school community.

Lowenna, aged 16GB Windsurfing Medallist

sPOrT

sport plays a central role in the lives of most of our girls. At Truro high we work hard to ensure that physical activity is seen as both indispensable and enjoyable.

We have more than our fair share of sporting stars and our Prep and senior school teams regularly win county titles, as well as individual places in the West of England and, indeed, national squads.

Our girls are encouraged to try out a wide range of sports, with hockey, netball, swimming and athletics amongst the most popular. however, pupils choose from options which range from water polo and tag rugby to street dance and yoga to make sure they get the most out of staying active. The school has its own all-weather astro pitch and a 22.5 metre swimming pool, as well as a sports hall, tennis/netball courts and grass pitches.

Through studying music, girls will develop broader life-skills and attributes – including critical and creative thinking, aesthetic sensitivity and emotional and cultural development.

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MUsIC

Girls at Truro high school enjoy their musical pursuits, from flautists and violinists through to drummers and guitarists. In addition to GCsE and A Level Music, girls are encouraged to develop musical talents by taking individual lessons on a variety of instruments. These are offered within the

school day, as well as before, and after, academic lesson times. Many pupils play instruments and they are encouraged to take graded examinations at the appropriate intervals.

The department boasts a large choir which performs regularly. Extra-curricular music activities include a school orchestra, prep choir, jazz band, string orchestra,

clarinet choir, saxophone ensemble, ukulele choir and recorder ensemble. The department presents termly formal concerts, smaller informal class concerts and takes part in music festivals and external competitions throughout the year.

Our recently-opened performing arts building provides practice rooms and a state-of-the-art

music technology suite to facilitate the best learning.

Drama is not just an academic subject, but a life experience.

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Drama is not just an academic subject, but a life experience that encourages girls to use their imaginations and express themselves freely.

In addition to offering the GCsE and A Level, we offer dance, LAMDA lessons, drama clubs and a major production each year, which alternates between a musical and a drama. The Drama Department is based in the recently-opened performing arts centre with its own studio theatre giving our young actors the space to explore and create.

PErFOrMING ArTs

Grades A* or A achieved by 100% of girls taking Textile Design GCSE in 2015.

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It is perhaps no surprise that a school in Cornwall has a strong pedigree in Art and Design. Our Art and Design Department provides practical and critical learning experiences to inspire imaginations and hone specialist skills.

We offer Fine Art and Textiles at GCsE and A Level. Drawing and painting are popular media and pupils benefit from our extensive extra-curricular programme, including life drawing classes and workshops. The department includes a dark room, a pottery studio and a sixth Form studio.

Our Textiles pupils produce outstanding pieces which they exhibit in an annual fashion show. A large light-filled studio and first class teaching allow the girls to run riot with their imagination whilst keeping a close eye on product planning and development, time management, industrial applications and many other disciplines. They enjoy visits throughout the year to museums and events such as The Clothes show Live as inspiration for their work.

ArT AND DEsIGN

Olivia, aged 12Goalkeeper

Our wide range of clubs and societies has something to cater for the tastes of all girls. There is a great sense of getting involved at Truro high – right throughout the school. With so many exciting extra-curricular activities on offer it’s not hard to see why.

some pupils find themselves spoilt for choice and cramming activities into every moment of their school day. Pupils can create costumes, construct theatrical sets, design and build racing cars, learn about the Earth’s geology, read ancient Greek, gaze at the wonders of the universe or play in the samba band. The range of activities is considerable and is constantly being reviewed and updated in response to pupil demand.

ExTrA-CUrrICULAr

I was relieved to learn how much effort the staff and the pupils put into welcoming new students as well as caring for their happiness and success.“

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With en suite rooms, comfortable living accommodation and a great family feel, our boarding houses are always popular. A perfect home from home.

Truro high school has two boarding houses, rashleigh and Dalvenie, which offer full, weekly, flexi and occasional boarding. The houses are well-equipped and staffed by a team of friendly and welcoming house parents. Years 11-13 occupy rashleigh house, which has single and double study bedrooms, all with en suite facilities. Both houses are equipped with wi-fi, though for the young boarders in Dalvenie this is restricted to communal areas. Boarders take all their meals in the school’s dining room, where our chef and his team prepare a wide range of healthy appetising and nutritious dishes.

BOArDING

Amy, aged 18, heading to Cambridge University to study Medicine

Truro high school pupils go off to study a wide range of courses at university from Medicine to Nursing, Mathematics to Accountancy and Fashion Design to Fine Art.

The majority look for entry to russell Group and other top-ranking universities in the UK. Along the way they are well supported by our head of sixth Form and Careers Co-ordinator and by a carefully-tailored programme of university guidance and support at both a whole school and department level. In order to ensure pupils make the right decisions they sit accredited psychometric tests followed by one-to-one discussions in Year 11 and have weeks of work experience in both Year 10 and Year 12.

CArEErs AND hIGhEr EDUCATION

Greenpower Racing International Finalists 2015

Good Schools Guide Home Economics Gold Award Winner 2015

We firmly believe that girls’ schools can do much more for equality than co-ed schools. In girls’ schools, girls have all the opportunities. They can try and succeed at anything and everything. This is particularly important during the teenage years when gender stereotyping starts to take hold.

The pressures on young people today are immense and certainly considerably greater than they were even ten years ago. In a girls’ school, girls are free from some of the social and societal pressures they might otherwise feel. They can remain children for longer. Our Year 8 pupils still go out onto the fields at lunchtimes to do cartwheels.

But this doesn’t mean that girls’ schools are overly-safe and molly-coddling institutions. At Truro high school our girls take the lead in projects which in a co-ed schools are likely to still be dominated by boys. A good example of this is our Greenpower Car Project. We have more than 30 girls involved in designing and building racing cars, which they then race at places such as rockingham speedway and Castle Combe.

Every parent wants the best for their children and we believe that for many girls this is offered by girls’ school education.

WhY ChOOsE ALL-GIrLs?

Luce Magistra – With my teacher as my light.“

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Truro high school has been a Church of England school since its foundation in 1880.

Though we remain an Anglican school, in November 2015 the school joined the Methodist Independent schools Trust (MIsT). We recognise the enormously valuable work that has gone on ecumenically between the Methodist Church and the Church of England in recent years, and we feel this move is a tangible sign of that expression.

The churches share core values which are consonant with the vision we want to live out as a school. MIsT’s Mission statement and Ethos, combined with our priorities, give the school a sense of purpose and vision that is mutually enriching and educationally stimulating.

OUr VALUEs

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One of the most striking things about Truro high school is how the teachers really seem to know the students and are determined to help them succeed which I have never experienced before at my former schools.

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A school full of inspirational teachers, who taught me that hard work, determination and passion for your subject matter are all you need to succeed.

Truro high school has a very special something. It is hard to put your finger on but it is there and it enhances every single day.

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” As a former pupil and now the mother of two girls there was really no other school I would consider.“

Challenging traditions

DEVELOPING INDIVIDUALITY

As a former pupil and now the mother of two girls there was really no other school I would consider.

Truro High School for Girls, Falmouth Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2HU, England

tel: +44 (0)1872 242904 e: registrar@trurohigh.co.uk

@TruroHigh Truro High School for Girlswww.trurohigh.co.uk