Cumnor House School for Girls A GSG School
- Cumnor House School for Girls
1 Woodcote Lane
Purley
Surrey
CR8 3HB - Head: Mrs Amanda McShane
- T 020 8660 3445
- F 020 8660 9687
- E [email protected]
- W www.cumnorhouse.com/
- An independent school for girls aged from 2 to 11.
- Boarding: No
- Local authority: Croydon
- Pupils: 120
- Religion: Multi-faith
- Fees: £14,784 - £17,844 pa
- Open days: Personal Tours take place daily, check school website
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Set in six acres on the exclusive Webb estate, a residential conservation area near Purley, first impressions might be that this school...Nods to tradition (boaters, berets and blazers) sit happily alongside modern developments (coding, Mandarin and football). Parents tend to be local (within five miles) increasingly both working, with ‘lots in the medical profession’. ‘Oracy is massive’, girls are encouraged to communicate, to express themselves confidently and...
What the school says...
At Cumnor House School for Girls, our ethos centres on empowering each girl to be her best self. We cultivate an environment where young minds thrive, talents are nurtured and character development takes centre stage. We encourage our pupils to embrace their individuality, creating a supportive atmosphere where they feel empowered and enlightened. Our commitment to high academic standards and future-oriented learning ensures that our girls are prepared for academic success and equipped with essential life skills.
As part of the Cognita Schools group, a global leader in independent education with over 100 schools across 16 countries, we benefit from a wealth of experience and shared best practices. We strive to ensure that every girl, regardless of background, faith, or ability can thrive within our family-like atmosphere. This nurturing environment fosters mutual respect, excellent social skills and diverse friendships, preparing our pupils for future success.
Our pupils achieve significant successes in both academic and extracurricular activities, securing placements in prestigious independent and grammar schools and earning numerous scholarships and awards. Our educational approach is tailored to meet the specific needs of our girls, ensuring each has the opportunity to reach her full potential and is well-prepared for the next stages of education. Many pupils transition to our girls’ school from Cumnor’s nurseries in Purley and South Croydon, benefiting from a co-educational approach until the age of 4 before joining our single-sex education from reception to year 6. Our classrooms are dynamic environments free of gender stereotypes and anxieties.
We have introduced impactful initiatives reflecting our commitment to empowerment and inclusivity, with our curriculum overhauled to ensure diversity, inclusivity and relevance, incorporating multicultural perspectives and diverse literature. Events like Black History Day, Food Festival and International Day celebrate diversity and promote cultural understanding among our girls. Our sports programme – including the mini–cross-country tournament for reception pupils and inclusive fixtures for years 3-6 – has significantly increased pupil engagement in physical activities.
Music and drama are fundamental aspects of our holistic education approach. Our performing arts department focuses on group music making, with three choirs and various instrumental ensembles catering to all abilities. Regular performances, festivals and workshops provide numerous opportunities for our girls to showcase their talents and build confidence.
Inclusivity is deeply embedded in our culture, ensuring a safe and nurturing learning environment where every pupil feels valued and heard. Our proactive approach to pupil wellbeing, supported by a dedicated wellbeing charter and co-ordinator, ensures that individual needs are met. We offer inclusive support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, integrating them into classroom activities and promoting inclusivity.
At Cumnor House School for Girls, our commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion enhances the educational experience and prepares our pupils to become compassionate, respectful and successful members of a diverse global community. This dedication to individual growth, academic excellence and holistic education equips our girls for academic success and fulfilling lives as confident and respectful individuals. ...Read more
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What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since 2018, Amanda McShane. Born in the dales, family travelled widely (she attended six different schools before she was twelve, including overseas). Boarding school (Yorkshire), university (Newcastle) and PGCE (Oxford); a drift south after which ‘there was no going back north’. Started career in state schools before becoming head of science at a boys’ prep in Hampton. After that, eight plus years as deputy head at Old Vicarage School in Richmond before moving to Cumnor House Girls’, bringing with her a vision for the school and a passion for teaching and all it entails. In her office, shelves stacked with masks (props for assemblies), trophies and cups bedecked with brightly coloured house ribbons, certificates, and a red teddy. On the floor, boxes of toys and a large giraffe (stuffed) which, as we left, was...
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