At Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG), pupils are confident, curious and motivated thanks to the school's all-through ethos and seamless academic curriculum. We spoke to NHSG's Head of Junior School, Amanda Hardie, to discuss what sets NHSG apart from the rest.
NHSG is one of 25 schools nationally that form part of the prestigious Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST). Described by the Good Schools Guide as ‘a pretty compelling package’, NHSG delivers a consistently excellent pathway and all-through ethos for girls aged from 3 – 18.
The school, which spans Nursery, Junior School and Senior School, is under the expert leadership of Head Michael Tippett, who was appointed to the post in 2018. Just two years later, in 2020, and testament to the developments put in place, NHSG was named Sunday Times’ North East Independent Secondary School of the Year. In 2021, Michael appointed Amanda Hardie as Head of Junior School to work alongside him to further strengthen the school’s academic offer for younger pupils.
Amanda’s experience in a senior position spans 16 years, and as Deputy Head Academic at NHSG’s Senior School too, she is uniquely positioned to shape the Junior School curriculum in line with the Senior School – taking every girl on an academic journey right the way through from Nursery to Sixth Form.
Explaining the reasoning for this approach, Amanda said: “It’s often easy to think that all the truly important work for great GCSE and A Level results begins in high school, but we firmly believe that it’s in junior school that the critical building blocks for success are laid. This is where pupils benefit fully from what we call the ‘NHSG difference’.
“Over the past two years, we have adapted, strengthened and innovated the Junior School curriculum so that all the girls have the very best education – one where there are no limits to what they can achieve.
“We focus on empowerment, not pressure, and we really get to know our pupils, ensuring that they are stimulated, stretched and challenged in a way that suits their particular learning style, capability and interests.” The composition and flexibility of NHSG’s academic team also contributes significantly to learning. As well as class teachers, a number of Junior School lessons are delivered by subject specialists who straddle NHSG’s Junior and Senior School, stretching younger learners beyond the core national curriculum. This investment in teaching enables Junior School pupils to learn Spanish and Mandarin and take part in PE, Music and Science lessons with Senior School teachers who live and breathe their specialism, sparking a passion for learning in their subjects which will remain with the girls as they go through the school and beyond.
Amanda said: “The Year 7 dip is a well-documented issue in English schools and it’s something we work to minimise at NHSG. That’s why our curriculum offers a genuine continuum, supported by the specialist teaching we offer. From Year 3, girls also spend a morning each week at senior school making use of the subject specialist facilities. When it’s time, the move to Year 7 is seamless and this benefits a pupil’s personal progression enormously.”
The ‘NHSG difference’ is felt not just in terms of the school’s academic offer, but also in terms of the stunning surroundings and dynamic learning facilities that make up the Junior School. Anyone visiting the grounds in Sandyford will be instantly wowed by the beautiful leafy surroundings, traditional buildings and bespoke indoor and outdoor classroom facilities.
These inspirational well-resourced spaces serve as the perfect backdrop to the carefully designed curriculum and an education that extends well beyond the pure academic.
NHSG Junior School pupils are encouraged to shape and follow their own path from their first day at the school by taking part in an exciting range of broader activities that contribute to their learning and personal development. One example of this is the school’s leadership programme, which offers pupils the chance to lead a project, deliver presentations and talks in assemblies and influence positive change in their communities.
An empowering atmosphere permeates the whole school as gender stereotypes are quashed and girls are encouraged to believe that everything is possible for them. There’s a particular emphasis on breaking down barriers to traditionally male dominated career paths such as construction and engineering both through the curriculum and an eyewatering range of activities as well as speakers from different industries coming into the school to meet with the girls and talk about what the various jobs might entail.
Amanda said: “Our all-girl environment sits at the heart of everything we do. It gives girls the opportunity to define their voice and develop their confidence at a very early age without distraction or inhibition. If you build those firm foundations early on, embedding the girls’ self-belief and aspirations and show them what’s possible, then they’ve got what they need to get the most out of their wider educational journey.” Amanda’s beliefs are backed by hard research. The GDST recently conducted a major piece of research with multiple findings showing that GDST Junior School girls are significantly more confident and resilient than their non-GDST peers. Interestingly, GDST Junior School girls are 20% more likely to believe women’s equality is an important issue compared to their non GDST peers.
“It changes the goal posts for girls”, says Amanda. “From the earliest age at NHSG, girls understand that every opportunity is open to them and this impacts on learning too.”
Clearly passionate about her role and all that NHSG has to offer Amanda added: “Every day at NHSG Junior School is a ‘wow’ day. Seeing the passion, collaboration, community and enthusiasm brimming from the classrooms is simply magical. The NHSG difference is in plain sight.”