Senior Department

Culcheth Hall Senior Department offers an outstanding education to GCSE level for girls aged 11 to 16 years. Facilities are comparable to a larger school, yet the advantage of smaller teaching groups.

The school's superb facilities equal those of larger schools. Excellent pupil / teacher ratios and small class sizes enables the provision of the individual attention so vital to nurture each pupil to fulfil her highest potential.

An excellent all round education
The school is proud, not only of its academic achievements, but of the success in sporting activities and high standards in music and drama.

The Curriculum
The first three years provide a broad-based course education including -

CoPE
The Certificate of Personal Effectiveness is a framework through which key skills and activities are developed.

CoPE at level 3 has recognition from UCAS and attracts an offer of 70 UCAS points.

The certificate is obtained by the completion of a portfolio of evidence (there is no examination) of all the activities undertaken. This will demonstrate the wider key skills of Working with Others, Improving Own Learning and Performance and Problem Solving. This is done through units where they plan and carry out research involving communication and discussion.

There are a range of challenges available to choose from:

• Active Citizenship
• Work Related Activities
• Career Planning
• Global Awareness
• Enrichment Activities
• Research and Presentation Skills

Careers advice is offered from year 8.

In years 10 and 11 pupils commence specialised courses leading to GCSE examinations. All pupils take English, Mathematics, Science and Information Technology and in addition a wide range of optional subjects is on offer, arranged after close consultation with teachers and parents.

Provision is made for educational and vocational visits and in Year 10 the opportunity is given for local work experience.

Pupils enjoy many concert and theatre visits and there is a strong tradition of excellent dramatic and musical presentations by the pupils. Individual tuition is offered in piano, woodwind, stringed and percussion instruments and singing. Girls also have the opportunity of joining the school choir.
School visits abroad and outward-bound type courses are a regular feature of school holidays.

The latest technology combined with traditional values
The school offers the most up-to-date technology to prepare pupils for higher education and the world of work, ensuring that they leave Culcheth Hall with the necessary skills, motivation, flexibility and self confidence to face the challenges of the twenty-first century with optimism. The majority of pupils progress to higher education and are successful in their chosen careers. Nevertheless, Culcheth Hall maintains traditional values. The school believes very much in the importance of the individual within a community atmosphere. Emphasis is placed upon self-reliance and self-discipline, but above all the girls are encouraged to show courtesy and to be mindful and caring of others.

Amenities
The school boasts some very fine facilities including a large sports hall, library, music rooms, language laboratory, science laboratories and a technology suite comprising an information technology centre, art and design studio and food technology room. On-site playing fields with tennis courts enable a wide range of sports activities to be offered for both individuals and teams.

Admission
A prospectus or webite can only give a flavour of the atmosphere of a school. You are warmly invited to visit and see the school in action. Please telephone the secretary to arrange an appointment with the headteacher, who will be delighted to show you around and answer any questions

Offer of a place at other times of the academic year is dependant on an interview with the parents and child. She will then be invited to spend a school day with her respective year group.

Only the new senior intake (Year 7) take the Entrance Assessment -it is NOT a pass or fail examination - it merely lets us assess the level attained so far.

At Key Stage 3 (Year 7 to 9) all pupils study Art, English, French, Spanish, Geography, History, Information Technology, Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), Music, Physical Education/Games, and Personal Development and Religious Education. There is a strong element of cross-curricular work which develops a more holistic approach and encourages the development of individual study skills.

The GCSE curriculum is broad and balanced where pupils are faced with a set of more demanding challenges and opportunities. All pupils are expected to gain a minimum of five subjects at grades A*-C. The common core of GCSE subjects includes English, English Literature, Science (Separate or Double Award), Maths and French.

A choice of other GCSE subjects, including Art, Spanish, Food Technology, Child Development, Physical Education, History, Geography and Information Technology, add to this core.