Experience, expertise and a girls first approach in early years at Newcastle High School for Girls.
For parents making decisions that will shape their child’s future, Early Years education matters. At Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG), Nursery and Reception are rooted in decades of specialist experience in early childhood education and a deep understanding of how girls develop confidence, independence and leadership skills from the very earliest age.
This month, NHSG has been shortlisted for Early Years Setting of the Year at the Tes Schools Awards 2026, a national awards programme recognising excellence across both state and independent schools throughout the UK. The Tes Schools Awards attract a record number of entries each year and are judged by a panel of experienced school leaders and education specialists. Being shortlisted is a significant achievement in its own right and reflects the strength, quality and distinctiveness of education at NHSG.
The shortlisting comes as the school celebrates its 150th anniversary of championing girls’ education in the North East, highlighting the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as the foundation of its all?through, girls?only education from age three to eighteen.
What distinguishes NHSG’s Early Years provision is not simply what is taught, but the intention behind it. Led by an experienced Early Years team with long?standing expertise in educating girls, the setting is carefully designed to nurture confidence, curiosity and character – the building blocks of future leadership. The school’s Girls First philosophy is embedded in everyday practice in age?appropriate ways, ensuring girls feel listened to, capable and encouraged to take initiative.
Head Amanda Hardie explains: “The first five years of a child’s development play a critical role in shaping attitudes to learning, confidence and self?belief. At Newcastle High, we use our experience in girls’ education to ensure that from the very beginning, girls understand their voice matters and that challenge is something to embrace.”
Situated within the Junior School site in Sandyford, and set across five acres of grounds, the Early Years environment has been purposefully designed to support both exploration and structure. Bright classrooms open directly onto outdoor learning spaces, allowing girls to move seamlessly between indoor and outdoor learning throughout the day. The curriculum balances play?based learning with focused teaching, supporting early literacy, numeracy and communication while fostering independence and problem?solving.
Beyond the statutory EYFS framework, girls benefit from specialist teaching in music, Spanish, physical education and Forest School.
These experiences help develop collaboration, resilience and creativity – qualities that underpin confident leadership in later life. Girls are encouraged to “have a go”, work together, negotiate ideas and learn from mistakes in a supportive and nurturing environment.
A key measure of success is transition. When girls leave Nursery and Reception, they consistently meet Early Learning Goals and move smoothly into Key Stage 1, confident, curious and well prepared for more formal learning. This reflects a curriculum that is ambitious yet carefully scaffolded, ensuring academic challenge is balanced with high?quality pastoral care.
As NHSG marks its 150th anniversary, its pioneering history is shared thoughtfully with the youngest pupils. Through stories, classroom discussions and simple reflections, girls begin to understand they are part of a long lineage of trailblazing women who created a pathway to opportunity for future generations. These early messages help shape a sense of identity and belonging, reinforcing the belief that leadership is something girls can grow into naturally.
At Newcastle High School for Girls, excellence in Early Years is not new. It is the result of purposeful vision, professional expertise and a clear belief that confident female leaders are not created overnight – they are nurtured from the very beginning.
Girls can join NHSG Nursery from age three, and eligible parents can receive up to 30 hours Government Early Years Grant funding.
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