Successful schools are the ones that never rest on their laurels. They are the ones that are always asking; what else, what now? How can we provide the best possible experience for the children in our care? Tradition and heritage, valued alongside a commitment to innovation and creativity, allow schools to evolve authentically. At Sydenham High School we have over one 130 years’ experience of providing a first-class education for girls and since our inception in 1887 our school motto, Fear Nothing, has created a passion for renewal, reinvention and adventure.
From September 2018 we will be taking this pioneering spirit forward with us as we launch Sydenham High Prep. No strangers to educating fearless girls from the age of 4 upwards, we are excited to announce a reimagining of how we deliver excellence and opportunity for our younger girls. Sydenham High Prep replaces Sydenham High Junior School to more accurately describe the high quality experiences on offer to girls, from the moment they start school to the time they the step up to Senior School. Building on our success and popularity as a school with a difference, Sydenham High Prep authentically and consistently ensures each and every girl is prepared for the world of tomorrow in the best possible way. We see our Prep School commitment as a commitment to preparation for every aspect of life beyond the school gates: academic, social and emotional.
Meaningful Relationships & Personalised Experiences
Happiness has the biggest impact upon performance and development. Our staff are highly committed and motivated; they make it their number one priority to ensure they carefully understand each girl they teach. Building positive relationships allows our staff to get the best out of our girls as learners and our staff pride themselves on being able to tailor the pupil experience to ensure aspirations are high, pastoral care is impeccable and expectations are exceeded.
Expert & Specialist Teaching
Our programme of specialist teaching characterises our provision from Pre-Prep through to year 6 with opportunities to work with specialist teachers in expert facilities that grow with the needs of the girls. Specialist teaching in year 5 and 6 for Computing, Science and Classical Studies – alongside our 11+ Preparation Programme – enhances the high quality provision in place for Music, PE, Art and Design and Languages which is offered lower down the school. Our specialist teaching cultivates specific skill acquisition and a culture of innovation from the very beginning of a child’s learning journey, thus providing a powerful springboard to excellence.
Bespoke Curriculum
Our CONNECT+ curriculum is entirely unique and bespoke to Sydenham High Prep, delivering a variety of rich and varied thematic approaches to learning. Anchored in a clear commitment to providing a strong awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes, the best practices in meta-cognition development underpin our approach to teaching and learning. Meaningful contexts are provided for the girls to work collaboratively to build up the knowledge and understanding to work innovatively, creatively and critically; ways of working that our children will need when shaping their own career pathways.
Unrivalled Co-Curricular Programme
Our co-curricular offering brims with opportunities for our girls to immerse themselves in a wealth of exciting activities. Our school is a hive of activity, before and after school, as well during lunchtimes and break times. Our co-curricular programme not only allows our girls to try something a little out of the ordinary such as architecture, fencing or philosophy but it also provides the space to refine skills in sports, music, art and all aspects STEM. Adventurous trips to France, the Jurassic Coast and the ski slopes of Austria also expose our girls to opportunities to become more independent and resilient. Furthermore, being part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, a family of 25 schools, also affords us access to a range of exclusive events and resources including Sports Rallies, Digital Leader Hackathons, as well as Mathematics and Science Conferences.
To get a real taste of Sydenham High Prep and to find out how your daughter can start her educational journey with us, come along to one of our Open Days or join us for one of our weekly tours.