Durham High School for Girls A GSG School
- Durham High School for Girls
Farewell Hall
South Road
Durham
DH1 3TB - Head: Mrs Simone Niblock
- T 01913 843226
- F 01913 867381
- E [email protected]
- W www.dhsfg.org.uk
- A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 11 to 18 with a linked junior school
- Boarding: No
- Local authority: Durham
- Pupils: 285; sixth formers: 62
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: £13,125 pa
- Open days: September, November, February, May & June
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Durham High Junior School for Girls
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Girls spoke appreciatively of teachers' personal approach and the amount of individual attention they get. Parents speak highly of teachers who ‘build relationships with each child individually and get to know what makes them tick’. Childrens’ mental health high on teachers’ agenda. Without exception, girls spoke of support and encouragement from teachers; being known well; talents spotted; confidence built. Supplemented by trained counsellor plus school chaplain. The seniors' play is performed at the Gala Theatre in Durham - the school's drama studio stage is, cleverly, the same size, to facilitate the transfer...
What the school says...
Durham High School is unique as the only girls’ school in County Durham, and its distinctiveness also stems from being an all-through school, educating girls from Nursery through to the Sixth Form on one site.
Our pastoral care is exemplary; girls feel secure as members of a caring, compassionate community, each knowing she is valued for her own talents and individuality. Visitors invariably comment on the warm, happy atmosphere in school.
As experts in the teaching of girls, we know how girls learn and we provide the stimulating and supportive environment in which they can flourish. Girls here enjoy their academic studies and the challenges with which they are presented; they like the fact that it's ‘cool’ to try hard and all have high aspirations. With small classes and committed staff, each girl is assured of individual support and teachers are indefatigable in their efforts to secure the best possible outcomes for the girls in their care.
We have an extensive extra-curricular programme, with activities, trips and opportunities to suit everyone. Girls are also encouraged to develop the leadership skills, confidence and mental resilience which will help them succeed in later life. ...Read more
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
Rowing
What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmistress
Since September 2018, Simone Niblock, previously senior deputy head at Queen Margaret's School. English degree from Oxford and a PGCE from Cambridge. Has taught at St Edmund's College, Ware, Stockport Grammar, Perse Girls and Shrewsbury High, where she stayed for 16 years, joining as head of English and being promoted to director of studies.
Academic matters
Consistently the highest performing school in the county and came out particularly well in the English Bacc league table, though a dip in A level results in 2018 to 37 per cent per cent A*/A, 66 per cent A*/B; usual subjects plus psychology, Latin, Greek, classical civilisation, sport, theatre studies, art and design – a notable range for such a small sixth form. Impressively, almost half do maths and sciences, EPQ taken – no slacking from these girls.
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
We have in-school screening for Specific Learning Difficulties. We have a designated Learning Support Room with appropriate resources. We have an Educational Pyschologist who works with the school, assessing and following up individual needs. SpLD students are given a weekly lesson with a qualified SpLD teacher and support within the curriculum, if parents request it. For those with literacy and numeracy difficulties, we give help on an individual or small group basis. Other support for hearing difficulties is given usually through the LEA sensory support services working with the school.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | |
| Aspergers | Y |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | |
| Dysgraphia | |
| Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyspraxia | |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | Y |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
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Who came from where
| School | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Durham High Junior School for Girls | 2017 | Majority to the senior school |
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