About Year 6
Our Year 6 curriculum offers a planned transition from the primary experience to Key Stage 3 education. Teaching is by subject specialists, there is strong tutorial input and pupils have access to a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Year 6 girls are fully integrated into the life of the school and attend all the major occasions.
Year 6 is running as usual for the academic year September 2007 until July 2008
The detailed admissions policy for Year 6 entry after Colston’s Girls’ School becomes an academy in September 2008 has yet to be agreed. We will update the information here as soon as it is available.
CURRICULUM
Years 7-9
Mrs J Rossiter BSc Hons Head of Lower School
In the Lower School at CGS we aim to foster a serious attitude to academic study whilst also providing a broad range of extra curricular experiences.
The traditions of the school are used to give a sense of history, continuity and belonging to our school community.
Regular assemblies of the lower school are held to disseminate information and provide opportunities for pupils to give presentations that they have prepared.
Pastoral Care
We take our pastoral care responsibilities very seriously at CGS and know from experience that academic achievement is supported by a myriad of other factors in a young person’s life. Friendship issues, social and personal confidence, health (both mental and physical) all have a bearing on the academic success of the individual. At this age in particular, social competence and feeling secure and happy are crucial.
The role of the Form Tutor cannot be overestimated and we aim to develop a rapport with individual pupils through this daily contact. The Form Tutor is the main reference point for social and academic issues and the first point of contact for parents. Regular one to one discussions are held and home-school contact is expected on a weekly basis via the school diary.
CURRICULUM
Extra-curricular activities
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Each Tutor Group elects a Prefect, Deputy and a Green Rep. each term which allows the girls to experience leadership and responsibility.
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Tutor Groups also research and prepare a series of assembly presentations on a theme closely linked to their Citizenship and PSE programme. Public speaking skills can be developed and practiced through this activity.
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We feel that fund-raising for charity is very important. Choosing a charity for the group to support encourages discussion and fosters a greater understanding of the needs of others. Fundraising activities also provide a chance to learn cooperation and organisational skills.
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In addition to these activities we have a programme of events which run throughout the year.
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Year 7 have a Christmas party organised for them by the Head Girl Team and they usually have a trip to France in the Spring or Summer Term
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In Year 8 there is an annual visit to Beam House, a PGL centre in Devon specialising in outdoor activities.
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Y 8 also take part in a sponsored workout for the charity LEPRA.
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A variety of other activities are on offer such as a public speaking competition, ski trip and theatre trips.
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One of the highlights of Year 9 is Production Week when the timetable is suspended and a play or musical is produced and performed in just one week.
Years 10-11
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Key Stage 4 begins in September with the GCSE Evening for Y10 and ends with the Y11 Yearbook and Prom.
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Our school provides strong pastoral support for all girls in Year 10 and 11. We try to increase the girls' feeling of wellbeing and competence to cope with pressure and adversity. One strategy we use to provide effective support for the girls' is counselling.
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At Colston's Girls' School we have a small friendly community where girls are valued and encouraged to speak openly about any personal or subject-related matters with whichever member of staff they feel most comfortable.
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At GCSE level we work towards all girls reaching their potential. We help them to achieve this by monitoring their progress, setting targets across all subject areas, and providing a variety of learning pathways.
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We aim to foster an environment where the girls act in a mature and responsible way. We encourage independent research and for the girls to take responsibility for their own success.
CURRICULUM
Extra-curricular activities
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Charity Fundraising by all upper school forms to donate money to their chosen charities
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At various times during the year upper school girls have opportunities to go on day trips or weekend trips abroad, such as Bruges at Christmas time to visit the markets. At the end of Year 10 examinations we do fun trips to Alton Towers or a designer shopping trip to Swindon, Oxford or London.
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At the end of Year 11 the girls organise a Prom to celebrate.
Post 16
Introduction
Our aim at Colston’s Girls’ School is that every student will leave with a range of skills, interests and academic achievements which will form the basis of a happy and fulfilled life.
The majority of our students continue into higher education at universities throughout the country, some after having completed a Gap Year helping those less fortunate at locations around the world.
Life for a Sixth Form student at Colston’s is both enjoyable and stimulating. The atmosphere is more relaxed and informal as is her relationship with subject staff. The emphasis is on self-motivated, independent learning, developing new skills and taking a greater responsibility for her work. These are all qualities that she will find essential for university study and her future career.
Many of our students say that their time in the Sixth Form was the most enjoyable part of their school life and that they loved the extra responsibilities and privileges on offer.
As senior students, sixth-formers play an important role as leaders of the school community and have many opportunities to work with younger pupils through the School Council, the form-prefect system and through extra-curricular activities. They also share in the day-to-day running of the school and they have the opportunity to represent the school in public on many important occasions throughout the year.
The Sixth Form benefits from a Common Room equipped with a kitchen area with toaster, microwave and kettle. The Head Girl Team also has an office next to the Common Room. There is a garden where BBQs are held for the Sixth Form and guests and a Café where students can go to chat and relax.
Pastoral Care
Whilst there is a big focus on independent learning, each student also has a mentor to guide and advise them. The mentor will be responsible for collecting information and compiling a first draft reference for UCAS and for guiding them through the personal statement with the help of the Head of Careers and the Head of Sixth Form. Any concerns or problems that the student may have will be dealt with by the mentor and the Head of Sixth Form where appropriate. Each student will therefore have the support necessary to fully focus on making the most of their time in the Sixth Form.
CURRICULUM
Enrichment Activities
Whilst students are guaranteed an excellent academic education at Colston’s Girls’ School there is also so much more on offer:
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At the beginning of Year 12 students have a day of seminars on independent learning and time management. This helps to bridge the gap between GCSE and A level and gives students a sense of responsibility for their own learning. There are then follow-up sessions with mentors throughout the term.
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At 3.30 on the first Friday of term all Year 12 and 13 students depart for Beam House in Devon for a weekend of team-building activities and initiative exercises. These encourage the development of key skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. Students will have a fantastic, positive, confidence-building experience which will leave them with memories they will keep forever. The whole weekend is free of charge for all students as it forms such a vital part of the Sixth Form experience.
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There is a Barcelona city break in November for a weekend where students can immerse themselves in the culture of this beautiful city.
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There is an overnight stay in London where students go on the London Eye, see a show, have dinner at Hard Rock café, see a gallery and of course go to Oxford Street.
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Students can become involved in the public speaking competitions through the Gabblers Society.
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Students can participate in the school drama productions and in the school choirs.
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Sporting activities continue with golf, climbing, karate, dance and fitness classes among the many activities on offer.
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There is the opportunity to do some form of community service and this is the student’s choice.
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And of course there is the opportunity to be involved in the Young Enterprise Scheme (link). The companies from Colston’s are always very successful winning in at least one of the categories.
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Finally the opportunity to continue with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is available for all those wishing to take advantage of this.
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The Sixth Form are also responsible for running charity events and each year a large sum of money is collected by the school for a wide range of charities.
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There are regular events such as BBQs and visits to the theatre, cinema and Laserquest.
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