ACADEMIC ELEVATION
We elevate each girl’s education with the skills she will need for study and future pathways.
At Sydenham High, we are ambitious for all our pupils. We recognise the value of academic success with excellent A Level and GCSE results. We are also forward thinking and alert to the changing demands of employers and higher education establishments. Led by an experienced, expert team, a Sydenham High education develops whole personhood with a broad range of skills to fully prepare our young people to be world- ready.
Our bespoke Elevate Curriculum develops crucial skills through a series of supra-curricular courses and programmes.
Our key focus areas include:
Independent enquiry: the confidence and intelligence to think for yourself and learn from others
Communication and collaboration: effective oracy and interpersonal skills
Creative thinking and problem solving: regenerative, sustainable and solution focused
Financial literacy and business acumen: prepared for the world of work
Tech for action and innovation: learning to harness new technology
Volunteering and community impact: engaging in meaningful partnerships
Our pioneering approach has been recognised at the Private Education Awards 2025 for our commitment to providing an outstanding education for girls, particularly regarding Futures.
Pupils learn about looking after their personal finances and broader economic issues. For example, pupils discuss pocket money in the Prep School, and consider wants and needs in Year 8. Pupils develop their understanding of budgeting, bank accounts and mortgages in the Sixth Form.
ISI, 2024
The Elevate Curriculum
In 2015, we spearheaded the Power Skills Programme, a unique Sixth Form timetabled provision, in early recognition of the need to equip students with the transferable skills essential for life beyond school, echoing Reuters’ observation that
“Power skills aren’t just nice to have— they are essential skills for an ever-changing workplace.”
Now we have launched The Elevate Curriculum! This pioneering initiative offers timetabled periods for pupils to study key future skills, emphasising holistic development, as well as opportunities for independent research projects from Year 7 to Year 13.
Our Socrates Programme
Socrates once said ‘the unexamined life is not worth living’ and our bespoke programme, coined in the great philosopher’s name, intends to foster that mentality…
Alongside a series of exciting lectures on a broad variety of topics ranging from the environment, to the arts and technology. Socrates Scholars also have the opportunity to meet and engage with a variety of leading experts to be inspired for their final piece of work.
Year 7-9 pupils are invited to join the Socrates Programme (it is compulsory for Academic Scholars).
Upper School Research Diploma
The Research Diploma requires pupils to work independently, research and create a project on a topic that they are passionate about and wish to research further, taking the form of a dissertation, artefact or performance. It is intended to stretch and challenge our most able pupils with the key aim of expanding their breadth and depth of knowledge, and is pupil-led under the supervision of tutor assessors who teach skill-based sessions.
The experience and programme is of immense benefit to pupils, not only in terms of honing skills required at GCSE and A Level, and impressing universities in their applications and interviews, but also in preparing them for university study itself.
The EPQ
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a Level 3 stand alone academic qualification, equating to half an A Level. It is an independent research project, guided by an experienced supervisor, and enables students to develop skills in the areas of problem-solving, critical thinking, analysis, synthesis evaluation and public speaking. Highly regarded by both universities and employers, many Russell Group universities take the EPQ into account as part of their holistic assessment of a student’s UCAS application.
Students who do the EPQ also find that the skills are transferable to their other subjects and recent research has shown that students who complete the EPQ enhance their chances of achieving an A*-B in their other A Levels by 29%.
#700STEMChallenge
We are passionate about supporting our pupils, regardless of their interests, and helping them achieve their ambitions.
In 2018, a sixth former proposed a STEM writing competition for both GDST and local London schools, combining creative writing with STEM topics.
Since then, we have proudly hosted the event annually, with expert judges selecting our finalists each year.
ISI, 2024
